After the pledge, Marc invited Guy Labella to deliver an invocation.  Guy reminded us of Rotary’s welcoming folks of all faiths to join our clubs and mentioned our diversity of religions.

Then, with no one to honor at the head of the line, it was every man or woman for him/herself heading to our buffet table.  Today’s lunch consisted of two types of ravioli, mushroom and cheese, a mixed green salad with ranch or Italian dressing, French bread slices and butter.  Dessert was a tempting variety of brownies, fancy chocolate squares and lemon cookies.

Art Bradbury led the welcome song for our one guest, Joe Jaconetta, an attorney in Glastonbury and the current chair of the Executive Committee of the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Caring moments:  Bob Wood had a phone call with Jim Fallon who remains in Houston, undergoing chemo and radiation.  It was suggested we email, or send e-cards, to Jim.  His email address is jjpfallon@aol.com.

Keep an eye out for a postcard in your mail inviting us all to attend the opening of the Henry Hammond Ahl exhibit at the Raymond Library 5 to 8 PM on Friday, April 26^th.

The April 27^th family party will be a game night at Bill Saunders clubhouse.  Save the date and stay tuned for more details.

Reminder of another fun event:  Ned Lynch is coordinating an opportunity, Wednesday, May 29th, to attend a baseball game between the Portland Sea Dogs and the Hartford Yard Goats. This is a great bargain, $32/person, for the game and a 2 ½ hour buffet.  Ned asks folks to sign up early and pay so he can pay the Yard Goats to set aside a section of seats for our club.  Please contact Ned by email at ned.lynch@jan-pro.com or by calling Ned’s cell phone 508-341-4106 to reserve your seats and to arrange getting your payment to Ned.  At this time Ned has eighteen of the twenty seats spoken for. 

And speaking of ways to get more involved with the club:  one is joining at the informal coffee club meetings Tuesdays, 10 to 11 AM, at the former First Federal Bank Building on Main Street.  Want more details, please email Bill billsaun42@gmail.com.

 Another opportunity will be to get involved with Anwar Hossain’s efforts to have club members help at the Bloomfield Food Bank.  Want to get involved in the next few months, contact Anwar at  anwardiana06043@gmail.com.This last Monday four Rotarians helped at the food bank from 12:30 to 3 PM.  THANKS.

Marc did a promo for the district conference occurring in Danvers, Massachusetts, May 3-4.  Most exciting thing I heard was an opportunity to sign up for a tour of Fenway Park, including half an hour in the batting cages, on the Saturday night winding up the conference.  For more information, check the district’s website, https://www.rotarydistrict7890.org/, or Marc dgglass2021@gmail.com.

And, again, keeping us updated about district business, Marc mentioned the May 15^th District Assembly, 7:30 AM to noon at the Doubletree Windsor Locks.  This is a sharing and training opportunity for all incoming club officers and anyone from the club who would enjoy mixing.  The Club pays for attendees.