Happy Earth Day!  'Twas a warm and quite windy day on the Ridge, but much better than the predicted return to March weather for the remainder of the week.  The inside was busy, particularly for the Scholarship Committee, which was receiving the 24 applications which must be read by Monday.  Chairs Jim Fallon and Larry Frazier are truly tough task masters!

 

With that said, President Mary brought us together for the traditional opening - song, Pledge, and Invocation. Dan Firestone delivered a very thoughtful and appropriate message.  Through the diversity and passion of Rotary we can make our community the best place it can be!  We were promptly dispatched to the waiting buffet table, an almost weekly assignment, to serve ourselves a plate of chicken stew, rice, mixed vegetables, and a nice mixed greens salad.  Upon completion of the meal we were able to make a delicious brownie a la mode for dessert!

 

We reconvened at Mary's command with the introduction of our only guest, Tom Heslin, Art Bradbury's son in law from Providence.  He was promptly serenaded with the Welcome Song under the direction of the O'Connor duo, John and Sheryl, one of whom sounded more on key than the other!

 

Sgt. at Arms, Happy Jack Martin listed several high rollers in his report.  Mark Glass for his son landing a JOB with NBC, Bill Saunders for indicating a positive health report from Doug Willett, Susan Hansen for a first anniversary, Brian Gorman for a birthday, anniversary, and a golf announcement .(He's looking for golfers for a Boy Scout Fund Raiser on May 18th - contact him if interested).  And finally Nick Cecere reported that Andy Andreo is feeling better, and as has been custom for several years, donated a substantial check in honor of his and Roger Nicholson's 87th birthday, with both being born on the same day.  Thanks Andy! By the way, Nick also won the raffle, and it seems he has done so quite frequently.

 

Bob Wood reported that Gil Wishart was back from Florida with his lung issues well behind him, but that he had a really bad hip and shoulder which were giving him quite a bit of pain.  He was seeing his Doctor today!  We wish him well!  Subbing for Gil (Mr Rock Cat) Bob pushed for attendance at the Rock Cats game on May 29th and also to see our own Neal Cunningham miss the plate again as he tries to throw out the symbolic first pitch!  Cost $22 made out to EH Rotary -ASAP.

 

Some Dates to keep in mind - June 16 - District Installation, June 24 Our installation of Mark Glass and his new team,  May 13th - Training for new officers.  Inquire if interested for 6/16 and 5/13.

 

Mark Glass introduced our speaker, Robert Pasek, East Hartford's Town Clerk.  Robert explained what the responsibilities of the Town Clerk actually were - and they were many.  In essence they are a keeper of records such as births, deaths, marriages, property transactions, etc.  In addition they issue hunting and fishing licenses as well as marriage licenses -any connection? The Clerk is also very involved in the electoral process by issuing ballots and certifying all election results.  The Office is also responsible for overseeing all the Town's Boards and Commissions. A major task is in process to update many of the Town's records and computerize them for easy and efficient access.  It was a good review of all that takes place in the Town Clerk's office.

 

Pinch hitting for Rev. Ted, Bob Wood