Norwich Rotary Club
August 11th, 2021
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Andrew Nollman
Invocation: Rodney Green
Fellowship: Bob Farwell
Birthdays: Tom Adams – 8/12
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: Acting district Governor Rick Bassett and his wife Jennifer from Nutmeg Rotary Club. Terry Congdon & Bonnie Johnson of Colchester Rotary Club
Guests: Speaker Roberta Vincent and Alfred Gonsalves – Cape Verdean Restoration Project. Mike Cooney brought his daughter Katie
Bob gave a most interesting fellowship on “Micronations” and said that we have one right here in our own backyard. What is a micronation you say? A micronation is a political entity whose members claim that they belong to an independent nation or sovereign state lacking legal recognition by world governments or major international organizations. Bob told of a micronation just off our coast in Eastern Connecticut called “North Dumpling Island” and is just off the coast of Fishers Island, New York and is within the territory of Southhold. The Island is privately owned by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter. The island became a micronation after Kaman was denied permission to build a wind turbine on the Island. He then declared that he was seceding from the United States. Kamen’s secession was not legally recognized, but he still refers to the Island as the “Kingdom of North Dumpling” and established a constitution, a flag, a currency (the dumpling), a national anthem and a Navy consisting of an amphibious vehicle. Kaman refers to himself as “Lord Dumpling!” Despite being part of the United States, Kaman clamed he was able to leverage his personal relationship with then-president George H.W. Bush to sign an unofficial non-aggression pact.
Announcements:
Andy had the following announcements:
*At today’s Board Meeting Terry Congdon and Bonnie Johnson applications were accepted and approved for membership. If any member has an objection to their membership in our club they must contact the President within 2 weeks of this posting in writing. Terry and Bonnie were both long time members of the Colchester Rotary Club and wish to transfer to our club due to the disbanding of the Colchester Club.
Andy also announced that the Board approved a $250.00 donation to the Eastern CT Community Foundation for a fund established in Nancy Gentes name for her years of service as President of Madonna Place.
*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.
*The Rotary Golf Tournament will be on September 1st. Gary Young said golfers, sponsors and volunteers are still needed. Crunch time and everyone needs to get involved! Gary has excellent auction items available for bidding on at our meeting leading up to the tournament.
*Andy reminded members to please invite prospective members to a lunch.
*The Rotary Community Corps is looking for sponsors for the “Harbor Fire” event on August 21st on Norwich Harbor. Fire starts at 8pm.
*On September 25th the Norwich Chamber will be hosting a Healthy Living Event at Dodd Stadium! Mike Matera is looking for volunteers to man the Rotary “Amber Alert” booth from 10 to 2pm. Needs at least 4 volunteers!
*Nancy Gentes reported that the phase 2 of the diaper project will take place shortly with the diapers going to the Thames River Family Program and TVCCA this time. Volunteers will be needed for delivery.
*Dues invoices will be distributed in the next couple of weeks. Please pay promptly.
Happy Dollars: Jen Granger
*Jen started things off informing that this week is “National Health Care Center Week.” A nice event took place this morning up at Mohegan Park to recognize UCFS of which she serves as President. Many dignitaries attended including Congressman Joe Courtney, Mayor Peter Nystrom and other state officials.
*Barry Shead gave to welcome Rick Bassett. He also said he spent a nice week up in Maine with his family and daughter who is visiting from the west coast. Her luggage eventually made it to the East Coast. He also said he has some weddings to attend in the next few weeks!
*Bill Champagne said he had a nice conversation with former Norwich Rotarian Tom Castle. Bill also gave an update on the career of another former Norwich Rotarian Brett Bernadini who is now heading the Nebraska Shakespeare Theatre.
*Jeff Bruning was happy to be back from a great vacation and gave Jen Granger best wishes and enjoyed the UCFS event earlier in the morning. He also said he was busy working on his sailboat and had been very busy lately with 3 separate water main breaks in the city.
*Gary Young had happy dollars to welcome Fred Gonsalves and said that back in the 1970”s Fred played catcher on the RL&G softball team!
*Mike Cooney welcomed his daughter Katie and said they had a great week last week at the Cub Scout Camp.
*Andy Nollman had a great visit over the weekend to New Hampshire with his wife’s family. While there they drew for what Patriot’s games each would get for the upcoming season. Andy offered his tickets for the Buc’s for BIG BUCK’S if anyone is interested in seeing Tom Brady return to Gillette Stadium!
