Rotary Club of Norwich
December 16th, 2020
Location-Courtyard by Marriott
**FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE ALL WEEKLY NORWICH ROTARY MEETINGS WILL BE HELP VIA ZOOM AND NO IN PERSON MEETINGS WILL BE AT THE MARRIOTT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Barry Shead
Fellowship: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None.
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Adam Bowles-Guest Speaker
Nancy gave a fellowship explaining the significance of the 8 day feast of light’s for Hanukkah. She also had some quotes about optimism vs pessimism. “A pencil is 7” long, the eraser is 1 inch long.” You get the picture!
Announcements:
President Mary read another of Thank You card from a resident of Swartz Manor for the gift cards they received for Thanksgiving from the club.
*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.
*Gary Young reported that the committee for Benji’s Fund met and there is promotional material and applications available. Contact Gary for additional information. Gary also reminded the club that the 2121 Golf Tournament will be on September 1st.
*President Mary informed the club that meeting for the foreseeable future will be held via ZOOM and no “In Person” meeting will take place at the Marriott until further notice. A link will be emailed to all members to log on to for the Wednesday Meetings.
*The Norwich Rotary Club will hold the Annual Meeting on December 31st to approve nominations for club officers and directors.
*Sign up to ring the bells for the Salvation Army on Friday and Saturday’s during December up until Christmas.
*Ana Perch reported that she has been in contact with members who haven’t been taking part in the weekly meeting as of late.
Happy Dollars: Barry Shead:
Barry went out to dinner last week with his wife and upon leaving he said he would wait in the car for his wife to join him while she was taking care of some business after dinner inside. After waiting a while he soon realized he was sitting in the WRONG car. So sad….. Barry also was helping his wife clean up after his wife was baking and proceeded to ruin an antique bowl by scrubbing too hard. No good deed goes unpunished!
Gary Young saved a ton of money this week gassing up at Stop & Shop. He paid $1.62 using his bonus points. Gary was also happy to finally get a new dishwasher!
Rich Pascal informed the club that he must resign from the club due to he cannot make the meetings. He said he appreciates the group and all the friendships he has made throughout the years. He also acknowledged all that Rotary International has done for the betterment of the world.
Mary Richardson gave to thank Rich and was sorry to see him go. She also said her business was busy getting the trucks ready with the plows for the upcoming snow storm. She also had a good story of the house she and her husband bought at Lord’s Point that did not have a dishwasher so they installed one. Now they rarely use it, they do dishes the old fashioned way by hand!
Rodney Green explained the trials he has been going through conforming to the rules of Covid at Olde Tymes. He plays by the rules and it is extremely difficult to make a business go, especially without outside dining, His catering business has done zero business in what would usually be the biggest weeks of the year. No parties. The food industry is taking a beating. He said he was just venting as it’s so frustrating. Who can blame him!
Joel Etra and Roz (via Zoom) wished everyone a Happy Hannukkah.
Auction: Barry Shead. Cookies from The ARC were on the block. Jim Daly and Bob Reed had some spirited bidding! Bob won with a $20.00 bid and gave Jim the cookies anyway!
Lottery: Kathryn Tracy
Jim Daly, Rodney Green for Gary Young, drew cards! The Ace of Spades is still safe for another week!
Program: A program was given by Adam Bowles who has written a book titled “The World in One Square Mile, One Small Town and the Stories that Unite a Nation.”
Bill Champagne led the club with the 4-Way Test.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 1:10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter