It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, quite sunny and breezy at the top of the hill. There was excitement in the air because news had spread that there would be many guests and returning friends at the meeting today. After the ringing of the bell and our efforts to sing R-o-t-a-r-y without Art to start us off, we focused on Larry Hangland’s thoughtful invocation. “Service” was the theme, and Larry asked us to remember all the people who have served our country in the military this coming Memorial Day.
We flocked to the buffet for a filling lunch of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and broccoli. Five of our club scholarship winners joined us for lunch today and we were delighted to spend time with them. But new guests weren’t the only ones to receive special treatment: familiar faces, Mike Derr and Pat Gately, were rewarded for returning to The Ridge by being picked to lead the Welcome Song.
Sergeant-at-Arms Dan Larson had a long list to report today: Nick 
Cecere paid for his 28th anniversary; Pat Gately for her 10th anniversary and Janice Freschlin for her 3rd. Mike Derr paid for the Yankees being in 1st place; Ned Lynch for the Red Sox being on a roll. Bob Buettner paid for the 25th anniversary of his daughter’s 21st birthday. (It took several people to figure out how old that made her. By all calculations she is still younger than Jack Benny.) Dan Russell paid for his grandson graduating from Worcester Polytechnic with distinction; Alex Wisz paid for the duck race going well and for his daughter enlisting in the Army.
Susan Hansen paid for her picture in the Gazette. There were several people who paid to leave early. John O’Connor paid for something – your humble reporter didn’t hear what, but the Sergeant-at-Arms took advantage of the opportunity to make comments about Sheryl O’Connor that were met with loud boos from the crowd for not passing the Four Way Test. Several people suggested he needed to fine himself. Dan did get down on bended knee to apologize, but that Kodak moment was not caught on film.
President Mary Martin presented Sheryl O’Connor with a bronze backing for her Rotary pin, a recognition for bringing new members into the club this past year. Mary told us that Bill Saunders was handing out the tickets to the Rock Cats game; contact Bill if you need to pick up your tickets. The Empress reminded everyone that if you are interested in decorating the float for the parade, meet at the Clubhouse this Saturday morning, May 23, at 9:00 to help. If you want to join the line of march, be in front of the EH Middle School Monday morning by 9:30. The Board voted to sponsor a tee sign at the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament; if you’d like to play in the tournament contact Yvette Roming or Bill Saunders.
The annual Sergeant-at-Arms party is planned for Wednesday, July 15 at the VMC. Alex Wisz reported that he will be sending an email reminder about the duck race. He has asked that each of us forward it to our friends and help spread the word. There are only two more weeks to sell tickets. Bob Buettner passed around the sign-up sheet for the club’s installation banquet. Look for it next week if you didn’t get a chance to sign up today. The dinner is June 24.
Five of the East Hartford high school seniors who received club scholarships joined us today. If you ever wondered why we support the scholarship program, you needn’t look any further than today’s guests. All of them were bright, friendly, well-spoken and delightful company. They are Stephen Sam, Shawn Murdzek, Jahmique 
Caines, Alexis Stewart and Lateisha Hemingway. Also in attendance was proud mom, Sandy Stewart. The students had an opportunity to introduce themselves and to tell us about themselves. They were gracious and very thankful for our support. Jim Fallon told us that East Hartford High School will hold its awards ceremony on May 28 at 7:30 a.m. and all interested club members may attend and see the scholarships presented.Raffle Master Happy Jack asked George Agnelli to pick this week’s winning ticket and Jim Fallon won even though he was out of the room. Now that’s an honest Raffle Master!
Today’s guest speaker was Steve Mackinnon who is responsible for the overall service delivery and operations for the Xerox State Healthcare operations in CT. His career spans 25 years in both public health benefit programs and commercial healthcare administration. Steve told us that Xerox has doubled its presence in 
East Hartford in the last seven years, from 100 staff members in 2008 to 207 now. He had many words of praise for the town as a great place to do business. Steve mentioned how he has become involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Goodwin College and Synergy High school and has been looking for ways to step up his involvement in the community by creating employment opportunities. He also said the town’s department of development has been very helpful and supportive of his efforts. It was Steve’s first time at a Rotary meeting and we hope he will visit again.
As the parade passes you by next Monday morning, be sure to wave at the Bookmobile. It’s the most beautiful vehicle in the parade, no matter what Jack Martin says about his plain old white car.
Onward and upward -
Susan
