High Gear, February 12, 2014
Even old Abe Lincoln would have been shivering on a day like this, despite the fact that it was his birthday! Clear and cold this morning, at 3 degrees. With a major winter storm on the way tomorrow morning, this writer will be on the way tonight up to the state of Maine, Lubec, by name, to celebrate a family birthday; so gotta make hay here in Connecticut while the sun shines, for up there it’s been below zero every morning for a couple of weeks.
There was a mix-up in our welcoming song; yours truly started with “This is Rotary, it’s a great place to be…” and most of the club went along with this faux pas, causing President George to bang his gavel for the right song to be sung, “R-O-T-A-R-Y…. etc.” ‘Twas strange how, once started, it was hard to stop ‘em!
Chicken Piccata led a most delicious luncheon offering, followed by chocolate cake. We saw only clean plates being taken back to the kitchen. A count of those plates totaled only 30, not a very good showing for a club which currently has about 65 members. As Pete Seeger used to sing…. “Where have all the flowers (Rotarians) gone…”
Today’s Foundation Minute featured a short video, narrated by Brian Liss, urging all to contribute further to the total elimination of Polio. Next week’s meeting will feature a picture taking episode of us all, gathered to proclaim to the world that “We’re just this close…” Be there, for this historic photographic event!
And for the welcoming of Jason Rojas, Legislative member for East Hartford and Manchester, we sang the correct tune, led by Dave Amberg and Janice Freschlin. Good job, guys and gals!
President George led off the Caring Moments segment by telling of friend and Pastor Al Turner having fallen and badly breaking his leg. Additionally, Stu Harris had a promotion, and Bob Wood is recovering from new hip surgery, though currently suffering pains from incorrect removal of a taped bandage.
Neophyte Sgt-at-Arms Neal Cunningham commendably took us through a list of miscreants, beginning with the entire club for their mish-mash of an opening song, then Dick McCarthy for a club anniversary; Sue Klock and Brian Gorman for birthdays; Steve Jacoby for arriving early; Neal, himself, for a new car; Jay Stewart for a mention of Rotary in church on Sunday; Larry Frazier for insulting the integrity of the Sgt-at-Arms; President George for his picture in the paper; Ruthie Sheehan for the trip of pitchers and catchers to start the Red Sox’s spring training; Marc Glass for seeing his son off to the Sochi Olympics; George Agnelli’s helper on fixing his flat tire; and what better way to end, by a gift from Hope (Firestone, that is) for being late! Dan Firestone finished off this venture by telling of meeting Jay Leno and his 200-car collection of vintage autos.
Sheryl O’Connor has invited all to the South Windsor Cultural Arts concert at the UCC church in S.W. And on March 12, Goodwin College will host our Membership Committee’s open house from 5:30 to 7:30 where we’ll hope to greet lots of peeps interested in joining us in Rotary membership.
Away in warm Florida, Doug Willett will rejoice with us in Ruth Sheehan’s winning of the weekly lottery. Yes!!!
Dan Firestone rose once more to give a friendly introduction to Alex Wisz, today’s in-house speaker. In doing so, Dan urged any and all to consider volunteering for this job, presenting themselves to the membership in the telling of themselves, their occupations and interests.
Alex is a home town boy, born, bred and schooled in East Hartford. Following baseball, paper routes and early part-time jobs in town he pursued college courses, which led to a variety of careers at numerous insurance agencies and community-type banking institutions. He is a great example of an enthusiastic, home grown success story and is certainly a valuable addition to our Rotary club!
Alex heads up our planning committee for the annual Duck Race and told of his committee’s decision to center in on the venue of Labor Field, closeby the Hockanum River. There’s been some expressed interests in holding ”Family Day” activities there as well, but if that is to happen, his committee needs someone to chair them.
Good job, Alex; nice to learn more about you and your interests!
I’ll be off next week, but you can expect to read the offerings of fellow writer Janice Freschlin.