It was a grand day for Rotary, bright sun and a perfect 70 degrees!  And a wonderful day for golf too as, after the meeting, the East Hartford Rotary golfing group again took up the sticks after winter break. Hurray for spring!

 

The bell rang out on time and we pledged and prayed and soon enough ambled into the adjacent room for a good veal parmesan buffet.  There were chocolate chip cookies for desert and I was a little self-conscious about taking two but then noticed that Jim Fallon also took two so I felt better.  I might not always do what Jim does but he knows his way around desert.

 

Michael Shrever was again visiting with us from the Canton/Avon Club, and friend and recent former member, Brian Liss, returned for the day with his whole family.  East Hartford’s loss and Farmington’s gain, you know?  I thought it was just great that Brian was again with us but then the Empress showed her gratitude by calling on him to join Janice Freschlin to lead us in the Welcome Song, They both proved themselves worthy of the privilege and everyone was thus warmly received, member and guest alike!

 

Happy Jack Martin next strolled to the podium for the Sgt @ Arms report.  Jack himself and George Schoen anteed up for the UConn Women’s basketball championship, Dan Firestone - happy because its tax day (What a guy!), Janice Freschlin and Brian Liss – both happy to be back with the greatest Rotary Club in the world! Also, it is Jim Fallon’s birthday and he requested the whole club sing, and Ned Lynch was fined for disrespecting the Sgt @Arms – having the gall to actually suggest that said Sergeant needed better training! But then Jack Sayre added that Sgt Martin was untrainable!  Needless to say, they will both more carefully curb their tongues from now on.

 

The Scholarship Committee will meet next Wednesday, April 22, 11:30AM, at the Ridge, before the noon meeting.

 

The Senior Citizen Prom is next Wednesday, April 22, 2:00 PM. Additional help is always welcome.

 

This is second notice that Anthony (Tony) Sweet has been proposed for membership.

 

The East Hartford Memorial Day Parade is coming up May 25^th.  Float decorators and marchers are needed.

 

The Rock Cats “End Polio Now!” Rotary Night baseball game is Friday, May 29.  The cost is $22 with children under seven, free.  A sign-up sheet is being circulated or contact Bob Wood for tickets.

 

President Mary thanked Jim Watts, Ceil Collins, Bob Buettner, Larry Hangland, George and Peggy Schoen, Art Bradbury, and Dan Larson for preparing and presenting a terrific Paul Harris Night!  I would like to add my thanks also to Art Bradbury for filling in for me at the Paul Harris Dinner as High Gear editor!!

 

Thanks to Jim Watts for donating a much needed new podium to the Ridge.  A new Rotary Club plaque will also be ordered for it.

 

Let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers, Gil Wishart, in the hospital with lung congestion and fluid.  He was visiting his sons in Florida in the wake of Jean’s loss when he became very weak.  Bob Wood shared with us that Gil is doing better now.  If you would like to contact Gil you can do so through his son’s e-mail address, deeubnh@aol.com.  God bless you, Gil!

 

This was a Club Assembly day focused on the upcoming Duck Race, Sunday, June 14.  The help of everyone in the club is needed.  Alex Wisz shared through words and pictures some of the history of the race and the fact that over $50,000 has been raised in just these three years since its beginning.  The goal this year is for the club to sell 2,000 tickets!  After the presentation, it was “duck counting time!” making sure that, as has been said in other ways, there is a duck for every number and a number for every duck.  Our table finally got all our ducks in a row, but it took us a while!  Some of us are exact, not fast.