High Gear, May 8, 2013
The weather greeted us today a bit overcast with the promise of rain. Luckily the rain held off just long enough. Menu for the day was a delicious meal of Chicken Tarragon with rice, mixed vegetables & Jello with peaches for dessert – (there’s always room for Jello!). The invocation was given by Pat Gately, reminding us to appreciate and embrace our differences; that our own uniqueness helps contribute to our successes in Rotary & life.
As I walked through the door, the greetings given never ceased to amaze me. Dan bent down on one knee to greet Yvette – WOW! Do we have a great club or what?
Our Foundation minute was shared by Marc Glass; we have something to celebrate ! Rotary has received an Edison Award in recognition of our Future Vision Plan, 
the new grant model that enhances the scope, impact and sustainability of humanitarian projects funded by The Rotary Foundation.
Only one guest today, Brian Gorman from the Boy Scouts of America (I hear it is his second visit) – thanks for coming back! Larry Frazier and Jim Fallon led us in the Welcome Song.
Dan Firestone was Sergeant-at-Arms, 3 early leavers and the usual late arrival of our dear Steve Jacoby. Janice paid for no pin, a couple of 5 year anniversaries for Anwar & Jay Stewart, Brian Liss paid a happy dollar for Yvette for selling 4 books of Duck Race tickets, President Sheryl paid for Bob “Grinderman” Buettner for the delicious grinders last week, Jim Fallon made a 
4 second announcement which lasted an actual 60 seconds “Things I Owe My Mother” in honor of Mother’s Day.
Caring moments: Peter Klock’s brother passed away; please continue to send Peter your heartfelt condolences. Kathy McCabe had surgery & is doing well, but is very anxious to get out of the house.
Announcements: Manchester Rotary is holding a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday at Manchester Country Club
Chuck Clarke gave a reminder about placing American flags for our Veterans in Hillside Cemetery, Saturday, May 18th at 8am – bring a long handled screwdriver. 
We will be having a Memorial Day float so whoever is up to walking or riding during the parade, bring your long arm to wave & your best voice to sing! It will be held on Monday May 27. There will be a sign up sheet next week.
Registrations: 1) for District Assembly, needed by Friday May 21st; to be held at the Holiday Inn in Enfield; 2) for District Installation Dinner, needed by this Friday, May 10th. To be held at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, June 5th,
Yvette and Brian announced they have 98 books of Duck Race tickets sold! A reminder – DON’T LOSE YOUR TICKETS!!!! Please give your ticket stubs & $ to Bill, Mary & Marc while George Schoen is on vacation.
We are still looking for Sponsors for the Duck Race & Golf Tournament. $100 for Duck Race, $150 for the Golf Tournament, or $250 to sponsor both.
Stu Harris is organizing a path clean up for the Duck Race starting this Saturday, 
May 11, 8-8:30am @ Two Rivers Magnet School. Please wear long pants, bring clippers, chain saws, Roundup.
The GSE Host families will be having a meeting on Thursday, May 9th at 6pm at President Sheryl’s office
Farewell party for the GSE team from Turkey is to be Wednesday, May 15th at the Gallery at 6pm. Cost is $20 which can be paid at the door. Please contact Alma at 860-833-7722 or alma_kruh@ml.com
Rock Cats game is on for Friday May 10th; it is now a double header with the first game starting at 4:30pm, the 2nd game starting ½ hour after the 1st ends. They are both 7 inning games. Picnic starts @5pm until 7:30. Don’t forget about the fireworks after the games.
Wednesday May 22nd 8am is the Ribbon Cutting for the Book Mobile, to be held at Freightliner, 222 Roberts St. Refreshments to be served afterwards. Dan Kain from WFSB Channel 3 has promised us he’ll be there!
Steve Jacoby offered up a Rotary jacket for sale at a discounted price which was quickly scooped up by Guy Labella!
GSE team Turkey will be arriving this Friday May 10th (will be with us at the ballgame) & is giving a presentation at next week’s meeting.
A Sgt-at-Arms meeting will be held on Wed., May 15, 11:45 to plan the S-A-A party to be held on June 26.
The winner of the raffle this week was Ruth Sheehan – Way to go Ruth!
And we had one reported Maker-Upper: Steve Jacoby at Peabody, MA on May4!
The presentation given today was on the District Conference 2013 which was held April 26-28 in Warwick RI
.President Sheryl & her partner in crime John put together a 
slideshow that informed us of what the Conference – “What is it About, What Do You Do?” also who the guest speakers are, what is accomplished during the District Business Session, the extras (Hospitality Suites), & lots of Hippies!
A few awards were presented to EH Rotary Club; we are 1 of 6 Clubs to receive the District Peace Award, we received 2 Presidential Citation Awards AND we are considered #1 in the Conference for attendance. And one more item – we have been asked to participate in a Star Club survey because we are such an AWESOME Club!
From all the pictures, looks like everyone had a great time!
On to next year, April 25-27, 2014 Portsmouth, NH. (did you know the incoming DG starts planning this event 3 years prior? That’s work!)
We closed at about 1:30 –
Jan Freschlin