New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                             December 18, 2008

 

Deep in the mysterious Roger Sherman wine cave President David called the final meeting of 2008 to order and commenced the secret rituals with which we initiate our meetings.  Following the Pledge and the most perfunctory blessing in many months [perhaps the strain of coming up with a grace once each week is starting to tell on Chaplain Ad who announced that he is planning a four month sojourn in Florida after the first of the year to decompress] the membership sat down to a tasty holiday repast.

 

There were no visiting Rotarians or guests and, with the exception of noting that our next meeting would occur on January 8, 2009, in the immortal words of Steve Risbridger, David had nothin’.

 

Santa [Joe Rucci] and the Elf [a pms crazed Nancy Robinson] disparaged the throng, distributed numbers for the gift queue, and explained the rules for the annual grab bag.  The rules were complicated by the fact that Gentle Ben drew number 1, which so enraged Santa that he extemporaneously spewed out a three page preamble filled with legal boilerplate which effectively emasculated poor Ben.  In honor of our present economic situation Santa and the Elf dictated that the presents would be distributed in three traunches.  The first occurred during the salad course, the second during the main, and the third during desert.  Except for Skip nodding off, this plan worked very well.  Ben led off with a weasel ball, followed by John Kerchoff who scored a righteous bright red fuzzy pimp hat which looked strangely appropriate on him.  There then followed a much traded model Hummer [some wag was heard to comment that it was the Edsal of this decade], several bottles of assorted spirits, a pair of racing nuns, two tasteful tree ornaments, a decorative lobster head dress, a souvenir Muenchin Octoberfest pointy hat, various culinary delicacies, two golf themed gifts, several books and cd’s. a pull my finger Santa and everyone’s favorite, George Megrue’s half eaten box of chocolate truffles.  There occurred much good natured trading, the highlight of which resulted in the lovely and proper Carolyn Clark receiving a gift with anatomically impossible instructions.

 

Santa, who held in his back pocket a proxy from absent hall of fame raffle participant Steve “Spider” Sovich, then launched another difficult to understand activity which featured bidding on wrapped gifts with the successful bidder then given the opportunity to sweeten his bid for the right to trade the unknown treasure.  Spider was, not surprisingly, an active and successful player who was able to score a Newt Gingrich book encouraging oil exploration in our pristine wilderness as well as some lesser trophies.  The dignified Gene Tonkovich paid a record sum for the right to take home the pull my finger Santa [a classic in any league].  In a nod to Illinois, all of this pay to play activity raised several hundred dollars which will be donated to our hard working friends at the Salvation Army.

 

We left feeling embraced by the Christmas spirit, full of gratitude for the privilege of being citizens of this great country and members of Rotary.  By the time we meet again, we will have entered a new year in which we will strive to be of service to our fellow

man [and woman].  In spite of the present economic situation, who is luckier than us?!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

 

St. Nick

 

 

 

 

 

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                         December 11, 2008

 

President David, arriving quite late, put on a display of split second timing as he rang the bell scant seconds after arriving at the podium.  Although unsure where to place his hands, he successfully led the Pledge and then called on our short swarthy chaplain to ask the Lord’s blessing.  One can only assume that was what he was mumbling about as every ear strained to decipher his message.

 

Stalwarts, Paul Burnham and John Watson were present as visiting Rotarians.

 

David thanked Hazel Hobbs for hosting the Christmas party and castigated Mike Hobbs and Cathy McShane for spilling on the white rug.  It turned out that the gods were visiting punishment on Mike for his lack of true hospitality in banning red wine and Cathy was getting even with him for losing her in Munich on Tom’s European jaunt some years ago.  The good news is that the rugs look no worse for wear.  All attendees are to be congratulated on the bountiful and imaginative repast prepared for and presented to their fellow Rotarians.  Apparently the Hobbses were surprised to find Frank Bernardo at the breakfast table the following morning.

 

Impressario Bill Walbert announced that he, Rob Avery and Carolyn Clark, none of whom has been in the club more than five years, comprise the committee to organize the New Canaan club’s fiftieth anniversary celebration.  Any input, he intimated, would be gratefully received.

 

The annual Christmas Grab Bag will be held next week in the dungeon of the Roger.  Arrive early bearing a wrapped gift costing less than $20.00.  Santa has waived the no liquor rule for this year, noting that in this economic environment one shouldn’t overlook its medicinal value.  The highlight of the day promises to be the Elf in her elf suit.  Not to be missed.

