This first day of the Fall season was sunny with temps in the mid-70’s, just perfect as it was on Monday for our annual golf tournament.  Having exhausted themselves on the course Monday, it was a smaller and quieter group who gathered for our meeting today.

 

We all know the legend of the “bad penny”. How it just keeps coming back and coming back?  Well, far be it for me to make the direct comparison, but our leader today announced herself with “I’m backkkkk.”  It took three no shows, (President Marc observing Yom Kippur, Vice President Alex Wisz in parts unknown, and Secretary Susan Hansen tied up at her spanking new Library), but there she was. The Empress was in the house and at the podium, undaunted.  That is why she is the Empress.

 

Lunch today was ziti and meatballs, broccoli, salad and rolls with “make you own” sundae fixings on the dessert table.  Some of us did not have to be told twice.

 

Once our meal was over, Past Pluperfect President Mary Martin began with the introduction of our guest, namely Heather Shepard, a work colleague of Brian Gorman. Our speaker wanted to be introduced as well, but the Empress was having none of it. “In the fullness of time, my dear.”  Brian and Dan Larson, who did another terrific job as our Master of Ceremonies on Monday, led a rousing Welcome Song.

 

This led to the Empress’s vassal, or squire as he prefers to think of himself, Jack Martin, giving the Sergeant At Arms Report. He, too, was filling in for a Yom Kippur observer, Dan Firestone. Two significant birthdays today, first George Schoen who has reached 78 and Ned Lynch who was providing no further information. We sang off key birthday wishes to both, separately. A few other minor infractions concluded the report.

 

Next, PPP Martin thanked George and Bill Saunders for leading us in another very successful fund raiser. She also thanked all the volunteers and stated that every Rotarian in the Club had contributed is some fashion. If that is true, we have much to be proud of and thankful for.

 

Next up is the Marathon Water Station on Saturday, October 10^th.  Neal Cunningham announced he needed about 20 volunteers to make this a success and passed out a signup sheet. Any questions or issues with the on-line signup, contact Neal and he will have Rosemary take care of it for you.

 

Jim Watts once again reminded us that the Paul Harris Nomination Forms are on the website and that it is hard to be recognized if the form is never submitted.

 

Doug Willett passed out the Fireside Chat Signup sheets and urged everybody to select a session to attend as soon as possible. They begin on October 13 and run through October 22. Another opportunity for sign up will be next week.

 

Jay Stewart presented the “Foundation Minute” and it was definitely not of the New York Minute variety. She strolled down memory lane to recall the multitude of Rotary Exchange students we have hosted and sponsored over the years, all thanks to the support of the Rotary Foundation. Our lives are richer for the experiences.

 

Our speaker today was finally introduced to us as Christine Randazzo, a civil engineer by training who makes her living as a Landscape Designer, Installer and Maintainer. Her firm, Randazzo  Design & Associates, LTD, have completed multiple lawn renovations in the East Hartford area. Christine took us through several successful projects and discussed the importance of a landscape plan and the selection of appropriate plants in various garden locations. She also discussed watering, proper mulching and weed avoidance. One of her projects turned out to be the Empress’s abode, and the fact that Mary’s plants were thriving due, no doubt, to the ample supply of horse manure at Mary’s disposal. A very interesting program despite the fact we are moving rapidly into the dormant period around here. Thank you, Christine, for bringing it to us.