High Gear, February 15, 2012
I rushed in to meeting this afternoon late by a minute only to receive what seemed to be a standing ovation! Excited as I was by the approbation it was not long before I learned its true motivation. It seems there was no one prepared to offer the luncheon prayer and concern was increasing, what with the pious nature of the club, that minus holy supplication there might be no consumption. Thus my appearance bringing hope, and still on its feet from its recent patriotic pledge, the club felt free to release its stress. Embarrassed by my initial fantasies of personal glory, yet remaining eager to be of assistance, I quickly addressed the Divine Reality, and none too soon, the line forming for the buffet almost simultaneous to “Amen.” When I asked if my offering of an impromptu prayer might cancel my fine for being late I was answered with a resounding “No!” even louder than the applause. Nevertheless, I suppose it is good to be needed.
Tom Galvin was our only guest today and Vice President Sheryl O’Connor, substituting for the traveling President Peter, requested Tom Westbrook and Dan Firestone to lead the Welcome Song. The duo did an admirable job, one for enthusiasm and one for dignity.
Sgt. @ Arms, Mary Sullivan, setting a proper example, charged herself first for no pin and than went to work on some other members. Dick McCarthy had a birthday and Club Anniversary, Dan Russell a birthday, the Judge was a cover model on a magazine (He was, too!), Nick Cecere paid just for being back fro Aruba (He should have paid! Not that I’m jealous, or anything.), John Kelleher had something, or did something, or was something—I missed it, Neal Cunningham was on the radio, and Ned Lynch celebrated the Red Sox still being in first place.
Brian Liss reported that Loretta Dienst is recovering from stem cell treatment for myeloma and Dan is getting around better from his back and hip problems. They hope to visit sometime in May. Bill Leone is having an MRI next week. He is in Glastonbury Health Center on Hebron Avenue. The best time to visit him is between 11:00 AM and noon.
Vic President Sheryl announced the upcoming District Conference, May 18-20. There is a registration form on the WEB. There is a Mexican theme and our club will host a hospitality suite. And Mark Glass will bring his Margarita Machine! Whoa!
District Assembly is April 26th at the Clarion Hotel in West Springfield. This is for the training of future club officers. It includes Rotary 101 and the ABC’s of Rotary and how to give prayers before lunch. It is $30 per person but the club will pay the fee.
Brian Liss is part of a community group called Healthy East Hartford. The group will be starting a teaching Community Garden at the YMCA. The project requires volunteer support, both hands on and with planning. Contact Brian at 860-289-6612 or brian.liss@ghymca.org.
Brian also reported on the Duck Race plans which continue to develop. Each Rotarian will be asked to sell two books of ten tickets each. Tickets will cost $10 each. Tickets are to go on sale on March 10th with the last day of sales June 3rd. The faster the tickets are sold the better for the Race organizers as ducks will be marked as tickets are sold. There will be a 3,000 duck limit. The next planning meeting is next Thursday, February 23rd, at the East Hartford YMCA, 5:00 PM.
There is a new member proposal for the club, Mary Ann Freschlin. She is a Funeral Director at the Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home. Welcome, Mary Ann!
Committee Meetings count as one attendance so Committee Chairs please make note of attendance.
Steve Jacoby announced the Mayor’s Charity Ball to be held on March 24th at Rentschler Field. Tickets are $100. Our goal is for two Rotary tables. Four local town charities will be supported with the funds raised, two of which are my favorites, the East Hartford YMCA and East Hartford Interfaith Ministries. Come on! We can fill at least two tables!
Speaking of the Mayor, next week’s speaker will be The Honorable Marcia Leclerc who will address us on the State of the Town.
Mary Sullivan reported that the Dictionary project for this year is almost complete with only O’Brien School to go. She shared with the club two letters she has received thus far expressing gratitude for program from third grades which have received the dictionaries. This has become a traditional project of the club but it still requires a lot of effort. If you can help, please talk to Mary, and thank you to everyone who made the project a great success again this year!
Bob Buettner did not win the raffle this week. Oh yeah, he wasn’t here! That allowed Nick Cecere to pocket the winnings. I guess Nick needs help paying his bills from Aruba. Leaving early, Nick literally took the money and ran.
Scott Nozik, Principal of O’Connell elementary school and teacher Laurie Stock presented a program on International Baccalaureate program for which O’Connell is going to apply to participate. This would be the second International Baccalaureate program in East Hartford, the first being for High School age students. East Hartford School District just keeps getting better and better!
Ted Mosebach