It was a great day for a Rotary meeting and it was a great meeting!

 

I made sure I had my pin and badge on today as Happy Jack Martin is the Sgt @Arms for the month and he gets fussy.  I put the pin right on the center seam of my shirt which think is not an inappropriate place and Jack didn’t say anything so I guess it was alright.  Perhaps President Mary could issue a statement on the proper placement of Rotary pins so as to eliminate any anxiety around the club in this regard while Jack is Sgt @ Arms.  Jack always seems be at peace when Mary talks so it might help.

 

I actually settled into Jim Fallon’s chair today and sat up a little straighter for it! Normally, if Jim is absent, that seat remains vacant, few people who know Jim being comfortable enough to assume such a level for themselves.  However, Jim is a gracious guy and I trust he’ll understand, even if Neal Cunningham, who sat across from me, did seem a bit restless through the meal. Not that Rotarians are creatures of habit or anything, but this was switching seats.

 

Bill Saunders led us all in our prayer before lunch, thanking God for our club and the opportunities for human service which Rotary provides, as well as expressing gratitude for the life of Jean Wishart, commending her into the eternal loving arms of God, and asking for some peace and comfort for Gil in the midst of such unspeakable loss.  President Mary shared with the club through e-mail yesterday the death of Jean Wishart, beloved wife of Gil and warm and wonderful friend to so many others in the club. Funeral and visitation arrangements have not yet been made but will be shared with the club when they are known.  Gil, you are in our hearts.  We love you.

 

Lunch was very good; chicken, rice, zucchini, and chocolate chip or raisin cookies for desert.  Just as I was finished, the Empress rang the bell to begin the meeting (about which note taking for this publication must begin immediately) and thus precluded any possibility of seconds at the buffet for me. One makes some sacrifices as High Gear editor about which I think the club should know.  Susan Hansen, on the other hand, (whom, I acknowledge, did sacrifice a timely lunch by leaving the meeting without eating in order to obtain a power cord for the program presentation) upon her return, received a standing ovation for her efforts. Now, what do you think?  Is that fair to all concerned?  I let it to the just opinion of the club.

 

Yvette Roming introduced guest Michael Shever from the Canton/Avon club, and Hope Firestone presented Tommy Sweet from United Bank.  Ned Lynch and Dan Russell led the Welcome Song with good energy and friendly smiles.

 

Happy Jack was then invited to the podium to report on what he was able to gather.  There were two birthdays.  The first was that of Bob Buettner who requested everyone under 71 sing to him.  George Agnelli began to rise but the Empress looked him back down. The second birthday was for the Empress’s own horse, Paddy Cake, whose years were not divulged but whose siring Jack readily claimed.  Some wisenheimers wondered aloud which portion of the horse took after Jack. I didn’t think that was nice.

 

Two members paid for the recent UConn Women’s basketball victory at the NCAA’s, and another trip for them to the Final Four. Susan Hansen bought club absolution for a meltdown over the library move.  I wasn’t there, and I don’t think she was foaming or like that, but whatever.  I say, Susan, come on! I’d be catatonic by now. Thanks for all you’re doing!  And if something goes wrong, just blame Guy Labella or Yvette Roming, or someone else back at that table. That’s what I do, and I’m not sure why, but it always works.

 

Kevin Kickery made a donation in celebration of his daughter’s wedding coming up this weekend in North Carolina.  Congratulations Kevin!

 

Ned Lynch and Neal Cunningham paid for disrespecting the Sgt @ Arms. (It’s so easy to do that!)

 

A hardy round of applause was given to Ceil Collins and Bob Buettner for organizing a great Pot Luck social this past Friday!!!

 

Sue Klock reminded us that the District Conference is coming up soon, April 24-25, this year at the Hartford Marriott.  It promises to be a great Conference!  Let’s have a strong representation from our club. If you have any questions, give Sue a call.

 

The Senior Citizens Prom day is April 22^nd after our noon meeting.  The sign-up sheet is going around.  More help is always needed.

 

Today was the last day to sign up for the Paul Harris Dinner next Wednesday evening.  If you have not yet indicated your interest, please give Bob Buettner a call today! There will be no noon meeting next week!

 

Kevin Kickery read a note from an East Hartford High School student thanking the club for our scholarship program.  Now here’s the really amazing thing! The student who wrote the note will be entering the military upon graduation and thus will not be going to college now. He thanked the club on behalf of those who will be going to college after graduation. What an impressive young man!  But I have always known many East Hartford teenagers. They’re fantastic!

 

President Mary announced that Frank Collins will be a voting delegate from our club at the International Rotary Conference in Brazil this summer!

 

She then reported that the town could use some help at a shredding event on April 18, 10AM – 2PM.  If you can help, please let her know.

 

She also read a note of gratitude from the YMCA for the club’s donation this year of $3,000 to the Y’s Annual Strong Kids Campaign!

 

Herb Barall won the raffle!

 

The program was presented by our own Anwar Hossain who shared pictures and impressions of a recent trip he took to Thailand.  As an architect, he focused on some of the most beautiful temples, especially Angkor Watt just outside Thailand in western Cambodia. Fascinating!

 

Have a deeply life giving experience of Holy Week and Passover!