Norwich Rotary Club
December 21st, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Gary Young filling in for Barry Shead
ON THIS 21ST DAY OF DECEMBER
THERE’S ONE THING WE SHOULD ALL REMEMBER
THAT WE’RE TOO OLD TO GET GAMES AND TOYS
BUT WE SHOULD STILL BE GOOD GIRLS AND BOYS
WE SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH AND ALWAYS BE FAIR
WE SHOULD LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR-BE WILLING TO SHARE
WE SHOULD ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE
BEING KIND TO STRANGERS-MAKING EVERYONE SMILE
THIS YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU HEAR ME TALK
THAT THIS PATH IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO WALK
IT REQUIRES SELF CONTROL AND A WILLING HEART
BUT IF YOU CALL ON THE LORD-HE’LL HELP YOU DO YOUR PART
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: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: None!
Anniversaries: Bill Champagne-38 years!
Visiting Rotarians: None.
Guests: None!
Nancy told another story of one of CNN’s 2022 Hero Award winners Carie Broecker. Having a dog has been shown to improve the quality of life for senior citizens, increasing their activity and socialization. But what happens as the senior ages and it becomes more challenging to care for their pet? Carie Broecker learned about this issue more than a decade ago while helping to care for an elderly woman’s dog. Broecker and the woman, Alice, had met five years earlier, when Alice adopted the dog Broecker was fostering. After Alice developed emphysema, she reached out to Broecker for help. Broecker took care of the dog, Savannah, while Alice was at medical appointments. When Alice was later moved to hospice, Broecker would bring the dog to visit. During Alice’s final days, her biggest worry was what would happen to her dog after she passed. “I said I promise I will make sure that Savannah finds a good home,” Broecker said. “She was so relieved that I could make that promise to her.” After leaving that visit with Alice, Broecker came up with an idea that would become her life’s work. “I remember it clear as day,” Broecker said. “The whole concept of Peace of Mind Dog Rescue came to me: the name, and that we would take in dogs from senior citizens who were dying.” Broecker co-founded the nonprofit with Monica Rua, who also worked in animal rescue and added the idea of rescuing senior dogs from shelters. In 2009, Peace of Mind Dog Rescue was born. The organization takes dogs from senior citizens who are no longer able to care for them, have gone into a nursing home or have passed away. Many times, it’s family members who contact the organization to surrender their aging family member’s dog. To date, the organization has helped 2,000 senior citizens and found homes for nearly 3,000 dogs. For Broecker, this work is about allowing seniors to pass through the final phase of their lives with dignity.
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*There will be no meeting on Wednesday the 28th!
*Susy and Carrie from the morning club met with the Public Works to get the approval for the proposed Rotary Clock. Permiting seems to be no problem and approval from the Harbor Management Committee is next on the list. Final approval will be in February when presented to the City Council. Public Works made it clear that they want nothing to do with maintaining the clock once installed. Annual maintenance costs are estimated to be around $695.00.
*Susy said she was hoping Kindness Gardens will be purchased by all the Norwich Schools. Still no response from the Superintendent’s office.
*Rotarians are encouraged to please invite prospective members for lunch and introduce them to the world of Rotary.
Happy Dollars: – Nancy Gentes
*Nancy started things wishing everyone Happy Holidays!
*Bill Champagne said he will give a dollar next meeting for every year he has been a member of Rotary. He had a sad dollar for the death of former Steelers player Franco Harris passing today. The Steelers were going to retire his number this weekend and sadly Franco won’t be there to see it.
*Roz Etra said she was happy she and Joel were able to attend today’s meeting. She wished Gary Young a happy wedding anniversary. She wished everyone a Happy Hanukah and passed out Dreidels for everyone!
*Gary Young was happy that he won his tennis matches the night before. He also thanked his wife Romer for putting up with him for 48 years as today December 21st is their wedding anniversary!
*Kathleen Tracey whished everyone Happy Holidays. She also reported that fellow Rotarian Jay Waitte just underwent triple bypass surgery and is recovering very well.
*Jeff Bruning had a wonderful weekend skiing with both his son and father in the mountains of upstate New York. 30 inches of snow is a skier’s idea of heaven and they had plenty of snow!
Auction:
Alexis Kahn sadly has Covid and could not attend today’s meeting. Get well soon!
Weekly Rotary Trivia: Terry Congdon reminded Rotarians to read their Rotarian magazine as there will be a test on the first Wednesday in January!
Lottery: – Kathryn Tracey
Rodney Green, Mike Matera & Susy Hurlbert drew cards and did not find the allusive Ace of Spades!
Program: The program today was a Yankee Swap. Many laughs were exchanged as gifts, especially the Lottery Tickets, changed hands a number of times! Bob Reed who had the first number could trade his bag of Caramel popcorn for any of the gifts at the end and chose to trade his pick for a digital oven thermometer so he could cook is prime rib over the holidays!
*****Harvey from Bella Fiore gave everyone at today’s meeting a bottle of wine to take home as a gift! The club then sang him a rousing rendition of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow!” Thank you Harvey!!
President Susy led the Club and all recited the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 12:59pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter