July 9, 2010 Meeting

Pledge, Song but No Invocation

President Howard started off his year in office with the Pledge and Maestro Marie was back as the song-meister to lead us in us in “My Country Tis of Thee.” Rick Stern and Steve Ventre were chosen to lead the chorus but declined to rise to the occasion.

Guests

Howard recovered from his memory lapse to introduce guests at the end. Ironstone Farms’ Meaghan Lochne will likely pick up where Deedee has left off. The ever effervescent Diane Sollars was back as was Salim from Enterprise Bank. Fanny is an attorney checking out the Rotary scene as Alice Coogan's guest and Paul Romano was back yet again en route to being the next member. Author and speaker Michael King rounded off the cast of visitors.

Announcements

Past President Bill Buck is now membership chair and shared the sobering statistic that, in the ebb and flow of membership numbers, there was more ebb (-25 members) than flow (+12 members). The Lawrence club is hosting a Spinners Night on July 12 which means it’s too late to do anything about it.

Speaker - Michael King

October 28, 2004 went down as the busiest day in New England history for visits to the cemeteries. That’s because the Red Sox broke their 86 year curse the night before with a World Series win. Michael King has lived the heartache of 4 almost-but-not-quite seasons: 1967, 1975, 1978 and 1986. Bill has spent years collecting facts and trivia that he collected into a book he self-published, “The Heart Ache Years.” Some examples:

• Dwight Evans first at-bat was actually out--of-turn.

• The only player who pinch-hit for both Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski was the obscure Carl Harding. Or if football is your game:

• How about the team that signed QB Jim Plunkett? That would be the Bay State Patriots (formerly the Boston Patriots but not yet the New England Patriots). Or if you prefer pop culture:

• How about Steven Stills being one of the original Monkees?

Michael did possess a photographic memory but a stroke has left him with a mortal memory. For all those who still cringe at the name “Bucky Dent” there is a copy of Michael’s book waiting for you.

Fines and Happy Dollars

Pete Johnston’s first day manning the raffle was a bust. He should have the routine down in a week. Bob Troiano started his tour of duty as Sargent-at-Arms by pulling rank on General Phil Mason and charging him with bad clothing sense—red shorts and a Hawaiin shirt. Next to pay for their indiscretions was any one foolish enough to admit using air conditioning to deal with the global warming. Alice Coogan paid for being “a little behind” but, other than referring to her posterior, the editor is clueless as to its meaning. Newest member Meaghan Lochne saw her second Red Sox game. This Sunday (well last Sunday now) Challengers Unlimited had their annual day at the Spinners. The always magnanimous David Sollars paid tribute to his lovely bride, to Howard’s first day and Phil’s exceptional legs.

The club will be without it’s most vocal vocalist, Marie Stultz who will be at the New England Conservatory and with her family somewhere in the Midwest. She invites all to the YOCNE performance of The Magic Flute at Jordan Hall on July 29-31. The inscrutable Katharine Barr made a green offering for rain to turn her garden green. Dave Lindsay just returned from a wedding of his daughter Sarah. Newly minted loner Peter Caruso celebrated having a table all to himself. Sonia LaRock paid her late fee and Jim Greeley is proud to have stewarded Rotary participation in the Soup Kitchen.

Bill Buck is happy to be able to enjoy his breakfast in relative anonymity. Helene Andersen saluted Bill's now completed year. Matt Gold has two reasons to smile: the AMA passed his resolution and his son is back from Atlanta. Alice Coogan is happy that Fanny came as guest. In his second happy dollar infusion, Dave Sollars couldn’t help but notice that both Matt and Jim Greeley have arms in slings and must therefore have owed to the same loan shark. Bob Troiano used his penultimate slot to toast his kids being away at camp. Prez Howard concluded the morning with a dollar to celebrate the close of his first meeting at the helm.