Norwich Rotary Club
March 19, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: Mary Richardson filling in for President Rodney
Invocation: Cara Westcott
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Cary Trantalis 3/22
Anniversaries: Andrew Nollman – Today! – 15 Years
Guests: Mary Richardson introduced Deb Kievits from Bully Busters. Barry Shead introduced Liz Cooke
Visiting Rotarians: Former Norwich Rotarian Keith Caplet
Barry’s gave a talk on is recent vacation to Ft. Myers, FL. One of the interesting stops on his visit was the Thomas Edison Museum. It’s a nice property on the water where Edison spent the winters with his friend Henry Ford who built a house next door. Edison built a lab there so he could keep working inventing things when away from New Jersey. Some interesting facts include that Edison had over 1,000 patents. Upon losing his hearing when Edison proposed to his 2nd wife he did it by Morse code! Barry also gave a few Edison antidotes that included that Edison’s phonograph only had one volume control that was loud! The term “Put a sock in it!” came from Edison placing a sock in the speaker to muffle the volume.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION: Michael Vaz
Mary Richardson called up Membership Chairman Stan Lucas and Margarita Martins-Querido to the dais to induct our latest member to the club. Stan turned the lectern over to Margarita who is Michael Vaz’s sponsor. Margarita gave a brief history of Michael’s background. Michael is the Executive Director of Thames River Community Service. Welcome to Norwich Rotary Michael!
NEW MEMBER POSTING: Liz Cooke – 2nd posting
Announcements:
The Native Son/Daughter nominations are now closed and many good prospects were submitted. The committee will meet next week to pick the recipient for the June 6th Award Luncheon.
Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event (or Andrew Nollman’s excellent party!) will be May 7th from 6pm to 8pm at Bella Fiore. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com for $75.00pp. Includes Dinner Buffet, Tastings, Cigars and a really great silent Auction! This will sell out for sure! Don’t wait and get your tickets now! A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Serviceperson of the Month will be coming up soon, but the exact date is being determined. Stay tuned.
There is still time to donate to the Clock Tower Project. The Rotary website has been updated with current pledge forms and Rotarians and anyone else can get their pledges in by the end of March to be included in naming opportunities on the clock. Installation will hopefully be in April or very soon thereafter.
Rotary Grants are 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.
The Rotary Day of Service will happen on May 17th. More details will follow soon. 30,000 meals packed is the goal for this year!
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.
Rotary Golf will be September 3rd. Get your 4somes together as well as sponsors!
Happy Dollars: Jen Granger
Jen Welcomed Cara Westcott and Keith Caplet! She is planning a trip to Amsterdam in April with her sister-in-law. She’s beginning to think that a week will not be enough time to do all the great things she wants to do there.
Roz Etra said there is a great school chorus tonight a Kelly Middle School and encouraged all to attend.
Pat Marshall said that Laura Hobart’s memorial tribute last Saturday was very nice and heartwarming. Joyce Werden writers group gave her an assignment in February 2024 to interview someone she found interesting; Joyce interviewed Laura when she was a resident at the Norwichtown Rehab Care Center. Laura wanted the comments of the interview read at her memorial service that Pat did as Joyce was unable to attend the service. Some of Laura’s comments about her life included the following. You have been through tough times? “As a child, my mother taught me and my siblings coping strategies to deal with an abusive father. I also developed the ability to dissociate myself psychologically from the situation.” What were the high points in your life? “My third marriage, I finally got it right! The birth of my grandson. Raising money to better others, especially as a volunteer, even before I retired from doing it in my work. ”How did Laura want to be remembered? “That I served others.”
Bill Champagne went to the movie “Origin” at The Garde Arts Center. The Executive Director Steve Segal’s wife was celebrating her birthday that day and Steve asked the theatre to sing Happy Birthday. Roz Etra took the stage and directed the audience of hundreds and they all sang Jeanne the Birthday Song! He also congratulated the Matera Family on their being honored for their good work at the Greater Norwich Chamber’s Annual awards at Foxwoods.
Andy Nollman thanks Ryan Telford for all his help in planning the Whiskey event. His mom is celebrating her 82 birthday this weekend! Andrew also delivered the sad news that Brian Kobylarz died last week and a service will be taking place on Sunday March 23rd from 1 to 3pm at Cummings Funeral Home, Cliff Street in Norwich.
Mary Richardson welcomed Deb and introduced her to make an announcement about a fundraiser the Bully Busters are having at Billy Wilson’s Aging Still. This Sunday morning there will be a Pancake Breakfast at Billy Wilson’s. Come support a great cause!
Cara Westcott donated a box of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. Thin Mints are the most popular!
Michael Vaz thanked everyone for the warm welcome to Rotary. He said that Thames River Community Service is having a fundraiser at the Port and Starboard Room at Ocean Beach on May 8th. Go to www.trfp.org for tickets. The Tom Hyland Community Service Award will also be presented that evening.
Auction: Barry Shead donated $20.00!
Lottery: Barry Shead
Stan Lucas, Bill Champagne and Gary Young could not find the Ace of Spades. Barry’s ARC cookies were won by Tom Adams and the Thin Mints were won by Pat Marshall!
Program: No Program today.
Andrew Nollman lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:02pm.