October 4, 2013 - Southingtonlibrary.org

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Friday, October 4, 2013
Tailgate and fundraise at the SEF gala
By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
The Southington
Education Foundation welcomes
the public to its fifth
annual Fan of the
Foundation Gala on Friday,
Oct. 25.
With a theme of
“Tailgate at the Turf,” the
event gives attendees an
opportunity to dress in their
favorite sports gear and
apparel while eating tailgate-style
appetizers and
entrees. The gala will also
feature the new STEM
University Lounge, a dormstyle
reclining area that has
a pinball game and a professional
photographer to take
photos of all attendees.
“It is a fun, informal
evening,” said SEF Chair
Dawn Miceli. “Every year we
have some different things
going on.”
Besides the new STEM
University Lounge, the
event will feature live entertainment
from local DJ
Butch Gray along with open
bar and silent auctions.
Miceli said the auction
items are “unique,” and
include student artwork,
principal and gym teacher
for the day opportunities,
Graduation 2013 seating
and more.
Tickets cost $75 each,
and all proceeds will benefit
the Southington public
schools. Currently, the SEF
has warded nearly $100,000
to local classroom initiatives
that increase educational
opportunities. The SEF has
also started a new initiative
with its long-term commitment
to advancing STEM
education within the entire
school district.
Miceli said the community’s
presence at the gala
will play a role in these new
classroom initiatives.
“The education budget
Former governor to speak at Chamber breakfast
Art Secondo
Second Look
When the Chamber of
Commerce schedules its
lineup of speakers for our
series of Celebrity
Breakfasts, the intention
is to provide a speaker
who can keep attendees
interested in their subject
matter for a minimum of
30 minutes.
Over the years we
have selected speakers
from the state government,
state police, presidents
of large corporations,
utility company
leaders and others. Now
we return to a former
Chamber speaker who
was eloquent and informative.
His name is John G.
Rowland.
We asked John to
return as our “Celebrity
Speaker” at our next
breakfast on Wednesday,
Oct. 9 at the Manor Inn.
Rowland is still touting his
political quips and opinions
on WTIC-AM drivetime
radio. He’s as knowledgeable
about state government
as any former
governor.
John was the 86th
governor, from 1995 to
2004. He resigned from
office during a corruption
investigation. He served
his time and paid his
dues.
Since then, Rowland
has become a highly successful
commentator and
speaker, which is always,
was as Governor. The
Waterbury native has
The Southington Education Foundation gala mixes fundraising with tailgating.
can only do so much,” she
said. “Our teachers want
innovative programming for
the students.”
Superintendent Dr.
Joseph Erardi said he feels
appreciative of the work
that SEF puts into the entire
school, and hopes to see
members of the community
changed his life. His 10
months in prison seven
years ago opened him to a
new awakening on what
really is important in life.
Even his sharpest critics
will attest to Rowland’s
sharp wit and understanding
of human
nature. Due to his extension
political background,
Rowland has shuffled
through a maze of jealousy,
personal attacks and
some vicious enemies.
Yet, this writer does not
condone his actions when
he overstepped his
authority as Governor and
was found guilty of several
serious tax, mail and
fraud.
Those who followed
his career from 1980 when
he was elected to the State
House of Representatives
at age 23 and then to
Congress in 1984, point to
his uncanny ability as a
public speaker. He seldom
used notes and was
able to provide a mix of
seriousness and gentle
waves of political jabs
when necessary.
Rowland refused to go
away and now his talk
show during the day has
impressed even some of
his critics who say he has
mastered a fresh
approach to what he sees
as the inefficiency of government.
The noted
Republican has bounced
back from earlier criticism
that he was using his
radio seat to endorse his
chosen candidate in the
Fifth Congressional
District.
Rowland’s personal
website glares of his
accomplishments. “His
exceptional public service
career resulted in a renaissance
throughout the
cities of Connecticut.
Rowland’s vision made
technology, education and
attend the event.
“I am hoping the community
recognizes just how
hard this group works,”
Erardi said. “I look forward
quality of life issues driving
forces to meet the
challenges of the new millennium.
John Rowland’s
leadership can inspire and
motivate those who
attend leadership forums,
corporate meetings and
educational roundtables,”
one remark reads.
Anyone, politician or
not, who can inspire others
to think out-of-the-box
gets my attention. Anyone
who does wrong and pays
the price of that wrong
deserves another chance.
And, anyone who can
fight through personal
setbacks to find solace in
maintaining his previous
talents and skills gets my
attention.
Putting politics aside
and Rowland’s previous
problems, I like others,
should look forward to
welcoming the former
Governor to Southington
and prepare to hear his
FILE PHOTO
to being there.”
Anyone interested in
buying tickets or sponsoring
the event can contact Dawn
Miceli at (860) 681-8006.
remarks with an open
mind. I’ve heard John
Rowland speak many
times, and never has he
bored me or insulted my
own intelligence.
Once again,
Wednesday morning Oct.
9 at the Manor Inn.
Arrival time is 8 a.m. with
breakfast at 8:15 a.m., followed
by Rowland’s talk.
Thank you to Curtis
Robinson of C&R
Development for being a
co-sponsor. Curtis is an
excellent judge of character
and has supported
Rowland as a good
Christian and friend.
Tickets are $15 for
Chamber members and
$20 for guests.
Art Secondo is the
president/CEO of the
Southington Chamber of
Commerce. The opinions
expressed do not necessarily
reflect those of the membership.
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