Norwich Rotary Club
June 21st, 2023
Location-Norwich Rose Garden
THE RONE
Presiding: Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Gary Young
LIFE IS FAST AND BUSY – ALWAYS A HECTIC PACE
SEEMS LIKE WE ARE ALL STUCK IN OUR OWN RAT RACE
BUT TODAY WE GIVE GOD THANKS FOR HE SHOWS US
THAT IT’S GOOD TO SLOW DOWN AND SMELL THE ROSES
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR A ROTARY MEETING
IT’S AMAZING WE ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH SEATING
WHAT A SPECIAL PLACE TO GET TOGETHER
WITH THE LORD’S HELP WE ALWAYS DODGE THE BAD WEATHER
AND WHILE IT’S NICE TO LISTEN TO POEMS AND RHYMES
IT’S BETTER EATING FOOD PREPARED BY OLDE THYMES
AND HAVING A A BIG OLD CAKE IS REALLY SWELL
AS WE BID SO LONG TO OUR FRIEND BOB FARWELL
ONE THING ABOUT BOB – AND THIS IS NO JOKE
I COULD ONLY UNDERSTAND EVERY OTHER WORD HE SPOKE
NOW WE 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: Bob Farwell
Bob gave his final fellowship as he has retired from Otis Library and now the Norwich Rotary Club. His farewell remarks was a poem by Humbert Wolfe “The Grey Squirrel.”
The Grey Squirrel
Like a small grey
coffee-pot,
sits the squirrel.
He is not
all he should be,
kills by dozens
trees, and eats
his red-brown cousins.
The keeper on the
other hand,
who shot him, is
a Christian, and
loves his enemies,
which shows
the squirrel was not
one of those.
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Andy Grant brought his most important employee Sonia and Rodney Green welcomed his wife Lucille. Mike Cooney brought his daughter Katie.
Announcements:
Susy had the following announcements:
*The Change of Command will take place at the June 28th meeting. Make every effort to attend and welcome back Mary Richardson as President as well as thank Susy Hurlbert for her successful year President!
*Golf Tournament will be September 6th this year! Only $150pp per golfer. One of the cheaper tournaments to take part in this season! Gary said there is still a need for volunteers, golfers, sponsors and prizes.
*Rotarians are encouraged to please invite prospective members for lunch and introduce them to the world of Rotary.
*Speakers wanted for our meetings. If you have an idea for a good guest speaker contact Kevin Wickless or Mary Richardson to get one on the schedule.
Happy Dollars: – Andy Grant
*Andy welcomed Sonia and wishes Bob Farwell the best in retirement and loved the poem.
*Bill Champagne had not expected to make today’s meeting but when he heard there would be chocolate cake for Bob’s send-off he made sure he was here!
*Rodney Green welcomed his wife Lucille. He also reminded us that the mortgage is now paid in full at the Chestnut Street Playhouse! The good news kept coming as the theatre was also awarded another grant that will keep the theatre in the black! He promised to stick around to make sure the money will be managed prudently.
*Mike Cooney’s daughter gave a dollar to say she was looking forward to attending scout camp this summer!
*Andy Nollamn had Happy Dollars to wish Bob Farwell the best and for Rodney’s great news about the Chestnut Street Playhouse. He spent a great Father’s Day with his family. Andy also way happy to report that the Horse Power Cigar Lounge had a $300.00 donation to the club as a result of the cigar sales at the Whisky and Cigar event that took place earlier this year.
*Mike Matera gave to wish Bob a happy retirement.
*Jay Waitte wished Bob a happy retirement and was happy about Rodney’s good news. He also visited his son in Colorado and while there he learned that his son loaned Jay’s home to a visiting military pilot. Then Jay found out that the pilot was a “NAVY” pilot and not an Air Force one. He gave his son a good natured lecture!
Auction: Bob Reed auctioned off 2 round trip tickets for the Block Island Express between New London and BI. After some spirited bidding Andy Grant bid $100.00 which brought the gavel down right away! Thanks Andy!
Monthly Rotary Trivia: Stay Tuned.
Lottery: – No Lottery today.
Program:
Everyone in attendance wished Bob Farwell goodbye with chocolate cake (Bob’s favorite) and enjoyed the ambience of the beautiful Rose Garden that is in full bloom! Thank you Rodney for the excellent outdoor buffet he provided from Olde Tymes Catering. The brisket was to die for as usual!
President Susy led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned 12:37pm