Clearly the best Allocation Luncheon ever!

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin May 18, 2006

On a perfect spring day even more sunshine was brought into our lives as many recipients of our annual largesse joined us for the yearly Allocation Luncheon. President Jim not only did his weekly duties, but also ran a commentary so that our guests could follow the labyrinthian machinations of the Rotary liturgy. A truly inspirational performance [and very large shoes for Nancy’s tiny feet to follow in].

Invoking his presidential prerogative President Jim waived both the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests and the sgt-at arms segments of the meeting. Although this was highly irregular, the consensus seemed to be that it was better to be safe than sorry with so many distinguished visitors [and Frank Bernardo] in attendance. Good judgement.

President Jim called on Allocation Committee Chair David Bryant, representing his members Amy Wilkinson, Bill Walbert, Ben Bilus, Don McIvor, David Rucci, new grandmother Nancy Robinson[7], and President Jim his own self, to preside over the allocation portion of the program. David seized the opportunity to give the Reader’s Digest description of Rotary International to the captive audience. Although he never actually said that anyone not willing to listen to his monologue would have his/her check withheld, the message was effectively communicated as was made evident by the looks of rapt attention on the faces of the supplicants.

Following the Rotary schtick, David morphed into Shecky Bryant and proceeded with the distribution of checks. He asked each recipient do two minutes plus or minus on the mission of his/her organization and the specific use to which our donation would be put.

It is worth noting at this juncture that it took exactly two absent recipients before a futures market in unused time was created by Bob Cruikshank with Phil Mclean, Bill Walbert and Rich Vasco working an arbitrage scam on the recipient organizations. Not a pretty sight.

We then heard from, and David presented checks to, the U.N. Committee of New Canaan, Waveny Lodge, the Historical Society, STAR, Inc. [who came bearing gifts], Hand-in-Hand [a summer camp for 180 5-8 year olds on the St. Marks grounds], ABC House, Americares, the Clay Place [crafts for disabled veterans in Norwalk], Getabout, Girl Scouts, Halo Trust [our mine clearing friends], High Bridge Voices [minority kids choir], Meals on Wheels, New Canaan Library [the phrase “conflict of interest” was heard murmured around the room], Nursing and Home Care, PAWS, Shakespeare on the Sound, Success [the incredible program for minority youth run by Brian Moran], and, finally Frank Bernardo regarding the schools he visited in Mombassa [improbably in under two minutes]. David then explained the source of our funds and sold several hundred Lobsterfest tickets and took numerous reservations for Christmas dinner at the Roger Sherman. Clearly the best Allocation Luncheon ever!

Bill and Melinda Gates

Jim’s Advice Was To Wash Your Hands Frequently

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin May 11, 2006

With a gleam in her eye and a coup in her heart President-elect Nancy scaled the podium and rang the bell a full minute early. The Pledge was uneventful, but a lengthy silence ensued before Chaplain Ad, sensing that he had missed his cue, lurched into his blessing which somehow evoked a vision of Charlton Heston.

Newly minted PETS trained Nancy, backed by her equally PETS trained consigliere Amy Wilkinson, called for the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. Back for another week was Webster Bank Branch Manager Patricia Rodriguez-Autore, Susan Eng brought her District Manager from the Trumbull club in a blatant act of sucking up, Adoph introduced his friend from nursery school Chase Dipanni, and our favorite New Hampshire resident, old Live Free or Die Rini was also on hand. In a subliminal challenge to our effete membership it was revealed that Dr. Jim has 20 years of perfect attendance while Chase boasts 43! Living up to these great role models will not be easy.

Sergeant Scott once again horrified his father, among others, as he launched into a story about either Amy or Sandy- some blonde-that had agricultural overtones and drew groans of disapproval at the punchline. Bill Walbert and Phil McLain kicked in hefty dollars for various child related events. Others simply seemed relieved that the pain was over.k

In a demonstration of extreme newcomer naivete Secretary Susan announced that a cooperative honor system of attendance would be instituted shortly. While the honor part of the system did not seem problematic, the idea that the membership would cooperate on anything at any time [at least until the last second of a deadline] was deemed laughable. Susan looked disbelieving and stuck to her guns. One could see her consciously visualizing the success of her initiative. Perhaps if we all made an effort we could avoid, for the first time, torturing the person to whom we have assigned responsibility.

Cloaked in a crust of sheetrock dust, Ken Campbell rose to introduce the day’s speaker, Police Commissioner and Emergency Preparedness Director Jim Cole. I have no idea what the town would do without Jim. He has overseen our updated emergency plan, trained and coordinated our responders [20% of adult New Canaanites have been through the Community Emergency Response Training], obtained and distributed needed radios for responders and represented us in regional planning efforts. Regarding the possibility of an imminent flu pandemic, he said he didn’t know, but he was convinced that some emergency at some time would require a trained, coordinated response with us being responsible for us. Two useful websites for your edification: newcanaancert.org and pandemicflu.gov. In the event of an outbreak, Jim’s advice was to wash your hands frequently, don’t congregate unnecessarily, and take care of one another. A profoundly important and timely program. Thanks to both Ken and Jim!

