Back to Back . . .

ROTARY BULLETIN
June 22, 2006

It was all very civil. Nobody got manhandled nor even had his or her sensibilities scratched. At the end, there she was,”Hey, Mrs. Robinson”, our very own Nancy had been installed as the latest reigning impresario.

Enough of the outcome, let’s go to the videotape. Besides Benjamin Skrelunas, nearly 50 Rotarians and spouses descended upon the Roger Sherman and splashed martini drops into each other’s glasses during a convivial hour.

Mercifully, Past President (almost) Jim Azzarito herded all to the Dining Room for John Kerchoff’s invocation and an explanation of Jim’s revised three-way toast involving lying, cheating, and stealing.

Dr. Kerchoff soon reappeared and launched into an induction of three new members, totally forgetting that for, Lo, these months we have considered Andy Kerchoff, Ted Bonner and Fred Baker as fraternal entities.

John waxed poetic as he exhorted the anointed into the joys of Rotary Make-ups. Bill Walbert rose to audition for the coveted Sgt@Arms opening and spun a gossamer yarn about a dumb blonde. Nancy later remarked his delivery matched the gestation period of a seagoing mammal.

Scott Hobbs refused silence and for the first time in memory actually extracted money in the midst of an Induction Dinner. Jim took ver the dais to thank all present and especially Susan for past courtesies that resulted in a banner year for his team. With that, he presented the gavel to Nancy as the room erupted in roars of adulation.

Now this lady is smart. In return for the sash, epaulets and sword, she promised nothing except a Christmas Grab Bag. Visibly moved at the awesome responsibility ahead of her, she called on two of our Marines (Pete Santella & Joe Rucci) to oversee her watch.

Of course, now that she is heading back-to-back distaff incumbencies, she announced that Amy Wilkinson would be awarded two Presidential Elect training sessions.

Bruce said all well and good, but he was not going to Nashua, N.H. twice.

And there you have it. We made history. And you were there.

Edward R. Murrow

a trained Seeing Eye dog and a very clever horse that tapped out numbers

ROTARY BULLETIN
June 8, 2006

Well, it was 68 degrees and rainy, but maybe 30 of us slogged to the Sherman to be greeted by President Jim in a white bow tie and boater, accompanied by a three piece band. Clearly, he is feeling his oats as we begin the count down to make him a has been. Even Sgt@Arms Steve Risbridger was late and did not know whom to fine, but he did bring along a trained seal that was able to bark out a Scott Hobbs risqué story about an Amish lady who failed a safety test in her blue buggy. After a brief commercial, Nancy Belon introduced our only guest for the day, Lisa Gilbert, who is with Yellowbook/Transwestern. Then, to the roll of drums, Nancy Robinson announced yet another grandchild. Now, this is getting to be a habit, but as she had the floor, she cast about for a suitable weekend for the Lobsterfest. Still up for grabs, but now we know it will not be September 29th. Jim took center stage again, and with a flick of his cape inducted our lads in waiting. Andy Kerchoff, Ted Bonner and Fred Baker were not actually physically present but in the spirit of conviviality the rest is all downhill. Another flick of the cape and we knew the thoughts of legacy were driving the agenda. President Jim then decreed three annual Rotary fundraisers beginning with Nancy’s upcoming Lobsterfest on the hallowed Historical Society grounds in September, augmented by our heroic Christmas day effort at the Roger Sherman, and capped by New Canaan Baseball opening day at the Mead Park Lodge in June. He actually tried on the final item last Saturday with Armand Keteyian and Steve Benko adding to the festivities.

The events of the day wound down with the appearance of a trained Seeing Eye dog and a very clever horse that tapped out numbers. A thoroughly good time and a funfest for all. You just had to be there. And to think that it happened on Oenoke Ridge!

Theodor Geisel

Rare June Daze

ROTARY BULLETIN
June 1, 2006

There we were, milling around well past 12:15 with no President Jim in sight, so Mike Hobbs strode forth, sounded the bell and enlisted Ad to invoke the blessing. And, wonder of wonders, neither Kevin nor Leo missed any of the proceedings. Apace and in the guise of a plate of salad, our President slithered in and observed things from the head table. We again greeted visiting Andy Kerchoff, who will one day complement our roster if the membership committee ever reconvenes.

Christine Ross was also in attendance though Ken Campbell did not get there to introduce her. It is contagious, for John Engel allowed the same fate upon Patricia Rodriguez-Autore. Paul Burnham ventured forth from the Wilton Club, and President Jim made note of same. Maintaining his grip on things, Jim offered hot dogs at the Mead Park Lodge on June 10th, served by Armand Keteyian and Steve Benko. All Rotarians in attendance gasped in unison at the revelation that another Induction Dinner is upon us, but joy knows no bounds at the prospect of Nancy Robinson levitating into position on June 22.

At the appointed time for the Sgt@Arms, Jim could detect no Steve or Scott or any other qualified tree shaker. However, Frankie the Claw rose to the challenge and proceeded to regale us over his reunion with the good Berlin Doctor who connected Frank’s genealogy, missing until 2002, when Herr Weilenmann led a Rotary expedition to the Fatherland. The irrepressible Frank recounted the phone call and his conscription as tour guide along the Paul Revere trail. Never mind the Ritz Carlton, suffice to say they arrived at Jimmy’s Harborside and claimed an eight-pound lobster. The remains were weighed after the septuagenarian doctor and his wife and Frank were sated and five pounds of exoskeleton wound up at a Sudbury pig farm. Maybe our September 29th Lobsterfest could be a smashing success with but 110 of Frank’s Sebastians. If you believe none of this, Frank has megapixel pictures.

Happy dollars ensued, with Sandy Parks scanning the horizons. John Kerchoff spoke of the honor he and Rob Passero felt as our emissaries for Eric Weilenmann’s memorial service in Switzerland. Eric was eulogized as an example of “life as a cause to serve”. Leo elaborated on the email we all received promoting a fund in the memory of Eric Weilenmann, a Paul Harris Sapphire and icon among Rotarians. This was Ad’s anniversary of being blown out of his ship and into the water 51 years ago

Following our rare good luck of having Caroline Brokaw Tucker visit with us last week, we were spellbound by the advocacy of Laurel Carey, Sandie Malloy’s good friend and current Director of the Hearts of Hope program at the Center for Hope in Darien. With the premise that heart disease is the number one killer of men and women, Laurel is passionate in her belief that cardiac rehab and stress management can increase one’s chance of survival. She is horrified that MacDonald’s French fries are healthier on the continent than in this country. Imagine, big Macs at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston! She urged us to monitor vital indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels (HDL for healthy and LDL for lousy), blood sugar, and weight. Type A’s and others with stress related problems could be treated. The key is awareness and the will to make life saving adjustments. Laurel can put anybody on the right track, but you have to give her the chance.

Methuselah