It was a cold dreary day as we entered the Ridge this afternoon, (a bit cool inside as well - did the town not pay its fuel bill?) but Rotary friendship was warm and the Rotary spirit was high!  At the ringing of the bell I noticed the placement of the podium changed once again, this time to audience right. We might think that President Marc just can’t make up his mind but Mary Martin filled in for President Marc today and I don’t know about you, but I think the Empress’s choice should settle the issue.  I mean, what do we have an Empress for? (I know, that’s a dangling participle, but you get the point.)                                                                            

 

               The club welcomed once more guest Christina Lessard and we were privileged to have her at our table this week. In private conversation there with my tablemates and me, she confided that she was to meet husband Lionel for lunch at Rotary today but that he didn’t show.  We told her not to feel too badly for no one else in the club has been able recently to get Lionel to join them for lunch at Rotary either. We feel your pain, Christina. (I’m not taking sides or anything, but, personally, I think Lionel now owes her a really nice lunch somewhere plus maybe some jewelry or something, but that’s just me.  And Bob Buettner could help with flowers.)

 

               Mary Martin, noblewoman that she is, was herself willing to serve as a Welcome song leader so that she needed to designate only one other, Wes Willett, and along with Art Bradbury who joined in as a volunteer, they made a fine energetic team.

 

               Nick Cecere filled in for Neal Cunningham as Sgt @ Arms and had a busy day. I paid a dollar each for the two errors in last week’s High Gear: Sue Klock is not going to be District Governor, she already was, and the raffle was not won by Jack Sayre but now I can’t remember who did win it.  I guess that will cost be a buck again next week. Dan Larson asked the Sgt @ Arms to fine Jack Martin for messing with Dan’s car in the Goodwin College parking lot.  Dan passed around picture proof of the incident! In contrition, Jack said that if he won the raffle he would give the money to Dan.  Dan thought that was fair but then Jack didn’t win.  Jack’s a clever guy. Several club members paid in celebration of the UConn Women beating South Carolina!  Peter Klock paid in celebration of wife Sue’s birthday! Bob “Boutonnière” Buettner chipped in to wish the club a Happy Valentine’s Day and to remind us where we can get flowers. Some wisenheimer gave money to wish the Patriots a good time playing golf. Larry Frazier gave up a buck for Lent. And Art Bradbury made a Gratitude Contribution for Jay Stewart’s improvement in health which we all celebrate. Hope to see you soon, Jay!

 

               Michael Kerrigan reported that the Homeless Shelter renovation workday for this Saturday is cancelled because residents must remain inside due to the cold weather.  However, needed materials for the work are being purchased and new times for work crews from the club will be scheduled when the weather gets warmer.

 

               Susan Hansen reminded us that the Mayor’s Charity Ball is March 12^th. If you would like to attend and sit at a Rotary table let Susan know.  You might also indicate your table preference on your reservation! Might we have a good representation from the club for this worthy semi-annual event that supports important local charities? If you did not receive an invitation, you can obtain one at the mayor’s office.

 

               Bill Saunders reminds the club that he is looking for each member to choose for her or himself preferred committees on which to serve. The list is posted on Club Runner.

 

               Guy LaBella won the raffle.  I’m sure!

 

               The program was an interesting presentation by Dr. Robert (Mick) Bedard, a Hartford allergist and immunologist, who is also a civil war historian and who participates in Civil War battle reenactments. He outlined the life and contributions of Dr. Nathan Mayer, a Civil War surgeon who served with the regiment from central Connecticut.

 

               Have a fantastic week!

 

               Ted Mosebach

 

              

 

 

 

                

The wimpy Snow Birds have all flown south leaving only us hearty New Englanders to talk about the possibility of the first “real” snowfall this weekend.  Dougie, Sonny, Gil, and the rest of youse guys in God’s Waiting Room just don’t appreciate the four seasons like we do:  Mud Season; Hazy, Hot & Humid; Killing Frost; and Frozen Tundra.  The cold chime of President Marc’s bell rang out and another meeting convened at 100 Sunset Hills Drive, “The Ridge”.

