High Gear, October 24, 2012

Another overcast day, but East Hartford Rotary spirit brought brightness into the room. Of course, the day had earlier begun with a meeting of the Paul Harris naming committee, with their recommendations to be forwarded to the Board of Directors for a decision (which we’ll learn about at the annual Holiday party in December!). Yep, we did the R-O-T-A-R-Y song, the Pledge to our beautiful flag and nation, and listened to a thoughtful invocation from Brian Liss, before sitting to a delicious mac ‘n cheese, fricasseed chicken, and string beans dinner-plate, the whole thing topped off with a “black ‘n white” semi-sweet chocolate pie for dessert. It was good to have President Sheryl O’Connor back at the helm of our ship, scuba bubbles still swirling about her head, as well as from her mate John. The Foundation minute was offered by Dan Firestone who told of the A+ rating given to Rotary International for its outstanding work on world-wide humanitarian projects such as Polio eradication.

This was also Job Shadow Day. We had 25, count ‘em, 25 high school students hosted by club members at their places of business, as guests. John Kelleher had coordinated  their attendance, but more on that later. Other guests were Fred Issakhani, about-to-be our newest member; and a fellow tenant in the O’Connor’s office building, Jonathan Rahardjo. Steve Jacoby was paired with Jay Stewart in leading the Welcome Song (in a very low key; Tom, we miss you!).

Sgt-at-Arms Dan Firestone told of today’s miscreants:  Dan Russell, Mary Sullivan and Ceil Collins, with anniversaries. And then, entertainer Art Bradbury told of his part in an upcoming Little Theater of Manchester production of “1776” on the first 3 weekends of November. 860 647-9824 for tickets. Special Note: Listen up! Our Keepers of the Fine Book, co-chairs Jay Stewart & Larry Hangland appeal to all to check their listings on ClubRunner; if your birth date (month & day only, year not necessary) is not there, please add it, (so that you can be fined on the appropriate date, naturally!)

Caring Concerns: Jean Wishart continues at New Britain Hospital for Special Care; Steve Tamiso and Spurge Stokes, almost ready to return to Rotary; Jack Ghagan, back in the hospital.

And on a happy note, Fred Issakhani, who does specialized executive detailing, was inducted as our newest member. Be sure to welcome Fred when you see him at next week’s meeting!

Announcements: Tavern Night at Noah Webster: it’s a go! Frank Collins at the Governors’s office for a proclamation signing re Polio Eradication. Next week: President Sheryl’s Halloween Party at 11:30; wear a funny hat, bring a bag of non-perishable food items, & have some wine ‘n cheese, all cause she forgot to wear her badge of office at the Amberg’s backyard party last summer! We also had a reminder of the Goodwin College/Chamber’s offering of “Vital Voices in Entrepreneurship” on Nov.8. And Pres. Sheryl told of an exciting new possibility of working with a club in India on raising funds ($50,000!) for a new Bookmobile as part of our Library expansion project. Fruit sales sign-up sheets were passed. Jim Fallon told of the good feeling gained in recognizing that Wethersfield/Rocky Hill Rotary project of Dictionaries to 3^rd graders started with our club doing it first several years ago. And with the passing of the Rose Bowl envelope, again, Kim, one of our visiting high school seniors, won the Raffle!

Program today started with an impressive introduction of good friend Ralph Gray, director of “Project Invest,” & the Academy of Finance at the High School. Founded several years ago by our own Doug Willett and the late, beloved pianoman, Don Hallquist, this program has continued to attract good students who have become even more adept in the development of talents which will enhance their potential careers. Shanta Lammie, who had worked with Brian Liss at the local “Y,” and Brian Rodriguez who spent the morning with John Kelleher, both spoke briefly about their experiences, reflecting admirably on the overall high caliber of students who take part in this wonderful annual program. It was noted in an accompanying Power Point presentation that most of these kids go on to college, and that 85% of them follow into careers in the financial world. Today was a tangible example of some of the truly good works which our Rotary Club offers to the outstanding young people of our town. Thanks, John, and thanks  to all who offered themselves and their companies to make it work!

Once again, it was good to be together………………………………………………………………………………Arthur

Publisher's note: High Gear this week is coming to you from the Fairfield Inn in Wilson, North Carolina where the bride and I are resting after a 600 mile day and where it's already over 75 degrees outside. The magic of the world wide web - thanks, Al Gore!