High Gear, December 28, 2011

Today featured a year-end party with wine and cheese, hosted by President Peter, but supplied and arranged for by Rotarian Bob Buettner. Nice touch, Bob, and a most fitting occasion for old and good friends to greet each other as the year winds down. After we gathered, we sang, saluted, and prayed, this time under the guidance of George Schoen, who had borrowed from the on-line greetings of Foundation Chair Bill Boyd and R.I. President Kalyan Banerjee. He and they urged Rotarians everywhere to support Rotary’s world-wide movement toward peace and good will among the peoples of the globe. We sat as Krause Caterers served up a repast of pork, apple sauce, mac & cheese, mixed veggies, and slices of a Christmassy ice cream roll for dessert.

Guests included Brian Liss’ wife Chris and their sons Patrick and Brady; Mo Moshovos’ friend Marlene, visiting from Athens, Greece; and Art Bradbury’s wife, Charlotte. Tom Westbrook, Steve Tamiso and the Liss boys (all 3!) joined in leading a wonderfully exuberant Welcome Song.

Sgt-at-Arms Jim Watts told of those who added to our fine bank: Bill Saunders for 50 years of marriage with Bev, and his second stint in Rotary; Jim Fallon for 19 years with our club; Pat Gately and Dan Larson for celebrating birthdays; Pat opted for no song, but Danny boy wanted to be serenaded, which he was, by Patrick and Brady. Those boys really have it all together, a firm handshake and all!

Caring Concerns voiced today were for Bob Wood, who had a lipoma (non malignant) tumor taken off his upper arm, Pat Gately and George Finch, who were both back with us, expressing thanks for members’ outreach of concern, and for Bill Leone, who still very much needs our prayers. 

There were a few announcements, thusly:

• President Peter apologized for having relied on his IPhone for the start time, only to learn that it’s correct merely to the closest minute, not the nearest second. Tch, tch!
•  There’ll be a Board of Directors meeting next Tuesday at 5:30 at the YMCA
• …and a Program Committee meeting next Wednesday at 11:30.
• PP Ceil Collins, for the Nominating Committee, gave out names of next years’ slate of officers:

     PP Peter Klock; Pres-Sheryl O’Connor; Pres. Elect Pat Gately; Treas-Mike Derr; Secy-Marc

     Glass; Dir-Mike Wiez; another 2 directors names will be sought before the club’s vote.

• President Peter announced the resignation of Donna Bys, who told us she will be leaving the area to join the faculty of Westfield State University. She will also be joining that town’s Rotary Club. Congratulations, Donna. We wish you well in your new endeavor!
• Sheryl O’Connor reminded the club of the next concert in So. Windsor at the Wood Memorial Library at 2:00 on Jan.22^nd, featuring piano, cello, and violin. Give Sheryl a call if you’re interested in free front row seats!
• DG Sue Klock told of the upcoming NID trip to India in Feb, to inoculate children against polio. Millions of kids are “done” in a single day, due to the fantastic organization of this effort. Peter and Sue will be going on this trip and there is still room for others to join in.     

Russell and Dawson President Chirag Thaker, and an East Hartford Rotarian, has just made a most generous gift of $500 to our club. The board is presently deciding how that money should be utilized.

In closing for the year, all joined hands and sang the traditional “Auld Lang Syne,” followed by hearty shouts of “Happy New Year!”

And there is a make-up to report…Sam Leone, on Dec.13, at Jupiter/Palm Beach, FL. Thanks, Sam!

It’s been a pleasure…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Arthur