 | The Rotary Club of |
High Gear
Volume 77 | Issue 53 / June 29, 2022
High Gear – Installation Event, Wednesday, June 29, 2022
On a beautiful June evening, thanks to club member, Jim Watts, we returned to the Wethersfield Country Club for another celebration, the installation of our Club President for 2022-2023, Alex Wisz. Everyone enjoyed an hour of socializing with a cash bar and an assortment of fresh veggies, cheese, and crackers.
At 7 PM, President Sue called the group to order by ringing our official bell, followed by a rusty version of R-O-T-A-R-Y. Then Sue invited President-elect Alex to lead us in the pledge. A multi-religion invocation offered by George, Sue and Dan Firestone shone a light on the similarities among three of the world’s great religions (Christian, Muslim and Jewish) with their encouragement of peace, empathy with those less fortunate, and serving others. Once again, after few in person meetings during the Covid era, the group delivered a hearty version of our Welcome Song. We had a significant number of guests to welcome, led by Alex introducing his family members – an entire table – including his mother, his sister and her husband, his daughter and son, and his wife, Dawn. This was followed by our surprise guest, Yvette Roming, introducing a full table of Alex’s friends who serve with him on the Board of the Senior Center. As we worked our way around the room, it was especially wonderful to have Peggy Schoen introduce Charlotte Bradbury, accompanying her husband, Rotarian Art Bradbury, to honor their having celebrated their seventy-fifth wedding anniversary yesterday.
Then it was on to a delicious dinner. Thanks to Ceil Collins who kept track of attendees’ meal choices, we each enjoyed Caesar salad, a main course of our choice, and an excellent tiramisu.
As the group enjoyed dessert, Sue rang the bell gently to get everyone’s attention. First, she invited Connor Martin, the chair of our scholarship committee, to join her to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships. Six seniors at East Hartford High School will each receive $3000. After thanking Connor and his committee for their work, we moved on to accomplish our primary purpose for gathering tonight, passing the gavel (and the Presidential medallion) from Sue to Alex.
After briefly noting the year’s highlights, Sue invited her board members to join her so she and the entire club could honor them for their service to the club this year. After they returned to their seats, Sue invited Past District Governor Marc Glass to come to the podium along with Alex and Dawn so Marc could administer the presidential oath. Sue passed over the medallion and the gavel, then presented Alex and Dawn with matching jester hats to remind them that despite the seriousness and responsibility of leading the club, the President and First Lady should also have fun.
Alex made remarks including remembering some club members who had been significant influences on his Rotary life in our club and describing his plans for his year as our club’s president. Then, Alex was joined by his Board so Marc could administer the oath to all officers and directors. Before closing, Alex told us that he and the board would honor Sue’s request that they not give her a personal gift as thanks for her service, but they were donating ($300) to ShelterBox, which of course thrilled her.
Finally, Alex rang the bell to end the meeting about 9 PM.
High Gear written by Sue Klock.
Notes from Editor : The memorial that was planned to honor Doug Willett is not going to be able to take place.