Rotary Club of Norwich
February 10th, 2021
Location-ZOOM Meeting
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Gary Young gave a brilliant invocation as always.
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: Kathryn Tracy on 2/12 & Mike Cooney on 2/14
Anniversaries: Theresa Madonna 13 Years!
Visiting Rotarians: Past District Governor Rick Benson
Guests: None
Ray gave an interesting fellowship with some daily jokes of the week in the form of puns. Just a sample included this one “How much does a pirate pay for an ear of corn? A-buck-an-ear.” Others just as good drew groans and laughter! Thanks Ray!
Announcements:
Mary Richardson announced that a Board Meeting took place before the regular meeting. The Grant Committee is still in the process of working on a $1,000.00 District Grant along with RCC and the morning Rotary club and is considering a number of projects.
*President Mary is still looking for a Membership Chairperson. She also mentioned she received a thank you letter from Fr. Tony Roseforte from St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the club’s donation in memory of Jay Waitte’s wife Kate. She also thanked fellow Rotarian Susy Hurlbert for ECAR’s $500.00 donation for the coat drive. The District PETS conference is coming up in March and Mary is looking for volunteers to take part as there is currently no President-Elect.
*Upcoming programs – on 3/3 the speaker will be Christine Foster from Safe Futures. There will be a Service Person of the Month program in March for both last year’s recipient and this year’s recipient too.
*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 will send information on the East Hampton Rotary Club’s Comedy Night.
*Mike and Jim are working on nomination of officers for next year and it is a work in progress.
*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.
Happy Dollars: Jennifer Granger:
Jen started things off saying she was doing the Zoom meeting from the bedroom where she grew up in Milford. She was there as she just had her parents vaccinated for Covid and was staying close to make sure they experienced no side effects. She also added if you are 55+ and want to get on a list for the shots to give her a call and she can help out.
*Michelle Scott was happy to report that her 15month old tested negative for Covid.
*Bob Reed was happy to welcome Past District Governor Rick Benson to the meeting. He was also happy that the UConn Men’s Basketball team was playing Providence this afternoon and happy UConn is back in the Big East Conference where they belong!
*Bill Champagne reported that he misses playing “Southeastern Connecticut-monopoly (a local version of Monopoly) with his grandson. The game came out in the 1980’s and featured local businesses and benefited Easter Seals. It’s his grandson’s favorite game and he looks forward to playing it with him again when the pandemic ends.
*Gary Young had high praise for Macara Vehicle Services in Norwich for saving him $1,500 over a repair quote from another repair place from Old Saybrook. Good to deal local!
*Bob Farwell was happy to report he was able to set an appointment for getting a Covid vaccine shot. His wife however was not able to be as luck and he said there was a little jealousy taking place. She’ll keep trying!
*Susy Hurlbert reported that her son and daughter were supposed to be traveling to Seoul, Korea last week but were turned away at Logan Airport as officials rejected their Covid test papers for some reason. Things were straightened out and they are supposed to be flying out tonight!
*Jim Daly said he is signed up for the Vaccine and got an appointment, so he on a list at list!
*Barry Shead said he had sympathy for Gary’s vehicle woes!
Auction: Mike Cooney made a donation.
Lottery: Zoom lottery took place.
Program: Bob Farwell introduced Past District Governor, Rick Benson who gave a program on the Rotary Foundation. Rick reported that over 32 Million has been spent from the Rotary Foundation for Covid related programs outside of all the other programs RI supports. It is more important than ever to donate to the Rotary Foundation this year as the spending on programs is far out weighing the monies coming in so far. February is Rotary Foundation Month and he encouraged the club as well as individual members to be as generous as possible and donate to the foundation.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 1:19pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter