Pledge/Prayer: President Gerri
Song: Andy
Brent's card game winner: John Donnelly
Sergeant's Report, Paul:
Raffle Winners: Peter, John D, Bill S, Jess
Happy Bucks
Announcements:
- BIll O is looking for donations for the auction fundraiser to benefit the Katherine Hepburn Theater (so is Gerri)
- Jess has brochures explaining the Bio-Sand Filter Project which our club is supporting
- Marty announced new enhancements to our website including a blog area in the Member Directory section. Members can blog about any subject
- Gerri passed around two citations our club just received, one from the DARE Program and the other from the recent "Celebrating the Heart of Old Saybrook" recognition ceremony. See the picture under the Club News section.
- Donations in honor of Jim Sbrolla are now up to $2,125. A thank you letter written by Mike Velgouse with the list of people who contributed was sent to the Sbrolla family.
- Andy asked if anyone was taking Bill McLaughlin's turn for Meals on Wheels.
- Chief Mosca just received national recognition as an outstandiing police chief.
Program:
Peter Manley introduced Sarah Meister Fazzino a genologist at Peter Indorf Jewelers with stores in Madison, New Haven and Old Saybrook. Sarah is a member of the Essex Fire Co., on the Essex Board of Education and is married with two children. Her topic was diamonds. Sarah explained important things to look for in diamonds such as color (graded from D-Z or 0-10 colors coming from trace elements in the stone), clarity (diamonds range from flawless to imperfect), fluorescence (reactivity to UV light), carot weight and the cut of the stone. Square shapes are popular right now. "Blood" diamonds or "conflict" diamonds are those that are used to finance war. You need to know where the stones come from if you don't want to inadvertently support war and terrorism.
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