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