New Canaan Rotary Club BulletinMay 8

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                             May 8, 2008

 

President-elect David Rucci prowled the room anticipating the raw power of his year on the throne.  He had a faraway longing look in his pale Irish eyes as he contemplated acts of aggression and revenge in the days ahead.  It was, therefore, with a sense of relief when this year’s chief executive Amy struck the bell, calling the meeting to order and David back to the present.  Chaplain Ad asked the blessing and whetted the throng’s curiosity with his big finish, “As William Shakespeare said…” before losing steam and confessing that he could not remember what the Bard had indeed said.  Not an inspiring commencement.

 

Hobbs the Elder was heard confessing that he had recently had a perfectly good right knee replaced in his never ending quest to “be like Ad.”  Nice try, but the WASP genes will likely forever be an impediment to the achievement of Roman superiority.

 

Following another delicious repast at the hands of our lovable Swiss innkeeper, President Amy gaveled the audience into submission on her second try.  She pointed out that it was a pleasure to conduct her first meeting with Rob Avery as a member.  A round of applause punctuated her remark.  Joe Rucci then made a very confusing introduction of Greenwich Rotarian and land surveyor Allen Duval.  Either Joe and Allen are cousins, they shared an ancient and invalid classification, or they have never met and don’t like each other.

 

Impressario Bill Walbert then took the floor to announce that there has been a program change for the Rotary night at the Power House Theater tomorrow evening.  In lieu of the previously announced four hour pre-show shot-and-a-beer event, he has substituted a post-show champagne reception.  Goes under the “discretion being the better part of valor” heading, even if Bill sought to distract the group with claims that the change was necessitated by the weather forecast.

 

Fireman Fred Baker then reported that he, supported by a huge Rotary contingent made up of Bill Walbert, Jack Pugliese and Frank Bernardo, had completed a service project at the home of a Mrs. Williams.  The Club owes a vote of thanks to this intrepid band of activists.  Fred then reminded us that the New Canaan Clean Your Mile event will be held on May 31.  We could either leave our responsibility to be met by the aforementioned foursome, or some of the rest of us could get off our oversized duffs and do our duty.  You decide.

 

Amy reminded one and all that next week there will be no Thursday meeting at the Roger, but rather a joint meeting with the Wilton Club on Friday at the Silvermine Tavern.  She also announced that she would be attending the District Conference at West Point on May 16 and 17.

 

Sergeant Scott then recounted the challenges inherent in coming up with a clear, comprehensive and tasteful name for the medical partnership of a psychiatrist and proctologist.  More difficult than one might assume at first blush.

 

Proving that a high IQ is not a prerequisite for a fire marshall, Fred Baker reported that, for the thirty-second consecutive year he had completed his annual expedition to Tuckerman’s Ravine high on Mt. Washington this past week.  This pilgrimage is highlighted by savage weather, frostbite and near-starvation.  Anyone care to sign on for next year?

 

President Amy then introduced Sarah Proescher from the Norwalk-Nagarote [Nicaragua] Sister City Project.  Sarah, another in a seemingly endless line of driven, committed attractive young women bent on making the world a better place, explained the program, the goals, the means and the outcomes achieved.  An inspiring program full of hope for sustainable community development in the western hemisphere’s second poorest country.

 

Daniel Ortega