El Harp was honored for his many achievements at the 2019 Old Guard Annual Luncheon.
Submitted by Don Kauke
West Hartford resident El Harp was honored at the Old Guard Annual Luncheon at the Hartford Golf Club with the first Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Old Guard President Bob Schaefer.
A proclamation by West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor was read in recognition of Harp’s countless contributions to the Old Guard, his church, and the West Hartford community over many years. Tuesday, May 21 was proclaimed El Harp Day in his honor.
Jim Schepker, membership director was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding achievement bringing 39 new members in the Old Guard during the recent season. While weekly meetings are in recess for the summer, the volunteer activities of the Old Guard members continue, delivering Meals on Wheels and serving as guides at the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington.
Featured guest speaker at the luncheon was well-known Connecticut broadcaster-sports announcer Joe D’Ambrosio who told of his entrance into sports broadcasting, his experiences with UConn coaches in the decades that he was lead broadcaster for basketball and football, and for co-hosting the morning wake-up show on WTIC with Ray Dunaway.
Outgoing President Bob Schaefer summarized the successful year, the continuation of contributions to the community in food banks, leadership of the Seniors’ Job Bank, the Salvation Army, and new initiatives this year at Habitat for Humanity, and providing workers at the Food Share distribution center. The Old Guard also gives financial support to the West Hartford YMCA to provide scholarships to YMCA activities.
Meetings of the Old Guard, an association of retired men, will resume at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Leaders in the fall will be Tom Goodrum, president; Ron Van Winkle, vice president; Dennis Carrithers, secretary; and Jim Bixler, treasurer. New members are welcomed throughout the year.
Additional information about the Old Guard is available online at www.ctoldguard.org.
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