High Gear, July 10, 2013

...and with the striking of "the bell", George Schoen began his second term as President of East

Hartford Rotary. Seemingly more at ease at the helm this time around (and with last week being

shut down for 4th of July celebrations), President George himself offered our Invocation, calling on

God to bless his and the Club's endeavors in the year ahead. He acknowledged the untimely passing

of Kate Gustamacchio, granddaughter of the late Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow Ed Brow and his wife Joan.

Our weatherman offered more abominable temps, no, not the Snowman type, so don't sweat, sweat,

sweat the small stuff! Maybe some relief tomorrow.

Krause treated us to a summer delight of Sicilian Chicken with a most tasty sauce, rice, and mixed

array of summer squash. Oh yes, and strawberry shortcake for a dessert.

A highlight of the day was the return to our midst of PDG Dick Seidman, together with his lovely

aide, Racquel Mauis. After not being able to walk for 6 months (he can now do a couple of football

fields), he expressed his pleasure at "making up" at his favorite make-up spot, our club! 'Twas

certainly great to see him and the.'Raffle gods" thought so too, as his was the winning ticket drawn.

The other guest was Craig Wilson, a Rotarian from East Longmeadow who had success with his GPS

and carrier pigeon in finding us.

Tim Coppage and John O'Connor performed harmoniously

with the Welcome Song. 

Sgt-at-arms Jay Stewart offered up a bucket-load of fine-payers, to wit: Club anniversaries for

Messrs Glass, Mosebach, Nicholson, and Wood; two new great grandchildren to Art &. Charlotte

Bradbury; a whole raft of no-pins, no name badge, and early leavers. And there were happy dollars

for Dick Seidman and Helen (server for Krause) from Jay, can't have too many of those! With PP

Sheryl and hubby John O'Connor on their way to a coupla weeks in Mexico, we understand that

John has sworn off emails for the whole time -LOU We're a travelin' club this week, with Doug

Willett off tomorrow for a sojourn in Europe with grandchildren. Bill Saunders attested to a happy

wedding of grandson David and bride Katie.

Other Notes of Significance:

*BilI Saunders reported on Golf Tournament (save the date: Sept.23rd): the major recipient will be

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)  projects; need for Solicitations of area-wide businesses; Raffle Gifts - not too early to start

collecting;

*our annual mtg. with Glastonbury Rotary set for Monday evening, July 22 (no mtg. on Wednesday of that week).

* the District Golf Tournament is on Aug.5, only $125 to enter;

*Committee assignments are on our ClubRunner Website - check 'em out and see yours; Login, click on Admin, go to My Clubrunner, click on “My Committees.”

*The next Golf mtg. is set for next Wednesday, July 17, at 11:30.

*Pres. George told of several "thank you" letters from recent recipients of our charitable

donations.

*And Sue Klock told of the Lisbon Int'l Conference emphasis on Polio Eradication. The Gates

Foundation challenge will dispense a "2 for 1" deal for 5 years, enabling a third of the new goal to be

met.

Coincidentally, (or not), our program today was provided by John O'Connor's showing of a video

on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. A "TED TALKS" presentation (www.Ted.com).  Superbly offered were

up-dates on the catchy problem of staying ahead of global efforts to eradicate (not just reduce, but

totally eradicate) polio. Of the 3 types which have been recently endemic in parts of the world,

notably Africa and India, 2 of them are gone, but the third is still rampant as world travelers carry

the virus, and there is stili a need for vast amounts of financial aid. Am sure we'll hear more of

"opportunities" as the year unfolds.

Nice to be writing again, enjoy your vacations! ………………………………………………….Arthur

p.s.  Marc Glass is back with a boot; and poor Mike Derr has his arm in a sling (broken collarbone from falling down stairs).  Heal well, you guys.