On October 15, 2012, under a partly sunny sky with temperatures in the low 70 ties,  the Lexington Rotary Club met at Waxy O’Connor’s. Twenty-Seven Lexington Rotarians, one guest, and one visiting Rotarian enjoyed a meal of pepper steak, sautéed green beans, and mash potatoes. Caesar salad and cold cuts were also available.

President Dave called the meeting to order. Pledge of allegiance was led by PP Jim F, and verse of America was led by PP Dan O. A moment of silence was observed for our beloved Past President Dan Lucas who passed away last week. PP Dave B gave his rendition of Dan’s classic invocation.

Welcome song was led by Charlie V

Raffle gifts courtesy Lexington Ace Hardware, TD Bank, Lexington Periodontics, and PP Bill C. Connie N informed us that we need more raffle gifts.

Members were fortunate today as the two guests and one speaker were strategically spaced one to each of the three occupied tables. PP Nick C was so surprised that he was not fined that he donated a dollar for each person at his table. PP Murry was fined $3 for rising when Charlie V requested all visitors and guests rise.  While fines were sparse, happy dollars flowed. PP Dan O. gave $20 in honor of his daughter giving birth of a grandson. Bob C gave $20 in honor of his daughter’s confirmation. PP Dan B gave $70 in honor of his and Jody’s 34th anniversary. Dan mentioned that PP Bob S and Judy also celebrated their 52nd on the same day (October 15). Connie N gave $10 in honor of her getting a new car.

President Dave announced receipt of thank you note form PP Dave and Priscilla Eagle for Lexington Rotary’s donation in memory of Priscilla’s mom.

PP Spencer B announced that a tentative date of Friday May 31 is being considered for next year’s Comedy Night. This is the first Friday after Memorial Day weekend. Should any members have a problem with this date, get in contact with Spencer NOW before he confirms date with the venue. President Dave reminded us of the need for volunteers for the upcoming Veterans breakfast. PP Dan B to do an e-mail invitation sign up, watch for this please. PP Murry A let the membership know that PP Don S’s wife Barb has been ill and is recovering from a serious operation. Additionally, the Sherman’s’ daughter experienced a recent health incident. Our heart felt thoughts are with Don and his family.

Its Cash Raffle time and chairman Steve M has personal folders for each member with 4 tickets to sell. Members were asked to pick up their folders on their way out. Did you do this?  You may be fined next week if you were there and did not. Contact Steve for additional tickets.

 

ImageOur speaker today was author Andrew Goldstein. Andrew’s profession is running a custom home construction company called Thought Forms Corporation. He said the book he has written, "The Bookie's Son" hadImage been formulating in his mind for 40 years. Steve told us that he has four traits that have helped him succeed in the building trades. First, he is good with numbers, second he has good common sense, third honesty, and fourth good judgment. For all the rest he surrounds himself with good advisors. His facility with numbers he attributes to his taking bets at age 10 on the family phone in the Bronx for his father. His dad was a garment cutter by profession and bookie in his spare time. Both his parents enjoyed gambling so being a bookie allowed his father to come out ahead more often which enabled them to move to the suburb of New Rochelle. Steve read an excerpt from his book (a novel not a memoir) in which a muscular bookie accompanied by his young son pays a visit to a colorfully described Bronx tailor, a holocaust survivor. The bookie has been sent to the tailor shop to collect a loan shark debt. The tailor doesn’t have the money to give him and plays off the young son in his pitch to the debt collector bookie.

The book sounds interesting.Image

 

50:50 was $85 and won by PP Spencer B (again!)

 

Respectfully submitted

PP David B