Though some snow still litters the landscape in southern New England, we have it on good authority that spring really did arrive back on Mar.20. That being said, guess we’ll have to wait a little bit ‘til the croci blooms here in East Hartford. But up at the Ridge, Rotarians gathered to sing R-O-T-A-R-Y, pledge allegiance to our beautiful flag and country, and listen while Gil Wishart offered up an eloquent invocation to that “…architect of the universe…”…nice job, Gil. The pre-meal social time seemed especially warm and friendly today, really like the gathering of old friends glad to see one another. Once again, we stood in the chow line to partake of oven-baked chicken (a truly marvelous flavor!), brown rice, salad, and a flavorful dessert of warm apple-brown-Betty with vanilla ice cream…ummmmm Good!
Our only Guest today was our speaker, Brad Drazen, about whom you’ll read more later, but Mayor Marcia Leclerc and new member Kevin Kickery (sporting a new badge!) led a rousing and welcoming rendition of the Welcome song. Great job!
Sgt.at Arms Dick McCarthy told of today’s miscreants, to wit: Happy dollars from Ned Lynch for UConn Women’s success to date, Jay Stewart,for 
Ruth Sheehan’s successful surgery; and Mo Moshovos’ tribute to 185 years of Greek Independence. President Mary acknowledged the passing of former member Phil Schiff and dear Don’s wife, Betty Hallquist, and we, too, were saddened at news of the death of Jack Lawton, former “major domo” and friend to all at the old First Federal Savings. Larry Hangland is another year older and we all sang to that fact in his honor.
President Mary told of actions taken at the recent Board Meeting: We became a “green sponsor” of the Boy Scouts; contributed $ to Rotary’s Rose Bowl Parade float; paid for 10 Interact members to attend the next District Conference; contributed to E.H.’s Concert series; and accepted, with regret,Hugh Finch’s resignation. In other announcements, we learned of a plea for Duck Race imaginative marketing ideas, Rotary’s RYLA awards program, and thank-you notes from Mayberry School; Bob Buettner gave plugs for the Pot Luck affair at the Ridge this Friday night and the Paul Harris evening on April 8th. Hope you’re all signed up!! Sue Klock was enthusiastic about the upcoming Senior Citizens Prom night
on April 22nd; and next year’s PrexyMarc Glass told of a Holiday Inn (Enfield) seminar on “How Rotary Operates.”
Our weekly raffle’s lucky winner was Mo Moshovos (a 185 year anniversary present?). As requested by Susan Hansen, we all had worn something yellow for a group picture which will be posted on line for recognizing the life of “Seth,” young man with a debilitating illness, and quite a group pic it was!
Our own Marc Glass introduced today’s speaker, Brad Drazen, anchor and investigative reporter for local TV station NBC Connecticut. Brad’s presentation was funny, intelligent, and entertaining. Yep, all of these things and you missed a good one if you weren’t here! Back in the day he set 
out to be: a doctor, an actor, or a Wall St. tycoon; but these all lost out to an MBA at university, followed by a very successful career in broadcast journalism, and culminating in the last 15 years at what we used to call “Channel 30.” Along the way he’s become a specialist in sports marketing, and can be caught as anchor of the 5:00 and 5:30PM news. He fielded a lot of questions, many about the decisions for presenting a balance of “good” and/or “bad/sad” news and gave thoughtful responses to the station’s dilemma in this regard. This was good programming; thanks, Marc and committee-members, for bringing it to us!
And from here, I think, Susan Hansen will be our next Editor. Thanks, Susan, for helping me in the writing (on my IPhone, no less, in the absence of my PC) and your superb publishing of the last few issues of High Gear. Methinks that good ol’ Doug Willett, (with a stitched-up chest from by-pass surgery) is back at his post, starting with this issue. Welcome back, Doug!
Arthur
.jpg)
