High Gear, Septermber 26, 2012
High Gear Sept. 26, 2012
It was an overcast day up on the hill – we avoided the fall sprinkle that will surely catch up to us later today. Krause caterers served up a delicious meal of stuffed pork chops, roasted potatoes, mixed veges & fruit cup to finish it up. Sue Klock gave the invocation, telling us to be thankful & to appreciate our many blessing in life, especially for the perfect weather we had for the annual golf tournament and for all the wonderful accomplishments of Rotary International.
We watched a brief video on Rotary International’s “This close” end polio now campaign, with Brian Liss concluding with what we have gathered so far during the month on September – 28 member s & guests have contributed $3642.00!!! A reminder that if you have not already made a contribution, please send it in by the end of the month so we can get that total up.
Concerns for members: Jack Ghagan is still recovering St. Francis Hospital from his mishap at the golf outing, they are keeping him there for observation, but he is doing well. Gil Wishart added his wife is doing much better and is expected to return home in 3-5 days. Yeah! Larry Hangland is doing better after his surgery and Nick Cicere was looking pretty darn FABULOUS at the golf outing.
Our guests today: Fred Issakhari, an owner of a car detailing company here in EH, guest of Mary Martin; Dave Canapari from Glastonbury Rotary, guest of John O’Conner, Timothy Byrtles - a real estate broker here in EH, guest of Guy Labella and our guest speakers Melissa Gavarino & Lesly Thompson. The welcome song was led by Peter Klock & Mayor Marcia Leclerc .
George Finch was Sargeant-at-Arms. Fines & Happy Bucks: Bob Buettner – because nothing happened to his new car this week!! Brian Liss – Golf Tournament was a job well done; Mike Derr – Leaving early; Janice Freschlin – no pin; John O’Conner – made an announcement about the “Positive Parenting Program” - see flyers distributed – meeting Friday, Sept. 28, 8-11:30am at the Community Renewal Team (CRT) 555 Windsor St., Hartford, Lumsden Center, Room #3. To RSVP or to get more information, please contact Eleni Fatsis at eleni.fatsis@ct.gov or (860) 424-5256; and then there were: Larry Frazier – his grandson is on his first submarine parole aboard the USS Alexandria, headed for the North Pole – hope he brought his long johns!!! Yvette Roming – leaving early; Peter Klock and Ned Lynch –for Birthdays! Neal Cunningham for arriving late, and Steve Jacoby for arriving later; Sue Klock apologizing if she put anyone to sleep during her invocation, but mostly for a great job & turnout for the golf tournament; and lastly, our very own Mayor Marcia Leclerc’s picture was in the EH Gazette not once, not twice, but FIVE times!!!!
Announcements: Never a shortage!
A reminder – if you have not filled out one of President Sheryl’s Rotary questionnaires, please do!
Koats for Kids – outstanding turnout! 75 Families were designated as needing coats, 70 were distributed. We received a thank you note from Joanne Dorn and another from a recipient (for their son) – it was extremely touching! Thanks to Chuck Clark and Dick McCarthry!
Fireside chats – please sign up if you haven’t already, a great way for us to stay connected & in touch with one another!
A HUGE thank you to the golf committee & volunteers for a tremendous success.
George Schoen will be having a meeting for the golf committee & anyone who would like to join for a “feedback session” of the golf tournament. He also has golf shirts for sale, $25 each. 4 Men’s XL & 1 Ladies Medium.
Nominations for Paul Harris award- we have received one, see Jim Watts for forms & he will be holding a meeting on October 24th at 11am.
Tavern Night – We have about 29 people signed up for this event – but we need more! We need at least 40 in order to reserve the entire facility. Please see Ceil Collins or Janice Freschlin if you would like to come – Monday, Oct. 29th, at 6:30pm at the Noah Webster House in West Hartford, $35 includes dinner, drinks & entertainment.
Neil Cunningham is looking for volunteers for working a water station during the Hartford Marathon on Oct. 13th. Even if you are able to register via the website he had sent out earlier, please get your name on his list - He is looking for 20 able bodies!
October 24th is Job Shadow day
Mary Martin reminded us next week’s lunch meeting on October 3rd is to be held in the basement of the Raymond Library in the Lion’s Community Room. There will be a presentation on the Bookmobile and the plans for the renovation and addition to the library.
October 3rd at 5:30pm there will be a Board of Directors meeting at Goodwin College.
PR committee did a great job in getting a “Rotary Place” spot in the weekly edition of the EH Gazette, where we can list our latest & greatest news to the community!
Sue & Peter presented a Rotary flag given to them from the Grand Cayman Club for attending last week. They also received a prize for being the “farthest traveled” a certificate & piece of Cayman coral with the Rotary wheel on it.
Eileen Rau sent a message reminding us that the submissions for District Governor has been extended to October 31st .
Tracey Fox, one of our speakers and raffle winner last week, donated the winnings to Rotary and also sent a $50 donation towards the End Polio Now campaign.
Jack Sayre received a letter from Joshua Dillon, an EH Rotary scholarship recipient – saying Thank you and that we have made a difference in his life. – Another touching moment!
Our own Treasurer Mike Derr won the raffle. Hope he takes his lovely wife out to dinner with his winnings!
Guest speakers:
Mary Sullivan introduced Dr. Lesly Thompson & Melissa Gavarino from O’Brien STEM Academy. These lasdies have done a tremendous job educating students grades 4-6 emphasizing on science, engineering and mathematics. The school is now in its 2nd year and doing great! They encourage children to develop problem solving skills, ingenuity, and to explore the environment that surrounds them. The school was developed because of there is a lack of students educated in these fields. They have a lovely 80x80 courtyard in the center of the school where there are plantings and a pond with local fish. Their goal is to use it as an environmental lab for the children to learn more about their surroundings and to get their hands in the dirt! President Sheryl presented them with a check for $4403.00 which is the cost to purchase picnic tables and chairs to make this “outdoor environmental lab” complete!
Make ups: Sue & Peter Klock, Grand Cayman Island
(and from the High Gear Co-chairs: you did a great job, Janice!)