High Gear, June 5, 2013

Wow , what a day . Sun was shining , the golfers were ready to hit the course but they still  came to the meeting, What dedication!

Doug Willett had a short 8 minute slide show of THE DUCK RACE (not really a race but more of a leisurely swim ).  Some really great shots and it will be on our web site by the end of the week. 

After the song and pledge Dan Firestone gave the invocation in English and Hebrew  and President Sheryl asked for our thoughts and prayers for our friends in Turkey now in turmoil. Lunch was BBQ beef with BBQ sauce , corn on the cob, potato salad and rolls with dessert of pie with topping.

We had two guests, Julia Harris  (setup's Daughter) and Josh  Dillon.  Both are Rotary Scholarship recipients and our guest speakers. Larry Hangland and Mo Moshovos led the Welcome Song. 

There will be a Golf Committee meeting next Wednesday at 11:30 before the regular meeting.  And don't forget the Sgt at Arms Picnic  on June 26 at Wickham Park. It starts at 4  and a catered meal between 5-7 PM.

Brian Liss announced that the Y will be having its annual meeting on June 18 at 5:30 PM and Rotarians are invited.

Peter Klock told of a Golf Tournament on July 10 by Kate Simms of the Manchester Rotary Club. Funds raised will focus on Women’s health issues.

Caring Moments:  Todd's (Yvette Roming) sister is in the hospital and Ruth Sheehan will be going back into the hospital on Thursday for further treatment.   Please put these two in your thoughts and prayers.

The Manchester Rotary Club received over $34,000 from 25 Rotary Clubs in the area for the Guatemalan Water Project. This surpassed the projected cost of this year’s project.

A huge “thank you” to all members that helped with the Duck Race Event. It could not have happened without all the support the members gave.  Sheryl had those members stand to applause. Sheryl pointed out the DUCK STOPS HERE COMMITTEE.   Yvette Roming, Alex Wisz, Brian Liss, Stu Harris and John O’Connor along with the invaluable Peggie Schoen.   Top ticket sellers were Sue Klock, Sheryl O'Connor, Peter Klock, Yvette Roming and  our top seller, George Agnelli ( he not  only sold the most but won 3rd prize and sold the winning ticket.)

The raffle was won by Ducky Yvette.

Our two guest speakers as mentioned were past receipents of  EH Rotary Scholarships. The first, Julia Harris, has to be at least triplets to be as active as she is.   I got tired of hearing of all her activities. Graduated from Lafayette  with honors,Tutor, Life Guard Instructor, Teaching Assistant, Member of Sigma Xi, Honors Thesis, Member of Tri Delta Sorority Member of Marquis Players, Warren Arc Special Olympics Team,  Treasurer of American Chemical Society , Won the Carl J Saska Award and this is only the first page.  She is very, very involved in giving back  and she went on to mention the monies raised by her  and her groups to Make a Wish, and local charities.   Julia intends to take a year off and learn to be an EMT,  Tutor and apply to Med School. How proud Stu and Madeline must be, And we Rotarians should be proud of her also .   Future Rotarian?

Our second speaker was Josh Dillon, Freshman going to Sophomore at Columbia in NYC. He is also very active and told about his adjustment from East Hartford  to NYC. He is a Statistic and Computer  Science  major and loves the work. He is involved in many extra activities  outside the classroom.  Member of the Student newspaper, the Columbia Community Outreach program and with other classmates, rebuilt and refurbished local playgrounds in the area of Columbia.

Both these young leaders stressed that making a difference is doing the little things that effect people that do make the difference and both are "Young people making a difference"

Go Rotary

Bob Buettner

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