With President Jay presiding, the meeting got off to a spirited start with a duet by Val Callahan and Chris Crowley leading the Club singing "God Bless America." Invocation followed, led by Frank Doherty.
Announcements:
The WRC Funniest Person Committee (and helpers) will have an organizational meeting at 8 AM Feb. 25th. at YOU Inc., 81 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01604. Coffee and Bagels will be provided by our host, Mo Boisvert. According to Committee Chair Ken Harling, "You can still be involved, and your help is appreciated and needed."
The event itself Worcester Funniest Person Commedy Night is slated for April 8th 2010. That's a Thursday, so there'll be no regular meeting at noon. Attendance at the Comedy Night will count as a meeting (and will probably be a lot more fun - - no fines, drinks available, funny routines, etc.)
The Club will be sponsoring four students to attend the RYLA weekend at Worcester State College in June.
In response to being fined for the newspaper account of the new Polar Beverage facility announced recently, Chris Crowley filled in some details on where and why the new building. A single distribution facility is badly needed by Polar. As Chris describes it, they produce the beverages so quickly the major problem becomes where to put the stuff!
Though they tried to build in Worcester, sufficient build able land was not available, and so Auburn became the choice. By the way, the volume of soda and other beverages produced daily at Polar is 300,000 cases! No wonder they have to keep it moving.
A happy occasion today: Rod White became a Paul Harris Fellow, and was presented with his regalia by President Jay, Val Callahan and State Representative Lew Evangelidis who was our speaker today. Congratulations, Rod. Val reminded all that our target for the Club's 100th anniversary is have 100 percent of the membership Paul Harris Fellows.
Dr. Rich Prager won the raffle, and donated the proceeds to the Comedy Night fundraiser.
Chet Caswell introduced Representative Evangelidis who described himself as easily identifiable – he's the tallest member of the Legislature. On more substantive matters, he's concerned that both parties seem to have sold out in Washington. He also thinks that the election of U.S. Senator Scott Brown has encouraged candidates to run in Massachusetts, and elsewhere. He believes in term limits and the infusion of new blood into politics. Elected offices shouldn't be seen as career jobs. In his case, he feels eight years is enough as a State Rep., and so he is seeking the office of Worcester County Sheriff, now that Sheriff Guy Glodis will be moving along to another assignment.
Editor: Francis Doherty / Photographer: Richard Prager
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