Pledge: President Keith Prayer: Gerri Lewis Song: Bill McLaughlin Flim/Flam: Cathy Callanan Raffle: Glen Anderson, Bob Hester, Guest Bob Steele Happy Bucks: Stan Niemerski, Ed Pinn, Bill O’Shannesy happy for the Memorial Day Parade, and the nice weekend. Marty Dobriarz happy for good Golf Tournament, Paul Moore happy for grandsons acceptance to The Air Force Academy, Brent happy The Golf Tournament is over, many happy for the day. ANNOUNCEMENT: Golf Tournament netted $17,800.00 GOOD JOB!!! Guest Speaker: R. H. Steele, “Bob” is Vice Chairman of Ryan Company, an international financial consulting firm. Bob discussed his new book, “The Curse” a historical novel, about casino gambling taking over a small New England town. The book begins with the Mohegan-Pequot war some 300 years ago and jumps to the 1980’s when casino gambling came to Southeastern Connecticut. In 1988 the U S congress passed The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, designed to help the poor on the reservation. Prior to 1988 only 2 states had gaming, Nevada and New Jersey. With the Act 36 states now have casino gaming with over 1,000 gaming parlors. Cleveland is building a casino in downtown in a Mall, an old Bethlehem Steel plant is now a casino, Chicago is planning a city owned gaming center in downtown. Foxwoods built in 1992 and Mohegan Sun 1996, are the two largest casinos on the planet. The coming of the casinos has brought a 400% increase in embellishment , the Tax collector in Ledyard made off with $302,000. “The Curse” 3 million pathological gamblers 6 million serious gamblers 13 million at risk Gaming revenues are falling in Connecticut down 38% in last 5 years. $403 million to $300 million, 55% from out of state. All of New England is planning to build casinos. Connecticut's monopoly will disappear. Slots are addictive, now Connecticut legislature in considering a bill to allow Internet Gambling. Could now have gambling 24/7 in very household?? THE UNOFFICIAL FIVE WAY TEST of the things we think, say, or do 1.) Is it the TRUTH 2.) Is it FAIR to all concerned 3.) Will it it be BENEFICAL to all concerned 4.) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDHSIPS 5.) Is it FUN
