High Gear, November 13, 2013

It was a beautiful brisk sunny day at the Ridge as we gathered for our weekly lunch and fun.  President George rang the bell on time and new member Brian Gorman led us in thanks-giving to the Holy One for all the blessings we have received and for those which we have an opportunity to give.

            November is Rotary Foundation month and Brian Liss explained that the difference between the regular charge of fifteen dollars for lunch and the lower cost of the grinders for next week, will be donated to the Rotary Foundation.  (Those of us from southeastern Pennsylvania know that their correct name is hoagies.) He further noted that the club received the Platinum level recognition from the Foundation for last year’s club donation of two thousand dollars.

Alex Wisc introduced his guest, Sheri Matola, a business associate at American Eagle Credit Union.  The Welcome Song was then led by Ms Sullivan and Ms Martin, otherwise known as The Two Marys.  Even though choosing not to  “dance to the music,” they very well maintained tempo through smiles and handshakes which kept the club singing with gusto and for the most part on key.  Surely Sheri was impressed if not with the club’s musicianship, then at least our enthusiasm. Or something.

Sergeant @ Arms Jack Sayre reported that a lot of people were fined today for birthdays.  He further implied that as a number of members have enjoyed the clean air of many Novembers, birthday contributions are becoming more and more lucrative and he was well pleased with today’s results.  George Agnelli also contributed, not for his birthday, or for his maturity, but because he was on television. (It seems like we get George for something just about every week.)  Jack Sayre himself put money in the bag for his 37 years of Rotary membership.  Brian Liss also added to the pouch in honor of Dan and Betty Russell. They hosted the first gathering of this year’s YMCA Strong Kids Campaign at their house and those in attendance met the financial goal of the meeting!

There are still some times open for the first Saturday of bell ringing for the Salvation Army as well as for the Saturdays following.  Please use the signup sheet next week or contact Jack Sayre.

President George read a thank you note from Yvette Roming for the baby shower gifts. She then added some verbal comments, stating, in effect, that despite any appearances, none of the men at her table are pregnant. I’m glad. I think it’s nice that we can give this attention just to Yvette.

It was good to see Mike Costa back, doing well after kidney stone surgery.

New member Brian Gorman won the raffle! 

Bob Buettner introduced our speaker, Ms Jenny Correa, Principal of Mayberry School.  Bob serves on the School Governance Council Advisory Board as one of two members from the community at large.

Ms Correa shared with us the way in which Mayberry School is using technology to advance educational effectiveness.  A three thousand dollar donation from the club last year purchased five IPads for student use. As there are 380 students presently enrolled, her hope is that more IPads can be added.  She commented that Mayberry School is a neighborhood school supporting the needs of area families.  A Family Resource Center is located at the school to support effective parenting during the early childhood years.  There is also now the Larson Health Center at Mayberry School, equipped with a nurse practitioner, available to neighborhood families, and provided by a grant from the Larson family. 

Here’s a question.  What people, of what town, care about each other like we do in East Hartford? 

I don’t know of any either.

What a great place to live and be a Rotarian!