A large and contented post-Lobsterfest group . . .Oct 2, 2014

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                    October 2, 2014

 

A large and contented post-Lobsterfest group of New Canaan Rotarians gathered at the Roger to enjoy the fellowship of the normal weekly meeting in addition to the sense of accomplishment that comes with a worthwhile goal successfully achieved.  This year's event, even with the absence or truncated participation of several irreplaceable contributors, was a smashing success as participation was high and well-timed, the weather was perfect, the lobsters and corn drew raves, and the leadership inspirational.  It also offered a first glimpse of some extremely promising rookies.  Congratulations to all concerned.

 

Old friend Paul Burnham was visiting from Wilton and he and John Bemis introduced their joint guest Steve Hudspeth, while John Engel brought his protégé Pace Collester and Mike Hobbs introduced New Canaan Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi.  Bill Walbert brought his brother-in-law [whose name your humble scrivener has unforgivably forgotten] as his guest.

 

Lobsterfest Chair Rob, basking in the glow of the respect of his fellow Rotarians, reported that between 1,000 and 1,100 dinners were served on Friday and Saturday, that the participation was everything he could have hoped for and that, while audited figures were not yet available, he expected a net to the Club between $20,000 and $21,000.  For those members who have not yet gotten their checks to Rob, GET IT UP!

 

With the Lobsterfest in the bank President Eric has already moved on to the Christmas Party which will once again be held at the Engel estate on Richmond Hill.  The date is still being negotiated, but once Max has given his OK will be announced to the members.

 

In a distressing development B.T. demanded a return engagement as Sergeant-At-Arms.  Having set a really low bar last week he was successful in surpassing that performance as the punch line was followed by several polite chuckles amid some audible groans.  He then collected fines from George Baker who was happy to see that former member and NC Librarian Alice Knapp has been appointed new director of the Stamford Library system; Bill Walbert who threw some money at B.T. with the explanation that he was anticipating a 30-something wedding anniversary with the fair Laura sometime in October and, by the way, he had caught a humongous catfish in the Delaware River; John Bemis a grateful dollar for the welcome participation of the Methodist Church Boy Scout Troop 31 at the Lobsterfest [the Catholics and Episcopalians were conspicuous by their absence]; Scott a happy for the weekend weather and the volunteers, particularly at cleanup time on Saturday; and Fred for having attended his 40^th  high school reunion with a bunch of old people as well as celebrating his mother-in-law's 90^th birthday.

 

Paul Burnham and John Bemis's guest Steve Hudspeth was then introduced as a stealth speaker on the subject of the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee's Stop Hunger Now meal packaging initiative [endorsed by President Eric].  Paul and John  have gotten financial commitments from the Wilton and NC Clubs which they are attempting to leverage through Rotary International to help underwrite this year's goal of 150,000 meals in one day – October 25 – to be packaged by volunteers in four two hour shifts at the Wilton Church campus just across the NC town line.  John will be recruiting members and their families and friends to help in the effort.  An excellent activity for the whole family.

 

President Eric then delivered a perfunctory introduction of our own Joe Rucci who has been a board member of Americares for the past 13 years to talk about his recent visit, with 100 supporters following this year's hangar party, to a clinic and two hospitals which receive their support in Nicaragua.  The party this year raised $2,100,000 from the 850 attendees.  As the festivities wound down the plane loaded up and took off for Managua where the passengers disembarked, slept for four hours, and then got on buses which transported them to the clinic and hospitals.  It was difficult to listen to Joe's description of the conditions and the general feeling of hopelessness they encountered.  In spite of the need being endless and the realization that one can never do enough Americares will continue to do what it can to help not only the people of Nicaragua, but disaster victims and those suffering around the world.  The fledgling organization Joe joined 13 years ago has grown into a large, efficient, compassionate and respected member of the philanthropic community.  They also operate four free clinics in the state of Connecticut and provide support for clinics in 47 states.  Their three percent overhead is the envy of the non-profit world.  Americares is grateful for the  financial support each year from the NC Rotary Club.  We should be grateful to Joe for his selfless devotion to this remarkable enterprise.  One would have expected his performance to have warranted the normal honorarium Rotary pen, but noooo…

 

Bob Macauley