Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
July 2, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Stan Lucas introduced Steven Ayer and Andrew Nollman introduced Rich Arsenault
Visiting Rotarians: None
Barry’s fellowship was a list of events that happened on this date July 2nd throughout American history. In 1776 the Continental Congress resolved our independence from Great Britain. In 1863 on the 2nd day of the Battle of Gettysburg the Union Army from the State of Maine won a key battle that prevented the Confederate Army from advancing to Washington, D.C. In 1881 President Garfield was shot. In 1901 Buch Cassidy robbed a train of $40,000 that was a huge sum for that time. In 1937 Amelia Earhart disappeared somewhere over the Pacific. In 1962 the first Walmart opened. In 1964 President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan said that the club as added 17 new members over the past couple years. He charged each member to invite a business associate or acquaintance to a lunch. Let’s keep up growing the club and sharing the gift of Rotary!
Announcements:
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.
Rotary Golf will be September 3rd. Get your 4-somes together as well as sponsors. Raffle items and goody bad items are also needed.
The meeting on the 16th will be held at the home of Mike Goldblatt.
Special Presentation:
President Steve called upon Andrew Nollman to introduce Richard Arsenault of PJ Cork & Barrel for a presentation. Richard pledged 10% of all proceeds from wine and liquor sales from the evening of the Whisky, Wine and Cigar event earlier this year. Event Chairman Andrew Nollman was presented a check for $156.00! That brings the proceeds for the event to just under $6,000!
Happy Dollars: Andy Grant
Andy started off with that he has a house full of guests at his home for the 4th of July holiday. His 4 daughters and a set of twin grandchildren are among the guests!
Roz Etra welcomed Richard Arsenault to the meeting. She reminded everyone that the Cultural Diversity Event will be soon after the Rotary Golf Tournament. She finished with a rousing rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy!”
Mike Matera said that his puppy is no longer a puppy as he’s 105 pounds and is celebrating his one year old birthday! He’s also teaching his son Jonathan how to drive a standard vehicle! He’s getting pretty good with the clutch!
Nancy Gentes had good news as she has commitments for the coat project from area banks and foundations. $5,500 from Chelsea Groton Bank, $1,500 from Eastern Federal Bank and $5,000 from the Lord Foundation.
Mike Cooney said he received a call from the New York Counter Terrorism Unit. After his heart skipping a beat or two the found out the call was for help to run their Annual Golf Tournament!
Pat Marshall is taking the 4th holiday driving 5 hours to visit her son and grandchild in New York. She said that her trusty dog Quincy will be keeping her company on the drive!
Andy Nollman thanked Rich again for the donation to the Rotary Foundation. He’s also looking forward to helping his parents celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary!
Mike Vaz said that his daughter has taught Special Ed at a New York City school for 8 years. He also thanked the club for the $600.00 grant he received for Thames River Community Service.
Steve Martin said he had a great time at the Jonathan Edwards Winery at a recent fundraiser!
Cara Westcott told a story of how she injured her knee dancing to some disco music at a UCFS event and is wearing a knee brace. She said her husband said to leave the dancing to the “young people!” Ouch!
Paul Gaffney welcomed all our guests and congratulated Stan for his golf team coming in 3rd in a recent senior golf tournament!
Auction: Jeff Brining will donate $20.00
Lottery: Paul Gaffney
Roz Etra, Cara Wescott and Gary Young could not find the Ace of Spades.
Cara Westcott won the ARC Cookies and opened and shared accordingly.
Program: Stan Lucas introduced Steven Ayer, CEO of The Farmer’s Cow. The Farmer’s Cow is a group of six family dairy farms working for the future of our families and businesses. People visiting our farms, would often ask, “Where can we buy your milk?” We realized that people were looking for connections to local, naturally produced products. So, we formed our own company and The Farmer’s Cow was born. We are proud to say The Farmer’s Cow is now available across Southern New England and New York. A manure digester is part of the farms and convert farm waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). Cushman Farms has received the Green Pastures award.
Bonnie Johnson lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:05pm.