Rotary Club
Of East Hartford
High Gear

Volume 2 | Issue 28, January 10, 2018

 

Another great Winter’s day, but with a much different forecast than last week!  Last week we braced for a Winter storm and record sub-zero temperatures, but we now look forward to, perhaps, record January high temperatures and much rain.  What a difference a week makes.

 

Our entrance to the Ridge was somewhat dampened because the Empress wasn’t at her assigned seat which was ably filled by Hubby, Happy Jack.  The Empress was fighting a flu like issue and was not up to dealing with a bunch of cranky Rotarians!  We wish you a speedy get well. In her absence Happy Jack was able to sell only 21 lunch tickets!  Come on, folks, we’ve got to make our guarantee of 30 live and active bodies.

So I Know It Was Chicken, but...

President Dave, gavel in hand, rang the bell right on time and we sang, pledged, and took in today’s Invocation thoughtfully delivered by Jack Sayre.  As usual, the rush to the buffet table began.  What we found was something this writer couldn’t quite figure out.  Was it chicken stew, chicken and tortellini, or chicken casserole?  I couldn’t find consensus among those at our table. Joining the mystery dish were ample mixed vegetables, rolls and salad.  In spite of the unknown, it was quite tasty when paired with the cookie and brownie dessert offerings.

 

We were called back to order by President Dave who promptly introduced new Sgt. at Arms Anwar Hossain who was fulfilling his maiden voyage at arm twisting.  Anwar mentioned that Jay Stewart approached him last Spring and indicated that he would be Sgt. at arms for January.  Who could say no to Jay?  So here he was.  He questioned his effectiveness but revealed a good list of willing donors!

Finally A Sgt. At Arms With Class

Among them were – Dan Firestone for 42 Rotary years, George Agnelli, because he fell and 5 people picked him safely up, Dan Larson because he liked Anwar as Sgt. at Arms, Frank and Ceil Collins because they are going cruising in the Caribbean, George Schoen and Bob Wood because there were no power outages, Kevin Kickery because” Anwar is the best”, Bob Buettner because today is Wednesday, Jim Fallon for leaving early, and Steve Jacoby for being late!

 

Marc Glass led the raffle as Happy Jack pursued his other duty, The Winner was Dan Russell!  Bob Buettner announced that the Social Committee is planning another Game Night for late January – games, pizza, wine and beer - $5.00.  Watch for further details.

Habitat Continues Good Work

Dan Firestone was called upon to introduce our speaker, Rose Vigdal, Engagement Manager for Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity. Their motto is “Everyone deserves a decent place to live”. Rose started off with a brief promotional video for a local Habitat home being built at 9 Moore Avenue.  This, incidentally, is the home that several members of our club worked on in early November.

 

 She cited that the Local Habitat Organization covers all of greater Hartford, and has been in business for 30 years.  To date they have built 241 homes and will do another 10 this year.  In order to qualify for a Habitat house, one must have between $35,000 and $60,000 in income, put in 150 hours of “sweat equity” into the house, and attend 50 hours of Financial Literacy classes.

 

Fundraising comes from many corporations and Build a Thons in which individuals pay to work.  Our club paid $50 per worker for our November work group.  The average home is worth about $180 – 200,000, and is energy star rated. 

 

She mentioned that there is a Habitat Re-Store in Bloomfield which is stocked with a wide variety of donated items such as building supplies, cabinets, furniture, and other interesting stuff. Take a visit and see for yourself.  She ended by thanking us for our participation in their mission.

 

Next week’s program – AARP Fraud Awareness, followed on the 24th – Human Trafficking, and the 31st – Dan Firestone and the new tax law!

 

‘til next week – Bob Wood

 

 

 

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