Norwich Rotary Club
January 8, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: Steve Martin filling in for President Rodney Green
Invocation: Mandy Crispim
Fellowship: Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: Kelly Whipple – Jan. 2nd and Ryan Telford Jan. 3rd
Anniversaries: Bob Reed – Jan. 1 – 34 Years
Guests: None.
Visiting Rotarians: None.
Susy’s fellowship started with some New Year’s Trivia that included a few jokes, resolutions and Times Square celebrations facts. She finished up by asking Rotarians “What was the first piece of advice you remember getting?” Susy then called all in attendance to answer the question. Lots of great answers came forth of good advice that still ring true today!
Membership Minute: Paul Gaffney
Paul reminded all that we should talk about Rotary and invite our family, friends, business associates and anyone else we come in contact with to come to a lunch with the club. Always keep Rotary top of mind and share the Spirit of Rotary with everyone.
Announcements:
The Clock Tower Project is in full swing and is halfway paid for. The Rotary website has been updated with current pledge forms and Rotarians and anyone else can get their pledges in by February 28th to be included in naming opportunities on the clock. Installation will hopefully be in April or very soon thereafter.
Nancy Gentes reminded that the application window for Rotary Grants is now through May 15th. Applications can be found on the Norwich Rotary website.
Please bring spare clean egg cartons and give them to Bonnie Johnson.
If you know of a speaker for one of our meetings, please contact Kevin Wickless or Alexis Kahn to get on the schedule.
If there is a Rotarian who is sick or going through a tough time let the Sunshine Committee know and contact Mary Richardson or Nancy Gentes.
Happy Dollars: Molly Bruno
Molly said she is looking forward to a well-deserved vacation after finishing her year as President of ECAR.
Bob Reed said he enjoyed the holidays out on a very cold and barren Block Island that included a dip in the ocean on New Year’s Day. A happy dollar was also given in honor of former Norwich Rotarian Bob Farwell. Bob said be bumped into Bob Farwell on the ferry ride home. Bob came out of retirement to serve as Executive Director of the Island Free Library on Block Island. Bob send’s his best to everyone at Norwich Rotary.
Jeff Brining said he enjoyed skiing over the holiday’s with his family. He was also happy to report that an employee at NPU is doing well and expected to make a full recovery after a boiler accident at the sewer treatment plant.
Roz Etra said she was late to Rotary as she couldn’t find her car keys! She even looked in her freezer! She also had fun shopping at Kohl’s with her grandchildren.
Steve Martin spent some of the holidays in Pittsburgh that included a Steelers game!
Pat Marshall is glad to be back after the holidays and get on a regular schedule again. She had fun meeting her son and her 12 year old grandchild in New Haven to have lunch at Pepe’s Pizza and share 12 wrapped gifts for her grandchild from 5 Below. Unwrapping the gifts ended up being more fun than the actual gifts! She said to enjoy the simple things as they mean a lot!
Susy Hurlbert gave $20.00 to thank Molly Bruno for being one of the best Presidents that ECAR has ever had. She said Molly too humble to toot her own horn and she appreciated all of Molly’s hard work during her term! Susy also congratulated Bob Reed on 34 years in Rotary.
Barry Shead enjoyed eating Shepard’s Pie at an Irish restaurant in Putnam. Oddly enough the place also served Chinese food that some of his family indulged in. Barry also attended the Wasabi/Fenway Bowl football game with his son in Boston between UConn and North Carolina. Wasabi is the name of the tech company sponsor and not just a condiment!
Auction: No auction today.
Lottery: Nancy Johnson
Tom Adams, Gary Young and Susy Hurlbert did not find the Ace of Spades! Susy did come out a winner as her number was drawn for Barry’s ARC Cookies that she shared with everyone.
Program: No Program today.
Steve led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 12:50pm.