With the sun out and the temperature in the mid-thirties at noon time, it felt like early spring after the last few weeks of bone chilling negative temperature numbers that some would like to call as the “new normal”. It might be new but it will never be “normal” in my book. Clearly more people ventured out today than what we have been noticing in the last few weeks.
Rotary Song and Pledge of Allegiance were followed by the invocation from Bob Buettner. Then single file to the other room where the buffet table was set with pasta, meatballs, rolls and salad. This week’s improvement in service was separate salad plates, although some of us prefer all our food to be in close contact on the same plate. Two kinds of cookies were there for the taking, and we are not bashful about helping ourselves when it comes to dessert.
If we exclude Mike Derr, who joined us today, the other two guests were introduced by Guy LaBella. President Mary bestowed the honor on Art Bradbury to lead the Welcome Song. Neal Cunningham and Marc Glass did the same routine as they have been doing for the last couple of weeks, which is Neal insists on taking the route to the podium from behind the chair where Marc is sitting with about an inch between the back of his chair and the wall. Neal has a different explanation for the tight space, which I am not going to get into this publication. Needless to say Marc had to get up to allow Neal to reach his destination.
Neal started his report by calling it a “fun day”. We sang the Birthday song for Mike Derr, Chuck Clarke and Dave Amberg. Bob Buetnner was glad to be present. Ned paid for the Sox winning the World Series. Happy Jack maintained his tradition for the month of being disrespectful to Neal who was glad that next week someone else will be Jack’s target. One late comer, not Steve, and five early leavers made us wonder where were they heading early since the golf courses in this area are more suitable for cross country skiing than golfing.
President Mary reported that:
The financial health of the two accounts is sound. Marc, please do not get any ideas about the kind of trips Club Presidents can legally take.
Six $2,000 scholarships are expected to be awarded as has been the case for the last few years.
$4,000 will be donated to the YMCA for their Strong Kids Program. Michael Kerrigan was very appreciative of the donation and wanted us to know that the Y, besides providing all the services most people know of, is also a charitable organization that never turns away an East Hartford family in need.
We have a proposed new member, Kevin Kickery, who will go through the usual indoctrination process.
Our club is asking for $12,000 this year from P&W in lieu of the usual $10,000. President Mary and Marc tried to create an impression with the new person in charge of grants. Again I will be discreet about who made the most impression and how.
We do not know how our Raffle Master Happy Jack managed to have Dick McCarthy pull the winning ticket, a duplicate of which mysteriously came out of Jack’s pocket seconds later. Jack being Jack, only kept a dollar of the windfall; the balance was turned over to President Mary.
As you all know by now, Marc jumped the line to be President Elect. So, as our speaker of the day he wanted to outline his vision for the coming year under his presidency. Married 24 years with three wonderful kids, actually grownups, he said that he wants to make his presidency collaborative. He wants to hear our ideas and seek our guidance during his term. He wants to encourage all members, regardless of how long they have been a member, to pitch in and make the club ascend to a higher place. Sue Klock has already sent out an email about an idea for increasing membership that she saw in Facebook about a club in California.
As much as I enjoy writing High Gear, I am looking forward to my sabbatical until my turn comes again. Anwar Hossain
