The Rotary Club of
            East Hartford

            
 
            

High Gear

Volume 78 | Issue 41  / May 10, 2023
 
 

President Alex rang his portable bell at 12:10, leading those in the room in our club’s welcome song and a recitation of the Four-Way Test. Then Maura Callahan offered inspirational words reminding us that small actions, akin to creating ripples, can make significant changes even if individuals cannot change the world.

The group lined up behind our guest, Santo Pirrotta, to enjoy today’s buffet provided by Roma’s – a mixed green salad, two large pizzas, both cheese and meat, and two types of grinders, either tuna or chicken parmesan. Though Guy was elsewhere working, we thank him for arranging today’s bountiful lunch. With just fifteen of us in the room, everything except the salad was gone in a short time!

Alex soon rang the bell to get everyone’s attention and proceeded with today’s club business before our speaker was scheduled to begin.

We were reminded that the District Installation of incoming club presidents and assistant governors will be a brunch at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Marc and Bob will be attending.

Alex also mentioned various efforts he has been monitoring including the flag placement on veterans’ graves in cemeteries around town (let Alex know if you want to help with this the morning of May 20, the mobile library, and the pollinator garden at DiPietro Park on Silver Lane. Stay tuned for more information about all of these.

Bob Buettner mentioned that he plans another BBQ at the Senior Center on Wednesday, July 5th. He will not need many volunteers that day. Stay in touch with Bob if you are interested in being involved.

The Golf Committee continues to meet and work toward a successful, unique spring tournament.

Our speaker today was Ned Morgan. Ned is founder and director of a non-profit called Water Compass https://www.watercompass.org/which is Boston-based but operates in a large, mostly rural area of Uganda. Ned explained how his group’s approach to providing accessible, clean water is making a major difference in the lives of people in the rural areas they serve. He stressed sustainability due to both the technology, solar-powered water pumps as opposed to old-style hand pumps, and the financial model which removes the stigma of having community leaders in charge of collecting fees.

Alex brought the meeting to a close by reading a thoughtful note of thanks from Tim Larson for our club’s having honored him with Paul Harris recognition.

Alex rang the bell to end the meeting at 1:15 PM.

 

High Gear written this week by Sue Klock. Six weeks in a row but who’s counting? That’s it for Sue for 2023!

            

The Rotary Club of
            East Hartford

            
 
            

High Gear

Volume 78 | Issue 42  / May 17, 2023
 
 
The sun was shining today with a touch of cool breeze. I should have grabbed a light jacket before leaving home.
 
Although it was not even noon when I arrived, the room was buzzing with social interaction. Our young guest speaker was there with his mother and grandmother, our own Ruth Sheehan.
 
Lunch was already laid out. Today’s selection consisted of salad, chicken francaise, two kinds of grinders and cheese pizza.
 
President Alex rang the mini bell. Some of us do miss the liberty bell from the Ridge days for its bold robust sound.
 
The Rotary Song did not sound the same without our tenor-in-chief Dan Larson. Sue was asked to read the 4-Way Test. President Alex, filling in for Dan Larson, did the invocation.
 
The meeting restarted after lunch with “sharing moments”. Proud grandfather Dan Firestone, beaming with pride, stated that his grandson has received the invitation to join the prestigious Alpha Eta Honor Society College of Allied Health.
 
Jack shared the news about his granddaughter graduating from Syracuse University Magna Cum Laude.
 
Ruth informed us that some members of the Women’s Club will be at the Russell Residence, 118 Oak Street on May 18 to celebrate Betty Russell’s 99th birthday. You are welcome to join.
 
Alex described the wonderful time he had with his six year old granddaughter who invited him to join the fun at St. James School.
 
President Alex announced the club anniversary of Jason Primus. Lately, Jason has been unable to attend club meetings because of his teaching commitment in Danbury. He is otherwise still a member and volunteers regularly at FoodShare.
 
Goodwin Foundation Annual Summer Clambake is Friday, June 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM. Please contact Guy for additional information.
 
Bob provided 200 carnations to Riverside Nursing Home for Mother’s Day.
 
EHRC will provide BBQ lunch for at the East Hartford Senior Center on Wednesday, July 5. No club meeting that day.
 
Golf Committee meeting will be held today at 7:00 pm at the Evergreen Independent Living Center.
 
Flag placement will take place on Saturday, May 20 at the Hillside Cemetery in East Hartford. A number of Rotarians have signed up for this task.
 
Yard Goat game will be on July 22. Marc has an extra ticket. Follow the bidding process if you want to get this ticket
 
Maura circulated a volunteer sign up sheet for the Memorial Day Parade.
 
Sue provided the following information about the online course that she briefly mentioned at the meeting;
 
To take the Microaggressions course Rotarians must sign into My Rotary The link for the course is https://learn.rotary.org/members/learn/course/1664/Microaggressions
 
My goal is to have every club member take this course, which lasts about 15 minutes, and download the one-page Readiness Assessment so ultimately our club will grow and become more diverse. At some point, probably after July1st, I will ask the club president if we can have at least one club meeting focusing on points made in the course.
 
Our guest speaker today was Ruth Sheehan’s grandson, Cameron Turley, who is a student intern Sports Business Manager with UCONN Men’s BB Team. He shared some very interesting tidbits about all the planning and behind the scene preparation that are an integral part of the team’s success. He had the opportunity to travel with the team and support staff to a number of away games this season. He provided an insight into Coach Hurley’s style of management. Cameron wants to get into the professional sports management career after graduating from UCONN.
 
Among the many anecdotes he shared, one was about how he had to drive in the middle of the night to catch an early morning flight from Boston to reach the away game location with Coach Hurley’s favorite suit that the Coach had left at UCONN. Cameron saved the day. Coach Hurley is very particular about the choice of suit for each game. Well done, Cameron.
 
President Alex ended the meeting with a few trivia questions about UCONN’s athletic program. The winners headed right to their banks to deposit the cash prizes🙄
 
Signing off until next Wednesday, your scribe for the rest of the month of May, Anwar Hossain
 
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