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Posted byHorton Hickerson
onJan 31, 2014
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The Big Pot is still available. That’s right, Robin was the weekly winner with a chance to draw the Joker, but she didn’t. We are now down ten cards and the joker. The pot is north of $1,100, and we are still not getting a good turnout. I don’t understand it.
This is the second week in a row that the chicken has been disguised as pork. It happened to be very good today, but my bet is that there is a glut of pork on the market, and the Molly is taking advantage of it. Ah, but the dessert - Banana Cream Pie and it was marvelous. I haven’t had it in years, and it was almost as good as my mother used to make.
Guests included the ever present Ward DeGroot, and returning to us from Meridian Health, Noah Carpenter. It was great to see our old Red Bank Rotarian, Tom Gilmore, who is now a member of that club in Asbury Park. Tom was the very first Rotarian I was introduced to at Red Bank Rotary when I joined in 1989. Seems just like yesterday.
Sgt. Jim made his usual fines for the week. He started off that Harriet’s phone rang during the Board meeting so that cost her a buck, and since I was the one that called, I chipped in also. The Prez’s nickname turns out to be Willy Wonka, so Bill paid. Addie and Jack were fined for their attire because her jacket matched his pants. and our late arrivals, Rob,
Frank, and Harry paid up a dollar. Ken and Tony weren’t wearing pins so that cost them.
Just a note, Don Steel is in Riverview in room 481A. If you have a chance, stop by and say hello to him.
Happy $$$ were contributed by Rob, Addie, Warren, Kevin, and Bill. Then, Tom Gilmore gave $20 for many, many happy reasons, concluding in that he still has many friends in the Red Bank Club.
Get your calendars out, and mark down the Lombardi Dinner is on March 6th. The Food and Wine is on April 28th, and our District Conference is May 2-4 in Point Pleasant.
Our speaker for the meeting was Susan Pellegrini, the Executive Director of the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation. Susan is also a member of the Asbury Park Rotary. She spoke to us a couple of years ago when she did the film about the Moro Castle. Her company, Synergy Productions is a video production company which provides all aspects of video productions for corporations, non-profits and individuals.
She talked about the history of the Society and the role of the MoCo Arts Corridor as well as some of the programs that the Musical Heritage Society is currently conducting. They have started a youth music initiative, to introduce third and fourth graders to acoustical instruments. They are also featuring a well-known guitar teacher who will be conducting group lessons for students ages 12 to 18. It sounds like they are busy and supporting the arts. Their gallery is located at 708 Cookman Avenue, in Asbury Park.
See you all next week. Stay well, and warm.
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Posted byHorton Hickerson
onJan 23, 2014
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Not many souls braving the weather for the meeting. Those not attending missed a really good speaker in Dina Long, the Mayor of Sea Bright. More about that later.
The Prez rang the bell, we sang “My Country Tiz,” Bill S. prayed, and we 4-wayed.
The Chicken for the meal was prepared as “Stuffed Pork”. There was a significant question as to what the pork (chicken) was stuffed with, but some people ate it and some didn’t. The dessert was chocolate-strawberry cheesecake. It was OK, nothing special.
Aside from our speaker, there were no guests or visitors. Let’s all try to change that and bring a friend out to experience Rotary.
Sgt. Jim was back with us and back to his fining. He started with Harriet and me for dressing alike for the meeting. Harriet has always thought so much of my wardrobe that she has tried to copy it whenever she can. Frankie was fined for moonlighting as a Middletown policeman. You had to be there to get that one, and even if you were, you could have still missed the point. Latecomers Frank, Rob, and Larry were clipped, as was Liz for not having a pin. The Prez was fined for some obscure thing, and Addie was given a happy fine. Not sure what the difference between a “Happy” fine and regular fine is, except the “Happy” fine costs you more.
It is Lou Bona’s birthday and he was 84 today. He looks and acts older, however. On Lou’s special day, he let someone else win the 50-50. Thanks Lou.
The only significant happy dollar was Ken Scaggs who gave $100 because he got engaged. I am not sure when that was, but this is the first time he has been at a meeting to announce it. Other donations were made by Harriet, Lou, Larry, me, Bob, Frank, Mike T. and Addie.
Monday is the Mid-Year Assembly in Lakehurst. A good speaker, Joe Capps, a Rotary institution, will be the speaker, and I am here to tell you, he is a hoot. If you want to attend, get a hold of the Prez, Harriet, or myself. Cost is $15 and that includes dinner. The Board will meet on the 29th which is next Wednesday. Check your e-mails and the Prez will mislead you as to when and where. Rotary After Hours will be held this coming Tuesday at Molly Maguire’s. Addie gets there about 2:00 PM but it doesn’t normally start until say 5:30. Come out and bring a friend. March 6th is the Lombardi dinner, and the Food and Wine is April 28th.
