High Gear, July 2, 2014

Posted by W. Douglas Willett 
 

“I’m  a Yankee Doodle Dandy,

A Yankee Doodle, do or die.

A real  live nephew  of my Uncle Sam…”

 

There were ghosts in the room today with George M. Cohan and Jimmy Cagney front and center and old buddies, Roger Driggs and Moe Belanger muttering somewhere in the background.

 

The meeting started with a robust ringing of the bell and our erstwhile song leader Art Bradbury immediately burst into  the ….wait for it…. The Welcome Song!  Yes, the Welcome Song used after the introduction of guests later in the meeting and never, ever at the opening bell. It’s tradition for God’s sake. Roger could be hear muttering lamentoro,   “Artie, Artie, how  could ya? You know we always open with the Mickey Mouse Song!” Art was appropriately abashed.

 

One who could definitely keep the two songs straight, our Present Patriotic Past President soon


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Present Patriotic Past President Mary

got things back on track. After a heart felt pledge to the flag and a red, white and blue invocation, PPPP Mary turned us over to Krause’s ministrations.

The meal today consisted of chicken, squash, cole slaw and potato salad, with a slice of white cake with coconut frosting to finish. Now I’m normally pleased with our weekly plates and reluctant to criticize.  But as I was biting into and trying my best to chew the over cooked chicken, I distinctly hear Moe Belanger, our beloved arbiter of all things culinary, turning to St. Peter and muttering “really?” I did enjoy the slice of cake, however, and it’s a good thing because slices of cake will apparently be few and far between in the new reign of the Empress. More on that later.

 

Guests today included spouses Diane Willett (In town for a dentist’s appointment) and Reggie Barall, the $5,000 winner of our recent Duck Race. Also with us was our good friend from Glastonbury Rotary


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Reggie The Duck Owner Smiles with Pride

whose name never made it into my notes and escaped all too easily from my head. Good guy, though. Mary Sullivan bounced her way through the Welcome Song with help from Jack Sayre. Good to see you back, Mary.

 


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Meet New Rotarian, Hugh Finch, Jr. 

The Meeting proper began with the induction of a new member. Hugh Finch, Jr. sponsored by Larry Hangland, was  added to the roll. Hugh pledged to be the best Rotarian he can be and expressed his delight to have a chance to be of service to the community. He is off to a good start.

Sergeant At Arms Jay Stewart was busy and pleased with her ample take:

  • Gil and Jean Wishart have enjoyed 58 years of wedded bliss.
  • Frank Collins paid to celebrate the naming of our first  hurricane of the season after our own Arthur.
  • Jay nailed her SAA co-chairman, Dick McCarthy, for no pin and then forgot to allow him to make an announcement he paid handsomely for.
  • Bob Wood celebrated 29 years in Rotary
  • Mary Sullivan backdated her 7th anniversary to May30th.
  • Mo Moshovos had a big birthday over the weekend, number 80! Congratulations, Mo

Other announcements:

  • Monday, July 21 – 6 p.m. Glastonbury Rotary Softball game. We need players – ringers preferably. Check In with Neal Cunningham. No noon meeting that Wednesday.
  • Wednesday, August 6 – Sergeant at Arms Picnic at the Ridge. Bring spouse or partner. Adults only, please. Sing up sheets will be circulating the next couple of weeks. Catered by Maneely’s.  Cocktails begin at 4:30 with Dinner at 6 p.m. Tenative $10 per person surcharge is in play.
  • Golf Committee will meet next week at 11:30 a.m. The District Golf Tournament in on August 4th in Feeding Hills, MA. See Bill Saunders if you want to join the 7 who have signed up thus far.
  • President Mary read a note of appreciation from the Principal at O’Connell School who thanked us for our $5,000 donation. The kids took a trip to the Big Apple where they played with the symphony orchestra at Carnegie Hall, and visited Ellis Island. They were also able to fund a Robotics program with our help. Hand written Thank you notes graced our tables.
  • Finally, Krause Catering has informed us of a price increase effective August 1. We either accept a two dollar increase to $17 per plate or forego dessert and remain at $15.  To my great dismay, the overwhelming choice seemed to be “can the dessert.” Oh, well. One less thing for Moe to bother St Pete about.   The Board will be making the final decisions on this issue.

Dick McCarthy won the raffle.

 And with that, we did our best Jimmy Cagney imitation and sang Yankee Doodle Dandy as we exited. George M Cohan rooted for the right team, anyway, right, Ruthie? 

 

‘Till next week.