May 16, 2013

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                       May 16, 2013

Puffed up with pride at the showing of his minions on the golf course a week ago, President Marty showed up and commenced the meeting at the appointed hour.  He led the Pledge after which there was a lengthy silence in Eric’s absence before Marty settled for a blessing an ancient member can still recite by rote 54 years after his graduation from an Episcopal boys prep school.  While it minimally sufficed, it served as a counterpoint to Eric’s beautifully conceived and delivered prayers.

Bob Dora from the Bank of New Canaan was a guest once again.

Marty had hearty congratulations for John Engel, Brock and Tom Cronin for the golf tournament and for Carolyn, Laura and auctioneer Scott for the afterparty.  Both events exceeded expectations , were well attended and enjoyed by all.  The consensus was that the spring date was superior to the previous years when the tournament juxtaposition relative to the Lobsterfest was just too close and that the fall rain was colder than the gentle spring showers.  Great job by all concerned.  Ben then announced that he had been at the Stamford Club following the event and that the enthusiasm was palpable and, in spite of some mild amusement at the Bullet report of the goings on, they are determined to reclaim the Golden Putter next year [if the Wilton interlopers don’t beat them to it].  The advice that the New York City native gave to the tourist who inquired how to get to Carnegie Hall is particularly germane for NC Rotarians in the tournament context – “Practice, practice, practice.”

In a clever segue Sergeant Scott arrived at the podium armed with golf anecdotes he claimed to have overheard from members on the course.  Mildly amusing.  John Bemis contributed a happy dollar for his daughter’s having attained Dean’s List status at Loyola for the third consecutive semester; Keith put in a relieved dollar for Prince Harry having apparently kept his clothes on during his recent visit to the colonies.  On a sad note, we were informed of the death of Eric’s father-in-law.  Condolences to the family.

Marty and Ben then unraveled the new NC Rotary Club banner which will apparently adorn the new pop-up park tent this summer and also will be available for the Lobsterfest.  It may be defective.  The letters appeared to be upside down.  Mark your calendars for the evening of June 6 when the peculiarly American tradition of a bloodless transfer of power from one administration to the next will occur as Marty passes the gavel [although not his set of steps] to the uniformed usurper – Fireman Fred Baker.  Don’t even think about missing the dinner [there will be no lunch meeting on that day].

Marty the Magician then dazzled all in attendance when he produced a speaker out of thin air.  His neighbor, NC Tree Warden Bruce Pauley arrived, was not fed and gave a fascinating presentation explaining the history, care, feeding, planting and pruning of our town trees.  As with so many things we don’t think about all the time the subject is vastly more complicated and interesting than we would necessarily realize.  Bruce did a great job and was inundated with questions from an obviously energized audience.  John Engel, a trustee of the Land Conservation Trust, suggested a possible joint venture with the Town on an arboretum on Land Trust property to grow appropriate trees to replace the many that will die, be blown down in storms and present safety hazards.  Let’s see whether this clever idea can develop traction in our currently politically toxic town.  Thanks to Bruce for his enthusiastic, educational and spontaneous presentation.

Paul Bunyan