Rotary Club
of East Hartford
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Russell Hampton
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ClubRunner

Volume 1 | Issue 34

 

                                        

 
Happy Birthday to Us!
 
Meeting number 4,628 (that’s 89 years of weekly meetings) was called to order by President Bill with the singing of “Happy Birthday to Us”.  Twenty-four members and two guests were treated to a very thoughtful and timely Invocation by Anwar Hossain.  Its primary message:  there is no room for silence and no room for fear.   And then our respectful silence was broken by the march to the buffet for baked salmon, some really spicy lemon and caper noodles, and, of course,  . . . birthday cake and ice cream.
 
The chatter reached its usual crescendo as an envelope was surreptitiously passed around for contributions to a cash gift to Pablo and Claudia for their recent wedding.  Pablo, our caterer, and Claudia his new Boss, are still planning a trip to Columbia next month but thought it would be in their best interest to be married before leaving the country.  All the best to this hard-working couple!
 
Our two guests today were Rob Rosa, a local realtor and head of a household with six children, and Pastor Garlen “Eugene” Taylor, a repeat ‘offender’ and friend of Steve Jacoby.  The other new face in the crowd was Vincent Crawford.  Vincent is actually part of the team of corporate members representing the East Hartford Public Schools.  Nate Quesnel introduced him to us last week.  The EHPS team has four members who will take turns coming to meetings and keeping us in the loop of school system news.  Vince is Assistant Coordinator of Program Planning and Development.  The strong voices of Arthur Bradbury and Dan Larson led us in the Welcome Song.
Busy Day for Sergeant-at-Arms
Sergeant-at-Arms Neal Cunningham, with only a minor limp thanks to a cortisone shot, strode up to the podium for his weekly listing of miscreants and good deed doers:  President Bill started things off with a contribution for his up-coming trip to San Diego to visit granddaughter Kristine; Mary “The Empress” Martin chipped in to celebrate her up-coming vacation as hubby Happy Jack Martin takes off for roundy-round racing in Daytona and she gets to stay home; Marc Glass is always getting fined for a photo, Jay Stewart was in a photo somewhere (but I missed it); Danny Larson has become a Grandfather twice in the last few weeks; Alex Wisz wanted to note the beginning of Spring Training in two weeks; Kevin Kickery got pinched for just being miserable (don’t believe it for one second); Nick Cecere threw in a little something to wish the UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams good luck in tonight’s contests (by the time you read this we will know if that worked); and Dan Russell celebrated a birthday.  We don’t think he is quite as old as the Club.  Could be.  I dunno.   But looking good!
 
A moment of silence was held to acknowledge the passing of former District Governor Dick Kelly.
 
Members were also reminded that Lionel and Christina Lessard lost Lionel’s mother this week.  Arrangements are through D’Esopo’s.  The wake will be held Thursday (the 23rd) from 4 to 7 pm.
 
Other announcements:  Gil Wishart has been in the hospital for a week with pneumonia.  Cards to Gil can be sent to him at 3140 Forest Road, Spring Hill, FL 34606 (or phone him at 860-573-2388).  Give Hope Firestone a call if you are interested in participating in this year’s Mystery Ride (payment is now due); Board meeting will be Monday the 27th at 5:30 pm at the YMCA.  Contact Susan Hansen if you want something on the agenda.  All are welcome. 
 
Our Paul Harris Banquet will be held Wednesday, March 29 at The Gallery in Glastonbury.  Cocktails at 6 pm; dinner at 7 pm.  Now is the time to let Ceil Collins know your meal choice (prime rib, filet mignon, chicken piccata, or salmon) and to pay $50 per person.  Please make your check payable to “Rotary Club of East Hartford”.
Tell Us Your Favorite Rotary Memory
Due to the cancellation of our regular Program, President Bill opened the floor to membership to share reminisces of fun and events our Club experienced through the years.  There were over a dozen stories that brought back the names of great guys and gals like Don Hallquist, Scotty Howat, George Stewart, Barbara Benson, John Mozzicato, Dick Lemieux, Dean Roland, Bill Leone and Carmen Piscatello.   Some of my personal favorites . . .
 
Doug Willett’s taking the great leap of inducting women into the Club back in 1988; Dan Larson spilling a cold beer over himself when George Stewart surprised him with the puppet mongoose at a District Conference; and (don’t read further if you are easily offended) Barbara Benson’s retort to Scotty Howat when he said she had balls that were going to take her places, “Scotty, with my balls and your brains we wouldn’t go anywhere.”
 
Before the bell was rung we remembered to do the Raffle.  Happy Jack had last week’s winner, Neal Cunningham, pull the winning ticket:  Art Bradbury!
 
Next week’s program will be a presentation about the YMCA by our own Jennifer (Odorczyk) Jones.  See you there.
 
Mary Martin (Empress of the World)
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