High Gear, January 8, 2014

On the outside Winter is here in all its clear and crisp splendor, but on the inside, the warmth of the Rotary Fellowship permeates the inner chambers of the Ridge.  Thanks to Ceil Collins, a traditional New Year's first meeting wine fest was well set up to greet us Rotarians after our long holiday break.  It was nice being together again!  The decibel level was certainly several levels higher than normal when Pres. George Schoen brought down the gavel to bring us to order. Following the usual opening Pres George gave the Invocation asking to receive a special blessing to help our service club to better help humankind through caring, serving, and sharing of the gifts we have to offer!  A nice lunch of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, garnished with cranberry sauce, followed by a tasty white cake was efficiently served!  (What, no buffet?)

Following lunch Pres. George called us back into session with several announcements.  First, Bill Saunders was called up for a Foundation moment to receive a new Paul Harris pin with two shiny stones attached.  Congratulations,  Bill!  Our guests were introduced and welcomed to the Ridge with the Welcome Song led by Rookie Nate Quesnel and Veteran Danny Larson!  Sgt. at Arms Jim Watts listed today's victims - Sheryl O'Connor announced an addition to their family (No, not that!) - the engagement of their daughter, and a big thank you to Good ole George (Agnelli) for making a timely adjustment to the sparkling new ring!Guy LaBella paid to announce a Vital Voice in Entrepreneurship Speaker, Stew Leonard, on 2/19 at Goodwin College.  All are invited, sign up next week! Ned Lynch paid to switch his support to the Patriots for the Playoffs (Do they have beards?), Nick Cecere paid for a birthday and his annual trip to Aruba, and finally Pat Gately paid to have Happy Birthday sung to her!

Thanks again to Andy Andreo for his continuing generous support of our Rotary projects. Jack Sayre thanked us for our support of the Salvation Army.  We raised $2504 with our shortened ringing period, and had 27 Rotarians with 12 doing more than one shift ringing the bell. Big thanks to the spouses, kids, and friends of Rotary for also helping out and filling in when needed. The Kick Off Duck Race meeting will be held tomorrow, 1/9, 5:30 at Dan Larson's office, 351 Main Street- All are welcome.  And finally, the lucky raffle winner - John O'Connor, who will probably set up a special wedding trust account with 3D!

Next, George announced that the ANNUAL MEETING will be held next week. 1/15/2014, and called upon Nominating Chair Sheryl O'Connor to present the slate of officers: President - Brian Liss, President Elect - Alex Wicz, Secretary - Mark Glass, Treasurer - Mike Derr, Past President -George Schoen, and Directors,  Bob Buettner and Janice Freschlin, and Director Emeritis - Bob Wood.  Still needed, another Director!

After brief words from our multiple year scholarship winners, Josh Dillon and Nikisha Rosas, Marty Finns and Lauren Alex gave a presentation on their reciprocal Group Study Exchange trip to Turkey.  The enthusiasm for the now defunct program was so evident in their words (The Foundation will discontinue this program in the future and replace it with a more vocational type exchange).  In fact, it was a game changing experience for Lauren.  She left her Engineering career at Pratt and took her many skills to another company where she would be able to ply her skills with international travel to Turkey as a Quality Control Engineer for a Massachusetts firm. It was special for both Lauren and Marty as they were able to step foot on some ancestral land in Turkey and Greece.  Both were outstanding ambassadors for the Rotary cause - a great cultural exchange.  As they indicated it was not a vacation, it was an experience!!!!!  Great Job!

'til next week - Bob Wood