Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
June 24th, 2026
Location-Rose Garden
THE RONE:
Presiding: Steve Martin
Invocation: Barry Shead
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: Roz Etra – June 20th Paul Gaffney – June 26th and Jerry Lowney June 27th!
Anniversaries: Gary Young – 22 years!
Guests: Mary Richardson introduced Laura Cramer and Nicole Goodrow from Chelsea Groton Bank. Mike Matera brought his son Jonathan. Gary Young brought his wife Romer. Mike Cooney introduced his wife Jen and his daughter Katie and son Matt. Stan Lucas introduced his office manager Dixie.
Visiting Rotarians: None
For today’s fellowship Ray had everyone in suspense, but you guessed it…Ray had PUNS! “I’m so good at sleeping I can do it with my eyes closed!” Ray of course had many puns to follow to everyone’s delight.
Announcements:
President Steve gave a brief history of today’s meeting place. The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden (also known as Mohegan Memorial Rose Garden) was dedicated in 1948 (and re-dedicated in 2008) to honor veterans of World War II and has been maintained by the City of Norwich ever since. It is set on a half-acre at the southern tip of Mohegan Park, a wooded city park full of trails, a swimming pond, and picnic areas. A group of citizens led by Roy D. Judd in the 1940s determined that “The Rose City” should have a park befitting its name. They raised funds and hired Thomas H. Desmond, a landscape architect from Simsbury, to design the garden. Delayed by World War II, the rose garden was installed in 1947. Its first rose, “Lady Stanhope,” was planted April 16, 1947. At the formal dedication ceremony, held on July 11, 1948, the Norwich Rotary Club officially transferred the garden to the City of Norwich. After receiving the garden for the City, Mayor Richard F. Marks was quoted in the Norwich Bulletin as saying: ”This garden is one of the most beautiful and restful spots in New England”.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity event will be coming in September. If you care to serve on this event committee contact Roz Etra.
The Rotary Golf Tournament will take place on September 9th at the Norwich Golf Club. Player 4-somes, sponsors, prizes, volunteers are needed.
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: Stan Lucas
Stan commented that is was nice to see so many guests at today’s Annual Rose Garden Rotary Meeting. Continue to bring guests to our meetings!
Happy Dollars: Mike Matera
Mike started off Happy Dollars saying the Rose Garden is one of his favorite Rotary meetings of the year. He thanked Rodney Green for the wonderful food at today’s meeting, especially the brisket! Mike finished thanking President Steve for a great year as President!
Andy Grant welcomed Stan’s guest Dixie. Dixie worked for Andy prior to taking the position at Stan’s law office!
Andy Nollman gave happy dollars to thank Steve Martin for doing a great job leading the club this past Rotary year. He also thanked Rodney for the great lunch he provided today.
Paul Gaffney thanked Steve for doing a great job as President.
Stan Lucas said he was happy to see Mike’s son Jonathan at today’s meeting. Jonathan and Stan’s grandson are great friends and they share a great deal of laughter together. The best kind of friend!
Barry Shead gave happy dollars saying he was dreaming of having Rodney’s brisket for weeks and today his dream came true! He thanked President Steve for being such a great Rotary President this past year.
Nancy Gentes said she had a great time at her grandson’s graduation.
Mike Cooney thanked Steve for a great year as President. He said to go online now to register for the Rotary Golf Tournament and save $10.00 on fees. Offer to say will end so register now! He also said how proud he is of his wife Jen for teaching music and he is also very proud of Matt and Katie.
Steve Martin thanked all the Rotarians around him that helped make his year as President so successful. He singled out Mary Richardson, Mike Matera, Nancy Gentes, Susy Hurlbert and Mike Cooney.
Margarida Martins-Querido said this was her 1st time attending the Rose Garden Meeting and is enjoying the beautiful surroundings. She also said that her friend who lost everything in a fire a few weeks ago is very grateful for the assistance she received from the club to help through the tough times.
Auction: Kevin Wickless auctioned off a dozen golf balls. Paul Gaffney was the high bidder. Also, 4 tickets to “Music That Matters” were offered and Andy Grant was the high bidder.
Lottery: No lottery today.
Program: No program today.
The meeting concluded with President Steve leading the club reciting the 4-Way Test at 12:51pm.
** Looking for volunteers to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).**