High Gear, June 19, 2013

As we met at the Gallery on Wednesday evening for our annual Induction ceremony, many fellow Rotarians gathered around in groups, greeting each other and talking about "the good old days'.  Alex Wisz and his lovely date Dawn were at our table and looked at the rest of us slightly older folks as we talked of party line phones and other past items, rather strangely.  But enough, now on to the passing of the gavel.

The Cocktail hour was great.  The open bar was well stocked and the hors d’oeuvres were delicious.  Fried shrimp was passed and everyone enjoyed the time to meet and greet. 

President Sheryl had Art Bradbury and Dan Larson start off the night with the Rotary song and led the pledge.  The movie screen did not want to co-operate  and John O'Connor showed us how to make  the screen obey .There were several guests present.  The Rev. Al Turner and his wife, Charlotte, Rachel Buck and Mikala Barnwell were given an ovation.

Art Bradbury was asked to give the invocation.  He asked for guidance for our new leaders and for us to remember that all accomplishments come with help from above.

Before dinner President Sheryl recognized some special people who have been  so outstanding this year.  Rachel Buck and Mikala Barnwell  were recognized for their efforts with the CIBA Interact Club and Mikala gave a short presentation of the Club’s accomplishments this year.  They included food drives, fund raisers , Fair Trade projects, a winter festival and others all engaging the motto " Service above Self".  They also received the Rotary Presidential Citation. Rotarian  Heather Summerer was asked to come forward and received recognition for all the work she has done for us with Pratt and Whitney.  They sponsored among other things the dictionaries, the golf tournament, and the duck race.. Without her efforts, all these things would have been harder to accomplish if not impossible.

A delicious dinner (as we have come to expect) was served by the Gallery.  Filet Mignon, Grilled Salmon and a chicken dish along with fresh vegetables and potatoes were on the menu.  Dessert was apple cobbler.

Soon to be past president, Sheryl O'Conner recognized her committees and thanked them for their well done jobs,  The list is long.  The Administration Committee keeps the meeting going. The Program Committee is responsible for our speakers.

The Sgt At Arms Committee led by Jay Stewart and Dick McCarthy raised over $3000.00 for scholarships. The High Gear Committee headed by Art Bradbury and Doug Willett was noted (They are always checking for my punctuation).  The Social Events Committee was responsible for fellowship such as the softball game and picnic at the Ambergs last year and special events such as Tavern Night, the Paul Harris Dinner where we honored Joe Carlson, Yvette Roming and Brian Liss,  and the Holiday Party . Thanks to Ceil Collins and Janice Freschlin.

 Peg and George Schoen were recognized for their winning efforts at the District Conference .  The Membership Committee was responsible for Fireside Chats and Membership night at the Marco. We got seven new members this year and the committee was responsible for new member training. The PR committee chaired by ArtBradbury and Bob Buettner thanked Bill Doaks and the East Hartford Gazette for printing announcements of meetings and events.

 The Web Site Committee headed by Doug Willett is in charge of keeping the site up to date and fresh. Doug also does most of the picture editing for High Gear.  The Foundation Committee headed by Brian Liss did a great job this year, setting Giving Goals. Through Brian's efforts, East Hartford Rotary raised $5500.00 for Polio.  The GSE Committee of Steve Jacoby and Larry Hangland brought us Rotarians from Turkey this year.  The CBIS Interact Club advised by Rachel Buck received the Presidential Citation. 

 This year was the year of the grants. Three Simplified Grants, two District Designated  Grants, Matching Grants and others allowed us , among other things, to purchase the Bookmobile.  The Golf Committee with Bill Saunders leading raised over $27,000.00.  Yvette Roming and Alex Wisz  headed the Duck Race Event which brought just short of $17,000.00.  The Vocational Committee had 24 students participate in Vocational Day.  The Scholarship Committee lead by Jim Fallon and Larry Frazier are finishing off rollover scholarships and awarded $12,000.00 in new ones.  The International Committee was very busy.  Dan Firestone, Peter Klock and Stu Harris were involved Guatemalan Water project, the Soap Project  and Mother Baby Aids.  Mary Sullivan and Jack Sayre co-chaired the Community Project Committee and headed up the Dictionaries for 3rd graders, Bell ringing and the toy drive.  Sheryl thanked Dan Firestone , our tax man, for keeping everything straight. And last but far from least, our signature projects, the STEM school project and the Bookmobile donations totaled about $50,000.00.

The East Hartford Rotary received many awards also.  Among them the Peace through Service Award, the Presidential Citation, the District Conference Attendance Award  and the Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award.

Frank Collins called President Elect George Schoen up and gave him advice as the new incoming leader. He then officiated at the passing of the gavel and the medallion. (Smiling Sheryl looked 30 lbs. lighter.)

President George introduced his Board members and briefly  stated his goals for the coming year.  The budget will be based on fund raising, including the golf tournament and duck race.  Many projects will remain the same, The STEM Project, Scholarships, Community projects , the Duck Race  and the Golf Tournament will continue. A new hands on project will be Habitat for Humanity in East Hartford.  George stressed Foundation giving as 50%  comes back to East Hartford.  This year again we will join hands with other  Rotary clubs  in the area on projects.

Newly elected President George stressed, as he ended the meeting,  SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

Reminder: Sgt at Arms Party next Wednesday at Wickham Park at 5:00 p.m. – no noon meeting. Also due to the 4^th of July holiday, no meeting on July 3^rd. 

As a footnote I apologize if I omitted anyone.  I wrote as fast as I could and made an effort to read my notes.  The way I write I think I was a doctor in another life.