On a perfect May day a large crowd of members and supplicants gathered...May 29, 2014

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                       May 29, 2014

 

On a perfect May day a large crowd of members and supplicants gathered at the Roger to celebrate our annual Allocations Luncheon; the meeting at which we distribute the money we have raised during the year to a group of worthy local, area and international charities.  Your humble scrivener received an email from the high desert of the People's Republic of California pointing out that the previous Master of Ceremonies always believed that the members received as much in inspiration as the groups received in cash.  How true, how true.  The current Master of Ceremonies was called upon to ask the blessing and he got a head start on the festivities with his monologue.

 

It took longer than usual to get the expanded crowd through the chow line so the hiatus between the last diner sitting and President Fred rising was much truncated.  He welcomed the representatives from the recipient groups and asked for the introduction of Visiting Rotarians and guests.  Although he fit neither category Gene Tonkavich received a warm round of spontaneous applause to welcome him back from an extended absence and Amy introduced her guest, Adriana Voltera, a Domus summer intern.  Foundation Officer John Bemis read a list of members who currently qualify as Sustaining Members and reminded all that we need everyone to reach our Every Rotarian Every Year goal.

 

President Fred repeated that the joint Rotary Club and Carriage Barn Arts Center Wine and Cheese tasting event provisioned by New Canaan Wine Merchants, Darien Cheese and Fine Foods, and the Connecticut Sandwich Company will take place at the Carriage Barn on Saturday, June 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://carriagebarn.org/wine-and-cheese-fundraiser/.  Co-Organizer Ben explained that the venue can comfortably accommodate 160 people and that guests [paying guests] were welcome.  With considerably more enthusiasm short timer Fred reminded the membership of the Coronation Dinner, in lieu of the scheduled luncheon, on Thursday, June 26.

 

A collective sigh of relief escaped as Scott's sergeant material started in a questionable direction, but resulted in a clean and clever punchline.  No offense intended or taken.  Various fines celebrated Gene's return [Gene and Fred], Rucci's re-connection with Food Pantry representative and ex-FBI agent Brian Holstein with whom Joe had resolved a notorious kidnapping case back in the day, Steve's last two dollars following two college graduations, Amy for her daughter's Step 1 Boards as she enters her third year of medical school, Eric in gratitude for the culmination of the allocations process, Ann Cheney for her first meeting as a member, Ben a happy/sad for an offspring with grandchild moving to Paris [who will obviously be homesick and require visits from home], from Scott for a moving ceremony at the pristine New Canaan Cemetery on Memorial Day, and, finally, from Fred himself in anticipation of removing the heavy mantel of responsibility after only three more meetings.

 

At that point President-Elect and current Allocations Committee Chair Pastor Eric rose with a handful of envelopes worthy of Oscar Night.  He laid down the rules of the event which included his calling the name of the recipient organization, the representative approaching him and kissing his ring before receiving his/her check and saying a few words about the organization and their plans for our contribution before returning to their seat.  Applause was to be held until all recipients had their stash.  The enthusiasm for the work of each of the groups rendered the final rule immediately moot.  Eric called on A Better Chance, Americares Free Clinics, Boy Scouts of America – CT Council, Carver Center, Carriage Barn Arts Center, Child Guidance Center, CERT, the Rotary International Foundation [Leo's Philippines initiative], Domus, Child Abuse Prevention Center, Getabout, HALO, Jane Doe No More, Kids In Crisis, Meals on Wheels, NCHS Scholarship Foundation, New Canaan Historical Society, New Canaan Land Trust, Person to Person, St. Mark's Food Pantry, Norwalk's Sister City in Nicaragua, Staying Put in New Canaan, Waveny LifeCare Network, and, in honor of Marty, the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce for their Pocket Park project.

 

Why does Baskin Robbins make 31 flavors?  Because we don't all choose the same thing.  Every year it is inspiring to see how many ways our fellow citizens find to enrich the lives of those around them.  It is impossible to look at the list above and not be moved by our neighbors who can't pay for health care or the rent, are unable to shop for and prepare meals, young people who have been abused are clinically depressed or hopeless, people living in former warzones still seeded with mines, typhoon survivors, etc., etc.  It is important to remember as we sign up for and work our Lobsterfest shifts that this is what we're working for.  It's all important, it's all worthwhile and it's all in the spirit of Rotary.  Congratulations to Eric and the Allocations Committee for a great job.  As president Theodore Roosevelt so profoundly stated, "They won't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

 

Andrew Carnegie