April 4, 2013

ROTARY BULLETIN

April 4, 2013

 

                It was 12:12 and 43 degrees when twelve stalwarts assembled to see what the jet stream would bring, but alas, at exactly 12:15 fireman Fred once again pitched in for the elusive Marty.  Eric followed with a brief meditation and it was munch time.  

 

                By the time President in waiting Fred called for introductions, our band had swelled to five tables augmented by late arrivals Kevin and George (or was it John?). Nobody would listen when Skip tried to introduce Phil McClain as a guest, but a warm welcome was extended to Paul Burnham, from the Wilton Club.    What ensued, in no particular order, was a raft of announcements, disclosures, enticements and entreaties.  Brock reported he was circulating a player’s signup sheet for our annual Fall Golf Outing, to be held this Spring on May 9^th.  Carolyn jumped in with her weekly tattoo soliciting raffle prizes and Fred emphasized the importance of the $50 donation to the NC Rotary Foundation to attend the cocktail party.  Amy offered a surprise opening for a fellowship dinner invitation on April 27^th.    Notify Amy of your availability at 966-9001.  Keith indicated the third grade very own dictionaries were coming off the presses and then launched into a testimonial for erudition.  It seems that while shucking corn at the last Lobsterfest he engaged in a conversation with Alexandra Kudrzycki extolling higher education.  End result?    This charming young lady has a full boat scholarship at Lawrence University (and conservatory) in Appleton, Wisconsin.  Many will recall her assistance at the Xmas party last December.  John Marlow announced a liftoff for the Rotary Pop Up Park at Elm and South on the weekend of June 21-22.  Rob Avery noted D-Day is upon us for the Jin Cole Gridiron Roast of Friday next, with ladies night at the Country Club on Wednesday the 11^th.  Ring him at 966-4924 for reservations.    Ben Bilus forewarned us about the District Governors upcoming project in New Haven.  For a twenty dollar raffle ticket, you might win a trip to Europe.  Clean your Mile is April 20.  Bring gloves.  The Induction Dinner is on June 20, a Thursday.  Plans are underway for the coronation ceremonies. 

 

                Sgt@Arms finally got the stage.  We had a brief anatomy lesson centering on the sternum.  Happys flowed from Phil for a birthday, from Ed for a cold week with Nita in Hilton Head.  Ben and Betsy survived the Napa Valley.  Camner announced his engagement to the fair Kelly.  Fred had five dollars left after a stay in Las Vegas, and Scott tossed a sad fin for Louisville’s win over Duke.

 

                Ken Campbell introduced today’s mystery guest and were we in for a treat.  Mike Evans is the basketball coach of the New Canaan Rams and the founder of Full Court Peace.  No stranger to schisms, he grew up in Connecticut, matriculated at Hamilton and earned a Masters at Harvard.  He arrived in Belfast in 2005 with a basketball, convinced that the game could defuse discrimination and prejudice. Before long, he had Catholics and Protestants thriving in a common goal-winning.  He won us over when he remarked we were more fun than the Westport Club.  Mike has traveled the earth, from Belfast to Juarez to Havana to Bridgeport, and his success rate is exceptional.  We were blessed with a fine presentation. 

                                                                                Bob Cousey