Norwich Rotary Club
October 5th, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Terry Congdon
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: Mike Gordon – 10/8 and Paul Blanchard – 10/11
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: Hope Looney – Branford North and Mary Ann Stroup – Branford North
Guests: Dr. Ralph Stroup
Ray entertained with a selection of last minute Fall related puns he pulled off the internet! He said he left his first string puns in his car that was off getting repaired! The second string puns brought both cheers and groans, but mostly smiles!
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*October 11th will be the wrap-up meeting for the Cultural Diversity Event.
*The ARC Road Race will took place on Sunday October 2nd at Camp Harkness. The 5K Run/Walk was attended by Norwich Rotarians Susy Hurlbert, Molly Bruno and Barry Shead.
*The Dictionary Project will most likely take place in late October and volunteers are needed to deliver the dictionaries to the schools. Stay tuned for more information.
*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 Liberty Bank Challenge to support the residents of Swartz Manor during Thanksgiving is now going on. Please give no less than $20.00 during Happy Dollars to support the cause.
Happy Dollars: – Nancy Gentes
*Nancy gave $40.00 to kick off the Liberty Bank Challenge!
*Bill Champagne gave $20.00 happy dollars to promote the Race equity Committee and the upcoming lecture by Bridget Brown on Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions on Wednesday, October 19th at 6pm at 3 Rivers. The Last Green Valley “Walktober” events are now taking place in the 35 towns that encompass the Last Green Valley. Bill will be conducting the Uncas Leap walk in Norwich.
*Kevin Wickless said he was liking the Court by Appointment.
*Terry Congdon enjoyed her 2 weeks in Hawaii, but not the 5:15am Rotary Club Meeting there! Little early!
*Mary Richardson gave $40.00 for the Liberty Bank Challenge in honor of Barry Shead and Deb Monahan.
*Barry Shead gave $20.00 and reported that he was second to last in the ARC Strides Road Race! He walked the 5K in one hour and seven minutes. Susy Hurlbert came in last at one hour and 8 minutes! He said he learned more about real estate than he thought possible walking with Susy and Molly Bruno!
*Mike Cooney remembered running in the Boston Doyle Pub 5K a few years back along with world class runners. He also took his son’s scout troop on a hike Sunday.
*Bonnie Johnson said she enjoyed her month long vacation to Arizona, California and Hawaii. She went zip lining! Unfortunately upon return she found out that their boat that was kept in Ft. Myers Florida is missing. Maybe a victim of the recent hurricane down there.
*Jim Daly just returned from a fantastic vacation out west and said that the Grand Canyon is more grand that pictures make it out to be. One has to see it to believe how spectacular it really is.
*Hope Looney was happy to be visiting today and is happy to be doing Rotary projects in Kenya.
*Susy Hurlbert reported she’s been very busy interviewing 20 applicants for the Business Manager position at ECAR.
*Alexis Kahn said there is a fundraiser event to benefit the Waterford Country School on the 11th at 4:30pm.
Auction:
Mary Richardson auctioned off a couple of pumpkins! Kevin Wickless was the high bidder at $20.00!
Weekly Rotary Trivia: Terry Congdon asked a few questions to test members if they read the latest issue of Rotarian magazine. Where was Jennifer Jones in August? Pakistan. What day is World Polio Day? October 24th. A Rotary Clun in Scotland recycles what to make toys for children? Whisky barrels!
Lottery: – Bonnie Johnson
Bill Champagne, Mary Richardson & Jim Daly did not find the Ace of Spades! Visiting Rotarian Hope Looney won the cookies!
Program:
Susy Hurlbert introduced Branford Rotarians Hope Looney and Mary Ann Stroup to discuss their project in Kenya and the Global Grants that help support it. They gave a presentation on the project that includes schools and libraries in Kenya and asked our club to consider support the project. The project still needs $50,000 to fund the existing planned project. The North Branford club has pledged $5,000.00. Their hope is to get all the clubs in our district to help fund the latest plan.
Susy Hurlbert led the Club and all recited the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter