A hint of summer was in the air today, and the lush green lawn sloping away from The Ridge made me think of “How Green Was My Valley.” Some of you may be too young to remember that movie (actually, so am I!) Inside the Clubhouse it was clear this was going to be a special day: A display about the Guatemala Water project was on the table where our badges usually wait along with a dazzling array of handcrafted goods. President Marc rang the bell right on time and Jack Sayre ‘s invocation ended by asking that all of us find “the courage to make a difference.”

 

Lunch was Poor Man’s Lobster (as Marc and I decided to call it) Swedish meatballs, noodles, carrots, salad and rolls. I heard a disparaging remark about the carrots, but they do keep your eyes sharp for reading High Gear. Your humble reporter didn’t have a chance to get to the dessert table, but the long lineup for ice cream with fruit topping was reminiscent of a sultry July evening at Dairy Queen. (Thanks, Kevin Kickery, for making me wish for a Blizzard.)

 

Guests today included Rick and Elin Lawrence, John Donnelly from the Haddam-Killingworth Club, Rotary Scholarship recipient John Leonard and his dad, Bill. There was brief debate over whether Rev. John Caldwell should still be called a guest. He knows all the words to our songs and sings on key: I say he’s family now. All were serenaded with the Welcome Song by twins (matching blue Rotary golf shirts)  Larry Hangland and Bob Wood.

 

Dan Larson was so overwhelmed by the length of his Sergeant-at-Arms report that he forgot to poke fun of Jack Martin. Today’s report: 25 club anniversary for Neal Cunningham; Kevin Kickery paid for Bill Saunders’ badge being on upside down (Bill said he could read it just fine!) Michael Kerrigan for his son making the honor roll at Hall High; Mo Moshovos for his granddaughter getting a golf scholarship to Alma College; Doug Willett for his step-granddaughter graduating from CCSU; Dan Firestone for a gift from Jay Stewart: a plaque with the Four-Way Test in English and Hebrew; and Duck King George Agnelli for both his 86^th birthday and his 71^st anniversary at Anderson Jewelers. Caring moments: Art Bradbury is still under the weather. His address is 221 Country Lane, East Hartford, CT, 06118 for anyone who would like to send a card.

 

Mark your calendars: Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day Parade. Report by 9:00 a.m. if you want to march or ride on the float; June 4 – District End Polio Now baseball game; June 12 – Duck Race clean up from 2-4 p.m.; June 16 – District Installation Dinner in Agawam, MA; June 29 Club Installation dinner at the Gallery (no afternoon meeting that day!) Please note: early registration for next year’s RI Conference in Atlanta is only $265 dollars if you register by June 6.

 

EMPRESS MARY MARTIN REMINDS EVERYONE (IN ALL CAPS!) THAT NEXT WEEK IS THE LAST WEEK TO HAND IN DUCK TICKETS! QUACK!

 

Bob Wood introduced scholarship recipient John Leonard who thanked the club. John will be majoring in engineering when he heads off to UConn next fall. President Marc was the lucky raffle winner, but Raffle Master Happy Jack Martin had a hard time giving away the second special raffle prize: two tickets to the men’s gymnastics finals at the XL center. Nick Cecere finally took them for his grandsons to put to good use.

 

Last, but never least, Rick Lawrence did a presentation about the Guatemala Water Project. The project has four components: Bring running water to every home; installing grey water filtration systems; providing vented, improved pit latrines at each home; and providing safe stoves. Rick has global grant funds to help with the project this year. The money can be used for the three goals that involve water, but additional funds are raised to provide the stoves. Why is this project important? Because 30,000 people worldwide die each day due to water-related illnesses. Before these villages had running water, women and children had to walk for 20 minutes each way, several times a day, to bring water back to their families. Once they have water, children have time to attend school and to play. The quality of life for the entire village is improved. “Sin agua, no hay vida:” Without water, there is no life. As Rick finished his presentation, President Marc presented him with a check for $4000 from the club to continue supporting this project. I can’t think of a better way for a meeting to end.

 

Onward and upward ~ Susan Hansen