High Gear for September 12, 2012
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It was one of those days, weatherwise, that are memorable: warm, not too warm, bright blue sky—perfect day to have the top down on the convertible.
According to the slate, lunch was a buffet: roast pork with apple sauce, mahi mahi in a Spanish sauce, grilled vegetables, pasta in sauce, tossed salad, rolls, followed by apple strudel topped with whipped cream. Certainly an invitation to eat too much.
Attendance seemed light, conversation was subdued. George Schoen gave a thoughtful invocation. Guests included Reggie Barall, wife of Herb, PDG Prasad Menon, and Chirag Thaker, whose membership most likely has lapsed. Word is that he plans on returning.
While we ate, we had a quick video from RI about Polio. Rotary vowed to eradicate polio in 1985. We are almost there! More about that from Prasad’s talk. Jim Fallon and Pat Gately led us in the Welcome Song. While we ate, a sign-up sheet for the Noah Webster Tavern Night—October 29th—was passed around.
George Finch was Sergeant-at-Arms today. He said that he was emphasizing quality over quantity. For Ruth Sheehan’s Red Sox win, Ruth, Bob Buettner, Frank Collins and Steve Jacoby contributed. Steve also paid for his 16th Club Anniversary, 
Herb Barall paid “gallantly” for a 60th Wedding Anniversary, and for passing out flyers for Circle of Life’s “Great Gatsby Gala” which will be September 30th. And Bob Buettner paid for a new car.
Caring moments: Bob Richmond was really appreciative of the tremendous support for him following Nancy’s death.
Dan Firestone made a donation of a cart for lugging stuff, such as our video projector, in and out of storage. The sub-committee for the “soap project” will meet at 11:30 before next week’s meeting.
Sheryl had bad news and good news: Bad: Scotty Howat has submitted his resignation; he has not been able to attend a meeting for quite sometime. Good: The application for membership of Tony Matthews, sponsored by Peter Klock, has been received. Voice any objections. The District 7890 Foundation Dinner will be November 1st. See Brian Liss if you wish to attend. And she thanked the Club on behalf of the South Windsor Cultural Arts Committee for our continued support.
John Kelleher passed around a Job Shadow sign-up sheet—add your name if you are willing to have a student with you for half a day. Sometimes our sharing has an important impact on a student, sometimes the kids just want to be away from classes for the morning.
Bill Saunders: we have 138 players signed up for the Golf Tournament; we need sponsors and more raffle prizes.
Doug Willett has the Fireside Chats all set up—sign up for a night and location that is convenient for you. Those evenings are always interesting and enjoyable.
Paul Harris Awards: Jim Watts and his committee have modified some of the wording: it is not an award, it is a recognition. Time in the Club may be a consideration but not a restriction.
The weekly raffle was won by Bob Buettner.
Sue Klock introduced Prasad Menan, PDG, current District International Project Chairman.
Our current project is continued support for eradicating polio in the world. In the 1950’s, there were 20,000 cases of polio yearly in the US alone. Salk vaccine was introduced about 1955, and by 1960, we were down to 1,000 cases per year. 1961, Sabin oral vaccine was introduced, and by 1979, the US was polio free. That was the year that Rotary International became involved, and in 1985, we joined with UNICEF and World Health Organization, pledged $120 million toward eradication We have the toughest portion yet to go. Today 8 million people are walking because of the program; we have prevented 1.5 million childhood deaths. We are not done. There is an “emergency plan” in place for the next two years, it will cost $2 billion, but we should be able to totally wipe out polio. What a great heritage to leave. I cannot imagine not being part of it.
Nice to be with you.
