It was a beautiful, early summer’s day at the Ridge where East Hartford Rotarians gathered for their weekly fellowship. We were faced with a new podium location, smack in the middle of traffic flow to our tables with an extension cord providing an excuse for a little hop as we passed. This new location traded a chance to photograph the heating grill for a back light double window with the sun pouring in. At least the shades could be drawn to lessen the effect.

 

It was President Marc’s penultimate meeting as our presiding officer and he was clearly relishing the closing of his term of office. “Last time at this podium” he was heard to mutter.

 

Kevin Kickery provided a thoughtful invocation centering on the need to “make people smile” by little acts of kindness such as making eye contact with and otherwise engaging servers in our daily activities. Acts of Kindness would prove to be a major theme of today’s meeting. The buffet today was chicken parmesan, ziti, vegetable medley, salad and a roll. Cookies topped it off. Not the most memorable meal we’ve had but it got the job done.

 

Our guests included District Governor Kyong Wilson, Sally Whipple and Brian Confrancisco from the Old State House Museum, Connecticut’s First Kid Governor Elena Tipton and her mom, Kim, and our regular visitor John Caldwell. Neal Cunningham arrived about 15 minutes late after sitting in I-84 traffic and Steve Jacoby set a new 2016 record by arriving at 12:52 just in time for the raffle drawing and looking for a hot meal. George Schoen and Dave Amberg led the Welcome Song. Fortunately Art Bradbury was not in attendance and not subject to the cacophony that ensued.

 

The Sargent at Arms report was brief this week, but was highlighted by Jim Watts celebrating 32 years in the Club and Mo Moshovos clocking in at 47 years. And best of all, Dan Larson paid for a Hole in-One  on the Eight Hole at East Hartford CC while playing with his granddaughter on Father’s Day!  Storybook stuff.

 

Good News, Sad News Department: Jack Sayre in home and threatening to come to the next meeting is the good news. The recent passing of long time Club member, Past President (1998) and Paul Harris Fellow Steve Tamiso is the sad news. The funeral will be on Friday. A good showing by his fellow Rotarians would be in order. God’s speed. Steve, and thanks for a life well lived.

 

Just a few announcements as summer doldrums set in.

Handsome Doug Willett won the raffle, which is more than his beloved Yankees have been doing much of lately.

 

Marcia Leclerc introduced our program. Sally Whipple, Executive Director  of the Old  State House spoke of the mission of this institution on Hartford’s Main Street which focuses on educating folks on government and broadening those “who choose  to participate.” In pursuing this mission, the idea formed to create the post of “Kid Governor” of the State of Connecticut. The new program took off across the state and 17 cities and towns got involved. Out of seven candidates put forward, East Hartford’s own, Fifth Grader Elena Tipton was elected.

 

Governor Tipton ran on a platform of Kindness with three specific goals to achieve this objective. First she has declared the 13^th day of each month as “Kindness Day” She is encouraging discussion on ways to promote kindness on this and every other day and has a blog to post your ideas and suggestions. Second the Governor wants a “buddy bench” at every elementary school in Connecticut where those without playmates can sit and others can come over and invite the sitter to play with them. And third, is to promote a broad discussion at all levels about kindness and developing Connecticut to the extent that “other states will be jealous of how kind and amazing we are.” A very impressive young lady is our first Kid Governor and East Hartford is rightfully very proud of her.

 

President Marc concluded the program by attempting to calmly express his thanks for all the support he has received this year but his emotions were having none of that.  You have a week to get a grip, Marc, and make next Wednesday’s festivities memorable. Sorry I will be out of town and will miss it. Thanks for a great job as President. The next guy has his work cut out for him.