Middletown CT Rotary - Newsletter - Current (Aug 31, 2010)

Ken Vaughan announced that the Club would be holding an Amber Alert event on September 2, 11 - 3, in conjunction with the South Fire District's Kids' Safety Day.

Bob Crawford announced that there would be a meeting of the fundraising committee today immediately following the meeting.

Special Presentation:

Art Director joined Cynthia Clegg and Carlton to present the first contribution to the Club from the Middlesex County Community Foundation designated fund established by Art and his wife Edith in support of the Club's activities involving children. Art noted that he was very proud that this first contribution coincides with his 50^th anniversary as a Rotarian. Cynthia Clegg presented Art with a Service Above Self award and thanked him and Edith for their commitment to the Middlesex community.

King of Clubs:

Sal Misenti and Laura Pederson drew, no winners

Guaranteed Card Game:

Low - Arthur Meyers, donated to clean water; high - Barry Sullivan, donated to clean air (!)

Happy Dollars:

Arthur Meyers for being here; Laura Pederson for Art; Rich Carella for Art and his family, missing a meeting to play in an interfaith golf tournament, and a vacation on Cape Cod; Patti Vassia for Art, and for Lois M for organizing the lobster picnic; Laura Falt for Art and for attending the Rams/Patriots game; Mike Frechette for faculty/staff opening day, and for Sal Misenti providing a red carpet which made for a great experience for the teachers; Sue Murphy for Art and for attending the Berlin/Kensington sunrise Rotary and their becoming the 23^rd Club to join the Turkey drive; Dan Litwin for Art and his contribution and for his daughter driving herself on the first day of school; Maureen Brubaker for Arthur and Edith and for the table flyers on retirement living options; Cheryl Duey for Art and his 50 years of generosity and for Lois and Barry and their work on the picnic; Ken Vaughan for Art, Cynthia, a vacation on the Cape as well, and his son's new job as a lifeguard at the Y; Cynthia Clegg for the Directors, for Middletown Rotarians, for Mike Frechette and the Middletown Public Schools, and for students returning to school; Art Director for the lobster event; Chris Soulias for Art; Lois Muraro for Art, for the members of her committee and Sal for their great assistance with the picnic; Pat Tucker for the Directors and Lois and her committee; Sal Misenti for Art.

Program:

Arthur Meyers introduced Ken Wiggins, director of the Connecticut State Library, and asked that he say a few words. Mr. Wiggins noted that the electronic revolution has led to many opportunities and challenges for libraries, which remain great places for people to get together, converse, and introduce children to reading. Libraries are creating and making available digital versions of many materials, though ebooks may not be easy for them to offer. In spite of level or diminished funding, local libraries remain among the greatest assets in the US.

Arthur then introduced Carol Taylor, head of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a unit of the Connecticut State Library. Ms. Taylor noted that the Library's services are part of a national library for individuals with visual impairments and physical handicaps, and the Connecticut library has over 70,000 titles and 250,000 volumes. It is located on West St. in Rocky Hill, and though it is not set up to receive the public, visitors are welcome. Most of the Library's work is done through telephone and mail, and it offers recorded and Braille books, as well as later generation digital players and materials. Catalogs, technical assistance, and reader advisors are available. Patrons have to be eligible and registered to use the services, though they do not have to be legally blind. Carlton thanked Ms. Taylor for her presentation and ended the meeting with the Four Way Test.

Respectfully submitted,

Howard Reid