New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                             April 2, 2009

 

The excitement was palpable.  Anticipation hung heavy in the rarified air at the Roger Sherman as Rotarians arriving in the parking lot could not fail to notice the white Malibu chariot with the license ADDT parked among the more ostentatious vehicles.  This circumstance could augur but one thing – the return of the Godfather.  Still short, but more swarthy after three months in Florida [either on the east or west coast], the majestic figure of Adolph Tomaselli was indeed in the house.  Except for one brief moment when Rucci the Elder in a frenzy to honor his mentor and idol threatened the Congregational minister who was our speaker with bodily harm if he preceded Adolph through the chow line, everything seemed right with the world and the meeting proceeded normally until Kerchoff the Elder included in his blessing mention of a gnome.  Fortunately Ad has lost even more of his hearing and did not seem to hear the alleged slight.

 

Almost overlooked in the furor over Ad, was the return of our own prodigal son, Rick the Klam, also from the Sunshine State.  He looked ravishing.

 

Guests included the ever popular group Trish and the Brazilians.

 

President David announced a Rotary sponsored film on Lyme disease at the Lamb Room of the NC Library on April 25 at 4:00 pm.  He did not explain why it was being sponsored by us.  He also asked for at least one volunteer to accept the president’s responsibility and attend the District Convention in Newport.  Succumbing to a popular draft, the offer of a club paid junior suite at the hotel and a reminder from the senior Rucci that Newport is lobster country, Frankie the Claw appeared to have agreed to serve.

 

The Bill Walbert show then commenced.  He announced, wearing his Gridiron Club hat, that the poor wretch selected as this year’s fall guy is none other than our very own Michael D.  Ladies night will be April 15 at CCNC.  Reservations may be made by calling 966-3513.  The tariff is $55.00.  The men will see the very same show on April 17 at the same venue commencing at 6:00.  Ducats may be purchased by sending a check  in the amount of $70.00 and an assertion that one is the guest of Bill Walbert to P.O. Box 1686.  This year’s charity beneficiary is the Multiple Myeloma Foundation.  Bill will be attending the District Assembly on April 23 and would welcome company.  Clean Your Mile will be celebrated, with Rotarians performing many different jobs this year, on April 25.  In his final remarks, President Elect Bill [it promises to be a very long year] reminded one and all of the 50^th Anniversary celebration at the Carriage Barn at 7:00pm on April 18.  Exhausted, he reclined.

 

Sgt Scott then performed a truncated bit of B material and received tribute from Walbert on the occasion of his 50^th birthday [has it occurred to anyone that Bill and the NCRC were born on almost the same day?], Skip Sisson in honor of a recent conversation with the Earl of Sandwich, Walter Charming Barnes, and charter member Pete Santella for 52 years of marriage to the fair Regina.

 

Fireman Fred then rose to thank Marty for his intrepid leadership of the Rotary effort at the Young Women’s Club Easter Egg Hunt on the Waveny grounds on Saturday last.  Marty humbly brushed aside any credit while pointing out the critical importance of Carolyn Clark’s contribution while picking up deer poop from the young children’s area [a most important job when the object of the search is jelly beans, if you get my drift].

 

Jim Kreitler then introduced the day’s speaker, Fairfield Congregational minister David Rowe who gave, in the opinion of your humble scrivener, one of the best and most inspirational programs I have heard in 40 years.  He is heavily involved in many faceted good works with the poor in southern India starting with his involvement as one of the founders of Habitat for Humanity and including starting and running schools, churches, hospitals, microloans and orphanages.  He recounted the ubiquitous presence of Rotary and Rotarians as inspirations and enablers at every step along the way.  It humbled me to hear what a difference this one man was making in the world and it made me proud to be part of the organization that was helping him do it.  Great Program, Jim!

 

Jimmy Carter