COGS February 2 2017

Boy, is it great to be back in NJ? That’s a question people, not a statement.  It is, however great to be back at Red Bank Rotary.  Nowhere else can I receive the love and respect that I receive from my fellow Rotarians.  Oh, were that only true.

If I can go off message for just a minute, on Friday, I was sitting next to Joe Dino, from District 7490 and a wonderful and colorful Rotarian.  We were at a breakfast PETS meeting for which Chuck and I had driven over two hours to get there, and Joe had actually come down the night before and paid for a room so he could be at the meeting.  As Joe and I looked around the room of about twenty-five Rotarians, we decided that the friendships we had made of these Rotarians, over the last ten to twenty years were the very reason that we were there.  Sure, you feel good about what you are doing to enhance Rotary, and sure, there is some ego involved, but the people that you get to work with are the real reason that I, and many of us stay in Rotary.  OK, enough of that.

Ken started the meeting by telling us about the broken bell and who broke it.  WE pledged, sang and four-wayed and Chuck then gave his usual classy prayer. I noticed that Chuck always asks blessings for the hands that prepare the meal and those that serve it, but he never asks for blessings for the hands that write the Cogs. 

Does anyone else remember Ken’s original promise that we would have a kinder-gentler club this year without fines.  You know how long that lasted, don’t you?  Well Sgt. Jim did his thing for arriving late, Harry, Rob, Jay, Jon, Frank and Chris got clipped for that.  Next for pins and that was Tony and Jay and then various fines for Rhonda, Ken (for too many pins) Chuck, Mike and me.  Mike was fined because he got to the meeting on time.  Just can’t win. 

Guys and Gals, you need to speak more slowly and more distinctly if you want me to relate what you are giving the money for.  I don’t hear as quickly as I used to and I sure don’t write as fast anymore.  Anyway, Barb, Liz, Darren, Jon, Jay, Rob, Ken Addie, and Frank gave money.  Someone woke up Lou, and he even contributed, but he couldn’t remember as to why he was happy.   On a sad note, Addie read a letter from Warren. He is going to need another operation, and won’t be with us as soon as he expected.  Let’s keep him in our thoughts.

Listen up!  On Feb11^th there is the “Gift of Life” winter Gala at the Crystal Point Yacht Club.  Tickets are $85.  On Feb 24 and 25, there is the PETS program in Valley Forge and Darrin will be attending.  They are reviving the remedial course for Darren, not used since Bill attended.  March 16^th is the Lombardi Dinner and on April 24^th is the Food and Wine, this year to be held at Navesink for the YMCA.  Finally, for those of you that really plan ahead, Harry announced that the picnic would again be held at the track on Aug 18^th.

Collier Services provided our speaker, Sister Debbie Drago, the Executive Director, gave the presentation.  She began with by thanking the club for the money we gave them last year that was used to purchase a new freezer.  It is nice to do something in the community that is appreciated and needed.  Collier runs two types of residences in Red Bank, one for temporary stays and one for longer-term stays. Sister Debbie said that the average length of the stays was between nine months and one year. . She works with young girls with emotional and behavior problems.  The long-term home can house ten girls at a time.  The objects are to provide safety for the girls, emotional management, and to give them life skills. The goal is to reunite them with their families, but that is not always possible.   Sister Debbie is very committed to her work as are the three other Sisters with whom she works, all from the Good Sisters Order.