This week, I decided to join the club in the Anderson Room for the first time since before the renovation of the Student Union. It was familiar, but different at the same time. Kind of like “deja vu, all over again,” as Yogi Berra is purported to have said.

One thing that was certainly different was the number of people present. Instead of a bustling room full of happy, smiling Rotarians, there were only maybe ten tables with chairs for only four at each table. Overall, I am guessing that there were about 30 of us in attendance.

What wasn’t different was the conversation. It was just as engaging and as enlightening as pre-pandemic. I sat with Leo Shedden, Dallas Dort, Ashish Sarkar, and Ashish’s guest. (Yes, that’s five people.We cheated a little). It was great to be able to see them all again and share a meal with them.

One thing that certainly wasn’t different was the food: green salad, tuna salad, roll, and soup. The only thing about lunch that seems to have changed is the price. Lunch now costs $11.

The reason that I bring all this up is that I’d like to encourage you all to attend our meetings in person once again. As you probably know,the very first object of Rotary is “the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.” That’s a highfalutin’ way of saying that people that know one another are more likely to want to work together. That’s not to say that our club hasn’t done good work during the pandemic, but think of what more we could do, and how much more fun it would be, if we would start meeting together again.

I certainly don’t want to pressure anyone into meeting with us again. If you’re still uncomfortable doing this, please do what you feel is right. But, if you’ve been vaccinated, and if you’re healthy, it might be time to join us in person again.

by Dan Romanchik