Brownie

“guest rooms are unnecessary because guests are a nuisance”

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin
May 4, 2006

On a perfect late spring day we added to our Italian predilections by dining on the veranda al fresco. President Jim was at his eloquent best as he opted to face the larger of the two flags available to him and initiate the Pledge at the appropriate time. Chaplain Adolph then uttered another of his cryptic prayers, this time quoting President Teddy Roosevelt. Under intense interrogation he admitted that Teddy had indeed not spoken the words attributed to him, but “would have if he had thought of them.”

Your scrivener is under pressure from the censors to clean up the Bulletin which last week included the words “prophylactic” and “syphilis.” This in a family friendly publication! No wonder the geezers have their shorts in a knot.

President Jim brought the crowd to its feet with the announcement that Rick Benson from the western Connecticut town of Westport is the incoming District Governor {pending challenges to his legitimacy by some unwashed fanatic from the eastern part of the district}. As Jim pointed out, like the state of Connecticut, our district pays no attention to our area unless it wants money or talent. With Rick in power I have no doubt that our lengthy list of grievances will be addressed.

Guests today included Patricia Rodriguez-Autore, branch manager of the new Webster Bank outlet on Elm Street, guest of landlord John Engel; Ted Bonner on the arm of the fetching Boris Pogacnik; and Andy Kerchoff who has apparently found a way to have his dad continue to buy his lunch.

Sergeant Scott told a joke that had circulated at last week’s meeting, but managed to extort a healthy collection anyway. It seems that the Passeros hosted an especially simpatico fellowship dinner during the past week {at least until a most unwelcome crasher appeared late in the evening}. Mike Hobbs and Scott Hobbs contributed for the addition of a new granddaughter and niece to their burgeoning family. And while Scott could not claim the reward for his pot, Skip Sisson gave a C-note to Foundationmeister Ben Bilus in honor of attaining the ripe old age of 72!

In the absence of a real program, the painfully introverted Frank Bernardo brought from the New Canaan Library a copy of a tape on Phillip Johnson and his New Canaan property which was rendered even more interesting than normal by being recorded over with someone’s home movies in places. Poor quality control at the NCL. Architects become famous for many reasons. One of them is that they say things like, “a person enters a room by circling it like a dog and then sitting in the middle,” or “one may only approach a house from an angle,” or “guest rooms are unnecessary because guests are a nuisance.” People with insufficient self confidence and self esteem become sniveling syncophants in the presence of such drivel. Another way to become famous is to do interesting architecture, and Mr. Johnson did ok on that score too. Marty Skelunas is working on a Rotary outing to the property as it gets ready to open to the public in 2007.

Frank Gehry

Diane Blanchett spoke of the scourge of Lyme Disease...

Rotary Club of New Canaan

April 27, 2006

President Jim Azzarito made one of his on-time guest appearances and led the Knights Templar in prayer and contemplation. As usual Ad Tomaselli led the line to sustenance. Boris introduced his friend Ted Bonner. Scott Hobbs serving as Sgt at Arms and in his always egregious manner, told another religious joke and then passed the collection plate. Nancy Robinson put in a proud $5 and related how her daughter Caitlin applied her CPR knowledge and saved an individual’s life. Frank Bernardo contributed a sad dollar on the death of Camille’s father. We allowed guest and Fire Commission Fred Barnes to give us money to commemorate his 30th climb on Mt. Washington. Fred is what this club needs ... a person with stamina, the willingness to conquer mountains and a fearlessness that shows he is in line for the 2007 Lobsterfest Chairman. You heard it hear first. Mike Hobbs contributed the fact that he had attended a poetry convention which opens up the post of poet laureate for the Club, a position that has inexplicably gone empty for the past few years.

Rick Vasko, apparently is competing with Mother Robinson in the baby-a-week pool and announced that another baby was on the way via his son. Bill Walbert, our Man for all Season, reminded us that he is producing another blockbuster for the Town Players. Ad Tomaselli thanked Tom Weilenmann for hosting a fellowship dinner where apparently a good time was had by all. Andy LaSala in gratitude for the Allocations Committee selection of the Hightower Singing Group has benevolently doubled his already substantial contribution to the purchase of Lobsterfest Tickets. That does not mean the rest of us can rest on Andy’s laurels, or whatever Andy has that is worth resting on …..whatever.

Calvin Ranson made a donation in celebration of his 64th birthday. It was noted by everyone that Calvin doesn’t look a day over, uhh, well 64 sounds good.

Our speaker Diane Blanchett spoke of the scourge of Lyme Disease, which no one in this area unfortunately remains unaware or unacquainted with. They are currently seeking additional funding from the government which at this time has allocated only $20 million dollars for the disease. Lyme Disease is caused by a bacteria carried by ticks. If a tick is found the victim must be treated quickly. Regrettably, the CDC does not advocate prophylactic use of antibiotics though according to Diane and her group it appears to be the best way to fight off this illness. Similar to syphilis, with 300 different strains, Lyme is extremely difficult to diagnose. When bitten by an infected tick transmission can take place in 36 to 48 hours. Fairfield County has the dubious distinction of being the epicenter of this disease, with one in four residents being diagnosed. The Lyme Disease Association is all-volunteer. For those who were unable to pick up the brochures or are seeking more information the website is www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org.

Fortified with good food, knowledge of Lyme Disease and the fellowship of the round table we ventured forth.

Respectfully submitted

Berenger Sauniere


PLEASE NOTE: MAY 18TH ALLOCATIONS LUNCHEON