High Gear – May 6, 2015
May is in full bloom, and the drive to the clubhouse is adorned with flowering trees and the soft greens of spring (at last!) Edwin Teale once said, “All things seem possible in May.” I say, “All things seem possible in the clubhouse!” There’s nothing quite as inspiring as getting together with fellow Rotarians. Empress Mary Martin delivered today’s invocation, reminding us to be thankful for all Rotary does internationally and locally. Your humble High Gear reporter then high-tailed it to the buffet line in the hopes of having time to finish both the baked chicken and the cheesecake and berries for dessert before having to put down my fork and take notes.
Today’s guests were Mike Sherber from the Rotary Club of Avon-Canton and Dave Calipari from Glastonbury’s club. They were serenaded by the enthusiastic vocal duo of Mo Moshovos and Michael Kerrigan leading the Welcome Song. They two were in tune, they remembered all the words with ease and they ended with a fist bump of victory. Theirs will be a tough act to follow next week!
Sergeant-at-Arms Report: It might have been a trick of the afternoon light, but I think
Jack Martin looked
happy to be filling in for
Dan Larson this week. Although his walk to the podium was greeted with “boos”
and comments from the peanut gallery about “term limits,” three members of the club paid
Happy Jack happy bucks for his wearing of the red armband today. Thank you
Guy LaBella,
Jay Stewart and
Bob Buettner for recognizing Jack’s talent.
Bob Buettner also paid for “all mothers in the world” and reminded us to send flowers this Mother’s Day. Bob paid for his granddaughters’ birthdays as well. A certain club member paid for his birthday and wanted no song and no recognition, but
Jim Watts learned that you can’t always get what you want, even on your birthday. (Hope it was happy!)
Jim Fallon paid to make an announcement. He called out several members for arriving incognito:
Frank Collins did NOT have his navy blue blazer on today and
Bill Saunders was in shorts and sneakers. Jim also accused
Dave Amberg of wearing a shirt that was 15 years old, but your humble reporter suspected a hint of admiration in that comment: how many of us can boast of staying in shape well enough to do that? Out of concern for our welfare,
Jim Fallon also shared an email about registering cell phone numbers on the Do Not Call registry to avoid pesky telemarketers. (As the club’s techno-mascot and reference librarian, I had to verify his information. There is no time limit to being able to put your phone on the Do Not Call registry. If you are interested, the best way to do it is online through the FTC at
https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx.)
Neal Cunningham celebrated his 24th anniversary with the club. Michael Kerrigan found a $20 bill sticking out of an ATM machine today and donated it to the club because he would have felt guilty keeping it. Last, but never least, Steve Jacoby paid for being early for next week.
President Mary Martin pulled out the big check again today as the club presented
Melissa Vanek, director of the
Starbase Academy, with a check for $2266.00. The money will be used to pay for buses to
transport East Hartford students to the new Starbase summer camp location in Windsor. Starbase Academy enriches children’s summer experience with a variety of hands-on STEM activities.
Ted Mosebach gave an update on the sign-ups to help sell duck tickets. There is still plenty of opportunity to help out. Email Ted for more information. Alex Wisz shared that this Saturday, May 9, there is a shred day at American Eagle, 417 Main Street. Bob Wood gave a “last call” on the May 29 Rock Cats game. Contact Bob if you want tickets and send in your check! And Bob Buettner reminds everyone to save the date: June 24 for the club’s Installation Dinner. Details to follow soon.
Today’s guest speaker was
Cephus Nolen, Director of Youth Services for the Town of East Hartford. Cephus has held this position for 14 years and he is happy to be serving the community in which he grew up. Youth Services has four major components: Counseling Services, Positive Youth Development, Outreach, and Community Services. Cephus highlighted some of the many programs and services his
department provides.
Youth Services initially began in 1971 as a Commission on Drug Use with a primary focus of substance abuse prevention. It evolved into the Youth Services Department as staff realized that substance abuse is a symptom of larger problems within the family. Though the name might make you think he deals primarily with children, Cephus explained how focusing on the whole family is the best way to improve the situation. The programs Cephus and his staff offer provide positive experiences by helping adults develop parenting skills, teaching anger and conflict management to kids and families, and connecting kids with trusted adults. Of all his success stories, Cephus is most proud of “Prevention Idol,” coming up on May 23, where kids sing, dance, recite poetry and share their personal messages for remaining substance free.
Cephus was another in a long line of interesting and engaging speakers. We are lucky to have so many caring people right in our own community – and to have a Speakers Committee that works to connect us with them.
All too soon, Empress Mary rang the bell. Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for Rotary.
Onward and upward,
Susan
