President Lou called the meeting to order.
Cal Lord gave the invocation.
Fellowship … Maria Miranda, displaying a box of tissues. noted that the New Year is being celebrated by many Rotarians with a bout of the flu … enough with this New Year’s virus. Rotarians in the news this week included. soon to be Rotarian Brett Bernardini, Dave Cruthers, Ted Phillips, and Keith Fontaine.
Rotarians with guest
Paul Duevel with Brett Bernardini
Rotarians with Anniversaries
Congratulations and thanks to Jim Dunon and Don Farrington who are celebrating 34 years as Rotarians today and Denny Cambria for 22 years on 1/11.
Rotarians Out & About
- Duncan Stoddard that the Groton-Ledyard Club
- Ralph Learned at the Plainfield Club
Announcements
- President Lou shared with all that Vic Manych was in Hartford Hospital after having had his pacesetter replaced. A card will be sent to him wishing him well.
- Mike Frechette announced the Norwich Public School System would be holding a Focus Forum on education in Norwich on Wednesday, 1/12 at the Kelly Middle School at 5 p.m.
Proposed Membcrsbip Posting:
Name: Brett A. Bernardini
Classification: Performing Arts Productions
Proposer: Dave Cruthers
Note: If there are any objections or comments regarding a proposed member, they must be presented in writing and received by the Club Secretary within ten days.
A thank you… Don Amaro read a thank you letter from the Mother of the family Don had approached us about who was experiencing difficulty this past holiday season. She expressed tremendous gratitude for the Club’s kindness and spoke of what a wonderful Christmas her family had because of it.
Weekly Auction: On behalf of Paul Nicoloro, Sandy auctioned a 6-month membership to the Ramada’s pool that was won by Cal Lord.
Happy Dollars with Al Sholes
- Jerry Silverstein wished everyone a wonderful New Year; Pres. Lou presented Cal Lord with the past president plaque which read, “Clay Ton of Lord, Jr.,” no kidding.
- Brett Bernardini thanked the Norwich Bulletin for its story on Best Productions and the many calls he has received from its readers on how they can become involved;
- Bob Reed wished everyone a happy Y2K, a special thank you to Maria Miranda and gave everyone a heads up that he would be auctioning off 4 lift tickets to Okemo next week;
- Paul Duevel thanked Sherman Bodner for having a digital photograph reproduced so he could put it in the Club’s annual report;
- Joel Etra gave a dollar to wish Vic a speedy recovery and to note that if anyone in the Club holds the relationship between father and daughter sacred, please see him after the meeting to buy a raffle ticket to Hawaii;
- Larry Fowler told of the graciousness of the Marriott Hotel who threw a Christmas Party for all the flight personnel who weren’t able to get home for the holidays;
- Lottie thanked Dave Cruthers and his “germs” for not attending Rotary today and reminded everyone of the upcoming “artwork” in downtown Norwich this coming Friday which is entitled, “Portrait of a Community.
- Matt lsenburg paid $44 to recount the story of his purchase along with Martin Joseph O’Meara of the dealership once owned by Sam Silberman in 1956 and how the purchase contract was on the back of an envelope. Matt has sold his entire ownership in Simon Ford to Jack Morande, so he wished Jack luck and told all Rotarians if they have any compliments or complaints about the dealership they should look up Jack (P.S. Out of curiosity, I asked Matt how large the sales agreement was, thinking it would be 6 inches deep. He noted because of the character of the individuals involved in this agreement Ted was able to keep the document to 2 pages.)
This Week’s Program
Ted Montgomery presented Joan Heffernan, Director of the Norwich Integrated Day School which has received endorsements from the NEA and the CEA. Joan noted the uniqueness of the school’s program and philosophy saying it was developed to work with small groups of children with each child receiving instruction at the appropriate level irrespective of the chronological age of the child. Children of all ages were integrated to stimulate the natural tutoring that occurs between children and that all skills and educationa.1 concepts were integrated i.nto whatever subject matter is being taught The Integrated Day School promotes high levels of parent participation. Joan noted that all families were asked to accept responsibilities for in-school and out-of-school activities and that within each child’s curriculum is a component of community activism. Joan stressed that the school’s teachers were unique in that they gave up their lunch hours to participate in a “family-style” lunch period where children are. ere encouraged to share all aspects of their lives with the teacher. Teachers are also required to make home visits as a means of having the home learning experience compliment the school day.”
Photo by ekusupo 
Photo by joannapoe