Rotary Club of Norwich
January 20th, 2021
Location-ZOOM Meeting
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Lottie Scott gave a very heartfelt invocation calling for unity and love.
Fellowship: Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: Ray Baribeault 1/21
Anniversaries: Bill Champagne-36 years & Tom Adams-19 years
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: None
Susy gave a fellowship with some fun facts on Inauguration Day facts. Here’s just a few of the interesting facts:
*Today, we know January 20 as Inauguration Day, but that wasn’t always the case. Following Washington’s first inauguration, the Continental Congress declared March 4 as Inauguration Day. That date remained in place until the ratification of the 20th Amendment in 1933; Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president inaugurated on the new date, for his second inauguration on January 20th, 1937.
*John Adams was the first President to skip his successor’s Inauguration.
*On March 4, 1841, William Henry Harrison set the record for longest-ever speech when he spent nearly two hours delivering an 8445-word inaugural address. It was a lot of talk for a short-lived presidency; Harrison died one month later.
*Just as famous as Harrison’s long-winded speech is George Washington’s brief address. In 1793, Washington uttered just 135 words after being sworn in as the nation’s first president.
*JFK was our youngest President and Joe Biden is now the oldest.
Announcements:
*There was a Board Meeting before today’s regular meeting. The board voted to make donations to the following organizations. The Haitian Health Foundation, Martin House, ARC and the Thames River Family Program. There was discussion about partnering with the Sunrise Club and the RCC on a $1,000.00 District Grant. A $50.00 donation was made to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in memory of fellow Rotarian Jay Waitte’s wife Kate.
*The Child Masks arrived and 500 were distributed to Madonna Place, 500 to UCFS, 500 to Thames River Family Program and 500 to the Norwich Schools. Also, additional adult masks were delivered to 500-NFA, 250-Madonna Place and the club still has 250 for anybody who knows an organization that could use them.
*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 (ZOOM) as well if needed.
*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.
*Mike and Jim are working on nomination of officers for next year and it is a work in progress.
*President Mary suggested members invite guests to our meeting even though we a Zooming the meetings. We should still invite guests.
Happy Dollars: Nancy Gentes:
Nancy started things off with a big thank you for the masks that were donated to Madonna Place as well as the other organizations.
Bill Champagne gave 36 Happy Dollars for is 36 years in the club and for Mike Gordon who was his sponsor. Bill also reminded us that one of the lines in the Constitution has the words “a more perfect union” and that’s something the country needs to continue to achieve.
*Mike Cooney took his son Matt on a three mile hike and came across a woman’s left boot stuck in a tree. He also congratulated Michelle on her marriage.
*Mary Richardson gave for Michelle Scott and Lottie Scott. She also gave for Bill Champagne’s 36 years in the club! She concluded that she is already preparing for spring!
*Lottie Scott said she will pay what she may owes for Happy Dollars when she figures it out!
*Bob Reed had happy Dollars reminding everyone that we are “One Nation, Under God.”
*Michelle Scott was happy to announce a formal wedding for her will take place in 2022 when the Covid calms down, however she did share she was officially married last week! BIG applause followed!
*Andrew Nollman gave to congratulate Michelle on her nuptials. He also was happy things appeared to be peaceful in Washington. Andrew’s wife Lona went back to work after being home for 4 months and finally got her Covid shot!
*Gary Young gave to wish Bill congratulations on his 36 years in the club and Michelle on her marriage! He also said he went to visit a former employee and her husband and found out that they both had Covid! He was masked up, not too close and was only in their presence a short time, so his doctor said he was at a very low risk. He’s getting tested anyway! He also wanted everyone to pray for our incoming President as well as the outgoing President. It’s a new beginning and wishes our country well.
*Susy Hurlbert gave to wish Bill well on his 36th year in the club. She was also happy today was Inauguration Day! Susy challenged all members to bring a guest or prospective member to a meeting!
*Barry Shead gave for Bill’s 36 years in the club as well as wishing Michelle well on her recent marriage.
Auction: No Auction.
Lottery: Mary Richardson said everyone who was on the Zoom meeting had already committed to the weekly virtual lottery!
Program: No Program.
The club ended with the group saying the 4-Way Test.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 12:44pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter