Club Meeting Oct 25, 2016

 

Opening and Welcome:  Designated Leader Greg Heineman opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Scott Seabury gave the invocation and led the club singing of “God Bless America”.

 

Members Present: Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Gayle Demko, Frank DiGennaro, Guy Fortunato, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Luis Lee, Clark Mason, Karen Mason, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Ken Pascoe, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, Thomas Sullivan, and Nancy Viggiano (19/35  54%).  

 

Guests: Natalie Donais-former Windsor Rotarian & prospect sponsored by Bob Lowell; Jon Kozloski- prospect sponsored by Jackie Guzie; Ed Walsh- prospect sponsored by Jay Presser; and Rotarian spouses Debby Miner and Heather Lee.

 

Announcements: Greg Heineman described a very successful Steak and Lobster Dinner at the Fox Hollow Gun Club, and wished to especially thank Ray Perleoni for all his efforts in organizing it. Next, he announced this was our last meeting of the season at Suffield Country Club, and wanted to take up an immediate collection for their wait staff.  He also entertained the club with several prepared jokes, which was appreciated by all.

 

Additionally, Greg wanted to ensure all members know that November 1 is the Interact Spaghetti Dinner at the Suffield High School honoring all Rotary Club members, commencing at 545 pm. Cost is $15 per member (Please bring exact change; the monies go to support Interact). Lastly, Greg stated he had raffle tickets available for sale by members for the Zero Turn Lawn Mower. Tickets are $25 each (or 5 for $100), and the drawing will occur April 18. To date, nearly $1200 in tickets have been sold. There will be second and third prizes drawn that day also; both are new televisions.

 

Ken Pascoe wanted members to know that the Rotary was a sponsor of the Suffield Senior Center annual Scarecrow Contest. Rotary had a nice presence, and seven total prizes were donated. The Center was pleased with our participation.

 

Don Miner informed all members of the Suffield Police Pumpkin Fest Oct 29 130-430 pm at Spaulding School for those interested in attending or participating in pumpkin carving.

 

Program: Speaker: Scott Seabury:  Per a suggestion by Dale Baker back in August, Scott was pleased to teach the members a brief primer on George Whitefield (also spelled Whitfield), a prominently significant man in both British and American history in the 1700’s for his evangelical education of persons of all walks of life. Specifically, with the support of Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Whitefield had a lifelong journey helping colonists understand the central role of faith to the future foundation of the United States. He was also a critical leader of the Great Awakening in England as a founder of Methodism. His emphasis was on unifying people and conveying that all colonists were equal regardless of social status or wealth, and needed to embrace common goals and a sense of community which has opportunity for all.  

 

In addition to being a history lesson, it was a nice reminder to Rotary members of Service Before Self and ongoing awareness of human equality.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries: None  

 

Blue Ticket Winners:  John Kozlowski had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Debby Miner and Nancy Viggiano.

 

Queen of Hearts:  Gordon Stagg was the Red Ticket Winner. Since the Queen of Hearts was chosen at the last meeting (Ken Pascoe won $743), the club erred in not purchasing a new deck of playing cards.  Gordon will select his card at the start of the next regular meeting. Pot stands now at $20.

 

Adjournment: Greg Heineman adjourned the meeting and Scott Seabury led “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” as the closing song.

 

Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas on October 25, 2016.