The warm fellowship of Rotary was most welcome . . . Feb. 5, 2015

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                               February 5, 2015

 

The warm fellowship of Rotary was most welcome on this frigid February Thursday as we gathered together at the Roger.  President Eric was prompt with the bell and the Pledge and pithy with the blessing.  The food was, as usual, delicious and for the soup-skippers in the line you missed an outstanding rendition of that old French stand-by – turkey chili.

 

Apparently Eric's carpel tunnel is abating as he struck the bell with extraordinary vigor and effect.  In the absence of Program Chair Ken Campbell the lovely Cathy McShane, who is actually Ken's wife though the names are a bit confusing, joined us as both a guest and acting Program Chair.  Guest Alex Cranshaw was in attendance for the fourth time.

 

B.T. reported that this month's Rotary Means Business meeting is being hosted by the Greenwich Rotary Club at The Greenwich Club, 39 Strickland Street in Cos Cob at 6:00 PM on February 12.  He is expecting another strong showing from New Canaan.  Eric reminded the audience that we will be hosting spouses/significant others at our annual Valentine's Day Luncheon next week.  Kindly RSVP to Eric at your earliest opportunity.

 

There appears to be a dearth of agenda items for the Club Assembly meeting scheduled during the school vacation.  This meeting has become known as The Losers Lunch as it is attended only by those members insufficiently flush and/or cool to still be in New Canaan when the average resident has taken his/her blonde head and straight teeth to either the beach or ski slopes.  This year, adding insult to injury, the Losers will be regaled with a Club Assembly.  Any ideas for agenda items to spice up the proceedings should be forwarded to the President.

 

Sergeant Scott then related an anecdote that would impress even sales guru Tony Robbins.  As he passed among us he collected fines from John Marlow for a speaking engagement at the Darien Club; Joe Rucci for his 48^th wedding anniversary which just goes to show that Debbie's mother was wrong when she said it would never last; Bill Walbert a sympathetic dollar for NC resident and NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams who apparently had trouble recalling whether he was on the helicopter that was hit by an Iraqi RPG or in the unscathed following helicopter; and Scott had a happy for getting quick and painless approval for the Housing Authority application from an alternate-heavy P&Z on a snowy evening.

 

The aforementioned Acting Program Chair Cathy McShane then introduced her friend and Ladies Who Launch colleague radio talk-show hostess Debbie Nigro.  Debbie went around the room asking each member his/her first name and area of genius.  At least everyone answered the first question correctly.  The level of self-deception on the second was troubling.  Having completed the exercise Debbie continued with her talk without acknowledging any of our answers.  She did however offer a high energy and enlightening look at the business of talk radio in the Internet age.  She owns her show which means she is responsible for the content, the advertising revenues, and arranging distribution across the many platforms available in the digital age.  She acknowledged that the latter was the most challenging task.  Should any member wish to appear on her show, contact her at debbienigro@mac.com and see if you can convince her of your genius.  An excellent program from an enthusiastic and knowledgeable speaker who described herself as "a glass of cabernet half-full" kind of girl.

 

Rush Limbaugh