High Gear, February 26, 2020

For some strange reason, your scribe lost track of time and showed up when all Rotarians were heading towards the lunch table. Needless to say, I missed the Rotary Song, the Pledge-of-Allegiance and the invocation. I am sure those events did happen although I was not there to record it. Please accept my apologies.
I reported in the last week’s HG based on what Jack Sayre told me about chicken teriyaki for lunch today; it turned out to be incorrect. Today being Ash Wednesday, many of us refrain from meat. Instead, we had two kinds of lasagna, veggie sandwiches, salad and rolls. All in all, a good lunch followed by Ned passing the cookie tray.
Our two guests, Hope Firestone and Sean Dwyer, were greeted by our enthusiastic signature Welcome Song. Your scribe and Jack Sayre were presented Paul Harris pins by President Bob.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  1. Scholarship applications are now available on the Rotary website. Larry Hangland informed us that the Scholarship Committee will have a meeting at 11:30 AM next Wednesday.
  2. Neal Cunningham reported that he attended the Interact meeting. He was impressed by their enthusiasm and organization. They had just finished the Socks Dive and were working on the next project of helping people in the Caribbean who were affected by the storms.
  3. Habitat for Humanity’s fundraising event, Charity Give Back Night, will be held on February 25 at Maggie McFly’s. Ten percent of your bill will be donated to the cause.
  1. Deb Polun, the executive director of CT Association of Community Action, will be our Guest Speaker on March 4.
  2. Northeast PETS will take place in Framingham March 5-7.
  3. Joint meeting of Manchester Rotary and EHRC will take place at the Manchester Country Club on March 10. A local band will perform that evening. This meeting will be in lieu of our meeting on March 11.
  4. Our weekly meeting on March 18 will be at Goodwin University. Here is my understanding of what Guy said and clarified by Dan Larson. Lunch will be provided by GU followed by a tour of the new manufacturing program. We will pay our usual $15, which will go in its entirety to our club. Thanks, GU.
  5. Paul Harris Dinner will be held at the Gallery on March 25. Sign-up sheet was in circulation today.
  6. FoodShare Walk Against Hunger will start at Dunkin’ Donut Park in Hartford on May 10.
  7. We will present a check to Rick Lawrence for the Guatemalan Water Project at the Manchester Country Club on June 16. All are welcome.
  8. District and EHRC installations will be held at Maneeley’s Banquet Hall on June 17.
  9. Rotary in Motion will take place this year on October 3.
 
 
CARING MOMENTS:
  1. Dick McCarthy is recuperating at Glastonbury Healthcare located on Hebron Avenue. He would love to have visitors.
  2. John Mozzicato is no longer at Vernon Manor and most probably is recuperating at home.
  3. Tom Westbrook passed away.
Two weeks in a row now Ned, our persuasive SAA, had 100 participation. Although he admitted it took a bit of arm twisting, here is the list who got caught in the web:
  1. Art Bradbury was celebrating his wife’s “16th” birthday.
  2. President Bob had a successful flower show last week.
  3. Ceil was happy that her back pain is much better, and Frank was happy for her as well as for his own birthday.
  4. Neal Cunningham is still in mourning for the Red Sox.
  5. Dan Firestone paid for his birthday and for Hope’s presence at the meeting today.
  6. Marc Glass is happy that the Eagles are tied for first place.
  7. Larry Hangland’s grandson is on the lacrosse team at Denver University.
  8. Your scribe is happy to pass the pen to the next HG writer.
  9. Our SAA is looking forward to Spring Training.
  10. Happy Jack is happy and annoyed at the same time with our SAA, Ned.
  11. Dan Russell is happy to be here.
  12. Bill Saunders wished a speedy recovery for Dick McCarthy.
  13. Jack Sayre does not want Ned to bother him.
  14. George Schoen is rooting for the UConn Women’s team.
  15. Jim Watts’ grandson is five years old. It is a wonderful age.
  16. Alex Wisz paid for the UConn Men’s team and for leaving early.
  17. Ruth for Ash Wednesday.
50-50 raffle prize went to Dan Firestone, and Ruth Sheehan took the flower arrangement home.
Our guest speaker, Sean Dwyer, received the $500 donation check from us and spoke about East Hartford Parks & Rec. He has enjoyed his first year very much and is pleased to inherit a well-run department. He talked about all the programs such as summer concerts, swimming, basketball, camps, etc. which are either free or at a nominal cost and provide recreational activities to town residents. He was very thankful for the donation, which will help the summer concert series from June 25 to August 6.
 
Wishing all the luck to the scribe for March 2020. Goodbye for now. Anwar Hossain