Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
June 3rd, 2026
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE:
Presiding: Steve Martin
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: Theresa Madonna – 6/2 – 18 years & Jen Granger – 13 years
Guests: Kevin Brown – NCDC
Visiting Rotarians: None
For today’s fellowship Ray had you guessed it…PUNS! “Whoever stole my antidepressants… I hope you’re happy now!” “My water and electric bill came in the mail at the same time…. I was shocked!“
New Member Induction:
Stan Lucas introduced Nicole Sweeney VP, Banking Relationship Officer at Ascend Bank. Nicole was a Rotarian at the Plainfield Rotary Club in 2015 and has always been passionate about philanthropy and volunteering for many years. Nicole loves to spend time at the beach and traveling. She resides in Ledyard with her boyfriend Wayne and her 2 step children Jonathan and Chloe. Nicole has been in the banking business for over 20 years. Welcome to Norwich Rotary Nicole!
Announcements:
Native Son/Daughter luncheon will be coming up on June 10th. Jeffery Rhodes is this year’s recipient. The lunch will take place at the Holiday Inn Express that day. There will be no regular meeting at Bella Fiore.
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.
*Reminder* as a courtesy to our guest speakers, guests and fellow members, Rotarians are strongly asked to silence all electronic devices during meetings.
Membership Minute: Keep getting new member prospects!
Happy Dollars: Isabelle Del Vecchio
Isabelle had happy dollars to say she’s happy to see summer weather here and she heading up to VT soon.
Kevin Wickless welcomed Nicole to the club and thanked Stan and his membership committee for their successful efforts building the membership of the club.
Roz Etra had a Jimmy Kimmel story. She also said that her band will be playing at the Mystic River Park on Tuesday June 9th.
Nicole Sweeney thanked everyone for the warm greeting she has received. She also said she was starting a Connecticut Banking Course on Management that will be 2 years long.
Steve Martin welcomed Nicole to the club. He said that he remembered her running a very successful cornhole tournament a few years ago at the Plainfield Rotary. He said today’s Happy Dollars will go to an individual who lost everything in the terrible fire in Groton over the weekend at the request of Margarida Martins-Querido.
Andy Grant was happy that his daughters are coming home to visit.
Jeff Brining said that his new position at the helm of Norwich Public Utilities is keeping him super busy. He was happy to report that his daughter came in 2nd place in the state cross country tournament. She will be going to Philadelphia to compete in the nationals next week!
Mike Matera had happy and sad dollars that his son is graduating from St. Patrick’s School tonight. His son Jonathan will be getting a new bike for his accomplishment!
Steve Hibino said he had a great time playing tennis with Stan and Gary!
Nancy Gentes welcomed Nicole!
Gary Young gave for Ray’s puns. Gary said he has a lot of family arriving on Friday for a visit and expects much eating to ensue.
Mike Cooney welcomed Nicole to the club. He also had a funny story of having to fire an employee by text!
Paul Gaffney welcomed Nicole. He also said it was nice to see so many Rotarians attend Pat Marshall’s funeral this past Saturday.
Stan Lucas said he enjoyed playing doubles tennis with Steve Hibino and said he’s an excellent player! He also said he has an apartment opening up that he offered to Margarida’s friend who lost everything in the fire in Groton He also needs a 4th for the ARC Golf Tournament on the 15th.
Bonnie Johnson said she will be gone 3 weeks for a visit to Sweden. She said that Paul Gaffney will be collecting the egg cartons in her absence so keep bringing them in!
Auction: No auction today.
Lottery: Kathryn Tracey
Paul Gaffney, Susy Andy Grant and Kathryn could not find the Ace of Spades. There are only 18 cards left!
Program: No program today.
The meeting concluded with Bonnie Johnson leading the club reciting the 4-Way Test at 12:48pm.