The main lobby of the Veterans Memorial Clubhouse (“The Ridge” to those in the know) was a busy place today. Ceil Collins was collecting for the Paul Harris Banquet; Hope Firestone had an envelope slowly filling with payments for the Mystery Ride; Happy Jack Martin was holding court while multi-tasking as the Raffle Master; and your Treasurer (that’s me!) was shuffling $20’s and $5’s back and forth for lunch payments.
You're in Our Hearts, You're in Our Souls, Jay
Things finally quieted down in time for Art Bradbury to give the Invocation. He unfortunately had to presage his remarks with the sad news that Jay Stewart had suffered an apparent heart attack at The Ridge the night before while attending a Women’s Club function. Updates so far have been encouraging, but please keep Jay and the Stewart clan in your thoughts and prayers.
Our usual catering team of newlyweds Pablo and Claudia were not with us but we were under the able care of Patrick, a co-worker. He provided us with a sliced chicken marsala in mushroom sauce, mixed veggies including Brussel sprouts, rice, salad, and cookies.
It looks like the “church choir” of Art Bradbury and George Schoen are President Bill’s go-to Welcome Song leaders. That’s a good idea, Bill. Their cohort, errant altar boy Dan Larson also helped with belting out the tune to good effect. Our guests today included Dan Russell’s cousin, Dana R. Olmsted, and members of the Saunders family: lovely wife Bev, accounting wiz daughter Tracy, and our guest speaker Marie Mozzi, a former daughter-in-law. Both Vince Crawford and Nate Quesnel were in attendance as dual corporate members from the East Hartford Public Schools.
No sooner did George sing the final note of Welcome then he was on his way to the podium for a Sergeant-at-Arms report. In his words, we were a cheap crowd today. A number of us (including Bev Leone via mail) donated for the nice article and picture of Bob Buettner in last week’s Journal Inquirer. Bob inspired us by being photographed wearing his Rotary pin. Art Bradbury also had a photo in the newspaper. After that it was donations from early leavers and that was it.
You're in Our Hearts, You're in Our Prayers, Susan, Brendan
President Bill read a lovely note from President-Elect Susan Hansen that gave us much regret and sadness. Her son, Brendan Brewer, has had on-going health concerns that have increased again. Given the intensity of the treatments to come, Susan has reluctantly resigned her membership. Saying how sad we are to see her go is the ultimate understatement. Dan Firestone reminded us that Brendan likes cards with kittens so how about dropping a note to 86 Ledgewood Road, West Hartford, CT 06107.
After that shock wore off, Past President and Assistant District Governor Marc Glass announced that Dave Amberg has agreed to take the President’s position a year early and be our leader beginning July 1st. We are still in need of a President, Secretary, and Treasurer for the year that will begin on July 1, 2018. Please give it serious consideration.
The annual Job Shadow Day will be April 19. Alex Wisz would love to score a few more work-site hosts. We need folks who will show their student guests what their particular vocation entails. It involves only a morning, after which we all gather at The Ridge for lunch. The only requirement is that the job site be in East Hartford. Student transportation will be provided.
The final announcement was from President Bill: be warned that he is now sporting a new hearing aid and can hear all those mean whispers we share behind his back. Bill, you know that’s not true!
Raffle Master Happy Jack Martin allowed poster boy Bob Buettner to draw the raffle ticket today. It was Mary (Empress of the World) Martin’s lucky day when the ticket pulled belonged to husband, Happy Jack. Just walk that envelope right over here, fella! Momma needs a new pair of shoes.
Get Real With Marie
Guest speaker Marie Mozzi of “Get Real with Marie”, a sports nutritionist, gave an upbeat and informative talk about building a healthy body through nutrition and activity. Marie pointed out that the word “diet” starts with “die” (never a good thing). She let us know how important a healthy range of plant-based foods and modest exercise can be to dealing with life issues such as stress and the need for better sleep. Modest exercise can be a 10 minute brisk walk in the morning and another 10 minute walk in the afternoon. Very do-able.
Her points included the need to eat 8 to 13 one cup servings of ‘colorful’ plant foods; limit white foods such as pasta, bread, sugar, and potatoes; and keep in mind that alcohol turns very quickly into sugar carbohydrates in our bodies. There are good fats such as avocados and olive oil in which we can indulge. And we should limit or be wary of foods that “have legs”. So say ‘yes’ to nuts and fish but ‘no’ to over-indulging in beef or dairy products.
Marie was an excellent speaker and is available for one-on-one consultations if you are looking to make changes in your life. Her website is www.getrealwithmarie.com I didn’t have the heart to volunteer that yesterday’s menu included a McDonald’s shamrock shake. But it was colorful. I did eat four Brussel sprouts today, though.
Daylight Savings Time is Sunday. And a Nor’easter is being predicted next week. Just so you know.
