February 21, 2013

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                               February 21, 2013

 Editor’s Note:  In an inexcusable act of cheek the Ad Hoc Spring Project Committee, made up entirely of wet-behind-the-ears rookies, has demanded clarification regarding the proposed location for the pop-up children’s art project.  Last week’s number identified that location as the corner of Morse Court and South Avenue.  As the A.H.S.P.C. clarifies, it will actually be held three parking places to the north at the intersection of South Avenue and Elm Street.  Thank God that egregious error has been corrected.  One can only imagine the havoc created by crowds of disappointed art aficionados milling about the South Avenue entrance to Morse Court in a futile search for the pop-up park.  Your humble scrivener can only thank the officious members of the A.H.S.P.C for their nit-picking observation and utter a contrite, Mea culpa.

In accordance with President Marty’s email instructions, President-Elect Fred rang the bell and led the Pledge.  Pastor Eric followed with a short, but pithy blessing reminding us that service to others is the true reason for our gathering.

In spite of Fred’s frequent anxious glances toward the entrance, Marty never materialized and so Fred rose and caressed the bell several times before attracting the attention of the small but rowdy audience.  There being no Visiting Rotarians or guests, Fred called on Amy for a Friendship Dinner update.  Amy stressed that, in keeping with the NC Rotary tradition of torturing any poor soul foolish enough to try to organize and herd us in any given direction, the Dinner project was a moving target.  As things stand at this moment, and this is no guarantee of future events, she has openings for one couple on March 16, three couples on March 30, one couple on April 13, and four couples on April 27.  Kindly contact her with your wishes and availability as soon as possible.  These dinners offer an unusual opportunity, especially for new members, to get to interact with diverse members and their spouses in a different, more intimate setting.

Eric, sporting his Allocations Committee chapeau, announced that he would be contacting all previous grant recipients regarding this year’s requests and suggested that any member knowing any other potential supplicants let them know about the allocations process and calendar.  Eric will follow up with a press release in the Advertiser.

Scott then informed us that the 2013 version of the annual John Engel Open golf tournament will be held at the Country Club of New Canaan on May 9 instead of in the fall.  Time is short so start pulling your foursome together.  Word is that the Stamford Club is already in training and vowing to reclaim the Golden Putter. Following up on Eric’s announcement, Scott reminded everyone that, when talking with other philanthropic groups, we should recruit them to sell Lobsterfest tickets to their constituents for a baksheesh of $15.00 per ticket.

Rob Avery reminded us that, although some dues checks had arrived, more were needed to come current.  If you owe him money, kindly pay up before a large gentleman originally from Sicily makes a house call [If youse get my drift].  He also begged members of the Rotary Club to consider a membership in the Gridiron Club so elegantly described in a recent program by its president, Eric Thunem.  He hinted that the aforementioned Sicilian gentleman was a friend of Jim Cole and would be sorely disappointed at anything less than a full house in honor of the Fall Guy on April 12 [If youse get my drift].  Contact Rob for your membership application.

Sergeant Scott then told a poignant story of wedded bliss and passed among us extracting nothing more than the Adolph Tomaselli Memorial $2.00 ante from the unusually passive group.

Through dogged and diligent research Amy and Rob have published a list of all former NC Rotary Club presidents and their years of service.  A handy document to have.

Program Chair Jim Cole introduced New Canaan Advertiser Editor Joshua Fisher and his Lois Lane-like sidekick Assistant Editor Cristina Commendatore [who may well be related to the Sicilian gentleman], fresh from receiving three awards from the New England Newspaper Guild [or something like that].  Josh explained that he came from an ink-stained family of wretches and never considered a regular job, but always wanted to be in the news business.  He grew up in Ridgefield and graduated from St. Luke’s.  He was a broadcast journalism major in college, but decided that his future lay in print.  He has worked for Hersam Acorn Press for 13 years and arrived at the Advertiser from the editor position at sister paper Darien Review in August.  He educated us about the paper and, especially, the developing website which is providing a new platform which removes some of the timeliness issues for a weekly publication.  He discussed the editorial process, letters to the editor policy, the paper’s advertising base, and submission deadlines among other subjects.  His most poignant anecdote concerned some paperwork that the Post Office requires before it will distribute the paper.  Last week he mailed the paperwork and it was delivered late to the Post Office by the Post Office who, when queried about the problem, responded that future correspondence should be sent to the Post Office by FedEx.  Saturday delivery anyone?  Excellent program presented with humor and élan.

Punch Sulzberger