This had to be one of the most beautiful days of 2015’s spring, summer or fall;
not a cloud in the crystal clear blue sky (and 3 foursomes on the golf course after the meeting!). A larger than usual crowd of jovial Rotarians and their guests graced the halls of the Ridge, and all seemed right with the world. Until the Welcome song, that is. Don’t know how Doug and Mo did it, but by golly, we sang it in 3 keys… enthusiastic though it was, ‘twas awful!
After a thoughtful blessing by Larry Frazier, guests were introduced: Diane Willett (by son Wes), our speaker of the day Mike Corcoran; guest of Dave Amberg, Mike Kurker (yup, he’s the one with campaign signs all around town!); and President Marc’s father-in-law, Lowell Waldo. (Mr. Waldo, known to one and all as Sonny, will be joining us as a new member in a couple of weeks). Diane and Doug (he of the photo-taking talent) will be leaving for their winter sojourn in Florida on Saturday; my, how the summer has flown!
Not sure how they’ve done it, but our caterers seem to have acquired a monopoly on the world’s supply of rice and broccoli and are bent on serving it to us each Wednesday. Yes, the price is right, but they have to be the most unimaginative food planners around. By the way, what happened to the announced scheme of occasionally serving our lunch to us at the tables?
Sgt-at- Arms Jack Sayre complimented us on generosity today as he waved a wad of bills in the air. Contributing were Doug, Jack Martin,
Ned Lynch, Susan Hanson,and Jay Stewart, miscreants all. And the Foundation Moment today was presented by PP, PDG, PIVP Frank Collins who told us of all the grand plans for celebrating Rotary’s centennial year in 2016.
Just so’s you know, our Nov.4th Wednesday noon meeting is not to be; instead, it’ll be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd at the Manchester Country Club, with the Manchester Rotary Club, to learn more about The Foundation’s plans for the school in Afghanistan. Details to follow.
George Schoen rose with results of one of our own club’s finer moments, the recent successful Golf Tournament; to wit: net take: $24,000; 114 golfers, and 25 “helpers.” It was a memorable day, filled with enjoyment and worthwhile efforts by all. George and Co-chair Bill Saunders, and their committee, should be real proud of their accomplishments.
Speaking of success, we learned of the recent handout of all those winter coats to needy children of our town. Chairman Chuck Clarke and his able assistant Dick McCarthy once again made our club proud in their leadership of our Coats for Kids program. With funding for 117, we actually filled the early Christmas stockings of 89 youngsters as they and their parents made their choices at the Burlington Coat Factory. East Hartford’s Jo-Ann Dorn expressed the town’s appreciation in her letter to President Marc, noting, as well, the efforts of volunteers Esther Clarke, Jean McCarthy, and Lori Glass.
Highlighting Rotary’s long-standing program to eradicate polio, Peter Klock gave an update on world-wide immunization against this disease. The European Polio Union has joined forces in this march, and Peter gave info on the millions of polio survivors who, though crippled, live on to lead useful lives.
Neal Cunningham, perennially successful chair of East Hartford Rotary’s Greater Hartford Marathon water station, gave us the details: this Saturday, 7:00 AM; you workers know who you are; be there for fun and frolic.
Fireside chats, organized by Doug Willett, are to be held on October 13, 15, 20, and 22, at Larry Hangland’s, Dan Russell’s, Frank Collins’, and Kevin Kickery’s. Good sign-ups for these affairs, be there when you’re scheduled.
Lottery winner this week, and every week, it seems: Ned Lynch!
Today’s speaker’s subject was certainly a first for us: Mike Corcoran, on BIRDS. A friend and associate of Peter Klock, Mike is, among other
things, an accomplished ornithologist, biologist, naturalist and all around fascinating talker about New England’s wild life. Bringing the world “above us” into our consciousness, Mike told of night-time flights of birds (safe from daytime predators) to and from the tropics, song birds and their 3-5 year average life, insect explosions in May and June, navigation by the stars, effect of magnetic fields, and a generally true fact of life: the larger the bird, the longer they live. All these things and so much more we learned in a rapid-fire presentation. This writer found it fascinating, hope you did, too. Thanks for bringing it to us, Peter.
And then it was time to leave. Nice we could be together…..
Arthur
