May 23, 2013

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                    May 23, 2013

President Marty and Pastor Eric were on their games and got the proceedings started on time and in tune.  Following another delicious Roger repast we discovered that no Visiting Rotarians or visiting guests were in our midst.

Tom Lewis, wearing his Conservation Commission hat, requested that all members call up the Town website, find and fill in the Commission questionnaire which is attempting to create a statistically significant baseline sample to be used in formulating future policy.  The questionnaire will be available through the month of June.

Calling into question the ancestry of the scribe who inexplicably invoked the incorrect date for the Induction Dinner, incoming President Fred Baker left no doubt that he expected all members to be in attendance with their significant others for his coronation on the evening of June 20 at the Roger.  Special guest Chase DiPanni and his 50 year perfect attendance pin are on the agenda.  There will be no luncheon meeting on that day.  What day?  June 20.  The new members’ pop-up park initiative will be unveiled on the next evening, June 21, at the corner of South Avenue and Morse Court.  It will remain open through Sunday.

B.T. Bowler passed on the tragic news that George and Suzanne’s son, Kevin Megrue has passed away.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

John Kerchoff noted the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War [technically a U.N. “police action”] and recognized the veterans of that conflict who were sitting humbly amongst us – Burns, Santella and Sisson.  The membership expressed its gratitude for their service.

Dictionary impresario Keith Simpson reported that all dictionaries have been distributed to New Canaan’s third graders and that a school parent Rotarian had been part of the distribution team for each school.  Keith and Marty noted how grateful the youngsters were and how curious they were to use their new possessions.  Keith did express certain concerns regarding the obviously incorrect definitions of words such as “boot,” “banger” and “knickers.”

Laura passed on the shocking news that public relations and event planning guru Carolyn Clark underwent a hip replacement yesterday and is expected to be out of action until the weekend.  Through Laura, Carolyn demanded an audit of the separate accounts for the golf tournament and raffle results.  Treasurer Rob is on notice 

Following another vintage performance from Sgt. Scott fines were collected for Laura’s daughter, B.T.’s son and Marty’s son having birthdays, the passing of Eric’s father-in-law and John Marlow’s father-in-law’s 100^th birthday, as well as Cherry Street East’s 45^th anniversary [for some reason]. 

For the second week in a row Marty the Magician pulled a program out of a hat.  The Roger’s lovely proprietress Nez joined us and explained the vagaries of staying up-to-date and constantly evolving as a business in today’s environment.  She mentioned the additional level of complexity when one’s business is a historical property.  The Roger Sherman is an upscale restaurant with a 17 room inn attached.  The chef, who has a young family, has found a job which will allow him to be home at nights and on weekends so a new chef, recently of Versailles in Greenwich, will be starting shortly.  Any changes in the menu will be evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary.  Approximately 90% of her customers are NC residents, word of mouth tweaked by social media is her most effective advertising medium, and the simpler food and more casual environment in the bar, though resented by some traditional clients, are necessities for success in today’s market.  Nez is working with a number of town merchants to provide destination packages for out of towners looking for a getaway.  Hopefully she will be successful in all she attempts as the Rotary Club without the Roger, which we have experienced in the past, is not the same or as good as it is in this welcoming venue.

Bill Marriott