High Gear, September 5, 2013
President George returned from vacation today, all rested up and eager to get back to the arduous work of being retired. Mr. Rotary, Frank Collins, greeted a good, not great, turnout of members with a poetry reading that served as the invocation prior to the collective ingesting of a roast beef sandwich, a dollop of potato salad, and a meager serving of coleslaw in a cup. This was followed by a pudding of some sort – butterscotch, perhaps?
Mike Costa, the youthful looking, and, in fact, youthful manager of the Farmington Savings Bank branch in downtown East Hartford was our only guest as he pursues potential membership in our group. Herb Tischofer and Jack Martin led the Welcome Song.
Once again, Roger Driggs endured a restless noon hour in his resting place.
President George called on Bob Buettner to give the Sgt. at Arms Report and got Dan Firestone instead. Dan approached the podium behind the wheel of his tweedy bird yellow, 
award winning ’39 Hudson coupe and proceeded to list the miscreants of the day. Mary Martin paid handsomely for celebrating a birthday; George Agnelli paid for arriving without a pocket on his dress shirt, unusual for a jeweler who usually has plenty of pockets in the inside lining of his sport jackets. Nick Cecere paid for a new car. And Dan Firestone paid to wish all a happy new year – year 5774 in the Jewish calendar. The usual early leavers and no pins, badges paid up as well.
Bill Saunders reminded us that the Golf Tournament is less than three weeks away and time is running out to get sponsors, golfers and raffle prizes into those who need to prepare signs, schedule foursomes, and organize the raffle table. There will be a Golf Committee Meeting next week at 11:30 a.m.
Neal Cunningham still needs another five volunteers for the annual Marathon Water Station on Saturday, October 12th. The password to register on the website is EHRot.
George Agnelli made a pitch for sponsors for the 14th Annual “Wishes on Wheels” Truck Convoy to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation of Connecticut. The Convoy will take place of Sunday, September 15th. Hundreds of trucks will gather at Rentschler Field in the early morning and will proceed up I-384 carrying the kids and the families of Make A Wish participants. Those wishing to participate can contact George Fellows at 860-291-1890 or George@wishesonwheels.com.
And Brian Liss passed on the YMCA’s plea to “Save the Date – Thursday, October 24th for the YMCA Celebrates Champions Event at the Connecticut Convention Center, with honored guest Tim Wakefield. To purchase tickets for this event, go to http://ghymcacelebrateschampions.kintera.org.
Recently inducted member Ted Hsu received his big boy badge today.
Jack Sayre brought news that old
buddy Spurge Stokes and his bride, Betty Ann are celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Miss you, Spurge – the raffle lacks credibility without you. Marc Glass is doing well after his surgery. Get back soon.
In hopes of retaining the crowd, President George held the raffle until after our speaker concluded. Fortunately, our speaker was our own Alex Wisz and he didn’t take too long. Alex expressed his pride in his two children, both students at Manchester High School. He also noted his respect for his Dad, a postal worker who was always quick to help others and set an
example that Alex sees in his Rotary experiences. Alex was the youngest of five siblings, was born in Hartford and grew up in East Hartford including attending Pitkin School when Jim Fallon was principal. He attended Eastern Connecticut State College where he played baseball for legendary coach Bill Holowaty. Alex has made his career in consumer financing and mortgage lending. He currently works at the American Eagle Credit Union. He is a former Enfield Rotarian and is proud to be a part of our club. Thanks, Alex. We are proud to have you in our midst.
Pat Gately won the raffle which should sustain her throughout the upcoming winter in Florida.
That’s it for this week. In the immortal words of Michael Kay as Alfonso Soriano lifts another one out of the park, “see ya.”