Rotary Club of Norwich
November 11th, 2020
Location-Courtyard by Marriott
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Gary Young
Some folks are happy-some folks are sad
Witnessing the craziest election we’ve ever had
Some folks want to dance and shout
Some think it just gives us more to pray about
But enough about that let’s go a different way
After all November 11th is Veterans Day
Let’s honor the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines
Who gave all for the greatest country this world has ever seen
For brave men and women who looked through a lens
Of a person who left home, family and friends
Whose courage was not hidden on some closet shelf
Who put real meaning to Service above Self
Now let’s give thanks for the usual stuff
For the food and fellowship- always more than enough
And until we get together again
Let’s praise the Lord and say Amen
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Sheila Hayes and Zack Stolver from RCC
Barry’s fellowship gave a brief history of the origins of Veterans Day. Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11th, 1919 one year after the end of WW I “The war to end all wars.” Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance and November 11th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. 18.8 million Veterans are alive today. Barry recognized a few fellow Rotarian’s from our club who are Veterans mentioning Gary Young-Navy, Stan Lucas-Marines, Rodney Green-Navy, Paul Blanchard-Coast Guard, Many Kadish-Navy and General Jay Waitte-Air Force.
Announcements:
*The school supply drive will continue to January. Please bring Crayola Crayons, Crayola Markers and Ticonderoga Pencils to the weekly meetings for collection.
*If you know of anyone who would be a good speaker at one of our Rotary Meetings contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless. Speakers can be done virtual as well if needed.
*Mary Richardson said she attended a “virtual” District Dinner Meeting that took place at the Garde Arts Center this past Sunday. She supplied her own dinner however!
*The Norwich Rotary Club will hold the Annual Meeting on December 31st to approve nominations for club officers and directors.
*The Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Matching $20.00 drive is concluding this week. Get in your money!
*Norwich Rotary has purchased 2 tables for the Virtual Trivial Pursuit Challenge to benefit Madonna Place. Friday, November 13th is the date!
*Bob Farwell reported he visited Manny Kadish and he is doing well and sends his best to all.
*Mary Richardson said the board met earlier in the day and did not have a quorum but was confident that support for the RCC request for money to aid in the Greenville Playground improvements will be forthcoming.
Happy Dollars: Jennifer Granger:
Jennifer started off things with $40.00 for the Liberty Bank Thanksgiving efforts.
Bob Reed gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving efforts and said that Veterans Day was special as his dad and Barry Shead’s dad served on the same destroyer back in the 1940’s!
Gary Young took Roz Etra golfing to Chantaclair in Colchester to get her back on the links. He shot a 51 using only a 7 iron and a putter! Also, all his tennis buddies are all banged up with different ailments and will have to take a break!
Andy Grant said he and his wife cancelled themselves out in the recent election as he thinks they did not vote for the same candidate!
Susy Hurlbert gave $20.00 for the Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Challenge. She also ran a diversity event for the CT Board of Realtors that covered ethics and diversity training. She was very happy to do so and is excited to see positive changes.
Mary Richardson gave in honor of her son’s birthday! She also was wearing her dad’s WWII watch in his honor on this Veterans Day.
Shelia Hayes gave in honor of Veterans and has family that has served in the Air Force, Navy and Marines.
Lottie Scott gave to say she was very happy to be in attendance at today’s meeting and had an interesting conversation with her 43 year old grandson about who he may have voted for in the Presidential election!
Barry Shead gave in honor of his father for Veterans Day and mentioned a photo of the ship’s dog that Bob Reed’s father had taken that had his father in the background.
Bill Champagne (via Zoom) gave $10.00 to say he misunderstood Gov. Lamont’s latest Covid instructions and thought we could only have 10 people at the meeting so he Zoom’ed instead. We can actually have up to 25 and he’d much rather be at the meeting in person. Bill also stated with the recent results of the election we will now have dignity, decorum & discipline restored. Bill also reminded the next Norwich Race Equity Committee program will be on December 9th.
Zac Stolver gave a RCC update and also said they will have a team in Friday’s Trivial Pursuit Challenge to benefit Madonna Place.
Bob Farwell gave for his son John who is a Veteran and is grateful he came back from serving in Afghanistan safe and sound.
Auction: Lottie Scott auctioned off a copy of Bill Stanley’s book on Norwich Nine Miles Square. Andy Grant took the book with a high bid of $40.00! Barry Shead threw in a package of chocolate chip cookies that were made by the ARC Bakery for good measure!
Lottery: Barry Shead
Jim Daly, & Bob Reed, and Zac Stolver drew cards! The Ace of Spades is still safe for another week!
Program: No Program today.
Mary Richardson led the club with the 4-Way Test.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 12:48pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter