CONNECTICUT

CONNECTICUT - Whirlwind Visit, September 23

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.  Today was our first major transportation snafu.  We arrived at the airport in plenty of time for our 10:00 flight to Connecticut.  Just as we were about to board, they notified us that there was an issue with one of the tires and they would let us know the status in a few minutes.  We all looked at each other, knowing that we only had an hour connection time in Washington, D.C. for our flight to Hartford.  A few minutes later, they cancelled our flight due to a flat tire.  After speaking with the passenger agent, we found out that we could not possibly get to Hartford that day.  We then decided to go ahead and drive from Buffalo to Hartford  So we grabbed PGER David Carr, our luggage, our rental car and headed across upstate New York.  The funniest part of the entire adventure was Tom had thought about doing this very thing the day before.  So he got his wish!

We arrived at the Hartford Airport around 5:00 p.m., three hours past what would have been our original arrival time via plane.  We were met by SDGER Robert Hansen and Patti, State President Terry Ford and Terri and Grand Lodge Committeeman Gene Sabio and Linda.

We were then escorted to Willimantic Lodge #1311.  This is a beautiful old Victorian building originally built in the 1920s.  The members have recently done a great deal of work to renovate the facility and it is absolutely spectacular.  As we got out of the cars, we were greeted by the Connecticut Past State Presidents and their ladies lining the curving stairway up to the lodge.  We were then treated to a wonderful dinner which they had been gracious enough to delay for over an hour.  Everyone was thrilled we were there, even if for just a short time.

After Tom's speech, the State Association presented Tom with $1,000 donation to ENF in his name.  Venita received a bag containing a number of items manufactured in Connecticut, including a PEZ dispenser for the University of Connecticut Huskies, a wiffle ball, beautiful sterling silver earrings from Tiffany's, a quilt block from Connecticut for her memory quilt, and a charm for her bracelet.  After dinner we signed cards and handed out pins.  Many of the lodges presented us with donations to ENF in our name.  Tom received a Stetson cowboy hat from the Danbury Lodge #120.  At the close of the evening, we were given a tour of the lodge, including their beautiful lodge room.

The next morning we had breakfast with our group, and then headed for Mystic to meet the Rhode Island Elks.  We must say that although our visit was short, we had a fabulous time and will definitely be back for some motorcycle riding on the beautiful backroads of Connecticut.