June 13, 2013

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                            June 13, 2013

President Marty strolled into the Roger at 12:13 looking loose and free, called the meeting to order for the next to last time and embarked on a low volume Pledge before calling on the sorely missed Pastor Eric for an inspirational blessing.

Having completed his leisurely last meal, Marty once again, as he has so often in the past, asked for introductions of Visiting Rotarians and visiting guests.  We’re certainly going to miss that!  John Engel introduced the only visiting visitor, his guest, incumbent Chair of the New Canaan Land Trust, Chris Schiffer.

John Marlow, Jack Horner and Laura Einstein then reported on the pop-up park featuring water inspired art work by New Canaan children which will set up next Friday, June 21 at the intersection of South Avenue and Elm Street and remain through the weekend.  Volunteers will be needed to man the display and a Lobsterfest ticket table which will be set up on the sidewalk in front of McKenzie’s.

Keith Simpson then made his final Dictionary report of 2013 by thanking Don McIvor for his extraordinary support of the program.  Both Keith and Marty once again mentioned the enthusiastic gratitude of the recipients.

In a gracious effort to ease the always strained transition of power, Marty encouraged all Rotarians and their significant others to attend his successor’s coronation at the Roger next Thursday evening with cocktails commencing at 6:30 and dinner served at 7:30 at no cost for either members or guests, except for the open bar.  In spite of a prominent announcement in last week’s Bulletin requesting all members to RSVP to fred.baker@ci.new-canaan.ct.us so that Fred can give the Jofres a head count, many in the room were shocked, shocked I say, to hear that some small effort was required on their part.  Let’s try again.  Let Fred know NOW!

As Carolyn asked, and then followed up by asking again, Marty assured her that the Roger has been notified that we will not be having lunch there at 12:15 on Thursday, June 20.  Marty further stated that the Board has decreed that there will also be no regular Rotary luncheon on Independence Day, July 4, 2013.  One would assume that the responsibility to notify the restaurant would fall to then-President Fred.

Rotary Foundation Chief John Bemis then repeated his appeal made a week ago that all members consider adding $50.00 to the $50.00 they have already contributed by way of a since-abandoned dues check-off system to The Rotary International Foundation before the end of the R.I fiscal year on June 30 so that we will qualify as an Every Member Every Year [EREY] Club.

It was at approximately this point in the proceedings when a pall fell over the meeting.  With all the government intrusion into private lives and regulatory overreach emanating from Washington, Frank Bernardo’s absence after his shocking act of animal cruelty and his assault of a local police officer, was missing from the meeting.  No one could state definitively that they had seen Frank.  Is this yet another example of government run amok?  While no rational citizen can possibly excuse Frank’s transgressions, even he is entitled to due process.  Your humble scrivener will bring the full influence of the Fourth Estate to bear on local law enforcement officials to ensure that Frank is freed in time to attend Fred’s coronation.

At that moment President Marty rose for the final time in his official capacity as President at a regular meeting to ask Acting Program Chair Ken Campbell to introduce our speaker.  Ken, who had actually asked Peace Corps Volunteer veteran Penny Zuckerman to address us more than 15 minutes prior to her appearance [for the first time in four weeks], appeared relaxed as he invited Penny to the podium.  She is a poised and attractive young lady who graduated from Darien High School and GettysburgCollege before being assigned to help the citizens of the multi-ethnic West African nation of Togo with agricultural and environmental projects while serving a two year tour with the Peace Corps.  She gave a lively and informative computer-aided presentation which left us with an impression of an idealistic young American woman, living in primitive conditions, with adequate training, but precious little direction, doing her best to improve the lives of a population less fortunate than herself.  Inspirational!  Ken thanked her and rang the bell.

Chris Shays