Greetings to this week’s readers of High Gear, Rotary Club of East Hartford. It was a perfect late summer day and 34 Rotarians made it to the Clubhouse for fraternization, lunch and organizational matters. The crowd swelled to 35 when Steve Jacoby found us (late). We have to get him a side door to enter. The members were very chatty today, perhaps pondering their stock market wins/losses with each other.

 

Bob Buettner was the designated raffle man as Jack Martin was either incognito or absent. We checked the kitchen but he was nowhere to be found. Jim Fallon was back and I promised to say something nice about him. “Nice, Jim”.

 

Dave Amberg, our steward of the daily collections for announcements, requests and infractions was walking about with a whistle. I never trust someone who is peering at my chest for a pin and whistling at the same time. He did collect a few bucks for the standard leaving early and no pin.

 

Jay Stewart was getting help from a team of “experts” about her cell phone. After many tries, Dan Firestone called her phone and Bob Wood showed her how to answer it. Now if she can find it in the bottom of her purse she’ll be all set. Olivia Henze is excited about her assignment at the golf tournament. She is in charge of watching a hole—perhaps the gopher from Caddyshack will make a surprise visit.

 

Dan Russell provided this week’s inspirational invocation by reminding us of what we should be thankful for. We make a difference in the world by our fellowship and deeds. Give thanks for the progress our efforts have yielded on the eradication of polio in the world.

 

We did have someone visit who looked a lot like Guy LaBella - his son Griffen. Guy, you should be proud of this fine young man and future Rotarian. We sang heartily prior to lunch. Clubs who don’t sing have much to learn.

 

The lunch line was quickly formed as Marc released us to the buffet. The meatloaf, garlic mashed and vegetables were well received. Plates were piled high and smiles abounded. I sat next to Bill Saunders who told me his hearing aids were “in the shop”. Sat with Jim Watts who said he was playing the “breakout” golf game of his life the other day when he was whisked off the course by a golf cart to go see his mom in the hospital. Thankfully she is doing fine and his golf game is back to normal.

 

Marc Glass surprised Jay Stewart and Ruth Sheehan with a request to lead us in post lunch song. They did a great job of welcoming us all. Dave Amberg shared the infractions and requests for the day. It was Gil Wishart’s birthday so we got to sing again. We are good!

 

Steve Jacoby was called to the podium to receive his pin for bringing in a new Rotarian. He remarked that he hoped all present would receive this pin in the future. Amen, brother Steve. Bob Wood is recovering well and will resume his waterskiing lessons next week.

 

George Schoen provided a Foundation moment. What have we done lately? How about that Book Mobile (Susan Hansen gave him thumbs up), the dictionary project and the clean water project. This year we will be funding and contributing sweat equity to improvements at the East Hartford Family Shelter We as Rotarians do it well and often. Marc took the podium back—he’s a little possessive. He shared a nice note from Kyong Wilson our District Governor, and how much she enjoyed visiting us.

 

Marcia Leclerc sent a letter requesting our participation in the annual Mayor’s Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 12^th, 9 AM till 1 PM. All interested volunteers will be treated to a BBQ lunch following the effort to clean up the downtown area with other businesses and community volunteers. Jo-Ann Dorn penned a thank you letter to Rotary acknowledging our $262 contribution to the Town of East Hartford Health & Social Services Dept. to support the Back-to-School Program. Sue Klock shared that the groundbreaking ceremony for the 2-year college, Razia Jan Community College in Afghanistan, took place.

 

George updated us on the golf tournament. We need golfers and door prizes. Golf Committee will meet next Wednesday. Anderson Jewelers donated $337 for the Coats for Kids program. Based on the Farmer’s Almanac prediction, this will be well spent. Burlington Coat Factory has agreed to a 50% off promo during the campaign. Thanks to them for helping. And, George Agnelli was given a free lunch for the summer meetings as a thank you for his sales of Duck Race raffle tickets. He accumulated this money and has donated it to the Rotary Scholarship Fund. Children of East Hartford are thankful to you, George.

 

And lastly, the birthday boy won the raffle. Congrats Gil.

 

So I sign off knowing that you are waiting for June 2016 for this writer to emerge again from his cave to write High-Gear. Until then, stay thirsty my friends!