 

Stalwart member Larry Frazier brought our congregation to order to reflect on an Invocation asking the Almighty for us to find peace and mercy in pain and to enjoy days rich and full with love and happiness.

 

The buffet line was slow moving today thanks to an array of steamed carrots (what, no broccoli?!), pasta, chicken parmesan, and salad just waiting to be scooped onto a plate.  Yours truly headed to the dessert table first as per usual and piled on the cookies.  Frank Collins bemoaned the fact that he has suddenly become enamored of cookies for dessert at every lunch and dinner.  I was incredulous.  I mean, what about breakfast?

 

Our only guest was another dyed-in-the-wool New Englander, John Mitchell from the South Windsor Club.  We gave aguest shout-out to our own Bob Wood for his quick return after hip replacement surgery.  Leading us through the Welcome Song were Dave Amberg and early-ish arriver, Steve Jacoby.

 

Jim Watts, Sergeant-at-Arms for the month of January, wasted no time in reading off his list of fines payers:  Jack Sayre anted up for his birthday from last week; not a few paid for the happy return of Bob-the-Gimp-Wood; Ruth Sheehan for having to leave early; Ned Lynch happy to be rooting for the Patriots this weekend; Alex Wisz happy to not have to root for the Giants this weekend; Bob Buettner for the beautiful day; and Yvette Roming, Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, announced she is again in the family way and is due on or most likely before August 10.  Somebody count back 9 months and tell us where Dan Larson was.  (I’ll tell you where he was:  he was dreaming!!).  And finally, Steve Jacoby celebrated a birthday this very day.  Steve asked for any member under 30 or over 95 to sing.  Sound of crickets chirping.

 

President Marc let us know that there will be a Board meeting this Monday the 25^th at 5:30 p.m. at the EH YMCA and said that Gil Wishart hopes to return all tanned and lovely from Florida in late April/early May.  He also passed around the Homeless Shelter sign-up sheet for volunteers to pick their shifts.  First work day is this Saturday, January 23 at the East Hartford Homeless Shelter at 385 Main Street (large gray house across the street from the big smoke stacks at Pratt and Whitney).  Stay tuned in case of bad weather, though.  You will be contacted.

 

President-Elect Bill “The Saint” Saunders is getting a jump on his year by soliciting ideas for our District Grant-funded project.  The Shelter Project is this year’s grant based idea.  Check your ClubRunner emails for more information.  We need a project that is hand’s on with a budget that will not exceed a total of $4,500.  We would start the project in the Fall of 2016 and must have it done by March 31, 2017.

Program Committee members:  your Chairman, Dan Firestone, asks that you come to a meeting next Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. with ideas for up-coming programs.  If you are not on the Committee but have a topic you would like to hear about, give Dan a call.

 

This week’s raffle winner was our guest speaker, Carmen Hufcut.  Happy Jack Martin knows how to make our guests happy!

 

Ms. Hufcut was formally introduced by Dan Larson.  She is the Program Director and an Assistant Professor for Goodwin College’s new Dental Hygiene Program.  Continuing with Goodwin’s philosophy of serving the non-traditional student, the Dental Hygiene Program is set up as a part-time 2 year curriculum that allows students to continue working in the real world while getting a degree.  Their courses are a combination of on-line study along with clinics and on-campus classes.  Students take the full spectrum of courses ranging from cleanings, x-rays, use of sealants, smoking cessation, oral cancer screenings, etc..  Best of all, they have the benefit of faculty advisors (and past Rotary members) Doctor Thomas Galvin and Doctor Hugh Finch.  This is a lucky bunch of students!

 

The first graduating class is scheduled to don their mortar boards this May and then sit for Board exams in June.  In the meantime, they are looking for volunteer patients with patience (it takes a while to be worked on since instructors are reviewing the work of the students every step of the way) to come to the Clinic at 403 Main Street (next to the Credit Union).  Community outreach is also on their agenda through senior centers and local Head Start program sites.  The work done is free.  All it costs is your time.

 

And with that we bid adieu until next week,

 

Empress of the World