Norwich Rotary Club
October 11th, 2023
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: Mary Richardson
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Ray began Fellowship with announcing Paul Blanchard will be celebrating a birthday today and Jeff Brining on the 18th. No Rotarian anniversaries this week. Rotarian’s with guests featured the following. Guests this week – Bill Champagne introduced Pat Marshall from Norwichtown Rehab. A somewhat resounding rendition of the Rotary “Welcome Song” followed. Ray then proceeded with some excellent puns that as always were well received. “When I moved into a new Igloo my friends threw me a housewarming party…..now I’m homeless!” You get the picture!
Membership Minute
Molly Bruno passed out a sheet with information on how to register yourself and a guest to next week meeting on the 18th that will take place at Mike Goldblatt’s residence at 63 Sherwood Lane in Norwich. The meeting will be there rain or shine and everyone is asked to wear orange to show support for “Unity Day.” Please respond by Monday the 16th so a count can be given for the number of lunches to be ordered. Price will be the usual $20.00.
Announcements:
The Board met before the meeting today and approved Pat Marshall’s application for membership.
The Happy Dollars “Turkey Drive” is continuing and will go through November 13th. All monies raised will benefit the residents of Schwartz Manor in Norwich. Please give generously.
The October 18th weekly meeting will be a special off site meeting. Rotarian Mike Goldblatt will be opening his residence at 63 Sherwood Lane in Norwich to enjoy a catered lunch and view his collection of antique cars. Members are asked to wear orange that day in honor of “Unity Day” and feel free to bring a guest. Bring your old car if you have one! Cost is $20.00 pp.
The Annual Madonna Place Trivial Pursuit Challenge will be on November 3rd at the Bozrah Moose Club. The club is looking for 8 people to fill out a team. The team will be called “The Red Hot Trivia Peppers!”
President Mary read a thank you note for Beth Baris from DNEC thanking the Happy Dollars committee for their donation that helped fix a van to become wheelchair accessible.
Jen Granger reported that her committee for the Dictionary Project is finalizing a count of 3rd graders and expect to be delivering the dictionaries to the schools in November. Stay tuned for more information to follow.
Roz Etra informed the Board that Joel has unfortunately hit another rough patch health-wise and is currently at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Please keep Joel and Roz in your thoughts and prayers.
Happy Dollars: Jen Granger
*Jen said she is experiencing her first cold in 3 years.
*Mike Matera had happy dollars to tell the story of a trip to Tampa to help his nephew move back to Connecticut. The weather was pretty good to start. Unfortunately they overloaded the truck and had to get a bigger one and load all over again! At one of the weigh stations on the Florida/Georgia line the weigh station attendant came out of the booth and instead of a hassle they were expecting the attendant just wanted to know how was the veteran! Mike said he never experienced a Buc-ee’s Convenience Store. It’s something to be seen! Also his nephew’s dog helped keep everyone awake for the drive with plenty of licks! They make the trip in 24 hours straight.
*Andy Grant told a story of remembering where he was when he learned of JFK’s assignation and when Reagan got shot. He also met an old football chum from high school and realized that his old friend John McDonald was in the same bar.
*Jeff Brining is happy to be back after missing a few meetings. He talked his daughter into trying out for Cross Country which she was not too keen on. Well, she just qualified for the state championships. She thanked him for urging her to try out! Jeff also took his sailboat out for a fall sail singlehanded! Has such a nice time he came back in when it was dark!
*Kathryn Tracey gave to wish Joel a quick recovery. She also spent a weekend in Vermont with an old friend and she can’t remember the last time she laughed so much!
*Ray Baribeault wished everyone a nice day!
*Pat Marshall said she does her best to be empathetic with all she comes in contact with.
*Bob Reed gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and another fiver to wish Joel a speedy recovery.
Weekly Auction: Jeff Brining gave $20.00. Then he auctioned off a jar of Jam and a Rotary Cookbook. Ray Baribeault was the high bidder!
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Andy Grant, Molly Bruno and Mary Richardson drew card and failed to find the Ace of Spades. Barry Shead won his own cookies ARC Cookies which he shared with all who wanted a cookie!
Program: No program today.
President Mary called on Bonnie Johnson to lead all Rotarians at the meeting to recite the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 12:55pm
***New Member Posting*** The Board has approved the application of Pat Marshall from Norwichtown Rehab for membership. If any member has any objection, please contact President Mary or any member of the Board.