Norwich Rotary Club
November 2nd, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Gary Young stepped in for Lottie Scott and did a great job as always!
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Lottie Scott-11/5
Anniversaries: Kathleen Stauffer – 12 years and Ray Baribeault – 25 years
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: None
Barry set aside what he had prepared after talking to Bob Farwell after Bob pointed out that today was a special anniversary in aviation. On this date in 1947 the “Spruce Goose” took a brief flight. The aircraft was built and piloted by Howard Hughes of Hughes Aircraft Corporation. It’s official name was the H-4 Hughes Air Boat. The plane’s wingspan was 320ft and was 218ft in length. Crew of 3. It sported eight Pratt & Whitney engines that were 3,000 HP each. The plane only left the water and flew airborne for a very short distance and was considered a failure and never flew again. The plane still exists to this day in Long Beach, California and is a tourist attraction. Stay tuned for Barry’s original fellowship next week!
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*November 4th is the Trivial Pursuit Night at the Bozrah Moose Lodge. The Rotary has a full team and are ready to test their knowledge!
*The Rotary Day of Volunteering is on November 10th at the Gemma Moran Food Center in New London. Come help pack food at 1pm.
*Rotarians are encouraged to please invite prospective members for lunch and introduce them to the world of Rotary.
*The club will be looking for speakers. Should you know of an appropriate guest speaker contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless.
*Kindness gardens are now available for purchase on the Rotary Website. $150.00 for small, $250.00 for large and $500.00 extra large.
*The Liberty Bank Challenge to support the residents of Schwartz Manor during Thanksgiving is now going on now! Please consider giving no less than $60.00 during Happy Dollars to support the cause.
*The Rotary Clock Project is moving forward upon approval for city authorities. Once that happens, the club will have brick pavers to sell to surround the base of the clock. Stay tuned for more information. Inscribed bricks will most likely be $100.00 a brick.
Happy Dollars: – Andy Grant
*Andy started things off with saying he’s enjoying the great weather and has been doing well at Pickleball!
*Bob Reed gave $60.00 for the Liberty Bank Challenge for Schwartz Manor residents to purchase Thanksgiving food and other items they may need.
*Kevin Wickless gave $60.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and said he had a great week skiing out west with his daughter.
*Mary Richardson reported that the flag at the Rotary Park is in great shape. She also was not too happy to have to visit the DMV following today’s meeting!
*Jeff Bruning was a little jealous that Kevin Wickless beat him to the punch on getting on skis this season. Softball season has ended for his kids. His son broke his wrist mountain biking but thankfully can still run Cross Country for his school even with a cast on! Jeff also brought his sailboat from Stonington to Haddam over the weekend and had an interesting time crossing under the bridge in Haddam with a dozen other sailboats who appeared to want to race!
*Bill Champagne gave his 2nd installment for the Thanksgiving challenge. He also said he and his wife Patrice went on a vacation to Washington DC and Charlottesville, Virginia. While in Washington they visited the American Indian Museum. Much of the museum centered their displays on the tribes out west and not much on the tribes in the Northeast. They also spent time at the Museum on African American Culture that was very well done and well worth the visit. While in Charlottesville they stayed at a Yurt. A traditional “yurt” is a portable round tent structure usually made out of skins or felt.
*Mike Matera celebrated lots of birthdays over the past week! His son, nephew, niece, Rodney Green (who is just like family), his mom & dad! Mike also had a great fall fishing trip planned for off Block Island and had his boat all ready to go! Then all his fishing buddies cancelled at the last minute!
*Andrew Nollman was happy to get his parents on a plane and they safely returned to Florida for the winter. His fantasy football team has not been doing so well so far this season but he at least got to 500 this past Sunday!
*Terry Congdon was happy to report that she has met her newborn Great Grandson!
*Mike Cooney said that his son Matt played his last baseball game of the season, but not before hitting a foul ball that landed right on Mike’s car! Thankfully no damage!
*Susy Hurlbert is enjoying the unseasonably warm weather! She’s also happy that Ernie closed on a house and enjoyed his pie from Rodney’s. Susy was also relieved that her son who lives in Korea was not part of the stampede that killed many people at a popular nightclub that he has frequented in the past.
*Gary Young joked that his hair was not up to par as he has been using dishwashing soap during his move out of the house he has lived in since he was 6 years old. He and Romer are almost done moving all their belongings, but there are still plenty of house plants if anybody wants to take some of them.
Auction:
Kathryn Tracey auctioned off a digital/talking picture frame! Mary Richardson was the high bidder at $20.00!
Weekly Rotary Trivia: Terry Congdon tried to make the questions a little easier this month! First question was where is the Rotary International World Conference being held this year? All 3 questions were answered correctly and nice prises were handed out!
Lottery: – Kathryn Tracey
Mary Richardson, Mike Matera and Barry Shead did not find the Ace of Spades! Barry brought 2 bags of cookies as he’ll be away on vacation next week in Mexico! Mike Matera and Bill Champagne were the winners!
Program:
No program this week
Susy Hurlbert led the Club and all recited the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 12:59 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter