Norwich Rotary Club
November 30th, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Gary Young
FOR MOST OF US THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
IS A TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND A TIME TO REMEMBER
THAT BEING A ROTARIAN-THOUGH SPECIAL AND NICE
REQUIRES TIME-AND TALENT-AND SACRIFCE
WE GIVE THANKS THAT YOU’VE HELPED US KEEP LIVING
LIVES THAT ARE FULL OF HELPING AND GIVING
WE GIVE THANKS FOR OUR FAMILIES AND GOOD HOME COOKIN’
AND THAT AT LEAST IN OUR MOM’S EYES WE ARE STILL GOOD LOOKIN’
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO BOW AND PRAY
THAT YOU ARE WINNING TO LISTEN TO THE WORDS WE SAY
WE GIVE THANKS FOR OUR HOMES AND THE FOOD ON THE TABLE
AND FOR HELPING US BE AS GOOD AS WE’RE ABLE
WE GIVE THANKS THAT YOU CARE FOR US SO MUCH
ALWAYS READY TO REACH DOWN WITH A HEALING TOUCH
WE GIVE THANKS FOR BLESSING THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR
AND THANKS FOR HELPING US LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR
THANKS FOR HELPING TO KEEP US HUMBLE
AND FOR PICKING US UP WHENEVER WE STUMBLE
WE’RE THANKFUL YOU DON’T LEAVE US LOST OR FORSAKEN
FOR YOU KNOW EVER TEAR CRIED-EVERY BREATH THAT IS TAKEN
SO AMIDST THE TURKEY, POTATOES AND STUFFING
LORD WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT BLUFFING
FOR YOU’VE CALLED US WORLDWIDE TO DO OUR PART
AND WE GLADLY GIVE BACK STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART
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 THANK THE LORD AND SAY AMEN
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Bill Champagne-December 3rd
Anniversaries: Joel Etra-29 Years
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: None
Barry did a fellowship on how things have changed over the years with names that are not used anymore. Here are a few of the most popular names that were given around 1900 that are pretty much nonexistent in today’s world. Mildred, Ethel, Gladys, Myron, Agnes, Thelma, Fanny, Bessie, Bertha, Earl, Gertrude, Elmer, Lester, Lloyd, Milton just to name a few.
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*The United Way is looking for volunteers to pack food boxes on December 2nd at their facility in New London between 1 and 3pm. Gemma Moran-United Way Wharehouse, 74 Broad Street, Now London, CT. If you can make it please call Carrie at 860-705-1895.
*A thank you note was read from St. Vincent DePaul thanking the club for the 110 additional winter coats that were donated. Special thanks go out to Rodney and Lucille Green.
*ECAR is having its Community Benefit Raffle and Auction on Wednesday, December 7th, 11:30am-2:00pm at Lake of Isles to benefit local charities in Eastern CT. Contact President Susy to buy a $10.00 raffle ticket for lots of great prizes or for a ticket to the event for $39.95.
*Mary Richardson & Andrew Nollman want to hear from you regarding the Nominating Committee and succession for officers and Board Members of the club.
*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 next Race Equity Committee meeting will be in December and they are planning a very elaborate event on April 26th featuring author of Under the Skin Linda Villarosa. Stay tuned for more details.
*President Susy gave a big Thank You to our club treasurer Kathryn Tracey for her hard work serving the club in that capacity.
*Jim Daly reported that the final tally for the Golf Tournament had a net total of $15,000 to be split equally between our club and the Norwich Sunrise club!
*President Susy attended the retirement gala for Chelsea Groton Bank President Michael Rauh at the Mystic Marriott and was pleased to see so many Rotarians in attendance.
Special Presentation:
Alexis Kahn presented a check from the Chelsea Groton Bank Foundation in the amount of $5,000.00 for the winter coat project!
Happy Dollars: – Nancy Gentes
*Nancy started things off saying her Thanksgiving holiday was great and her husband has been preparing the meal for the past 35 years and is a tradition from her just giving birth and her husband prepared the meal that year and has done it ever since!
*Barry Shead is thankful that his daughter did very well during her recent open heart surgery and the prognosis is very good!
*Mary Richardson said the Nominating Committee is meeting and they are looking for someone to step up and serve as President –Elect for next year. Mary has agreed to serve as President again for the 2023-24 year. She also told Barry that her grandmother’s name was Reaper.
*Bill Champagne had $20.00 happy dollars in honor of Shelia Hayes for running 8 great events for the Race Equity Committee and is continuing her wonderful work organizing the April event with author Linda Villarosa. It will be a very expensive speaker to have but she is raising the money to have her speak! Bill also said that former Norwich Rotarian Cal Lord’s father died. He also noted that auctioneer Joe Pietrowski has also died. The last few buckswere to say thanks for the birthday song!
*Jeff Bruning gave praise for Michael Rauh. He also said that he and his family had a real traditional Thanksgiving meal that was served outside and they all dressed tin tradition garb that the original participants wore! He also holidayed at Lake George and skied Whiteface Mountain and from 4,500 feet could see Killington!
*Mike Cooney had some sad dollars that one of his best friends and fellow scout leader Cliff passed away Saturday. He also said he was late to today’s meeting as he was in Hartford. He’s taking the family camping this weekend.
*Rodney Green reported that 625 coats were distributed and he donated the 110 leftover ones to St. Vincent DePaul who were still in need of coats. He also gave a very informative speech on why the cost of food is different between retail and wholesale.
*Susy Hurlbert said Ernie was currently at her office assembling a standing desk to replace her traditional desk to help with her hip issues.
Auction:
Gary Young auctioned off a painting of what looked like horses in the snow with Indians riding the horses. Stan Lucas took the nicely framed artwork for $10.00!
Weekly Rotary Trivia: Terry Congdon will test everyone’s memories on the first Wednesday in December, so be sure to read the latest edition of Rotarian Magazine!
Lottery: – Bill Champagne
Gary Young, Rodney Green and Bob Reed drew cards to no avail! President Susy won the cookies that she promptly shared with everyone!
Program:
No program this week
Susy Hurlbert led the Club and all recited the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 12:58pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter