Rotary Club of Norwich
September 15, 2021
Location-Belle Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Andrew Nollman
Invocation: Barry Shead
| Kathryn and Mary at registration |
Fellowship: Barry mentioned the 20 year anniversary of 9/11 and talked about bravery and heroism. Hi cited a few historical heroes, including a 23 year old General Custer with 400 cavalry going against Robert E Lee at Gettysburg, and David P Casey a 19-year-old infantryman in Coal Harbor, VA going back and rallying troops to win the day. Casey won a congressional medal of honor for that bravery, and is the great great grandfather of Barry’s brother in law. Another bravery story was told from Pearl Harbor. September 11, head of security for Morgan Stanley went against directions and evacuated people from the 2nd tower, singing to the people as they descended the stairs. He saved 2700 lives in exchange for his.
Birthdays: Susy Hurlbert, September 19th
Anniversaries:
Guests: Dale Plummer from the Norwich Historical Society, for whom we sang the Welcome song
Announcements:
President Andrew Nollman had the following announcements:
- Madonna Place, band Sugar is playing at the upcoming fundraiser. Call Laurie at 860-886-6600 for tickets.
- Saturday, Sept 25 Amber alert at Greater Norwich Fair, Starting set up at 9, to 2:00 pm. Dodd stadium
- Diaper project update, Nancy $12000 worth of diapers and baby wipes into the hands of those who needed. With RCC and Sunrise club. Grant funded. Kudos to Nancy for
- Coat project is underway, deadline for agencies to request. Rodney hopes enough coats come from Burlington. Stay tuned for date to box coats, sometime around end of October.
- No show gala will get rolling in the next few weeks. Fundraiser for Rotary.
- Haiti and the goat money. Word is to keep the money for the goats. Check presentation to Haiti Health Foundation via zoom, details forthcoming
- Golf Tournament. We made almost as much money as last year’s event. We netted about $10,000. Our club gets half, sunrise gets half.
- Rotary membership drive. Bring someone to a meeting.
- Contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless for speaker information
Happy Dollars:
Rodney: Told a story about his cat who was put down a few years ago. They wanted a Schitzu named Miko, and serendipitously they are going to get a bichon poodle already named Miko! He also reported on a cream shortage and was happy to find some at Walmart.
Bill has a check to honor his wife Patrice for $36. 1 dollar for every year she’s been the head of the Montessori school they own. He proudly described the history of the school
Andy. In honor of heroes, Andy gave a story of his uncle.
Kathryn had a happy dollar in honor of his guest, Joe Demayo.
Mary followed up on diaper project. She stopped by to see Joel. Roz is having a hard time and welcomed a visit anytime. She is going to Haddam to see migrating swallows on a river cruise in Haddam
Barry got to watch is granddaughter Ariella this past week. He is so proud of her!
Auction: Ray Baribeau auctioned homemade vanilla. Susy won the vodka vanilla for $25. Andy won the bourbon vanilla for $25
Lottery: No lottery winners
Today’s Guest, Dale Plummer, talked about historic gravestones in Norwich and the recovery of Dezeneh Zibberre. African Americans were buried in the back of UFS and had no inscriptions. Recently, the stone of a young girl was recovered from Savannah, GA. There were no birth or death records, only what was literally written in stone. Another stone for their father was lost, he was captured from Africa and enslaved in Norwich, CT. Vital Statistic records were nonexistent for most African Americans. Interesting how someone living in the 1700’s has a connection to someone here today at Rotary, in this case Bill Champagne.
Respectfully submitted, Susy Hurlbert – RONE Reporter