As mentioned above, our speaker was the Mayor of Sea Bright, Dina Long. Dina had been on the Council for eight years and had served as Mayor for one, when Sandy hit. What a change that made in her life, and the lives of those living in Sea Bright. Dina gave us a brief history of Sea Bright, and discussed with us the original reason for the sea wall, which was to protect the railroad that ran through the community.
In describing the problems the town had during Sandy, one of the main things was trying to communicate with the residents. They weren’t at home, everyone had been evacuated. To reach them the town employed social media to inform them of important meetings and happenings in the town. The town was completely closed down for a period of 10 days.
Mayor Long indicated that there were about 1,400 people residing in Sea Bright before the storm, and currently about 75% have returned to the town. She also estimated that the storm caused a decline in the tax base of about 25%, but the town is hoping to regain that back up over a five year period. Her feeling is that the main part of town was hurt so badly because there is a one thousand foot gap in the sea wall, right where the center of town is situated. One of her priorities is to eliminate that gap, and have the sea wall run the entire length of the municipally.
It was a really good presentation given by a lovely and intelligent lady.
Here’s the scoop on the 50-50. Liz won last week, but left early and wasn’t there to pick the joker. Today, she had her chance, but didn’t pick it. Warren was the lucky winner today and pulled the five of hearts. That’s OK; he still took home $20. The pot is now north of $1,060 and there are 12 cards left in the deck. We can all look forward to seeing Larry Thoma again next week.
Speaking of long time no see, has anyone seen Tom Mimnaugh recently? Tom, we miss you, come back as see us. TTFN
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Posted byHorton Hickerson
onJan 16, 2014
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Hi there Boys and Girls. Larry Thoma was with us again, and I now know the reason. At the start of the day there were 14 cards in the deck, and the pot was over $1,000. Liz was the winner of the weekly drawing, but wasn’t there to pull from the deck, so we will probably see Larry again next week.
The Prez was back from his trip to Las Vegas to preside over the meeting. He did a sufficient job at ringing the bell. We sang, “My Country Tiz”, Bill prayed, and we 4-wayed.
For a change, the Molly served Chicken. Hard to believe, but yes, it was Chicken. I didn’t get the official name for the way it was prepared, but there was no mistaking that piece of white meat with some light brown gravy. Dessert was an assortment of pastries.
Our guests included Noah Carpenter, a public relations specialist from Meridian Health, and our old friend, Ward DeGroot. We hope that they both return to be with us again.
Sgt. Jim wasn’t with us, and Don was left to take his place. Rather than specifically pick on anybody, he simply fined everyone a dollar. Not very original, Don.
The birthday celebration was for Teddie, whose birthday is on the 21st. and for Barbara M’s husband Bill. Dave Ferullo and his wife Susan celebrate their anniversary on the 17th, and my bride and I celebrate ours on the 19th.
Lots and lots of Happy $$$$. I started it off to celebrate 28 years of marriage to the current Mrs. Hickerson. Dave gave for his new granddaughter, and Jon gave for something I really didn’t understand. Mike T gave for his twins celebrating their 50th birthdays. Looking at Mike, one would think his children would be a lot older, but maybe not. Gail gave money because she came late, and Jim wasn’t at the meeting to fine her. That caused Barbara N. to also give a dollar for the same thing, and finally Rob chipped in for again being late. Warren gave money, but I missed the reason, and Denise gave for being back at the club. The Prez finished off the Happy Dollars with $5 for the great trip he had to Las Vegas.
There is a Board meeting on Wednesday the 22nd, but I missed when and where. Call the Prez if he doesn’t send you an e-mail. Next Tuesday, we have our Rotary After Hours at Molly Maguire’s. On January 27th there is the Mid-Year Assembly at La Bove Grande on Route 70 in Lakehurst. It starts around 4:30 and goes through dinner. The cost is $15, and normally the Club picks that up. On Saturday, March 1st, the Long Branch, Asbury Park and Red Bank Rotary Clubs are going to be meeting with the Pakistani Ambassador at the Sheraton in Eatontown. Finally, the Lombardi Dinner is on March 6th, and we will be receiving information for tickets and sponsorship by e-mail from Bill.
Our speaker for the meeting was Robert Hilton, the Executive Director of the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. If I got this right, that is an organization that receives money from the State to promote the Shore communities and activities. His goal is to attract tourists to the shore area, and he travels extensively to promote our area. His responsibility is to promote Monmouth and Ocean counties. I couldn’t quite get my hands on how this operation worked.
As mentioned before, Liz Panella was the winner of the 50-50, and she will receive about $20. TTFN.
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Posted byHorton Hickerson
onJan 09, 2014
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Did anyone know that Mike DeNofa is going to be President of our Rotary Club? Apparently he is in line for the 2025-26 Rotary year, and he ran the meeting. In all honesty, he did as well, if not better than Bill does.
For our meal, the Molly did chicken that tasted very much like pork, served with the normal accompanying veggies and potatoes. The dessert, however, was a wonderful coconut cheese cake. I was told that it only had 50 calories.
