Club Meeting Oct 14, 2015 Our newest Paul Harris Fellow

Reporter: Bob Reed

Photos: Joel Etra

Presiding:  Pres. Marie Osborne

Invocation:  Jim O’Shea

Fellowship:  with Jim O’Shea.

Jim remembered the late baseball Hall of Famer and former NY Yankee Yogi Berra.  Lots of great “Yogi-isms” were remembered including “90% is mental and the other half is physical”, “The towels were so thick I could hardly close my suitcase!” and finally “If you come to a fork in the road, take it!”  Yogi died a few weeks back and his good humor and wisdom will be missed.

Birthdays:

Anniversaries:

None

Guests:

Joel Etra brought soon -to-be-member Jay Ginsburg

None

Announcements: President Marie made the following announcements.

President Marie presented Kathleen Stauffer with a Paul Harris Fellow certificate and pin.  Congratulations to Kathleen for living up to our motto “Service above Self”

The Board of Directors has tentatively approved  Jay Ginsburg for membership. If any current Rotarian knows of a reason why the candidate should not become a member, an objection stating the reason must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors within fourteen (14) days of the date of this posting. E-mail to the President or Secretary may be used. If no objections are filed within that time, the candidate shall be considered elected to membership and a date for formal induction set.

Happy Dollars: Hosted by Kathleen Stauffer:

Kathleen Stauffer informed us that the average person consumes 300 cookies per year.  The ARC Culinary Program has now been mentored by an Old Lyme mentoring group and is now going to be producing chocolate chip cookies that won a blind taste test.  The group will be producing packages of cookies to be sold in stores including Shop Rite locally.  Buy some and support the nice people of ARC.

Bill Champagne gave congratulations to Kathleen on her PHF honor.  Bill also announced the Benedict Arnold Walking tour to take place over the weekend.

Jim O’Shea gave for Kathleen’s PHF.  Jim also gave for the excellent salmon fishing on Norwich’s Shetucket River.

Rodney Green gave for Kathleen’s PHF award.  He also informed the club that he received two stents in his heart last week and had artery blockages of 90%.  Went back to work the next day.  He now is looking forward to a trip with his grandson to China.

Laura Hobart thanked Rodney for his efforts with the Mahan Coat Project.  She informed the club that after 33 years with the Martin House and 23 years with The Thames River Family Program Tom Hyland, the Executive Director, is retiring.  She invited everyone to a celebration honoring his retirement at the Mystic Marriott on October 29^th.  Tickets are $35.00 per person.

Bob Farwell gave for Kathleen’s PHF.

Mary Richardson reminded the club of the “Power of Purple” walk on October 25^th at Eastern Point Beach at 1pm to benefit victims of domestic violence.  Also that there will be a walking tour of the Chelsea Gardens site for community leaders on October 24^th from 1 to 3pm and all are welcome.  Meet at the Transportation Center Downtown for transportation to the site.  It will be very informative.

Jim Daley gave for Kathleen’s PHF.  He also gave for the Cubs and informed the club that this year’s Rotary Golf Tournament in conjunction with the Morning Rotary Club made $14,000 with $7,000 going to our club.  Congratulations!

Sa-on Morse announced that our club is looking to put a float in the Norwich Winterfest Parade and needs volunteers to help build a float and participate the day of the parade.

Mike Cooney gave for Boy Scout recruitment and that his son Matt is not sleeping through the night.

Andy Grant gave for the book “Devil in the White City.”

Theresa Madonna reminded all to give to the Deb Monahan Food Challenge.  She also went to New York’s Greenwich Village and saw a performance of “Stomp”.

Barry Shead gave for Kathleen’s PHF.  He was proud to remember that he was her sponsor into the Norwich Rotary Club and that he has an eye for great people.

David Richardson donated a welcome sign that President Marie auctioned off.  Guest speaker John Waggoner was the high bidder.

Lottery:  with Kathleen Stauffer:

…drew cards!  No winner this week!

Program:

Bob Farwell…

…introduced John Waggoner and Richard Vittorioso of the Norwich Area Veterans Council.  John and Richard spoke about the efforts to erect a memorial honoring two Navy Pilots who were killed in 1944 in a tragic mid-air collision over the Town of Preston.  Richard has written a book titled “Forgotten” that tells the story of what happened on October 19^th, 1944. Richard’s book can be purchased through Amazon for $8.95 with all proceeds benefiting the memorial that John wants to have built on the grounds of the Preston Library.