As per custom president Bill brought us together for our traditional opening and Jack Sayre followed with a thoughtful Invocation which, among other things, acknowledged our Rotary bonds, our friendships, and our dreams of a polio free world! 

 

As usual the stampede to the buffet table began. Today's fare was a mashed potato dish, mixed peas and carrots, and a tasty Salisbury steak (or hamburger) smothered in mushroom gravy, bread, and the usual family style tossed salad. Dessert gave us a choice of items -ice cream, strawberries, or a bread pudding cake.

 

Upon reconvening President Bill called upon Neal Cunningham to introduce Janet Pearson, our only guest, and prospective member.  Be it noted that Janet has been proposed for membership and completed her Rotary Information session.  If there are concerns, contact President Bill.  Again, the Welcome Song was started by Art Bradbury and George Schoen.

Next up was Sgt. at Arms Jim Watts who announced a much better day than last week's mediocre collection.  It's nice to have a few anniversaries and birthdays to sweeten the pot!  Mary Martin anted up for Ruth Sheehan's return, Kevin Kickery paid for his long absence, Marc Glass paid for his perpetual picture, Larry Hangland and Peter Klock paid for anniversaries, Jack Sayre for a birthday and a song from the ladies, George Schoen paid for UCONN's big win, Dave Amberg for the Packer's victory, and last, Steve Jacoby paid for his lateness!

 

Jim Fallon next explained the Rotary Scholarship procedure.  We give 6 $2000 scholarships to graduating seniors from any high school, and who reside in East Hartford. They must meet certain criteria and complete our application process.  Relatives of East Hartford Rotarians are eligible to apply, but again, must reside in East Hartford.

 

Happy Jack, the Raffle Man, presented the pot to raffle winner Marc Glass!

 

Dan Firestone was called up to introduce today's speaker, Sharon Stutz, representing the Hill-Stead Museum.  She has been at the Museum for over 40 years and shared with us many interesting stories about the Pope family, the owners and builders of the present building which houses the Museum. 

 

It was the brainchild of the daughter Theodate who spent time at Miss Porter's school in Farmington.  She saw the land and thought it would be a great retirement place for the wealthy Pope family, who resided in Cleveland. 

 

Having sold the idea to her parents, she set about and designed the house.  As expected in those days a European odyssey was undertaken and her family became enamored with the emerging Impressionist movement in France.  It is on this journey that they began collecting works of Monet, Manet, Degas, and Whistler and thus began to acquire one of the finest collections of the Impressionists.

 

Along the way they also acquired a fine collection of ceramics and furniture.  It is these works that form today's offerings at the Hill-Stead.

 

Theodate went on to become a well respected architect, designing the Westover School in Middlefield, Avon Old Farms School, and many buildings of note.

 

In her Will she laid out the formation of her homestead as the Hill-Stead Museum, and thus on her death in 1947, the Museum was formed.  A specific clause in the Will stipulated that none of the art work should ever be loaned out.

 

It was a fun and informative talk by someone who truly loves her Job!

 

(Publisher’s note: Our own Doug Willett served as a Director and Vice President of the Hill-Stead Board for six years when he wore a younger man’s clothes, and was coming from an early morning meeting at the museum when he heard reports of an airplane crashing into the World Trade Center on 9/11.)

 

Next Week - Kevin Lembo, state Comptroller.

 

Save March 29th for the Paul Harris Recognition Diner.  Also, there will be a full Scholarship meeting on February 15th at 11:30.

 

'Til next week - Bob Wood