Auction: No Auction.
Lottery: Kathryn Tracey: Katie Cooney, Nancy Gentes & Bill Champagne drew cards to no avail! An extra ticket was drawn for the ARC cookies and Susy Hurlbert won!
President Andy introduced Acting District Governor Rick Bassett to say a few words. Today was not his official visit but he wanted to say hello. Rick had a funny story to convey about driving with Bonnie Hong a few years ago and was happy to end up in one piece! He said how much he misses Bonnie as we all do. Rick will be back in his official capacity later this year and we look forward to his visit!
Program: Bob Farwell introduced Roberta Vincent from the Cape Verdean Restoration Project.
Nestled between lofty hills in the easterly section of Norwich, less than five minutes walk from the center of the city, St. Anthony’s Chapel was erected. It was the pious ambitions of Joseph C. Delgado, who during his youth entertained desires for the priesthood.
Mr. Delgado believed that everyone of the Catholic faith should offer something to please God. He had a dream one day, saw the Chapel and built it according to the picture which was presented to him at the time. With his own money and manual labor, he erected the Chapel. Because of his devotion to St. Anthony, Mr. Delgado dedicated the edifice to this great saint of Padua, Italy. The inscription over the door of the Chapel in Portuguese says, “A Chapel to St. Anthony, Baptized 4th day of July 1926”.
The interior of the Chapel is 16 feet long, 9 feet wide. Statues of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, St. Anthony, St. Anne and St. Therese surround the altar. A barber, Mr. Delgado cut down a barber pole, painted over the red stripes in white and used it as a base to hold the crucifix which stands at the front of the Chapel. Tiny framed drawings hung along the wall depict the 14 Stations of the Cross. The statues and other icons were given by friends as gifts. The Chapel, which is almost childlike, has a quiet dignity.
When Mr. Delgado died in 1967, the funeral train drove by Talman Street, past the house and St. Anthony’s Chapel. Since 1926 and until the day of his death the Chapel was never locked.
In the years between 1926 and 1976, the Chapel had fallen into disrepair. The Cape Verdean Santiago Society, Inc. and its members completed the restoration of the Chapel on July 30, 1977. On that day the Chapel was blessed by the Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly, Bishop of Norwich along with Reverend Thomas Bride and neighboring priests.
On August 6, 2003, St. Anthony’s Chapel was listed on the State Register of Historic Places by the Connecticut Historical Commission. The Chapel, which had fulfilled a dream, has become a symbol of the arrival, establishment and settlement of the Cape Verdeans in the city of Norwich and a symbol of pride for the man who left such a priceless legacy.
On October 29, 2004, St. Anthony’s Chapel was razed. For several years, the Delgado family had tried unsuccessfully to relocate the Chapel so that the symbol of the Cape Verdean Community and the history of its people would remain unscathed.
Norwich City Officials, residents and members of the Cape Verdean community were committed to raising funds in order to reconstitute the Chapel. Monies were acquired through donations, grants, social events and the sale of St. Anthony’s Chapel Custom Ornaments.
A Non-Profit, 501 c(3) Exempt Organization, “A Capela do Santo Antonio, Inc.” was incorporated to allow this organization to apply for grants and accept personal donations.
Personal donations can be sent to :
Chelsea Groton Savings Bank
One Franklin Square
P.O. Box 151
Norwich, CT 06360-0151
checks payable to “A Capela do Santo Antonio, Inc”.
A replica of the Chapel was built on the grounds of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 70 Central Avenue, Norwich, CT. A re-dedication service was held on Saturday, April 29, 2006, with Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly officiating. Choir members from the St. Patrick’s Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts joined us in the celebration. A gathering of family, parishioners, and friends took place after the dedication.
The first Feast of St. Anthony was held on Saturday, June 9, 2007. St. Mary’s celebrated with two symbols which exemplified St. Anthony’s life; the blessing of the Lilies and the distribution of The Bread of St. Anthony to the parishioners. A new statue of St. Anthony was carried in a procession by members of A Capela do Santo Antonio, Inc., and placed on the altar. The Feast of St. Anthony will be celebrated each year.
For Private Tours, please contact: Roberta J. Vincent – 860.705.3176 or Alfred Gonsalves -860.917.9586
At 1:00pm Barry Shead led the club members in the 4 Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.
Bob Reed – Rone Reporter