High Gear - October 8, 2025

High Gear – Wednesday October 8, 2025
Goodwin University, Admin Bldg. 417 Main St., East Hartford. CT

Noon – President Rob rang the bell and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way
Test.

For the invocation, Ray Maselek reminded us in addition to fellowship, significant benefits of Rotary membership include many opportunities to serve others while engaging in our shared commitment to making the world a better place and respecting the dignity of all people.

Anwar introduced our guests today. Dr. Salvatore Menzo, who will be enlightening us about Goodwin University’s Magnet School System. He also introduced Drew Firestone, here as the guest of our longtime member, Dan Firestone. A third in-person guest was Angelica Sharma, from Tara Homes, who will be our guest speaker on October 22^nd. Shakira Acevedo joined us via Zoom.

Our guests were invited to lead everyone to lunch. Guy mentioned today’s choices were chicken Milanese, arugula salad, penne carbonara, cheese pizza, and by special request of our club president, focaccia bread.

Ray sold raffle tickets, and there was no shortage of five dollar bills ready since our Catch the Queen of Spades game was down to five cards. How could anyone lose? Pay attention to the not-so-grand finale at the end of these notes.

After lunch, digging into the weeds, or Google, for October trivia, Rob left many of us baffled. Regardless, the brightest among us--Anwar, John and Drew--managed to provide answers.

Anwar introduced our speaker, Dr. Salvatore (Sal) Menzo, the Superintendent of Goodwin’s Magnet Schools. Despite having been here only 2021, Dr. Menzo has shown the benefit of his many years in leadership roles elsewhere. During the last four years, he has led the efforts to have this district to be recognized as the first public school district associated with a private university in the country. This was definitely a program not to miss, since his achievements are hard to summarize. If you did miss it, please ask Rob to share the Zoom recording.

Caring moments: Ray mentioned he will not be at the next couple of meetings, since he wife will be having surgery just prior to the 22^nd.

We moved on to the craziness of our seemingly unending “Catch the Ace of Spades” raffle. The winnings are now over $970. Jack Sayre won step one. Unfortunately, in crucial step two his sidekick, Bill, did not pick the Queen of Spades. So, next week, we’ll be at it again with only four cards left in our deck!

Rob rang the bell just after 1 PM, ending a fun and informative meeting.

Submitted by Sue Klock, scribe for this week.