High Gear, September 11, 2013
9/11 was hot and muggy this year, with temperatures in the high 80’s at the Ridge. This fact did little to disturb our moment of remembrance to start the meeting. My thoughts were on the beautiful Margaret Orloske, a colleague and friend while I was at The Travelers who was unfortunate enough to be at a business meeting in one of the World Trade Center Towers that awful day.
President George started the meeting late and delivered the invocation himself. Seems whoever was supposed to do it was even later. Our repast consisted of pork slices, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and mixed veggies with a plate of cookies at the end. (Aside to Danny, you can just print this out and take it with you to the emergency room tonight.)
Dan Firestone was awarded a handsome pin today from the Rotary Foundation in recognition of his generous financial support of the Foundation’s objectives.
Once his was properly recognized for his generosity, Dan quickly showed his other side as he made his Sergeant At Arms Report: Brian Liss celebrated his 10th anniversary while Steve Jacoby marked 17 years in Rotary. Herb Barall paid for his 61st year of marital bliss – his words, not mine. He also paid to advertise Circle of Life’s fundraiser, The Great Gatsby Gala which will be held on September 29, 2013 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the East Hartford Community Cultural Center at 50 Chapman Street. You can get more details at http://www.circleoflife-eh.org.
Jay Stewart paid in honor of her granddaughter Allison’s wedding on Saturday next.
Then there was a rather curious string of members paying because “they felt sorry for Doug” as the Red Sox have seized a firm hold on first place in the American League East. Of course these are crocodile bucks and they don’t really feel sorry for Doug at all and they just want to take the opportunity to gloat. And given the Sox history, perhaps it’s a good thing to gloat at a point in the season when the team has won absolutely nothing as yet. After so many years of disappointing finishes, Boston fans have learned the unfortunate lesson that it is best to gloat while you can. Best not to wait until an actual pennant goes on the wall, when such a result only occurs a couple of times every 86 years. As every Yankee fan knows, you don’t need to prematurely gloat when there are 27 World Series Championships and 40 American League pennants waving from the Stadium rafters in that same time period. Sox fans, do you prefer “Bucky Dent” or “Aaron Boone” when you wake up screaming?
Enough of that. It ain’t over till it’s over. Let’s get on to the announcements today.
Dan Larson, holding his stomach after today’s meal, announced Integrated Health Services’ “Bridging the Gap” Reception, Dinner and Dancing on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Pratt & Whitney Museum. Proceeds will go towards the opening of two School Based Health Centers at Hockanum and Mayberry Elementary Schools, the Mayberry one to be dedicated in honor of Ray and Lois Larson, Dan’s parents. Email ihsgala@ihssbhc.org for more information.
Tim Coppage announced a ribbon cutting on Goodwin College’s major renovation of its property at 403 Main St. on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. A Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event will begin immediately after the ribbon cutting and will run until 7 p.m.
Sheryl O’Connor alerted us to the beginning of the 33rd Season for the South Windsor Cultural Arts with a piano concert on October 6th. East Hartford Rotary is one of the sponsors of this series and attendance is free. If you contact Sheryl, she will secure reserve seats for you. For information call 860-644-5320.
Doug Willett reminded all that the Fireside Chats begin on September 30 and run through October 10. Please let him know what Chat you plan to attend or let him know you are not planning to attend at all. Rotarians who have not responded by September 18th will be assigned to a Chat.
Jim Watts announced that the Golf Tournament is less than two weeks away and we have only 19 raffle prizes to date. This compares to the 80-90 prizes our participants have come to expect. Now is the time to do your fair share.
Neal Cunningham commented that he still needs four or five more people to man (or woman) the Water Station on October 12th. This is a great event for newer Rotarians to get involved with. Give Neal a call.
Sam Leone shows up one every couple of months and wins today’s raffle. Something not quite right with that.
Sheryl O’Connor introduced today’s speaker, Bob Steele. Bob is a former Congressman, a vice chairman of an international marketing agency, and ran for Governor of the state of Connecticut. And despite all these accomplishments, he is most famous for being the son and namesake of his father, the beloved Bob Steele of WTIC radio.
Today’s Bob was a long time resident of Ledyard, hard by the two Indian Casinos 
and he has written a book based on his experiences living within the gambling culture that has been created here in Connecticut. While his book is a novel, it is thoroughly grounded in the reality that the casinos have created. That he chooses to call his book The Curse tells us all we need to know on his viewpoint. Bob went over the plusses and minuses of casino gambling and listed the many serious problems gambling has created in Connecticut. He is now worried that on-line gambling is around the corner and will be even more detrimental to our state.
An interesting talk about a topic we think too little about. Except for President George – he thinks about it a lot.
Mike Derr says he made up in O'Fallon, Missouri last week. I kid you not.
That’s all for now. You are free to resume gloating once again.