Norwich Rotary Club
November 13th, 2024
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Gary Young
MOST VETERANS HAVE COURAGE AND NEVER GET NERVOUS
SO TODAY LET’S THANK THEM FOR THEIR BRAVE SERVICE
THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ANSWERED THE CALL
SOME CAME HOME AND SOME GAVE THEIR ALL
WHETHER A SOLDIER, A SAILOR AN AIRMAN OR MARINE
THEY PROTECTED THE GREATEST COUNTRY THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
FOR THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOOKED THROUGH A LENS
OF A PERSON WHO LEFT THEIR HOME-THEIR FAMILY-THEIR FRIENDS
WHOSE COURAGE WAS NOT HIDDEN ON SOME CLOSET SHELF
WHO PUT REAL MEANING TO SERVICE BEFORE SELF
SO WHETHER YOU SERVED DURING WAR OR DURING PEACE
OUR THANKS TO YOU WILL NEVER CEASE
LORD PLEASE HELP US TO ALWAYS REMEMBER
WHY EACH YEAR WE CELEBRATE THE ELEVENTH OF NOVEMBER
NOW LET’S GIVE THANKS FOR THE USUAL STUFF
FOR THE FOOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH
AND UNTIL WE GET TOGETHER AGAIN
LET’S PRAISE THE LORD AND SAY AMEN
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: Kevin Wickless, November 17th – 14 Years!
Guests: Barry introduced Elizabeth Cooke from Berkshire Bank
Visiting Rotarians: Marty Shapiro-Norwich Sunrise Rotary
Barry asked all Rotarians who served in the armed forces to stand and state what branch they served in. Heart felt applause followed. Barry said that his son served in the Iraq war and he is very proud of his service. Since 1941 Bob Hope has entertained US troops serving in the armed forces across the world. He did a total of 57 tours including 9 Christmas shows in Vietnam. Be always brought many celebrities with him including the most popular ones being Ann Margret and Raquel Welch. Sadly since Bob Hope has passed Hollywood has been less than supportive of our men and women serving in the armed forces. One standout who however continues the tradition of Bob Hope is actor and musician Gary Sinise who played Lt. Dan in the movie Forrest Gump. He founded the Lt. Dan Band that entertains troops serving throughout the world to this day.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan mentioned that the Talent Show has been postponed until next year as there were many conflicts on the date planned this month. He said that members should be persistent in asking prospective members to join us for lunch and introduce them to Rotary. He also reminded that a Christmas Swap Party will take place at his home at 280 Broadway in Norwich on December 11th at 6pm. Invite a prospective member to join in the fun that evening.
Announcements:
***President Rodney said the November 20th meeting will be held at Beth Jacob Synagogue and will be a tribute to Rotarian Manny Kadish. Noon tribute to Manny with fellowship to follow at 12:45 with food. Cost will be the regular $20.00 for lunch. Also, there will be no meeting on November 27th the day before Thanksgiving. The next meeting back at Bella Fiore will be December 4th.***
Please bring spare clean egg cartons and give them to Bonnie Johnson.
If you know of a speaker for one of our meetings, please contact Kevin Wickless or Alexis Kahn to get on the schedule.
If there is a Rotarian who is sick or going through a tough time let the Sunshine Committee know and contact Mary Richardson or Nancy Gentes.
Happy Dollars: Mike Matera
Mike asked Happy Dollars donors to be as generous as they can as this week is the final week of the Thanksgiving match! Mike welcomed Marty to the meeting. He was happy to have met all his goals getting major yard work done over the weekend!
Andy Grant said he’s getting ready to leave for Utah for the winter season. He went to his old high school Homecoming Football Game and suddenly felt old!
Kathryn Tracey went to New York City to a show at Madison Square Garden. She thanked all the Veterans for their service.
Bill Champagne said he’s thrilled to have played a part in the long struggle getting the Uncas Leap Park completed. He thanked city leaders, the Mohegan Tribe and the late Jason Vincent for all their efforts seeing this project come to completion.
Pat Marshall thanked all the Veterans. Her dad and late husband were veterans. She also shared a story that her son was punched in the face on a NYC bus for no apparent reason by a passenger exiting the bus. Thankfully her son was ok. She also said to keep an eye out for her son during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. He will be one of the guys holding the huge Ronald McDonald Balloon marching down 5th Avenue!
Susy Hurlbert enjoyed a conference she attended in Boston over the weekend. She read a poem from Canada about the poppies of Flanders Field.
Roz Etra welcomed Marty to the meeting. She participated in a program earlier in the week honoring Veterans. She said Sunday was the anniversary of the “Crystal Knock” that was the official start of the Holocaust. She went to a UConn basketball game! She ended with reminding everyone that it’s been a year since her husband and Rotarian Joel passed away.
Marty Shapiro gave information on next week’s meeting a Beth Jacob to honor Manny Kadish. He said he’s the oldest member of the Norwich Sunrise club beating out Mark Graves by 4 months at 84. Marty then auctioned off a Rotary pin from 2003-4 Rotary Year. Andy Grant bought it for $50.00!
Rodney Green gave $50.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge. He was also happy to see the club growing. We are averaging 25 attendees each week and growing!
Barry Shead said his dad who died 6 years ago served in the Navy. He welcomed his guest Elizabeth to the meeting.
Stan Lucas told a humorous story about a tank that his unit found during his tour in Vietnam. He also paid tribute to Manny Kadish for his work with securing matching grants for many world projects he worked on and that he was also an amazing underwater photographer.
Auction: Susy Hurlbert donated $20.00!
Lottery: Bonnie Johnson
Kathryn Tracey, Bill Champagne and Marty Shapiro came up empty trying to find the Ace of Spades. Rodney Green won Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: President Rodney reminded that next week’s meeting will be at Beth Jacob. Stan Lucas will speak on behalf of Norwich Rotary at Manny’s Memorial. Beth Jacob Synagogue is located at 400 New London Turnpike in Norwich. 12 noon start with lunch to follow the 40 minute program.
President Rodney at 1:06pm led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.