Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
July 15th, 2026
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE:
Presiding: Barry Shead
Invocation: Barry Shead
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Andy Grant introduced Jim O’Shea. Barry Shead introduced Luis Cruz.
Visiting Rotarians: None
Barry’s fellowship in honor of the current World Cup matches being played across the United States was a short history of the governing organization FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). FIFA overseas over 200 clubs throughout the globe in 48 countries. Every 4 years the World Cup Football Tournament is held. The Champions get $50 million and the runner up receives $39 million dollars.
Announcements:
The club is being run by a “Council of Presidents” as this year was supposed to be Pat Marshall as President. We all know Pat died a few weeks ago. Currently the club needs a member to serve as President-Elect. Please see Mary Richardson, Steve Martin or Andrew Nollman to discuss the possibilities of stepping in to one of those positions.
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: Paul Gaffney
Continue to bring guests to our meetings! Look for people who would make great Rotarians! They’re out there!
Happy Dollars: Andy Grant
Andy said he enjoyed sailing his Hobie Cat sailboat recently and he played pickle ball this morning.
Bill Champagne reminded members that the Norwich 250th Committee has been hard at work organizing activities. The next one will be at 11am Sunday July 19th on the Norwichtown Green to honor Samuel Huntington Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Susy Hurlbert said that her sister who lives in Vancouver, Canada told her that they spent 580 million on a giant soccer ball. Also in 2025 FIFA awarded President Trump a Peace Pipe.
Jeff Brining said he was on vacation over the past week at his lake house that turned into not much of a vacation as his basement was flooded and he has boiler problems.
Barry Shead welcomed his guest Luis. He said he usually runs a couple of 5K road races in the summer but this year his back hurts so he didn’t run this summer so far. He did attend a race last week and he still got an award just for showing up!
Nancy Gentes spent the past weekend in New York City. She attended a Broadway show “Dog Day Afternoon.” They made it into a comedy and she said it was quite good.
Paul Gaffney welcomed our guests and suggested everyone check out Bob Dees website www.iconicnorwich.org as there is plenty of great local history there.
Auction: Ray Baribeault will donate $20.00
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Barry Shead, Jim O’Shea and Tom Adams could not find the Ace of Spades. Rodney Green was the winner of Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: Marie French from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention spoke on her organization. AFSP does grassroots work and focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. As a part of AFSP’s growing nationwide network of chapters, we bring together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide in our communities. Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize our chapter. For more information log on to www.afsp.org
The meeting concluded with Bonnie Johnson leading the club reciting the 4-Way Test at 12:56pm.
** Looking for volunteers to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).**