Apparently to avoid the bends associated with a rapid power decompression...June 12, 2014

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                             June 12, 2014

 

Apparently to avoid the bends associated with a rapid power decompression, President Fred missed today's meeting as he eases toward his abdication-enabled resurfacing as an ordinary citizen late on the evening of June 26, 2014.  In his stead we observed double threat President-Elect and Blessor-In-Chief Eric Fjeldal [In order to be admitted to the Club as a full member, new members have had to learn the correct pronunciation of "Pogacnik."  Starting now the test will be pronouncing "Fjeldal."]  Eric handled bell, Pledge and prayer duties with the ease one would expect from a weekly performer on quite a different stage.

 

Eric initiated the business portion of the meeting at the appropriate time only to be upstaged by the entrance of Kevin McLaughlin.  Once he dealt with that distraction [and this surely won't be the last time he has to do that] he asked for introduction of Visiting Rotarians and guests.  No VR's, but Jim Cole had brought both Police Chief Leon Krolikowski [with whom he refused to sit] and NC Public Health Nurse Bethany Zaro.  Not fitting any known category was Roy Riggio, reappearing after a lengthy hibernation, who was warmly received back into the fold.

 

Penultimate reminder that there will be no luncheon meeting on Thursday, June 26.  That evening with cocktails commencing at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00 at the Roger with spouses President Fred, like General MacArthur before him, will "just fade away."  Pastor Eric will assume the reins of power and, leaning heavily on Chief Inquisitor Bill Walbert, initiate the Year of the Inquisition.  Please do not be alarmed.  They are here to help us.  It would be a mistake of epic proportions to miss this meeting.  Enough said.

 

John Bemis reported that great progress had been made in the last week toward our EREY goals and that a few more days are still available to those intending to contribute.  As Eric quickly reminded us, "The road to Hell…"  Or as Yoda would say, "Don't intend.  Do."  Treasurer Tom stated that he had sent email statements to all members.  Since a number of recalcitrants have taken to using the transparent excuse that they do not receive Tom's emails, he will send out hard copies next week.  It goes without saying that, following receipt of the statements, the checks will be "in the mail."  Valerie then rose to entreat everyone to purchase tickets, invite guests and show up at the Carriage Barn on Saturday, June 14 from 6:00-8:00 PM for Art, Wine and Cheese.  Moments later, one-upping Kevin [which is not easily done], Assistant District Governor Ben arrived and boldly threatened any absentees from the event with bodily harm if not excused for medical or religious reasons.

 

Sergeant Scott then related an apochryphal tale from John Engel's NCHS wrestling career – an unexpected victory over Boris from Easton and his inescapable pretzel hold.

 

Keith had a sad fine for his friend Briggs Geddes, longtime Town Sanitarian, who is having a difficult recovery from brain surgery,  a bittersweet from Amy who will retire in two weeks [who knew the retirement age was 39?], and from Scott who will miss Saturday's festivities to attend an aunt's 80^th [the jury is out on whether this will pass Ben's acceptable excuse test].

 

John Engel then rose to introduce today's speaker and, following a painfully detailed description of how John had come to know Scott Vallely, his business history, his family composition, his hobbies and his favorite color, John was assailed with a metaphorical hook and wrestled into his chair, allowing Scott a truncated window in which to speak.  Scott is a New Canaanite who has raised six children here and is a former business partner of John's in the Internet company Paper.com.  Following the sale of that entity Scott embarked on an effort to convert his craft beer brewing hobby into a vocation.  He spoke about the effort, intellectual, emotional and physical, of starting a business from scratch with numerous personal examples.  He then gave a crash course in beer brewing which, like many seemingly simple enterprises, turns out to be quite complicated indeed.  Scott has had some success and, in this his second year, is building a brewery in SONO which will allow him to expand his distribution from Connecticut to the entire east coast.  Ben may well become his second employee.  Very interesting.

 

Augie Busch