What can you say? We really needed the rain. And rain it did. But that didn’t prevent a good size crowd from gathering at the Ridge for our weekly colloquy. The Golf and Program committees were hard at work as we entered the hall.
"It's just Practice"
Soon President Bell rang the bill…or rather President Bill rang the bell. In either case the meeting was called to order.
Dan Firestone was called on to deliver the invocation and he took the opportunity to engage us in a little moral tune up, quoting a distinguished rabbi on the difference between man and animal. It reminded me of Mark Twain’s comment, “Man is the only animal who blushes, - or needs to.”
Our buffet today was picnic fare with hot dogs, rolls, chili, sauerkraut, coleslaw, baked beans and chips, with cookies for dessert. It reminded me of Saturday nights back in the Village during my youth.
Despite the conspicuous lack of actual guests, we sang the Welcome Song anyway with Jack Sayre and Ned Lynch leading the chorale. In Allen Iverson’s immortal words “its just practice!”.
"a couple of biggies"
Dave Amberg wore the Sgt-at-Arms sleeve today and he came up with a couple of biggies. First Bob Buettner paid up for celebrating 52 years of wedded bliss (Saint Sandie may have a different view), and then Herb Barall fessed up to both 50 years in Rotary and 84 years on earth. (His actual birthday is next Wednesday but he did not want to take any chances.)
Others to make Dave’s List were George Agnelli for being underdressed (no pin, no badge), Hope Firestone for 4 years in our Club, Dan Russell for arriving late and Anwar Hossain for leaving early, and Ted Mosebach for disappearing for an extended portion of the summer months.
It is disappointing to note that not a single Red Sox partisan paid to honor the retirement of their arch nemesis, Yankee Legend Alex Rodriquez. Small minds, very small.
Membership is the focus
Announcements began with a couple of health updates. Susan Hansen reported that her son has finished radiation treatments and is beginning to regrow his hair. She thanked the Club for all its expressions of support. Nick Cecere reported that Andy Andreo is well and enjoying the summer along the Rhode Island shore. And finally, Gil Wishart left for his new home in Spring Hill, Florida on Monday and should have arrived at his destination by now. Although Jack Martin commented that if he took a Delta flight he may still be waiting at Bradley Field!
President Bill announced that we will be receiving a District Grant of $3,000 to support our annual Coats for Kids Program. Our request for a grant for the YMCA Water Safety/Literacy Program was not funded but we will be proceeding to fund it at the local level.
Neal Cunningham reported that the annual Back to School Supplies Drive was very successful and that the members of the Club were most generous. Actual number deposited will depend on Neal’s cash flow needs over the next week.
President Bill referred us to the August edition of the Rotarian magazine which has a discussion of changes in Rotary International’s approach to Membership and Club organization going forward. We will be firming up plans for our new Evening offshoot which will meet a couple of times a month. Be thinking of potential members as well as businesses we can approach about “corporate memberships” which would allow multiple members from one entity under one membership payment. RI is leaving it up to local clubs to devise methods of improving membership. Let’s be creative.
Sue Klock talked about the Police Department sponsored “Citizen Police Academy.” This 8 week program is designed to provide an inside look at the workings of your police department. Included will be an overview of the functionality and operational procedures. Participants will meet and interact with many members of the department. Any resident, business owner over the age of 18 who can pass a limited background check is invited to apply for the Fall 2016 program.
Nick Cecere won the raffle.
No program today.
See you next week.
Doug Willett
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