Rotary Club
Of East Hartford
    High Gear

Volume 72| Issue 23, December 5, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Ho, Ho, Ho – happy to say we were back at The Gallery for our annual holiday party.  First and foremost, thanks to our social committee chairs, Bob Buettner and Ceil Collins, for organizing all this for us.

 

We enjoyed a friendly happy hour, including drinks served by longtime bartender Chris and a variety of appetizers.

We sang our usual opening song, R-O-T-A-R-Y (aka the mickey mouse song), then did the pledge.

Memories of Rotarians Who Have Passed 
Marc Glass, aided by best spouse Lori, offered a well-researched invocation which included some Mark Twain thoughts.  Some quite apropos for our club:

“Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching,
and live like its heaven on earth.”
 
But, significantly, before Marc began his inspiring message he mentioned that he has now been a member of our club for nine years, and during that time, we have lost some wonderful Rotarians.  Aware that our most recent lost was our beloved George Agnelli, he asked us to spend a moment of silence thinking of those we have lost.
 
Taking editorial privilege, I am going to add this, because I want to think of these amazing Rotarians: including, among others, Bob Brown, Jim Sheehan, George and Jay Stewart, Dean Roland, Steve Tamiso, Carmen Piscatello.
 
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
 
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.”
 
Forgive me if this makes you sad.  For me, it inspires me every time I enter the Ridge and remember how each of these people inspired me to be a better Rotarian, to really believe in Service Above Self.
 
Saunders, Schoen & Martin, Doak - Paul Harris Nominees

A highlight of any celebration at The Gallery is the food.  Not disappointed this evening.  After a great offering of pre-prandial appetizers, we sat and enjoyed one of three delicious offerings—prime rib, filet mignon or salmon—with side dishes, and a hearty slice of ice cream pie.

 

And of course, the highlight of every holiday party is the announcement of this year’s Paul Harris recognitions.  Chair Jim Watts was short but effective delivering the board’s selections, with recommendations from Jim’s committee.

Ta da, drum roll please--

 

Our own Rotarians, Bill Saunders, George Schoen and Jack Martin, aka Happy Jack.  As well as community awardee Bill Doak, editor of the East Hartford Gazette, our local paper.

Loopy Tree Bears Gifts
Our meeting ended with raffle awards from that loopy Christmas tree loaded with raffle tickets.
 
1st prize went to Ned Lynch – think he bought an entire roll of tickets.
2nd prize went to Jean McCarthy (a gift basket with two holiday coffee mugs and coffee packets).
3rd prize went to Dan Larson (a bottle of Crown Royal).
 
And with that, Kevin rang the royal bell, and we all stood up to hug each other and wish everyone a happy holiday.
 
Submitted by Sue Klock (hoping Bob Wood is recovering and will have a happy holiday season).
 
Publisher’s note: I want to add remembrance of three great Rotarians who made me laugh meeting after meeting – Don Hallquist, Jack Davis and Scotty Howat. Doug
 
 
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