Posted by Gayle Demko on Feb 26, 2018

Opening and Welcome:  President Dick Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test.  Scott Seabury and Luis Lee both provided invocations and Scott led the club singing of “God Bless America”.

 
Members Present: Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Gayle Demko, Jackie Guzie, Greg Heineman, Gail Handley, Heidi Huhn Partain, Richard Kisiel, Luis Lee, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Ken Pascoe, Roger Pratt, Jay Presser,Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, and Nancy Viggiano.  (17/32….53%).
 
Guests: Rick Butera guest of Heidi Huhn Partain.
 
Announcements: President Kisiel made several announcements:
- Dick Kisiel welcomed our guest, Rick Butera.
 
- Dick acknowledged the receipt of thank you’s for donations from the following:
Foundation for Exceptional Children of Suffield, Ronald MacDonald house, Suffield Firefighters.
 
-March 6 meeting will feature a summary of committee reports.  Dick would like to meet with the membership committee prior to that club meeting: Luis Lee, Gayle Demko, Don Miner, Gordon Stagg and Greg DeSantis.
 
-Dick anticipates having a draft of the advertising trifold introduced last week in which Suffield Rotary will provide the verbiage and photos and Avon Rotary will assist in creating the advertising handout.
 
-Paul Harris Award:  Ken Pascoe and Nancy Viggiano announced June 26 has been secured for the date of the dinner with ticket pricing of $25 at Suffield by the River.
 
-Rotary Social:  Dick suggests holding a Rotary social event and proposes an outing to attend a game at Yard Goats.  The club agreed with this idea and Dick will pursue a game timeframe.
 
PROGRAM: Heidi Huhn Partain led a presentation concerning elder care needs.  As the population expands and pursues opportunities out of state, the typical distance between family members is now 85 miles.  This lack of close proximity leads to concerns for the safety of an elderly family member.  Population requiring elder care is rising from 7 million in 2020 to an anticipated 19 million in 2050.  Planning for the care of the elderly is key and Heidi offered a questionnaire, a handout and a compelling presentation which outlined options for consideration when planning needs for elderly care. 
 
Blue Ticket Winners: Congratulations to the Blue ticket winner Jay Presser; with sides won by Don Miner and Joe Blake.
 
Queen of Hearts:  Heidi Huhn Partain  had the winning red ticket but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Total winning pot now stands at $169+.
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries: None
 
Adjournment: Richard Kisiel closed the meeting with a group singing of “God Bless America”.
 
Next week’s meeting (Feb 27) – Rick Cheney of Somers Rotary will present an update on their Dominican Republic Water Project.