In stark contrast to last week, the surrounds of the Ridge were covered in snow, fresh from the snow fall yesterday. Look at the bright side: the sun was shining making the weather much bearable. Our current and former treasurers, George Schoen and Dan Firestone, were taking care of business at the front desk. As I stepped into the room, I noticed a sparse attendance. Hope it is not the weather, which was nowhere the intensity that would keep folks hunkered down at home.
Mark your calendars
Then I noticed that Jack Sayre was heading towards the podium. Filling in for Kevin and without the official medallion around his neck, Jack rang the bell to get this small crowd on their feet. Seventeen Rotarians and three guests participated in the Welcome Song followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. As Jack was looking around as to who will give the invocation today, Bill Saunders stepped up to the mike and delivered an invocation of hope and looking to the future. “While we wait and wait and wait impatiently for the warmth to return, let us think about spring thoughts” was his opening sentence.
Lunch today consisted of roast chicken, sautéed string beans and diagonally sliced carrots along with mashed potatoes and salad with choice of dressings. The dessert platter had choices of cookies and dessert bars which Ned served from table to table. Thanks to Jack and Ned for arranging the delicious meal and serving the cookies.
Announcements
Jack doing double duty today stepped up to the podium to restart the meeting. Since he was serving as the substitute for President Kevin, Ned stepped in to substitute for Jack as the SAR. Substituting is not over yet. Since Happy Jack was not there, Dan Firestone became the substitute Raffle Master. Thank God that our real treasurer, George Schoen, was present today; otherwise, it would have been a day without our elected and designated folks who run the meeting.
Jack Sayre observed that he is overspending on lunch. Looking at his crystal ball earlier in the week, Jack had ordered 30 lunches to be surprised by a showing of 20 only. We still pay for 30 meaning that we are in the hole for $14x10=$140. Jack will cut back to 26 lunches for next week. Unless he switches to a better crystal ball, maybe 30 will show up next week. Not to worry. Jack has a plan. If that happens, certain folks will get leftovers, if any.
Substitute President Jack asked our two guests from Goodwin College to step up to the podium to receive the check for a $1,000 scholarship. Sara Raffaia and Hannah Granfield thanked our club for participating in a program that makes a difference in people’s lives. The next person to come to the podium to accept a check for $3,800 was Craig Johnson, President of the East Hartford Historical Society.The money will be added to other funds to make up the shortfall for replacing the leaky roof over the historical Huguenot House. With this money in place, they can now go ahead and have the contractor start the roof replacement.
Last week's speaker
Substitute Sergeant at Arms, Ned Lynch, delivered his report. He was able to squeeze something from all seventeen of us today. I would have liked to mention all seventeen folks who forked out dollar bills including your scribe. But my nap time is almost here. So, with malice towards none, and not in any order or the size of the donations, I will mention a few. Frank Collins is 87 and very optimistic. Larry Hangland will be 78 next month. He got a discount for prepaying. Bill Saunders’ grandson’s hockey team beat the opponent 5-0 in their first game. Jack wanted to be left alone. Wonder why. The rest of us paid for the victories of our favorite sports team and other miscellaneous reasons. Folks keep the money coming and be generous to Jack when he assumes his SAR duties next. It is for a good cause. And now your scribe needs to take a nap.
