The good Lord knows we need some rain, and that did seem to be on the agenda for sometime today. In the meantime, East Hartford Rotarians met up at the Ridge for an hour or so of good fellowship. To lighten the load and bring smiles to our faces, Mike Derr was with us from St. Louis, also with best greetings from his dear wife, Janet. Even with the warm gathering, a fire in the fireplace felt good.

 

After saluting our beautiful stars and stripes, we listened to President Marc’s eloquent invocation, (he also noted the absence of the scheduled giver and perennially late-arriving “you know who.”)Nate Quesnel and Mike Derr led us in an enthusiastic rendering of the Welcome Song! And then our caterers served up a most delicious meal of beef stew & garlic-mashed potatoes, animal crackers for dessert…what happened to those wonderful ice cream sundaes? Did we lose them when we cancelled out of the rice and broccoli?

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Sgt-At-Arms Jack Sayre recited a litany of “malfeasers,” to wit: Prexy Marc, for a birthday, Jay Stewart for becoming a first-time Great Grandmaw; Mike Derr, for an appearance(!); Peter Klock for an overdue singing of a Happy Birthday greeting; and Bill Saunders for having a talented wife Bev who is celebrating election as the new president of the Hartford Bridge Club! Congratulations, all!
 

Under Caring Moments, Nick Cecere brought greetings from good friend and member Andy Andreo; Jim Fallon told of his daughter having become VP of the Houston Children’s Hospital, Jackie Danise continues in our thoughts as a founder of the Academy of Finance in the School Business Partnership, and Nate Quesnel sends thanks for our Coats for Kids program.

 

Bringing awareness of up-coming events, we’re reminded of: Rotary Foundation 6:00 gathering at Manchester Country Club next Tuesday, Nov.3rd (instead of our meeting on next day); Dan & Betty Russell’s hosting an up-coming YMCA gala on Nov.10 at 6:00 (and hopefully the new roof will be done!); the Nov.11th Rotary meeting at 12:15, Goodwin College (instead of the Ridge,) an 11:30 mtg of the Paul Harris nominations committee to precede it (if your name’s not on the grinder list, call Ceil Collins). And remember the Program Committee meeting on Nov.25! To these, President Marc also tweeted our recollections of the RLI Institute in Chicopee on Nov.7, the Foundation Dinner on Nov.5, and the 5:30 Happy Hour gathering at Adams Mill on Nov.12. My, aren’t we the social ones, though!

 

Mo Moshovos took control of the rostrum to tell us about “OXI,” an historical event preceding WW II. Sorry, but I’m afraid you’ll have to ask him about that!

 

PP and ‘Empress” Mary Martin rose to tell us of: 1) Nov. 18 gathering in the Ridge’s storage room to “dispose” of some “adult beverages.” A reasonable offer can take some home; 2) the town’s “adopt a basket” program for Thanksgiving and Christmas; cash donations accepted; two volunteers needed ASAP for delivery of Thanksgiving ones on Nov.23. Call Mary if you can; 3) Nominations needed for Board of Directors for year starting July 1, 2016. New and/old members welcome; slate will be announced at our Dec. 30 Annual Meeting. Call Mary to express interest; 4)Santa’s Elves looking for volunteer shoppers; look soon for sign-up list; 5) Homeless Shelter “wish-list”; Co-chairs Mike Kerrigan and Dave Amberg looking for hands-on helpers to follow thru on project to improve this facility. EH Woman’s Club also helping; look for the sign-up list soon!

 

And, oh yes, Jack Sayre broke the string and won the weekly Raffle!

 

For a complete change in programming, Mary Martin treated us to a presentation from our state’s archaeologist, Dr. Brian Jones. 

He centered in with slides and conversation on several rather famous sites of 17th century Connecticut history in Windsor, Glastonbury, Preston, and Bozrah. Interesting for their evidence of early graves, both Indian and settlers, this work involves volunteers who spend many hours in digging for discovery of artifacts of an ancient age. Many thanks, Mary, for shedding some light on a little-known part of our fascinating past.

 

And with that, this writer has tried once again to help capture the essence of an East Hartford Rotary meeting. Hope you’ve enjoyed, and the pleasure’s been mine!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Arthur