Rotary Spoke

I’m baaack!  For the third time this summer!  There’s an old saying that “the third time is the charm,” so maybe I’ll get it right this time.  (I do try to learn from my numerous mistakes.)

Hot and humid outside, but the fine, mixed green salad on the buffet table had nary a wilted leaf.  Rolls, meats, cheeses, chicken-broccoli pasta, cookies, and drinks.  Delicious! 

Regrettably, I missed the head count of Lexington Rotarians, but I figured that it was really the guests that counted anyway (6 guests).  My estimate of Lexington Rotarians in attendance was 30.  (Close enough?)  One table paid for no guests.

A crisp, clearly pronounced pledge was ably led by Dave S., Charlie V.’s “You thought you had talent” voice led the Club in the 1st verse of America, and PP Don S. provided a thoughtful and heartfelt invocation.

PP Bob S. contributed $75 happy dollars in celebration of Judy’s 75th birthday.  Congratulations, Judy!  Steve M. gave $12 happy dollars, one for each of his married years, and PP Dan O. tossed in $10 for fishing where it was hot enough to catch cooked fish.  Pres. Jim pitched in happy dollars for a night out at a concert.

We were graced with some fine guests!  Judy Sacco AND Marcy Lucas!  Plus two of our special Dan Lucas Scholarship recipients, one of their mothers, and Joe Siekman, aged 3.  PE Dave S. checked in to see if Pres. Jim had “missed” the Welcome Song again; but Pres. Jim showed real political acumen by claiming that, as he hadn’t yet called for the raffle, there was still time to sing.  No fine!

This week’s puzzles:  As folks arrived, I gave each of them a pencil with a string loop, tying as many as I could into button holes.  How many will come back next week, still secure in the button holes?  We shall see.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a few Rotarians figure out how to cut a sheet of copy paper in such a way that there is a loop through which a third grader can climb.  (Yes, you Rotarian problem-solvers are at least as smart as third graders!)

My strong mind/weak mind illusion worked better than I could have hoped, with Steve M. and Antonios G. both choosing the numbers under their own plates.  Charlie V.’s kind donation to the Club bought an explanation as to how to perform the trick.  Thanks, Charlie.

Pres. Jim asked for ideas for all-member service projects In Lexington, like clean-up projects.  He subsequently asked Charlie V. to lead the Welcome Song for our guests. 

In memory of all the work that PP Dan Lucas had done for the Club, PP David S. presented Marcy Lucas with a beautiful marker with the Rotary wheel symbol at the top.  PE Dave S. noted that the Club scholarship fund received a significant inflow of funds, thanks to those who contributed in PP Dan’s memory.  It is those funds that made the additional scholarships possible.

PP Bob S. shared some of his memories of PP Dan.  The Amberwood Seven, which was formed in the early 1980’s, was composed of Lexington Rotarians who met every other week to play poker.  “Over the next 20 years, I learned a lot about Dan sitting across from him at a poker table.  Dan loved Rotary and Lexington.  He attended most Lexington basketball and football games, as well as BC football games, especially when they were with Notre Dame. 

“Dan served as the Club’s president when the first Jaws of Life were given to the Lexington Fire Department.  Dan, Mark Moore, and Jack Maloney spearheaded the drive to build the Lexington Band Stand. 

“One thing that he always looked forward to was serving on the Scholarship Committee.  He marveled at the level of commitment of the students who came before the committee.  I know Dan is smiling down at today’s proceedings.”

Two of the three scholarship recipients were present at today’s meeting:  Geneva Kropper will be attending the University of Maryland, near Washington, D.C., where she will be studying government, politics, and history.  Camilla Isern will be attending Boston College, where she will be studying economics and international relations, with the intention of going into international law.

The third scholarship recipient will be introduced to the Club later this summer.

Oh, yes.  I modeled how to give a classification talk:  Should include some personal and professional information and provide a chance for questions from the audience.  You can promote your business without fear of fines.  About 10-15 minutes long.  (Mine ran about 12 minutes…30 minutes if you read my handout.  No old vegetables or fruit were airborne.  Thank you, all.)

Pres. Jim closed the meeting with a question:  How do you keep an idiot in suspense?  (Tune in next week for the answer.)

PP Bill C.