Norwich Rotary Club
February 19, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Cara Westcott
Area Asst. DG, Sam Roudebush, who was visiting from the Ledyard Club reminded everyone of some district events that were coming up. The 4-Way Test Speech Contest will take place on March 22nd. There will be a dinner hosted sponsored by the New London Rotary on February 26th to benefit the Haitian Health Foundation at The Favorite Bistro, Bank Street in New London. 6pm. The Rotary Day of Service will be on May 17th at the Rose City Senior Center. The goal this year is to pack 30,000 meals. All are welcome to help. RYLA will be hosting 60 high school students for a 3 day conference on May 2-3-4. $375 to sponsor a student and he hopes our club will sponsor. PEL (formerly PETS) will take place March 7th and 8th. The district will pay the conference fee as well a night hotel for anyone the club would like to send. Let Rodney know if you are interested.
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: Carolyn Trantalis – 2/22-1 year and Cara Westcott – 2/22-1 year
Guests: Andrew Nollman introduced Atalia Champalath. Bill Champagne introduced Quincy Clayton. Molly Bruno introduced Max Satti and Stan Lucas introduced our guest speakers Kim Sylvia and Ornet Hines.
Visiting Rotarians: Sam Roudebush-ADG from Ledyard
The club sang the “old” version of the welcome song.
Ray continued Fellowship with his usual Puns! “Somebody called my phone, sneezed and coughed and then hung up! I’m sick of these cold calls!”
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan encouraged members who wrote down prospects to follow up in the next couple weeks and invite them to a Rotary Lunch Meeting! Bring business contacts and friends to a meeting! Keep up the good work. We have 15 members who are new with less than a year in the club!
Announcements:
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 February 28th 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.
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.
**New Member Postings**: Sean Spatafora of Crystal Restoration, LLC – 2nd Posting. If any member has objection please talk to President Rodney or any member of the Board.
Happy Dollars: Mike Matera
Mike started things off with another story of the famous Cohen brothers, Alfred and Alex. He knew them in the 1960’s where his father bought the giant cowboy from Alex’s old trolley barn. The cowboy then became a beacon in front of Surplus Unlimited!
Cara Westcott passed around a signup sheet for the St. Patrick’s Parade that will take place in Downtown Norwich on March 2nd. If you care to march gather at Noon behind the Otis Library. Mike Goldblatt will be loaning 2 of his classic cars!
Molly Bruno is looking forward to be away for a 10 day vacation! She welcomed Max and Ornet. She also told a story of how she damaged her engagement ring and the stone fell out. Thankfully she was able to get it repaired without having to spend a fortune.
Stan Lucas welcomed our guests. He’s looking forward to skiing tomorrow at Berkshire East. He was happy to receive a free season pass for his 80th birthday! He’s taking his grandson who is super excited to go. Stan also thanked Mike Matera for his “Service Above Self” helping his daughter Anna with fixtures for her new Boutique and Salon. Mike had everything she needed in his basement at Surplus Unlimited!
Steve Martin gave $40.00 for a great vacation that concluded with witnessing the kickoff to the auto racing season at Daytona!
Bill Champagne said that the Garde Theatre in New London is running the movie Origin on February 27th. Tickets are free but you must register in advance for your seat. https://gardearts.org/events/
Alexis Kahn said she keeps rescuing animals and now has a new dog!
Margarita Martins-Querido said she had a great time last year at the St. Patrick’s Parade. She is also proud of her children who are excelling at their chosen professions. The only down side is she doesn’t get to see them in person enough.
Pat Marshall had happy dollars to say she left her dog at work and better get going as he doesn’t like to be alone!
Rodney Green said that Alex Cohen did sell some of the stuff he had in the trolley barn. Some of the lighting fixtures at Olde Tymes are from Alex!
Auction: Andrew Nollman gave $20.00.
Lottery: Pat Marshall
Mike Matera, Roz Etra could not find the Ace of Spades, but Susy Hurlbert did! Congratulations Susy! Barry’s cookies were won by Carolyn Trantalis.
Program: Stan Lucas introduced Kim Sylvia and Ornet Hines from Liberty Bank. Kim and Ornet discussed fraud scams and elder abuse and what to look for if you or someone you know might be in danger of becoming a victim. 5 million Americans get scammed annually in one way shape or form. 1 in 10 people have experienced fraud scams and only 1 out of 24 gets reported. Over 36 Billion is lost each year. Be careful about any information you give out about yourself.
Rodney lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:25pm.