What a difference a week can make at this time of the year. Compared to last week, the temperature was in the low seventies at noon time as we made our way to the meeting. President Marc's heavy handed approach to the bell was perhaps his way of saying "I love this weather". Rotary Song followed by the Pledge-of-Allegiance led to the invocation by Ted Mosebach who reflected upon the core human values which are also  the values we Rotarians hold near and dear to our hearts.

 

Buffet style lunch, a usual setup by now, consisted of herb roasted potatoes, mixed vegetables, stuffed tilapia, salad and bread followed by carrot cake.

There were no guests today, but in honor of his father-in-law's return from Florida, President Marc decided that the  "Welcome Song" was in order. Two weeks in a row he decided to pick a couple, the Firestones to lead the way.

 

George Schoen, Sergeant-At-Arms was mildly happy to report that business was lean today, perhaps fewer people than normal in attendance or the change in weather. Anyway these are some of the reasons people paid.

 

1. Bill Saunders' grandson has been made a partner in a nationally known actuarial firm.

                                                   

2. Chuck Clarke did not want any birthday song. We could guess the reason why.
3. Ruth Sheehan paid for the beautiful baseball winner.
4. Dan Larson bought a new car but he does not want Jack Martin to know about it. Many of us remember some surveillance photos taken at the Goodwin College parking lot Dan had shared with us a while back showing a shadowy figure lurking in the background who Dan thought was.........
5. The usual late comers and early leavers.

 

I can vouch for President Marc that this week, he did not forget to call on Jack to conduct the Raffle Ceremony. Last week's winner Dan Firestone picked # 429 which coincidentally belonged to his table mate Frank Collins.    

                                                    

Announcements and Reports:

 

1. Mayor's Ball  March 12, 2016
2. Veteran's Club Dinner at MCC Cheney Dining Room on March 15, 2016, Tickets $20/person. Contact Dean, Club President for additional information.
3. Paul Harris Dinner on April 13, 2016
4. District Conference on April 29, 2016
5. Mystery Ride on May 7, 2016
6. The Board decided to donate $1,000 each to East Hartford Schools "Business Partnership" and "Academy of Finance", $1,000 to East Hartford Hornet Football  for upgrading helmets to minimize concussions,  and $400 to East Hartford Little League.
7. Mary Martin took part in Channel-5 Community Access TV Program called "My Kind of Town" promoting the Duck Race.

 

The Program today, conducted by President Marc, Mary Martin and Bill Saunders consisted of two parts. First part was Bill's appeal to all of us to sign up for unfilled Committee positions and more importantly to fill the positions in the Membership Committee. We all know that without new members, the club's long term survivability is at stake.

 

The second part was to let us know about a written application requirement for potential donation seekers. The Club wants to ensure that basic information from the donation seekers are on file. More details are in the handout that was provided.

 

Anwar Hossain