Posted by Weston Willett
 
It was a pleasant fall afternoon as a couple of Rotarians gathered at Goodwin College. Less than 15 I think. Seems like people are voting with their feet on this nighttime meeting issue. Dan Firestone was set up collecting dinner fees, the Flower raffle was out, and Sgt at Arms Dick McCarthy was posted at the entrance table. No 50-50 tonight though as Happy Jack was not with us.
 
Again an Excellent Meal 
 
President Kevin rang his tinker bell to get the meeting started. We all sang the Rotary song, pledged allegiance, and then Anwar Hossain gave the invocation. Dinner was excellent, as it always is at the evening meetings. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, salad rolls and a dessert tray of assorted cookies, brownies, etc. There were plenty of leftovers for people to take home, and they did. After we ate President Kevin started us out with the Sgt at Arms report. Notable contributions were made in honor of a new Kickery grandchild on the way. Bob Buettner donated for Ruth Sheehan walking on water the last couple weeks, due to the Red Sox performance. Dave Amberg for Notre Dame. There were donations for Red Sox from several others as well. Dan Firestone donated for having his bride grace our presence this evening. 
 
Updates From Board Meeting 
President Kevin then gave an update from Tuesday nights board meeting. He met with the mayor a few days ago and learned that the new Senior Center is expected to be up and running in about a year and a half. The mayor asked that Rotary take part somehow. We will be discussing ideas on that. We have 9 people signed up to volunteer with Anwar Hossain at Foodshare, Monday Oct 15 from 12:30 to 3:30. See Anwar if you would like to attend. We will be sending our newest member Jairo Lemos to the Rotary Leadership Institute. We will be passing an envelope at a future meeting(s) to collect money towards NC Hurricane relief. The money will be contributed to a district donation that is being organized. George Schoen reported that the golf tournament earnings are closer to $17k this year. This is a great result given we did not receive a grant from Pratt & Whitney this year. Thanks to George and Bill Saunders for all their hard work putting the tournament together. The Hartford Marathon takes place Saturday Oct 13th. Water station volunteers should meet at Two Rivers Magnet School at 7am. See Neal Cunningham if you would like to participate and have not yet signed up. Bill Saunders reported that he collected a check from George Agnelli for $150 towards Koats for Kids. The money was raised from Anderson Jewelers patrons contributing to the collection box posted there
 
No More Dinner Meetings 
 
The big news of the evening was that report that the board discussed the lunchtime / dinnertime meeting schedule and have decided that the evening meeting was a worthy effort, but just does not seem to work for everyone. We have not picked up any new members that can only meet at night, and we have a lot of members that would normally attend at noon but cant make it at 6pm. Therefore, barring any violent objections, this meeting is the last that will take place at night. All meetings going forward will once again be every Wednesday, at Sunset Ridge 12:15pm. President Kevin is exploring whether we need a club assembly to make this official.
 
Next Meeting Oct 3, 12:15 at The Ridge.
 
October’s High Gear editors will be Sue Klock and Anwar Hossain.
 
- Wes