Norwich Rotary Club
May 29, 2024
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Gary Young’s Memorial Day Prayer
EVERY YEAR ON THE LAST MONDAY IN MAY
WE TAKE TIME TO OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY
IT’S A TIME TO HONOR THOSE WHO ANSWERED THE CALL
THOSE WHO SACRIFICED AND DIED AND GAVE THEIR ALL
A TIME FOR MOURNING AND PRAYER AND CELEBRATION
A TIME TO HONOR THOSE WHO HELPED US REMAIN A FREE NATION
NOW THE PARADES AND UNIFORMS ARE REALLY COOL
BUT THIS IS MORE THAN A DAY OFF FROM WORK OR SCHOOL
SO WHEN YOU WOKE UP ON THIS MAY TWENTY SEVEN
HOPE YOU REMEMBERED TO THANK OUR LORD UP IN HEAVEN
FOR BLESSING US WITH LIFE THAT IS SAFE AND FREE
FOR THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED FOR YOU AND ME
NOW LET’S 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: Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: Jim Daly – 18 years on May 31
Guests: Molly Bruno introduced Kim Tondreau. Our speaker Anne Stockton from United Way/Gemma Moran Food Center
Visiting Rotarians: None
Susy’s fellowship began with her asking all who served in the military to stand and be recognized. A round of applause was given to Stan Lucas, Gary Young, Rodney Green and Ryan Telford. She said that she watched the PBS Memorial Day special tribute show on Saturday night that took place on the lawn of the US Capitol. Also, Susy paid tribute to one of the greatest US Presidents, Abe Lincoln.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas said the Membership Committee (Stan, Paul, Ryan & Molly) will be meeting in the next few weeks to access the goals and plan for more membership building events. Stan reminded that continued success depends on all our members inviting individuals to join.
Announcements:
President Mary had the following announcements:
The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce is having a Duck Race on June 1st at Fireman’s Park on the Yantic River in Yantic. Buy a duck for $5.00 a Duck for a chance to win cash prizes! Benefits Madonna Place!
Native Son/Daughter Lunch will be on June 5th. The Norwich Rotary Clubs and the Norwich Woman’s City Club announced the 2024 Norwich Native Son is filmmaker Andrew Gernhard of Synthetic Cinema International, LLC. The venue needs a count soon, so buy your tickets NOW! Tickets are $40.00 per person and can be purchased here: https://www.norwichrotaryevents.org/event/norwich-native-son-award-presentation-honoring-andrew-gernhard-2/ If you want to attend, but want to pay at the door let President Mary know and she’ll take care of you.
On June 20th from 1 to 3pm there will be a meal packing event at the United Way/ Gemma Moran Food Center in New London.
The Rose Arts Festival will be on June 29th. Consider volunteering a couple hours at the Rotary tent that day along with our friends from the Sunrise Club and the Rotary Community Corps!
Anyone knows of a Rotarian who has been ill, please let the Sunshine Committee know.
June 9th there will be a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser at Billy Wilson’s, Broadway, Norwich.
September 9th will be this years “Celebrate Cultural Diversity” event. Mark your calendars now!
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.
June 19th will be our Rose Garden Luncheon.
June 26th will be our Change of Command Ceremony. Mary reminded Rodney that he really needs to attend that meeting!
September 4th will be the Annual Golf Tournament! Brochures are at check-in at our noontime lunch. Go get sponsors and golf teams! Mark your calendar now!
June 27th Madonna Place will be holding a fundraiser “Music That Matters” featuring the band SUGAR at Jonathan Edwards Winery. To buy tickets @ $45.00pp here’s the link: https://musicthatmatters2024.eventzilla.net/e/2138608715
Happy Dollars: Nancy Gentes
Nancy welcomed our guests and said she attended a Hooding ceremony for her daughter who earned her Doctorate. It was a proud moment indeed.
Andy Grant welcomed our guest speaker Anne Stockton. He complemented Susy for her great fellowship today. Andy said he remembers a few close friends who died at Memorial Day.
Mike Matera said there will be a food drive at Surplus Unlimited on June 10th. Stop by and donate food for United Way Food Center.
Andy Nollman gave $40.00 saying he will miss next week’s meeting as he will be spending vacation with his wife Lona camping for the week. They are also celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary! He said in the past 20 years so many good things have happened to him. A loving wife, house, successful business just to name a few! He said he’s so thankful things are so good! He’s looking to add another week’s vacation this coming year for a trip to Alaska! He also reported that his mortgage on his home is now totally paid off! That’s something to celebrate for sure!
Bill Champagne said that the phrase “There no free lunch” is not totally true. There is a free meal in Norwich! Bill invited everyone to come to a presentation tonight that’s being sponsored by the Norwich Race Equity Committee at NFA at 5:15pm. Free food will be served at the presentation! He also said that he told his wife Patrice that today is certainly one of the 10 best days of the year. She told him that he always says that! Bill said that he will up is term “20 best days” from now on!
Jeff Brining congratulated Andrew. He skied last week in upstate New York believe it or not. He happy to have half of his sailboat buffed out and hopes to get it launched soon!
Pat Marshall told a very heart-warming story about her uncle who served in WW II in Germany. He’s was missing in action until last year when his bones were discovered by a couple of farmers and DNA identified it was her uncle who was shot down. His remains were brought back with full military honors and buried in Massachusetts.
Mandy Crispim was happy to report that the doctor has cleared her to start her workouts seeing as she has recovered fully from surgery that took place earlier this year
Weekly Auction: Kevin Wickless auctioned off a bottle of Rose! Susy Hurlbert was the high bidder at $15.00!
Lottery: Kathryn Tracey
Andy Grant, Mary Richardson & Bob Reed could not find the Ace of Spades!
No Barry’s Cookies this week!
Program: President Mary introduced Anne Stockton, VP of the Gemma Moran United Way/Labor Food Center. Anne gave a history of how the food center was established. In 1988, the community recognized that area shelters, pantries, soup kitchens and child care centers needed a center to purchase food in bulk. As a result, the United Way Labor Department Food Center was initiated. Today, the food center, known as the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, distributes food and household items to a network of local member food distribution sites including shelters, child care programs, community meal sites, pantries, programs for seniors. The Food Bank also operates a Mobile Pantry that has ten monthly distribution sites throughout the county. For further information and how you can help or donate log on to https://www.uwsect.org/gemma-e-moran-united-waylabor-food-center-1
The 4-Way Test was led by Bonnie Johnson and the meeting was adjourned at 1:10pm.