Guests included Tony Micale’s friend, Larry Thoma, a CPA from here in Red Bank. We don’t normally see Larry until the 50-50 gets up to over a grand. My guest was Pat Crilly, a nurse specializing in wellness and anti-aging, with her practice in Red Bank.
It was not the meeting to be Jay Patock. Jay got fined for absolutely everything and paid for multiple birthdays and anniversaries that he has missed. I am sure he didn’t get out of the meeting for less than $20. Sgt. Jim also assessed fines for lateness and for not wearing the Rotary pin.
Lots and lots of Happy $$$$$. Robin started it off for her husband, Jim, turning 60. Larry gave money because his daughter was accepted into medical school and Frank gave because he was going skiing. Mike D gave for the Eagles and the Flyers, although I don’t know why. Mike T. gave for Jay’s being with us, and Gail gave because she was the one to e-mail Jay to let him know about the program. Jon chipped in because Syracuse was 15 and 0 in basketball and Harriet wanted us to know that her car had started speaking French to her. Chuck gave because he was undefeated in tennis this year and his team is going to the nationals. Gail finished off the happy dollars for Donny fixing the red light on her dash board by covering it with electrical tape. Donny is such an engineer.
There were no announcements, but there should have been. The district’s Mid-Year Assembly is going to be on Monday, January 27th. John Capps, who is an entertaining Rotarian from NC, is the featured speaker. He is a hoot. In addition, there will be seven roundtable discussion, and each attendee can get to three of them, each lasting about 20 minutes. It is at La Bove Grand on Route 70 in Lakehurst, and it starts at 4:45 in the afternoon.
We had a very interesting speaker and topic for the meeting. Rick Harrison from the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority brought us up to date about what was going on with the Fort. He noted that the Fort was 1,125 acres and there was some 5 million square feet of buildings on the property. Some of the property has been sold and is being developed currently. Some of the buildings may need to be demolished before anything can be done with the parcels, but some of the buildings can be used, with some modification.
Because the Authority is dealing with the Federal government, the turnover has been slower than expected. Rick thinks that that process will be completed within the next few months, and there will be more activity and sales to private parties soon. For those of us that are interested, the golf course will remain a golf course and is currently being operated to a private firm. Eventually, it may be sold. Good informative program.
Lou Bona won the 50-50, but since he is away, he had John Bohinski pick up the money for him. TTFN
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Posted byHorton Hickerson
onJan 02, 2014
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Well here it is boys and girls, the new Rotary year. The Prez got the meeting off to a rousing start by forcefully ringing the bell. We sang, not well, Bill returned thanks, and we “Four-Wayed.”
The Molly found another interesting way to serve our favorite chicken, francaise , along with the usual little green and orange sprigs and a generous portion of mashed potatoes. I can’t describe the dessert, but I and everyone at my table ate it.
Our guests included Mike Warshaw, a local attorney from Red Bank, Pat Crily, a nurse and wellness consultant, and the Prez’s guest, Doug Niosi. Also in attendance were Uncle Joe Greca’s niece Christiana and her husband Luigi. They are from Italy and are here spending time with Joe.
Fines were administered by Sargent Jim to Mike W, Ken, Mike T., Uncle Joe, Chuck and Don.
B Days for the meeting included Warren’s on the 5th, Harry’s on the 9th, but Don forgot the big one. The Prez’s lovely wife Susan’s birthday was on the 29th of December. Bill seemed so proud to announce that it was Susan’s sixtieth birthday, and I am certain that she will be pleased that I am mentioning it in the Cogs. Good work Bill.
Talk about a treat for the New Year, we sang ROTARY. What a joy that was.
Happy $$$ included Barbara giving $5 for her youngest grandchild’s birthday, and that she sold her school bus on E-Bay. Lucky Lou gave $2 for his not going to be here for the next two meetings, and Ken gave for something. Rob gave $5 for his nephew and for Joe’s family being here. Warren gave for his 71st birthday (he looks older, doesn’t he?), and Addie gave for the visitors. Mike W gave for his first meeting and for his granddaughter’s birthday. So far, Mike has perfect attendance for the 2014 year. Mike T. gave for Ginny doing well, and Bill D. gave $6 for Susan sixtieth.
Our program for the meeting was James Giunta, a hypnotist who practices in the Red Bank area. His work involves individuals who want to change something about their lives. Lose weight, stop smoking, feel less stress, are the kinds of treatments and issues that he works with. He concentrates on teaching relaxation techniques to help his patients master the circumstances that they want to change. It was a good talk, and I enjoyed it, but I was listening, and didn’t write as much down as I would have liked to have written.
For a change, somebody won the 50-50 other than Lou, but I haven’t the faintest idea who that might have been. You know, maybe you need someone younger and quicker to write these Cogs for the New Year.
Seriously, my best wishes to each of you for a healthy, happy, and prosperous Rotary New Year.
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