Norwich Rotary Club
September 14th, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Rodney Green
Fellowship: Bob Farwell
Birthdays: Susy Hurlbert on 9/19. Susy was treated to 2 renditions of the “Happy Birthday” song at the urging of Andy Grant!
Anniversaries: Bonnie Johnson & Terrie Congdon – 1 year (However many, many more years of prior Rotary service in Colchester!)
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: No guests
Bob treated the club to a really thoughtful fellowship by reading a poem by Abdullah Shoaib called Pretty Ugly. Bob Read the poem and then read the poem from the bottom up.
I’m very ugly
So don’t try to convince me that
I am a very beautiful person
Because at the end of the day
I hate myself in every single way
And I’m not going to lie to myself by saying
There is beauty inside of me that matters
So rest assured I will remind myself
That I am a worthless, terrible person
And nothing you say will make be believe
I still deserve love
Because no matter what
I am not good enough to be loved
And I am in no position to believe that
Beauty does exist within me
Because whenever I look in the mirror I always think
Am I as ugly as people say?
(Now read bottom to top)
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*The Golf Tournament was a huge success and a huge thank you to Gary Young and his committee for the hard work. Net proceeds will be reported when available shortly.
*The Celebrate Cultural Diversity Event will take place on September 19th from 5pm to 8pm. 15 food venders are signed up. Barry Shead is this year’s recipient of the Lottie B. Scott Award and Bully Busters will receive the Community Service award.
*The Peace Pole rededication will be next Wednesday, September 21st, International Peace Day. The regular club meeting will take place on location. There will not be a lunch or regular meeting at Bella Fiore on this date. Bring a bag chair at noon. Rededication ceremony will take place at 1pm. 17 Jr. High students will attend, Carroll Mailhot will be singing and Mayor Nystrom will attend.
*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.
*Mike Matera said there will be Amber Alert sign-ups at the Healthy Living Expo at Dodd Stadium from 10 to 2pm on September 17th. Also, the Amber Alert will be at the Celebrate Cultural Diversity event on September 19th. Volunteers are needed for both.
*Kindness gardens are now available for purchase on the Rotary Website.
Happy Dollars: – Rodney Green
*Rodney told a story of getting one of his company vehicles, a Chevy Suburban, to the repair ship as it had a loud squeal in the front end. Rodney wondered if a tow truck was necessary but the mechanic thought it wasn’t necessary. He called the mechanic a number of times along the way as the squeal was getting louder by the mile. Mechanic said to keep going! Smoke eventually started to come out and a fire followed soon after.
*Andy Grant said he had his wife Nancy out on his Hobie Cat over the weekend and she loved hanging out on the trapeze going over the ocean at very high speeds!
*Jay Waitte was happy that his Air Force Academy classmate was flying up to New England and they were going to attend a Tom Jones concert at the casino and see what other antics they might get into!
*Bill Champagne came dressed in his “Traffic Control” gear and said he is looking for help directing traffic the evening of the Diversity Event on Monday. Bill also said there will be a very interesting lecture on Monday, September 26th at the Otis Library by Rev. Terrlyn Curry Avery, PH.D. Topic will be her book Dismantling Racism-Healing from the inside out. This is a free event and no registration is required.
*Barry Shead said he has roses to sell for the Putnam Rotary Club that can be picked up on October 14th at the ARC. He also told a funny story of losing his chair at the golf tournament. The chair was an old one from the Norwich Savings Society that meant a lot to him. The chair was eventually found after it had fallen off a golf cart! Barry also said he was very honored and humbled to be awarded the Lottie B. Scott Award.
*Lottie Scott congratulated Barry on the award that bears her name! She was also happy to see all the positive changes in the club over the years.
*Susy Hurlbert said she had a great time at the golf tournament and feels after seeing how some of the golfers golfed maybe there is hope for her to participate actually golfing next year! Lot of duffers out there! She also wished Queen Elizabeth II to rest in peace.
*Gary Young gave thanks for everyone who helped make the golf tournament so great this year.
Auction:
Mike Matera will donate $20.00!
Weekly Rotary Trivia: In Terry Congdon’s absence as she is on vacation Mary Richardson had the questions for the trivia. Susy Hurlbert and Gary Young gave correct answers!
Lottery: – Catherine Tracey
Jim Daly, Mike Matera & Gary Young did not find the Ace of Spades! Catherine Tracey won the cookies!
Program:
No Program Today.
Susy Hurlbert led the Club and all recited the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 12:54 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter