Today was our Annual Installation Dinner—a celebration where the gavel is passed and the president gets to retire as the new president takes over.  This editor has probably attended forty such functions, which engenders the comment that in some ways they are all alike, and yet each one is unique and special.

 

We gathered at the Gallery in Glastonbury.  The bar service and table of nibbles were excellent.  The room was abuzz with conversation! What can be better than being in a room filled with individuals you love and enjoy?  Dan Firestone asked the blessing in two languages, dinner was served, portions larger than needed. 

 

Old friend, Roger Nicholson, joined  East Hartford Rotary in 1957. His current Club in PA was also having their installation dinner tonight and honored him with phone greetings from us, his former club of old friends and buddies. We all joined in a rousing "Hi, Roger."  The wonders of modern technology!

 

District Governor Kyong Wilson brought greetings, and praised us for the good works we have accomplished.  That’s what we’re all about!  We were honored to have her attend our meeting.   Art Bradbury and Dan Larson led us in the Welcome Song.

 

President Mary welcomed everyone.  She asked for a moment of silence as we remembered those who had passed away during the year—Roy Spiller, Dick Lemieux, Peggy Andreo, Jane Noble and Jean Wishart.  With a sense of humor, Mary said that it wasn’t the plan for her to be President this year, but with Brian Liss’ departure and the conflicting commitments of some Board members, she drew the short straw.  She did a great job!

 

She acknowledged her Board, and said that we had fulfilled our motto of Service above Self by staffing a Marathon Water Station in October, holding a Job Shadow Day in November, and ringing the Salvation Army bell in December.  Social and Fund Raising activities continued throughout the year:  Golf Tournament in September, a Pot Luck Dinner in March, marching in the Memorial Day Parade, and holding a profitable Duck Race in June.

 

We were awarded a Presidential Citation, so with our successful fund raisers we were able to provide financial support to local and international needs:  $10,000 for a computer classroom at the newly renovated Raymond Library, $12,000 for six scholarships to graduating high school seniors, $4,000 for EH YMCA Campaign for Kids, $4,000 for the clean water project in Guatemala, and $2,266 for kid’s bus transportation to summer science camp “Starbase.”  And Coats for Kids—with a District grant of $2,740 we were able to underwrite coats for 102 needy children, up from 65 kids the year before.

 

Mary cited individuals for single handedly making projects happen:  Dan Firestone and the Soap Project, Mary Sullivan and the Dictionary Project, Sheryl O’Connor for making sure our Scholarship Fund is managed properly and Susan Hansen for being herself.

 

President Mary asked her Board members to stand and be recognized with applause. The Empress has well earned her latest retirement.

 

Steve Jacoby, who was his sponsor, administered the oath of office to our new President, Marc Glass. Marc spoke of his hopes for the year including a couple of new "hands-on" projects in town.  Then President Marc introduced his Board members:  President-elect Alex Wisz, Past President Mary Martin, Secretary Susan Hansen, Treasurer Bill Saunders, Directors Bob Buettner, Janice Freschlin, Brian Gorman, Michael Kerrigan and Bob Wood, and Sergeant-at-Arms Ned Lynch.  They were duly sworn in, the gavel was passed, and so we began a new Rotary year!  Let’s work to make it superb.

                                                                        --- Dan Russell