Norwich Rotary Club
March 26, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Mandy Crispim
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: Mary Richardson – March 30 – 14 Years
Guests: Barry Shead introduced Liz Cooke and Mandy Crispim introduced Nicole Goodrow
Visiting Rotarians: Our Guest Speaker Dominic Mantuano – Stratford
Barry’s fellowship started with Barry’s cell phone malfunctioning and he was unable to download the comments he prepared on 5 notable female Rotarians in honor of National Woman’s Month. After trying to recall the 5 from memory, Susy Hurlbert came to his rescue as she was able to pull the information up on her “well-functioning” cell phone. Here’s the 5 most notable female Rotarians:
Françoise Barré-Sinoussi: A Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, she co-discovered the HIV virus, a landmark achievement in the fight against AIDS.
Dianne Feinstein: A US Senator from California, she served in the Senate for 30 years and was known for her work on issues like gun control and intelligence.
Angela Merkel: The former Chancellor of Germany, she was a leader in the European Union and a prominent figure on the world stage, known for her strong leadership and policy decisions.
Lorraine H. Morton: Served as Mayor of Evanston, Illinois for 16 years, from 1993 to 2009, and was a long-time Rotarian and community leader.
Jennifer Jones: The first woman to serve as Rotary International President, she led the organization in 2022-2023, demonstrating Rotary’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION: Elizabeth Cooke
President Rodney called up Membership Chairman Stan Lucas and Barry Shead to the dais to induct our latest member to the club. Stan turned things over to Barry, who is Elizabeth’s sponsor. Barry gave a brief history of Elizabeth’s background. Elizabeth is the Financial Center Manager at Berkshire Bank in Norwich. Welcome to Norwich Rotary Elizabeth!
Announcements:
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 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/norwich-rotarys-whiskey-wine-and-cigar-event-tickets-1228434784509?aff=erelexpmlt 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 as they are selling really fast!
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.
Steve Martin reported that the Rotary Day of Service will happen on May 17th. Six clubs in our area will be packing meals with each area club having at least 10 members volunteering. The goal is 30,000 meals packed. Location will be the Rose City Senior Center on Mahan Drive in Norwich. Packing will take place from 9 to 11am and 11 to Noon for cleanup.
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: Cary Trantalis
Cary was happy to announce that she will become a Grandmother “twice” coming up. June and August will be the happy arrival months!
Kevin Wickless is happy to see spring arrive even though it means the end of ski season. His son just bought a set of golf clubs, so he looks forward to golfing with him. His son also won recently an Alpine ski race and will be heading to the National competition for his age group!
Susy Hurlbert thanked Barry for his fellowship crediting woman of distinction. She said that Barry’s a real woman’s guy and a feminist!
Mike Matera told of an adventure taking his new puppy on a car ride and leaving him safely in the car while he stopped for lunch at These Guy’s at American Wharf. When he returned to the car the pup had been busy chewing everything in the interior of the car including the brake handle! Had to buy a used vehicle of the same make to use for parts to replace the pup’s handiwork! Mike also said his son struck the game winning goal in a recent soccer match!
Mike Cooney started by saying he knows he’s odd, which drew some laughs and applause. Both he and his wife Jen had been sick with Covid recently. “Oddly” enough he said he’s been feeling lousy for a few weeks, but when he got Covid he actually felt good! He also congratulated Elizabeth on becoming a member of the club.
Barry Shead said thanks to Susy for the compliments. He welcomed Liz to the club and said he also will be coming a grandparent again this coming April.
Steve Martin welcomed Liz. He also mentioned he was in Memphis last week and visited Graceland while there. He also added that he was there at a conference and received an award for being the top #1 in sales for his profession in the entire country! Huge applause followed! Congratulations Steve!
Bonnie Johnson delivered the sad news of the friend of hers that collects all the egg cartons died recently. Her husband will keep up the tradition in her absence.
Pat Marshall warned members if they get a text from “Easy Pass” it’s a scam and to not fall for it. She texted them back warning them she was on to them!
Roz Etra said she attended her grandson’s birthday last week at a place called Super Dome Sports. She is also looking for a new car as hers is on its last leg. She thought she had a good one to buy, but the dealership sold it out from under her before she came to see it.
Andrew Nollman welcomed Liz to the club. He was happy to report that his brother-in-law is retiring in June from many years as a fireman. The Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event is coming up fast and is only 5 weeks away! Tickets are selling fast! Don’t wait and get your tickets NOW! Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/norwich-rotarys-whiskey-wine-and-cigar-event-tickets-1228434784509?aff=erelexpmlt
Auction: Andy Nollman auctioned off 4 tickets to a comedy fundraiser. Kathryn Tracey was the high bidder at $30.00 for a $100.00 value!
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Gary Young, Susy Hurlbert and Cary Trantalis could not find the Ace of Spades. Susy however still came out a winner by being drawn for Barry’s ARC cookies that she shared with everyone!
Program: Today’s program was Dominic Mantuano, Executive Director of Connecticut Burns Care Foundation, Inc. He talked about The Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp. The camp is a safe, natural outdoor environment for kids ages 8 to 17 from around the world who have survived life-altering burn injuries. Their mission is to build each child’s self-esteem and self-confidence so that they are capable of overcoming their anxieties and are able to adapt to their injuries for reintegration into their family and community life. To enrich the lives of child burn survivors by creating a camping experience that is fun, entertaining, empowering, enhancing, energizing, and full of self-discovery. To provide child burn survivors with memories that will sustain and inspire them. Most of these children have never seen a campground or enjoyed an overnight camp-out, let alone the many other camp activities which include campfires, hiking, fishing, archery, boating, and a challenging ropes course. Active and retired firefighters from Fire Departments along the East Coast, medical personnel trained in treating burns, burn survivors, and caring individuals help round out the team of counselors for the children. All counselors serve on a volunteer basis. Campers come from all over with children from throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., Maryland, Florida, Puerto Rico and from other countries like Russia, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Croatia, and Vietnam. To conclude the meeting Dominic gave all a treat of his singing talents as he is also a professional opera singer and he has preformed at The Met in New York. Very impressive fellow!
Bonnie Johnson lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:17pm.