Rotary Club
of East Hartford
 High Gear
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage

Volume 1 | Issue 26

  
 
 
"Revera linguam latinam vix cognovi" - Translated - I don't really know that much about Latin!  It seems as if a portion of last week's High Gear got hi-jacked by Caesar or some other unknown conspirator! That said - today was a typical Winter day, cool. cloudy, and a shifting breeze which might be the forerunner of a possible nor'easter tomorrow.
Beginning by imbibing
Upon entering the main ballroom (fancy term?), we were attracted to two tables set up on either side of the non working fireplace.  One table filled with wine and the other with assorted edibles to accompany the reds and whites pre poured by Hostess Ceil Collins.  Thanks to Ceil and Bob Buettner for putting it all together. 
 
Groups gathered to greet each other and to discuss the weighty problems of the day.  A nice way to end the old year and look forward to the new.
 
But, alas, it must come to an end, and president Bill strolled forward and rang the sacred bell, and like Pavlov, we sang and pledged on cue!  Anwar Hossain rushed in at the last minute and gave a most thoughtful Invocation which ended with the thought that with all our differences we are all members of the Human Race!
 
The rush to the buffet table began, and we were treated to garlic mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, and hand carved steak.  Dessert was a nice warm apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream.  A nice meal.
Jack will do anything to win
President Bill brought us back to order with the introduction of guests, Dan and Hope Firestone's daughter Michelle, and her two sons, Sam and Jacob.  Art Bradbury started us off on the Welcome Song, and again, it sounded pretty good.
 
Next, Acting Sgt. at Arms Jim Watts trying to catch up with last week's haul, reported on a pretty good day - Bill Saunders paid for his and Bev's 55th wedding anniversary, but not to be outdone, Bob Wood paid for his and Debby's 56th anniversary.
 
It was all down hill from there - John O'Connor, Jack Martin, Nick Cecere, Chuck Clark, Ceil Collins and Dick McCarthy paid for a variety of causes.
 
In what should have been a major fine, Jack Sayre paid to honor a bet with his son over the stylish vest he was sporting!
 
Jay Stewart paid for remembering the Burma Shave signs which once graced the highways and byways of our great land. It was interesting to note how many at our table had never seen nor heard of that great landmark part of our history.
 
For our "Caring Moment" Nick Cecere thought Herb Barrall was out of the hospital and now at Salmon Brook. 
 
President Bill thanked Dan Firestone for the upcoming programs - next week - Bicycling, then the Hillstead Museum, and on the third week, Kevin Lembo, state Comptroller, and then a Club Assembly.  Of note, our chief raffler,
 
Happy Jack, won today's pot.  Mary will put it to good use!  Thus ended the regular meeting and an opening of the annual meeting.
Republicans 19, E.H. Rotary 0
Wes Willett, Secretary, presented last year's Annual Meeting minutes and asked for an acceptance.  It was done.  He stated that the present membership stood at 62 members, 6 of which were honorary. We have a 61% yearly attendance rate.
 
Mary Martin, Treasurer, gave an overview of the Club's finances.  "We are Solvent!" Our checking balance is $ 9100.45, our savings $ 9414.07 with total cash in our operating accounts of $ 18,514.52. She mentioned that Dues are now payable.  If you haven't yet paid, get your check to Mary ASAP. 
 
In our Charitable accounts we have $ 18,386.30, and $ 942.51 from the Duck Race, and $ 21, 684.31 from the Golf Tournament for a total of $ 41.013.12.  These figures are as of 11/30/16. The Scholarship Trust report will be given in January.
 
Some notes - we have signed another contract with our present Caterer.  We will still pay $14, but our minimum has been lowered to 30 meals/meeting.  We previously had a minimum of 34, and were losing about $11 per week.  
 
Marc Glass presented the new slate of officers for the 2017-2018 Rotary year. The following members will serve on the Board of Directors - Robert Wood, Jack Sayre, Jr., Ned Lynch, Kevin Kickery, Jennifer Jones, and Neal Cunningham.  President will be Susan Hansen, Past President will be Bill Saunders, Treasurer will be Mary Martin, and Secretary will be Wes Willett.  Note - there is no President Elect.  This slate was presented and accepted.
 
We then moved to a discussion period.  President Bill noted that membership and a President Elect were the highest of priorities and need be attended to in a serious and all out Club effort. 
 
The Satellite Club was discussed and the committee is working to get it off the ground.  Corporate memberships were also discussed, and the hope that there was some interest by the Police Department. 
 
There being no further business we sang our traditional year ending "Auld Lang Syne" and adjourned to meet next year.
 
'Til then, Bob Wood
 
Last Call -  If you would like to join a group of EH Rotarians for a Winter break in Grafton, Vermont, 1/30 and 1/31, contact Bob Wood 860 430 2161.