Since we are already mixed-up on this High Gear format, let me go on with “save the date” information you really need to pay attention to:

Next Wednesday (Nov. 22) our regular meeting will be preceded by a wine and cheese social beginning at 11:30.  Bring a friend, or if you can’t find one, a spouse, or anyone who can act as your designated driver.  But really bring someone so we can all enjoy the annual tradition of the Thanksgiving Address.  This year’s speaker will be the former minister of Center Church in Manchester.

Make sure your calendar is clearly marked to attend our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 6.  We need a quorum that day to conduct official business and ratify the nominations for Club Board members.

Sign up with Hospitality Committee Work-a-holics Ceil Collins and Bob“Boutonniere” Buettner to attend our Holiday Banquet.  The party will be at The Gallery in Glastonbury on Wednesday night, December 13.  More info on meal choices to follow.  This means there is no Noon meeting on that day.

The kickoff for the YMCA annual campaign was held at Dan Russell’s Thursday night and if you didn’t make it,  you can still purchase tickets for the Winter Wineland Wine Tasting Event being held Saturday, December 2^nd from 4 to 7 p.m. at Goodwin College.  More info can be found at the website: one.bidpal.net/ehwinetasting or by calling the Y at 860-289-6612.

Alright let’s get back on track with the usual High Gear flow.  Beautiful cool November day.  Lunch was a beef, peppers, and onions stir fry and dessert was a sinfully delicious hot apple cobbler with ice cream and/or chocolate sauce.  This Scribe found both versions of the dessert to be awesome.

Acting President Bill Saunders gave an Invocation that first asked us to review the Six Areas of Rotary Focus.  These are:  peace and conflict resolution; disease prevention; water and sanitation; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and economic and community development.  Our programs and grants work toward addressing these issues both locally and around the world.

Arthur Bradbury and George Schoen (thank goodness they were both present and in excellent form) led us in the Welcome Song for guests Bob Rudner, a Manchester Rotarian; Ken Johnson, the Business Manager of the EH-YMCA; C.J. Hauss, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford; Seth Jacoby, scion of Steve; and guest speaker Laura Cordes.

Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Dan Firestone (acting for substitute Anwar Hossain who was supposed to be “acting” for Jack Sayre) gave the following succinct report:

Wes Willett donated to the Sergeant fund in honor of last night’s “deceptive” winning UConn Men’s basketball score; Bob Wood in honor of the Notre Dame v. Miami game; Marc Glass because his Eagles are still in first place; and Uber Sergeant Dick McCarthy because he left his name badge in the car.

Please call Marc Glass or Jack Sayre if you can volunteer to help out the Manchester Road Race folks on Turkey Day.  You get a hat if you do.

Acting President Bill invited CJ Hauss and Laura Floyd up to the podium to each receive a Rotary grant for their deserving organizations.  CJ on behalf of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford went home with $750; Laura handed her business manager, Ken, a check for $4,000 for the EH-YMCA.

These programs are part of the reason we all work so hard at the Golf Tournament and Spring Raffle/Duck Race events to raise money for local charities.

Raffle Master Happy Jack Martin called on Ruth Sheehan to pick this week’s lucky winner.  Congratulations, Jim Watts!

Our Guest Speaker today was Laura Cordes.  She is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence located right here in East Hartford at 96 Pitkin Street.   The Alliance is a coalition of nine community-based sexual assault crisis service programs.  Their mission is to end sexual violence and ensure high-quality, comprehensive and culturally competent sexual assault victim services.

Unfortunately, this is a very timely topic which we all are faced with daily when turning on the TV or opening a newspaper.  If you can take anything away from today’s talk, remember that how you respond to someone who discloses past sexual harassment or violence is very important.  What can you say?  Let them know you are sorry this happened to them.  Tell them it was not their fault.  And clearly tell them that what the perpetrator did was wrong. 

Adios,

Mary “Empress of the World” Martin