Rotary Club of Norwich
April 14th, 2021
Location-ZOOM Meeting
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Rodney Green gave a very inspiring invocation.
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: No Birthday’s
Anniversaries: Kathryn Tracey – 2 Years
Visiting Rotarians: Nicole Sweeney – Plainfield Rotary Club/Berkshire Bank
Guests: None
Barry gave a fellowship on interesting events that happened on both April 14th and 15th! In 1912 on April 14th the Titanic hit an iceberg in the north Atlantic. On April 15th at 2:20am the Titanic actually sank. On April 14th 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. On April 15th Lincoln died at 2:30 in the morning with Lincoln’s Secretary of State William Henry Seward saying “He now belongs to the ages.” In 1910 April on 14th President Taft was the first US President to throw a first pitch in a baseball game that was between Washington and Philadelphia. Also on this date in 1924 Rand McNally published his first Road Atlas. In 1927 Babe Ruth hit his first home run. 1945 FDR was buried at Hyde Park, New York. In 1947 Jackie Robinson was the first Negro baseball player to play in the Major League for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1955 Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s. In 1997 Jackie Robinson’s #42 was retired in every major league team as a token of respect.
Announcements:
*Mary Richardson had the following announcements:
*The club received a Thank You note from Martin House for the support the club has given.
*The Happy Dollars committee has awarded $1,000.00 to a needy family for the purchase of a washer/dryer. Keith’s Appliances in Norwich helped out with delivery and price for the items as well as disposal of the old appliances.
*The District Conference (Virtual) is coming up and the club was requested to submit 5 points that we are most proud of. After discussion it was determined that the following would be submitted, The Coat Project, Sponsoring the Rotary Community Corps, Maintaining meetings throughout the past year of the pandemic, The Diaper Project, The Celebrate Cultural Diversity Event and our long standing very successful Rotary Golf Tournament.
*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.
*Mary Richardson
*President Mary suggested members take up Susy Hurlbert’s challenge and invite guests to our meeting even though we a Zooming the meetings. We should still invite guests.
*Gary Young reminded us that the Rotary Golf Tournament will be on September 1st.
*The Board approved 2 tables for the Madonna Place Trivia Challenge that will take place on April 30th. There still may be seats available!
*Discussion was brought up by Gary Young on the possibility of resuming “In Person” meetings. After some discussion we will look at May 5th to resume meetings at the Courtyard Marriott as well as maintaining the ZOOM option for anyone who feels they are not ready to come to the in person meeting. Jennifer Granger will monitor the status of our area still being in the Red Zone in a few weeks and if any changes might be made.
ATTENTION VERY IMPORTANT!
***Jim Daly gave a report on the status of our nominations for officers and that we are in the precarious position of having the three people who were to be in secession for the President, President Elect & Vice President are no longer with the club due to a number of circumstances. The Rotary International rules state the club must have a President, Treasurer and Secretary in order to maintain our status of being a club. With a history of over 100 years of service the club is in danger of not being a club anymore. We need members to step up and take a role in dividing up some duties to maintain our good standing until we can get a slate of officers in place for the next few years and get on track. This is serious business and if all members step up in some way, shape and form we can get through this rough patch. The club is in good financial shape which is a positive. Please reach out to President Mary or Jim Daly and see how you can help out.
Happy Dollars: Rodney Green
*Susy Hurlbert said she attended a conference recently that had some really amazing speakers, one being Astronaut John Kelly who suggested anyone who wants to be a success and happy stary be reading the book The Right Stuff. It made a difference in his life. Also, one of the speakers was Neil Pazrica, head of Walmart human resources that had many inspiring words for success after having his life fall apart after a marriage ending. He got his life back on track writing a blog about 1,000 awesome things. He has since written a few books. His main message being that you have to be happy in order to get your life successful.
*Rodney Green is hoping to get golfing tomorrow when the course he belongs to open up!
*Mary Richardson is looking forward to meeting in person again and seeing everyone. She also gave Jen Granger kudos for email her the minutes of the board meeting that took place before this meeting! That’s fast!
*Mike Cooney is now in his 3rd week of PT for his shoulder and is still experiencing some pain! Also, he took his wife and kids to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game last week and showed a few photos of their good time!
*Gary Young said he had memories of his father coming home from running his insurance business when he you a kid and that he was not always in the best of moods. After feeling guilty he would soon follow with a half-gallon of ice cream to his wife and the rest of the family!
*Jen Granger said that she attended the grand opening of the Disk Golf Course at Mohegan Park earlier in the morning. UCFS was one of the sponsors and she said it looked like great fun and it is one of the few Disk Golf Courses that is free to all.
*Andy Nollman is happy to be getting his 2nd Covid Vaccine shot on Friday. He is also looking forward to camping in June with his wife Lona and they are opting for a closer campground in Lebanon instead of the usual one in Barkhampstead so he can go into the office from time to time during the week.
*Bob Reed is happy to be getting his 2nd Covid Vaccine shot on Thursday and thanked Jen Granger for her help in facilitating the shots at UCFS!
*Barry Shead said he has taken a leadership position of area Chairman in the Mason’s. He also enjoyed Susy’s earlier comments on the conference she attended.
Auction: Jen Granger donated $20.00.
Lottery: Zoom lottery took place.
Program: A short You Tube video clip was shown.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 1:10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter