Rotary Club of Norwich
May 26th, 2021
Location-The Courtyard & Zoom
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Gary Young gave an inspiring invocation on a moment’s notice!
Fellowship: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: Mike Matera – May 27th
Anniversaries: Jim Daly – May 31st
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Gary Young introduced Jamie Gillander of Commercial Realty Group
Nancy gave a very interesting fellowship about little known facts about bees. Did you know there are over 20,000 species of bees, however only 10 make honey? Bees are gold blooded. Bees fan their wings to cool down a hot hive. Bees cross pollinate and help all our food grow. Bees are affected by the globe warming up. Bees can remember human faces, so you better be nice and help the bees thrive!
Announcements:
*Mary Richardson had the following announcements:
*Jim Daly was called up to the front to get his Paul Harris +2! Congratulations Jim!
*Andy Nollman thanked the committee chairman for signing up again to help him during his 2nd go round as President in 2021/2022! We need to concentrate on Membership in the next year to grow the club to the pre Covid levels!
Nancy Gentes reported that there are 14 grant applications in the pipeline and her committee will meet to review and choose what ones qualify.
*If you know of anyone who would be a good speaker at one of our Rotary Meetings contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless. Speakers can be done virtual (ZOOM) as well if needed.
*Gary Young reminded us that the Rotary Golf Tournament will be on September 1st.
*The $5,000 is now in hand to purchase the 25,000 diapers and an order will be places when it is determined who can accommodate the order and give the best price. Mike Matera will receive the order and members will package and distribute.
*A luncheon at the Rose Garden will be explored and in the next few weeks it may happen. Stay tuned.
*Suki gave an update on the carnival and it was voted to choose the June 23-27 dates for the carnival. She will work on trying to get it back to the harbor and not at the viaduct parking lot.
*Change of Command will be held at our regular weekly meeting on June 23rd.
Happy Dollars: Nancy Gentes
*Nancy started things off with saying she had a good weekend seeing her 3 children who are now all vaccinated!
*Andy Nollman was happy to see Mike Matera back and welcomed Jamie Gillander.
*Bill Champagne reminded the club that May 25 was the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and the Norwich Race Equity Committee met and he said it was determined that some progress has been made, but there is a long way to go still.
*Gary Young welcomed Jamie to the meeting and congratulated Jim Daly on his Paul Harris +2!
*Mike Matera is glad to be back at the in person meetings and happy to see everyone. He said that both the new sores in Norwich are now open and that his sister is now engaged to be married sometime next year!
*Mike Cooney said that both his kids missed their little league games due to illness. He still coached their team to a 20 to 5 victory! He also brought his family to the new Red Sox Single A stadium in Worchester and had a nice time one they found seats where the entire family could see.
*Mary Richardson welcomed Jamie to the meeting and said she has planted “Pollinating Pathway Gardens” that attract and preserve bees on their migrating journeys.
Auction: No Auction.
Lottery: Susy Hurlbert (Twice!) & Jamie Gillander drew cards to no avail.
Program: Gary Young brought the putting machine for members to try 3 balls for $10.00 to raise money for the Golf Tournament. Susy Hurlbert filmed Gary and Barry’s “Yankee/Red Sox skit from last week and it can be seen at this YouTube link!
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter