Metin of 6/16/ 2016

 

Attendees: John Shuler, Dennis Zink, Ross Willink, Rich Comins, Herb Gauch, Bill Ruoff, Donna Henderson, Susan Shull, Spencer Shull, Robyn Whittaker, Bob Goldstein, Kathy Doerner, Tom Font, Brian Winslow, Marlene Manginell and Ray Manginell

Guests: Lil Campisi, Karen Collins, Walt Dorfner and many residents of The Maplewood.

Location: Maplewood Nursing Home in Webster, NY

Program: An umpteen parter featuring (1) Rotary in the community, very well done power point illustrating the projects we undertake, to wit: Adopt A Highway, Adopt A Platoon (many pictures of the recently enacted welcome home dinner for the returning troops of the 10^th Mountain Division), Charities Dinner, Rotary Grove, etc.

Next (2) was a slide show of a trip to Ireland undertaken by Robyn and Walt Dorfner; very interesting pics, lots of scenery such as high cliffs (The Cliffs of Moher) which seemed to dive right into the ocean and the Aran Islands, resulting land forms from matter that fell from the cliffs and piled up into the brine below.  This odd couple flew to Dublin, Ireland, rented a car and drove to the opposite coast, visiting Town of Dingle, City of Galway, the INCH Strand Beach, Adare Waterford Church (lots of churches and castles), many thatched roofs in Town of Adare, the Jameson Irish Whiskey building.

In Dublin, a typical Irish breakfast consisted of eggs, two sausages, muffin, Canadian bacon, something like hash and coffee (sounds yummy).  They visited The Temple Bar, popular from 5pm on; St. Steven’s Church, The Tuelamore Dew (whiskey) establishment and Trinity College.  Much greenery, many statues and age-old buildings are everywhere in dear old Ireland.  Most entertaining, most entertaining and to think this fast moving pictorial romp through the Emerald Isle was in fact enhanced by the passing of samples of Guinness beer and Irish cupcakes, my, my what a treat.  Pardon dear onlookers as we doff the derby to St. Patrick’s adopted island home and wistfully dispatch a bit o’ libation with gracious awareness and gratitude to the pubs and many pubsters who not only enlightened this eve of frivolity but kindled the spark and warmth of yearning to visit anon that verdant place which sits so serenely astride the briny seas, so close to Mother England; God Save The Queen!

But wait:  There’s more!  Leading with dulcet tones, the merriment picked up in tempo as our own Kathy, or is it Katy; K-K-Katy, sure an Irish lass who would sing at the drop of a shillelagh, then prompted the assemblage to come forth with “America The Beautiful”; ah, begorra, what a fine sound as the elderly but passionate wheel chaired ladies joined in and ‘Heavens above’ they knew every word and sang with gusto; however, it did not stop there as the grand choir immediately burst into a more profound volume with “God Bless America”!  Sure, with nary a dry eye in the house, but smiles all around, the singing and the volume probably would have intensified, but President Robyn had other plans for then she switched gears and took us to Munich, Germany and then to Florence, Italy; now those were sights to see and a night to remember.  Thank you, Danke shoen, Gracci, Mlle Robyn.