Norwich Rotary Club
May 22nd, 2024
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Rodney Green
Fellowship: Pat Marshall filling in for Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: Andy Grant, May 24th and Mike Matera, May 27th
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Molly Bruno introduced Kim Tondreau and Kelly Whipple introduced Kiana O’Brien
Visiting Rotarians: None
Pat told a few stories. Her older sister died recently and she spent time with much of her family. While driving with her son on the New Jersey Turnpike she had a scary ride as his car is so high tech it drives without putting your hand on the steering wheel! She was happy to have won the raffle at the recent Rotary Whiskey, Wine & Cigar event. She did not smoke any cigars but she did enjoy a cigarette with the guys outside! Pat also brought up a good idea she saw that the New London Rotary Club is doing with yard signs throughout New London saying “Be Kind” along with the Rotary wheel logo. She’s thinks it’s a great idea that we should adopt.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas said the old children’s TV personality Mr. Rogers used to have a word of the day. He said our word on the day is “Determination!” Be sure to ask a prospective guest to a Rotary lunch and don’t give up! They have to eat lunch anyway and attending one of our lunch meeting’s will more than likely make them want to join our club. Persistence pays off!
Announcements:
President Mary had the following announcements:
The Rotary “Day of Service” was held this past Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Gales Ferry. 6 Rotarians from our club helped package 22,000 meals for the Gemma Moran Food Center. Our volunteers mostly packed Mac & Cheese and Oatmeal.
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! See Kathryn Tracy for Duck Tickets!
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/
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.
September 9th will be this years “Celebrate Cultural Diversity” event. Mark your calendars now!
Please bring spare clean egg cartons 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.
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: Mike Matera
Mike welcomed our new members and guests. He had a sad dollar for his very poor performance at this year’s Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. He had Happy Dollars that his boat is finally in the water and had a good story of meeting Sid Frank who was famous for developing Grey Goose Vodka and Jagermeister.
Kevin Wickless said he enjoyed Pete’s Wicked Ale years back and was happy that the founder Pete Slosberg was honored as Norwich Native Son back in 1999. He welcomed Kim and Kelly and thanked Andrew Nollman for the great Whiskey, Wine & Cigar event.
Cristin Wickless said she enjoyed a graduation celebration for her step-daughter Maddie in Vermont.
Mike Cooney said his daughter Katie’s baseball team has been struggling this season but is daughter is batting 500! She hit a walk off single to with last week’s game and they have won 2 games since then! Also, a tale of a fishing her fishing rod failing and floating down the river was shared.
Jen Granger was at a conference in New Orleans last week and was able to spend some time with her sister and visit the virtual Monet Exhibit that put you inside his paintings. Jen highly recommends seeing it if you have the opportunity.
Bonnie Johnson said thank you to all who helped deliver meals and egg cartons. She was on a 3 week vacation and had great weather. Her boat that was damaged in a hurricane has finally been fixed and is ready to use!
Pat Marshall said thank you to everyone for making her feel so welcome.
Mike Goldblatt said he wished he had all of Pat’s energy! He’s also working on an open house that will feature most of his pre-war cares.
Paul Gaffney welcomed the new members and guests. He’s happy to report that his wife is now able to start golfing again after her surgery a few months back. Also, his grandson had a great freshman season playing baseball at NFA. He’s looking forward to next year when he’ll be playing on the JV or Varsity team.
Margarida Martins-Querido said she had a great time volunteering at the food packing event on Saturday.
Weekly Auction: Cara Westcott. Next week.
Lottery: Kathryn Tracey
Steve Martin, Mike Matera and Mary Richardson could not find the Ace of Spades!
Barry’s Cookies were won by Rodney Green!
Program: No program today.
The 4-Way Test was led by Bonnie Johnson (she’s back!) and the meeting was adjourned at 12:58pm.