It was a typical January day in New England, cold and sunny. Despite the chill, twenty-one brave Rotarians made it to our weekly meeting at the Ridge. Some of us were carrying bags with non-perishable food to support our new food drive initiative for Goodwin College food pantry.
Rotary Song was sung, and Pledge-of-Allegiance was recited. George Schoen stepped to the podium to deliver the weekly invocation. Fortunate for us today, our caterer did remember to deliver the food. Remember January 8 meeting!! Three kinds of pizzas are what we had for lunch today. I couldn’t help but notice 
that Dan Firestone had to chew patience for lunch. Some of us do have dietary restrictions to adhere to. Although Ned Lynch, our server of cookies, was present and willing, alas no cookies to serve.
that Dan Firestone had to chew patience for lunch. Some of us do have dietary restrictions to adhere to. Although Ned Lynch, our server of cookies, was present and willing, alas no cookies to serve.President Bob reconvened the meeting with the following announcements:
- Paul Harris Dinner will be at the Gallery on March 25.
- Board meeting date has been changed to February 4 at the Y.
- High Gear writers for the remainder of the club year are Anwar Hossain (February), Bob Wood (March), Wes Willett (April), Sue Klock (May), and Doug Willett (June).
- Marc Glass has selected “Rotary Opens Opportunities” as the theme for the year he will be the District Governor.
- George Agnelli, Jr. has donated $200 towards Koats-for-Kids project.
- District and EHRC combined Installation Dinner will be at Maneeley’s in South Windsor on June 17.
- There are no soup kitchens in East Hartford that are open on Saturdays. President Bob, therefore, will look at other nearby towns if our Club decides to pursue a volunteer opportunity one Saturday a month.
- Interact Club has is already doing a drive for socks for the homeless. Our proposed initiative can dovetail with theirs.
- Scholarship Committee is looking for more volunteers now that Jim Fallon has moved away.
Sergeant-at-Arms for the month, Neal, made the walk graciously from his table at the far side of room to the podium and disregarding comments from Dan Larson reported the following:
- President Bob was thankful for Bill Saunders who filled in for him while he was away. He also paid for a wonderful vacation with the family.
- Despite Neal’s initial demand for a very high number, Larry Hangland negotiated a reasonable settlement for his 36-Year Club Anniversary.
- Happy Jack paid for disrespecting the SAA. In the light of frequent recurrence, Jack should consider paying a lumpsum for all such future events.
- Your scribe shared that he has widened his participation in the Food Drive by asking folks from Little Theater of Manchester where he is also a volunteer.
- Bill Saunders was a big winner at their poker game with a grand take home of $8. Beware, IRS considers gambling win as income.
- Recently retired Dan Larson had no pin, no badge. We all go through the initial shock of not knowing what to do with ourselves in the early days of retirement.
- Last but not least, Dan Firestone wanted everyone to know that his 44 years of marital bliss as reported in the High Gear could create a huge problem with Hope. They have been happily married for 56 years. The 44 years that was reported was for his Club Anniversary.
Jack Sayre introduced our guest speaker, Samantha Parker, from the Salvation Army. She talked about the Bloom Initiative and Hope Roots Center for Women that is helping victims of human trafficking in the Greater Hartford area. Most of us were blown away by the sheer number of such victims locally, nationally and globally. The Salvation Army is doing a fabulous job of easing some of the pains and making life a little better for the people who have been impacted by labor and sexual exploitations.
Filling in for Bob Wood, your scribe Anwar Hossain