Wow!!!!!
WE turned out today, in spite of the cold weather. (Better here than in Buffalo!) There were over 80 people present today for our meeting. The Stewart family celebrated Jay's 90th birthday with many friends and guests. It also was Job Shadowing Day. Someone said to me "It looked like old times.” Sorry to say, I never was there in the old days.
Due to transportation problems, the meeting got off to a little late start, but we soon made up for that with a buffet of chicken parmigiano, pasta, broccoli ,rolls and salad.
Steve Jacoby and Dan Larson gave a fine rendition of our welcoming song – loud and clear. President Mary Martin started off the meeting with a strong gavel to the bell. She loves to do that. In her brief comments to the students, she mentioned that Rotary stands for and supports ”Service Above Self.” She mentioned Koats for Kids, Polio Plus, I Pads to Mayberry School, the donation of the Book Mobile and the scholarships we provide as examples of community service.
We sang Happy Birthday with Jay getting top billing because of age and beauty as the families all stood around a rather large birthday cake. Because of the birthdays, we had a number of guests: Bob, Doug, and Randy Stewart, Bev Leone, Jean Rowland, Charlotte Bradbury and Betty Russell as well as members of East Hartford Public Service Departments, the Police and Fire Departments and the Public Works Department.
Jack Sayre was happy today .As Sgt At Arms, he collected bunches. Bob Buettner paid for Art and Jay's Birthdays and no snow again. Art Bradbury for his birthday; Ruth Sheehan paid for all her friends present; Jay Stewart made a donation to the Scholarship Fund and Alex Wisz paid for an anniversary. Mary Martin contributed for a picture in the paper and Bill Saunders paid for a wonder trip to Hawaii. And we had early leavers kick in as well.
Announcements:
Bell ringing starts Nov 29.
There will be a meeting next week, the day before Thanksgiving.
Neal Cunningham announced that East Hartford Rotary is sponsoring two families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, a total of 17 people.
Sue Hansen on Saturday, Dec 6th will be doing a project at The East Hartford Cultural Center to promote Rotary. Kids will be invited to make a "Peace Light " they then can take home.
There will be a Board meeting Monday at 5:30 at the the YMCA.
The Annual Meeting will be held on Dec 10.
The Holiday party will be Dec 3rd at the Gallery in Glastonbury.
The Springfield Rotary Club is hosting at Service Above Self luncheon on Dec 5th.
The New District Governor will be David Mangs from the West Hartford Club.
Jack Sayre announced that the Manchester Road Race is holding a meeting at the American Legion on Sunday for those interested in volunteering.
Past President George Schoen announced the Rotary Foundation Board has recognized two East Hartford Rotarians and their spouses as MAJOR DONORS. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Loren Andreo and Doug and Diane Willett.
Nate Quesnel won the raffle.
Alex Wisz opened the program by telling the benefits of the Job Shadowing program - getting students to see the "real" world . Seven Rotarians participated in this event: American Eagle Credit Union, Paul Buettner Florist, 3D Asset Management, the East Hartford YMCA, Goodwin College, Russell and Dawson Architects, and Finch Family Dentistry as well as several East Hartford Town Deptartments as mentioned above. Four Students were chosen to say a little something about their experiences during the day. They spent time with the Building Department, the Police Department, 3D Asset Management, and the Public Library.
While they all enjoyed their day and learned a lot of what happens in the day to day work place , several mentioned it gave them a heads up on which way they would like to proceed . Some would chose a different course of study. A couple said their shadowing had influenced their decision to choose this type of future job.
My thanks to Art Bradbury for taking on next week’s High Gear as I will not be at the meeting.
Happy Thanksgiving to all and hope to see you at the Holiday Party.