 

Due to the vagaries of the calendar, following next week, we won’t reconvene until January 8, 2009.  This may prove problematic as a number of the members substitute the weekly meeting for psychiatric sessions, and missing two at this particularly stressful time of year may not be prudent [particularly if you get a bad gift from Santa].

 

Sergeant Scott gave a history lesson with attribution to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and then managed to tell a rather crude story without having it seem too offensive.  Perhaps it was the Irishman with the Swedish accent that softened the story.  Grandfather Pete Santella and dad Ron Balzano were proud of their progeny for participating in NC football’s first ever undefeated season ending as FCIAC and State champions, ranked number one in the state by both polls.

 

President David then allowed as how the dues records appear to have been kept by the governor of Illinois and asked each member to review his/her payment history and be prepared to defend it to Treasurer Jack Pugliese.  If you don’t want a collection visit from a guy named Jack Pugliese, do as youse are asked.

 

In the absence of Program Chairman Ken Campbell, apparently feeling shame for his wife’s vindictive behavior at the party, our esteemed President provided a fawning introduction of one of New Canaan’s most valuable resources, Keith Simpson.  In his volunteer role with the Merritt Parkway Preservation Trust [or some such group] he has been instrumental in getting the state Department of Transportation to redesign the Route 7 interchange with a less intrusive and more environmentally sensitive solution.  He is continuing with that effort while questioning the Department’s plans for its facility on the corner of South Avenue and Gerdes Road and two Mobil filling stations on the Parkway.  It was instructive to listen to Keith’s description of dealing with a government agency as we prepare to turn over large parts of the nation’s financial services, automobile and health care businesses to government bureaucrats.  Not a sanguine situation.  As always with Keith, an enlightening program.

 

W

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                                     December 4, 2008

 

President David, who at first looked quite ill, but on closer inspection turned out simply to be wearing an odd tie, rang the bell at 12:15 sharp, led the Pledge and then called on Chaplain Adolph to ask the blessing.  The combination of a large group in the food room and Ad’s tendency to mumble rendered most of the prayer incomprehensible to most of the members.  Nonetheless, everyone did his/her best to appear grateful for the food and fellowship after a week off for Thanksgiving

 

In the leadup to the meeting President John Adams was overheard explaining that he had founded the Marine Corps, and later the Marine Corps Band, on the premise that one soldier on a ship was worth ten soldiers on land.  To which Pete Santella responded, “Hooah!”

 

A large group of Rotarians enjoyed the fine repast prepared by our new hosts in the festively decorated Roger.  It felt good to be in a full room.

 

David announced a Board meeting at his office today at 4:00.  While all are welcome, Board attendance is mandatory.  No refreshments will be served.

 

The President then reminded one and all that the annual Christmas Party will commence at Hazel Hobbs’ house at 255 Main Street at 6:30 tomorrow, Friday the fifth of December.  The complex and easily misunderstood formula for the potluck is that those whose surnames [Steve] begin with the letters A-K are to bring hot dishes and those from L-Z Are to bring cold.  In response to questions from the rookie members concerning what sort of dish was envisioned in each category, David said something simple like beef Wellington or Baked Alaska.  The police would like all parking to be on the west side of Main Street.  For those of you who are directionally challenged, that is the side of the street that Roy Riggio lives on [also Hazel Hobbs].

 

Sgt-at-Arms standin Steve Risbridger had nuthin’.  Joe Rucci unfortunately tried to spice up his routine by querying Amy, who had contributed a sad dollar in memory of her recently departed and much beloved dog, whether or not she had considered having it stuffed.  Good old Mr. Sensitvity.

 

Program Chairman Ken Campbell then rose and covered Sandy Malloy’s escape before introducing NCHS School Resource Officer [SRO] John Milligan.  Officer Milligan, a nine year veteran of the NCPD, is treated like a faculty member at the 1,300 student high school.  He deals with internal and external issues including alcohol, drugs, domestic violence and electronic stalking.  He reported that his presence has had a positive effect on the mutual respect and appreciation of the students and police.  Except for some totally inappropriate comments from someone claiming to be Leo Karl, the program was well received.

 

J. Edgar