High Gear, March 4, , 2020 (Mar 04, 2020)

Rotary Club

of East Hartford

High Gear

Volume 73 | Issue 35, March 4, 2020

Bright sun and March winds welcomed us to the Ridge today. The sign-in table encountered a real blast as both front doors opened at once. Suddenly, George Schoen found his money blown all over the entryway. Fortunately, several Rotarians, true to the 4 Way Test, were there to help return the filthy lucre to neat piles on the table and sign-in continued.

Tuesday, not Wednesday next week

Lunch today consisted of ham, roast beef, veggie and combo subs. Chips and the usual brownie accompanied the sandwich. Of course, Ned Lynch was disappointed with the absence of a cookie tray and several considered collecting the brownies and allowing him to pass them around. Sorry Ned, our next three meetings will not require your services either.

Jim Watts offered a meaningful invocation, expressing concern over the coronavirus and asked blessings for all.

ANNOUCEMENTS: Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 10th with Manchester at the Manchester Country Club – 6:00 p.m. On March 18th we meet at Goodwin University at Noon and on March 25^th we will be attending our annual Paul Harris Awards Dinner at the Gallery in Glastonbury. On June 17^th, the District & Club Installations will be held at Maneelys in South Windsor, no daytime meeting.

GUESTS: We welcomed two visitors today. Old friend Bob Duggar from the Glastonbury Club and Ed Firestone (Dan’s brother) from the Manchester Club.

CARING MOMENTS: Dick McCarthy still recuperating at Glastonbury Health Care. Cards and calls would be appreciated.

Dan inverts weather in Florida

SGT AT ARMS REPORT: Dan Larson announced that he, with Ned’s direction, had managed to extract a contribution from all present. He was happy to return from Florida to enjoy our warm Connecticut weather – seems that he froze there with highs of only 50 degrees. His hands are still so cold that I had trouble reading his writing. Here’s the best I can do:

Art Bradbury – Happy to be here

Bob Buettner – Loves Dan

Ceil Collins – UCONN Women Win

Frank Collins – Nice day midwinter

Neal Cunningham – All deceased members

Dan Firestone – having his brother and good friend join him

Marc Glass – NE Patriots success

Larry Hangland – Happy Birthday

Guy LaBella – Feel good, do it twice (what?)

Ned Lynch – Red Sox hopeful John Martin

Ned Lynch Dan Russell – Glad to be here and best dressed

Bill Saunders – Memory of Tom Westbrook and Steve Jacoby, looking forward to a great grandchild to arrive in August

Jack Sayre – Glad to be here

Ray Maselek – at the advice of the Sgt at Arms

George Schoen – Coronavirus

Jim Watts – Successful 5yr birthday

Wes Willett – Teagan – Grandchild

Bob Duggar (guest) -being with friends in EH

RAFFLES: 50/50 – Neal Cunningham, Flowers – Ceil Collins

Deb Polun models service above self

PROGRAM Dan Firestone introduced Deb Polun, Executive Director of the CT Association for Community Action (CAFCA). She works with the state’s network of community action agencies to help ameliorate the conditions of poverty and advance economic opportunity for all. She has over 20 years of public policy experience, working in the health and human services field at both the Capitol and for nonprofits.

She opened with the example of a man who was without a job and homeless, no direction and a meaningless life. He found a safe place at the McKinney Shelter in Hartford and now leads a productive life, returning to help in the shelter every weekend.

The Agency includes nine locations which offer guidance to those in need of help with life. Support such as Meals on Wheels, Job Training, Fuel Assistance and Child Care are examples of the services available. Funding for this work is made available through Government Grants and private donations.

Currently, the Agency is encouraging people, particularly undocumented, to participate in the upcoming census. This was an informative program.

As I sign off, I would like to thank President Bob for the opportunity to fill in for Bob Wood. Hopefully, you have enjoyed my first and last High Gear.

Larry Hangland

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