High Gear March 21, 2012
On this day, due to be very hot and sunny, a stubborn fog came with the early morning light; thus, warm but not hot weather was what we got (and even tho the sun did finally appear, it was much more pleasant for the golfers!). After singing and saluting, we listened carefully to .jpg)
Dan Firestone’s fine invocation, some in English, some in Yiddish, and it wasn’t hard to pick out those parts which advertised his accounting business…for sh-a-a-a-me (but he did pay for it later on!) We sat to Krause’s offering of sliced pork ‘n gravy, apple sauce, potatoes, veggies, and ice cream rolls, either Irish green left over from St. Paddy’s day or nuts ‘n chocolate on vanilla. ‘twas truly gastronomically a success!
Guests were our speaker and his wife, Rick & Elin Lawrence, and Jennifer King, all three duly and enthusiastically welcomed in song by the leadership of Dan Larson and John Kelleher. In, at times, a disjointed meeting with regard to what happened when, the Sgt-at-Arms reporter (Brian Liss) told us that fines collected (all benefitting the scholarship fund, George!) included Jay Stewart for an anniversary celebrated –but missed by this scribe-last week, other anniversaries: Dan Larson-16, and Yvette Roming-3;Bob Wood payed for Dave and Chickie Amberg’s award from St. Christopher’s Church; Brian asking for help with planting boxes at the “Y”, John O’Connor for paying the rest of a birthday fine (???), and then there were several leaving earlys, and no pins.
Though usually listed later in the report, Make-ups have been given a new prominence, so…Pat Gately and Chuck Clarke must be vacationing together, cause they both made-up at Naples Bay club in Fl., John Mozzicato and Leo Christmas shared time at the Charlotte Harbour Club in Fl., and the entire Duck Race Committee met last week.
Announcements- DG Sue Klock still has conference sign up forms and encourages more members to make the commitment; newest member Jan Freschlin urged us to sign the traveling clipboard for the Paul Harris Dinner on April 18-$45 pp.; Golf Committee meets next Wed at 11:30, any and all who would like to join that endeavor are invited to sit in; Bob Rau, husband of our DGE is recovering from some major surgery; President Peter bestowed new, permanent name badges on new members Jan Freschlin, John O’Connor, and Alex Wisz. On the May 2nd meeting, Krause Caterers not being available, we have been invited by Guy LaBella and Dan Larson to meet at Goodwin College…mark your calendars! A reminder once again that any “in memory of” checks for Bill Leone should be made out to: E.H.R.C.Scholarship Trust. The Hockanum River clean-up committee will be starting their work on Thursdays and will welcome any all volunteers. Call President Peter if you can. Yvette Roming told us that the state gaming commission has okayed our plans for the Duck Race and the tickets should be printed and available soon!!!!
President-elect Sheryl O’Connor urged committee chairs’ attendance at the upcoming District Assembly (April 26) and reminded incoming board members that it is a must for them. She also shared that Marc Glass and Dan Larson will be handing out the hospitality treatment, as bartenders, at the District Conference, and hopes that lots of folks are coming! She also sounded encouraged by the committee assignments form submissions and asked others to “gettem in!”
Raffle today was won by, who else? Our newest member, Jan Freschlin! Congratulations!
Speaker was introduced by PP, PDG, PRI Director (whew!) Frank Collins…and he welcomed old friend and Manchester Rotarian Rick Lawrence. Rick and his wife Elin completed their 7th trip to Guatemala where they have been instrumental in setting up and making work a clean water sanitation project, this time for a location of 90 families. Our club has participated 6 times and helped, with 15 other clubs, to raise $136,000, spent in providing clean water, latrines, and stoves, to families who prior to this, have had open pit latrines, open fires in their houses, and had to walk over an hour a day to haul drinking water. The Guatemalan natives have grown with this project, helping to raise money of their own for the equipment’s installation and maintenance. The current year’s endeavor has as a goal $36, 000, and I would assume that we will be contributing to it. The Lawrences have dedicated their energy and commitment to this project - other neighboring villages will be targeted for clean water - and we can be proud of the work which they are doing and which we help support. Good program!
We closed with” My Country Tis of Thee…” Arthur