Norwich Rotary Club
April 9, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Rodney Green
Fellowship: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: Steve Martin – 4/16
Anniversaries: Mike Matera – 6/12-23 Years and Molly Bruno 6/14-2 Years
Guests: None
Visiting Rotarians: Dist. Gov. Elect Stephanie Phillips from Stratford. Patricia Patusky from Stratford and Asst. Dist. Gov. Sam Roudebush from Ledyard
Nancy’s fellowship was a group of expressions commonly used by baby boomers. Any of these sound familiar? Groovy, Far Out, Fiddle Sticks, Hog Wash, Hunky Dory, Moxie, Don’t Have a Cow! These were just a few!
Membership Minute: Paul Gaffney
Paul reminded members to invite prospective members to the Whisky, Wine & Cigar Event. There will be a table with all the information on Rotary International.
Special comments by District Governor Elect Phillips
DGE Stephanie Phillips started her comments by thanking everyone for the warm welcome she has received. She handed out District Pins and candy to all. She said that her theme for her Rotary Governor year will be food insecurity and literacy. She encouraged the club to build on the good projects we have in place and she will be willing to help with anything we need to accomplish our goals.
Announcements:
The Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event will be coming up fast and is only 4 weeks away! Tickets are selling fast and are over half sold already! 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
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 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. Still looking for volunteers.
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 4-somes together as well as sponsors!
Happy Dollars: Rodney Green
Rodney welcomed our guests and reported that for the first time since 1991 he will only have one business to run, Olde Tymes!
Susy Hurlbert welcomed our guests. She just returned from an ECAR member meeting on housing.
Margarida Martins-Querido encouraged all in attendance to spread good energy and look for small acts of kindness to do every day.
Jen Granger was happy to have celebrated her dad’s 98th birthday over the past week with her dad! She also said that returning from that joyous event she experienced a flat tire during a driving rain storm on Interstate 95. Thank God she was able to pull off the road and AAA came and changed the tire. When she got the tire repaired the mechanic said that the tire went flat due to a vape container puncturing it.
Andrew Nollman had compliments for Rodney and Susy’s remarks. He also reminded everyone to get your tickets for the Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event. The Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event is coming up fast and is only 4 weeks away! Tickets are selling fast and it’s over have sold out! 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
Sam Roudebush gave to welcome Stephanie and Pat. He said that he and his wife Sally attended the Coast Guard’s Ring Dance over the weekend. 50 years ago when he was in the Coast Guard he and Sally danced when he got his ring. Over 400 people attended and he said the music that was played was quite a bit different than the music 50 years ago!
Steve Martin reminded that the Day of Service Meal Packing event will take place at the Norwich Senior Center on Mahan Drive on May 19th. See him to sign up to help.
Stan Lucas made it back from California for his son’s 50th birthday party. His son Mason bought a house in a community that was dry. No Bars! He delivered the huge crystal he hauled from Arizona out to Mason’s new abode.
Stephanie Phillips gave a Rotary flag/banner with the new theme for next year “Unite for Good.”
Mike Cooney thanked Stephanie for the candy and said she was already the best District Governor ever in his book! He’s getting busy with the better weather as there are lots of Golf Tournaments to run. His boss called him earlier at 9:59am to run a 10:00am meeting! Nothing like advance notice! He also took the kids to a Providence Bruins match.
Pat Marshall said there were no wardrobe malfunctions this week! She also reminded all that if you are visiting anyone in a nursing home to knock before entering their room. It’s their home.
Roz Etra said with Passover starting soon to remember to be kind and generous. She’s been reaching out with the Jewish Federation to distribute gifts over the Passover season.
Bonnie Johnson said that her granddaughter will be helping with the food packing event. Her granddaughter is also one of 3 freshmen at her high school to get her Varsity Letter for Volleyball. Not only is she quite an athlete she has also gained high honors with distinction!
Auction: Kathryn Tracey
Tracey auctioned of a couple of boxes of chocolates. Susy Hurlbert and Mary Richardson took a box a piece at $10.00 a piece!
Lottery: Kathryn Tracey
Rodney Green, Gary Young and Tom Adams drew cards to no avail. The Ace of Spades is safe for another week!
Program: Rodney introduced our own Jen Granger, President and CEO of United Community and Family Services. Jen gave a detailed description of what UCFS does.
For over 145 years, UCFS has embraced life and faced challenges that were a reflection of the community we serve. We continue to focus our resources on areas of greatest need; build partnerships when demand is beyond our capacity to fulfill alone and have had a lasting impact on thousands of lives that entrust us to provide quality and compassionate care. UCFS is an organization that is designed to change, adjust and meet the needs of the communities we serve. We are proud to provide the following programs and services:
Adult and Pediatric Primary Medical Care
Women’s Health Services
Geriatric Assessment & Management Program
Dental Services
Outpatient Behavioral Health Services
Community Based Behavioral Health Services
Community Outreach Services
Eldercare Services
For more information on the wonderful services UCFS provides in Eastern Connecticut log on to https://www.ucfs.org/about-ucfs/
Bonnie Johnson lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:20pm.