Norwich Rotary Club
February 2, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Elect Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Barry Shead
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Manny Kadish – 2/2 and Kathleen Stauffer 2/7
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Dustin Maurice and Guest Speaker Vic Butch
Barry gave a fellowship with some facts about prominent Black American’s in honor of Black History Month. The 1st Black man to play in the NFL was Fritz Pollard. The NFL started in Ohio in 1920 and featured teams from only that state. In 1920 Pollard played football for the Akron Pros and the following year he was the 1st black coach of that league. In 1926 the owners of the NFL removed black players. He spent some time organizing all-black barnstorming teams, including the Chicago Black Hawks in 1928 and the Harlem Brown Bombers in the 1930s. In 1946 black players were able to return to the game.
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*Susy reminded that the Covid protocols are in effect for our meetings and masks should be worn when not eating or when one comes forward for Happy Dollars and the Lottery.
*Susy reminded Rotarians to please invite prospective members for lunch and introduce them to Rotary.
*The club will be looking for speakers. Should you know of an appropriate guest speaker contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless.
*Saturday April 9th will be the “District Day of Service” and a project is in the works for the club to do from 8am to 11am that morning with a lunch to follow.
*The 7980 District Assembly and Conference will take place on April 23rd at the Mystic Marriott in Groton. The club will cover the cost for up to 4 members to attend. Contact Andy Nollman before the March 15th deadline if you care to attend.
*Wednesday May 4th the club will host a “Whisky Event” at Bella Fiore at 6pm. Tickets are $75.00 and can be purchased via Eventbrite. The sponsor will be Franklin Wine and Spirits. Dinner, Whisky and Cigars as well as an auction will take place. Stay tuned for further details. Put the date on your calendars now!
*September 7th will be the date for the 2022 Annual Golf Tournament.
*Please pay your dues!
Happy Dollars: Jen Granger
*Jen gave and reminded that today is 2-2-22! Also, the Ground Hog saw his shadow so get ready for a lot more winter!
*Bob Farwell said the 1st black man to play professional baseball was a man named Moses Walker who played long before Jackie Robinson. Walker played in the minor leagues until 1889, and was the last African-American to participate on the major league level before Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color line in 1947. Walker played for the Toledo Blue Stockings.
*Jeff Bruning gave $20.00 and said he was glad to be back to Rotary after missing a few meetings. 6 weeks of winter is ok with him as it means more time for skiing before it’s time to put his boat in the water and start sailing!
*Rodney Green told the story of a man who worked for him who played for the Black Yankees in the Bronx in the early part of the 1900’s. His name was Aaron Douglas and he was only 14 years old when he played baseball. He lived well into his 80’s.
*Susy Hurlbert Welcomed our guest speaker. She also said her carpet shampoo machine is working well and getting a workout as a result of her new puppy. She also reminded that ECAR is an equal opportunity organization who champions rights for all races and genders.
*Gary Young told a humorous story of buying a new jigsaw at Ace Hardware. He ended going back 3 times before he got all the things he needed to actually make the saw work like batteries and a battery charger! Thought he’d only be spending a small amount of money but ended up spending $220.00 before getting the job done!
*Barry Shead said he ran into Mayor Nystrom and said the Mayor fully intends on submitting an application for membership.
*Bill Champagne gave a sad dollar for his friend Mary Edgar passing away. He also congratulated Regan Miner and Dayne Rauh for their 40 under 40 Honor by Connecticut Magazine. He also said he was saddened by the troubles that former Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores and the injustice that a few of the NFL teams and the League has shown him.
*Lottie Scott was happy to see and hear everyone via Zoom. She was also happy she received a call from the press where she grew up in South Carolina and will be featured in news stories there.
Auction: John Mancini had this week’s auction but was not in attendance. A $20.00 donation should follow.
Lottery: Bonnie Johnson: Kathryn Tracy, Susy Hurlbert and Gary Young drew cards and no Ace of Spades was found! Kathryn Tracy and Rodney Green were the winners of the excellent cookies from ARC. Thank you Barry Shead!
Program: Bob Farwell introduced Vic Butch who started the Norwich Civil War Roundtable and recently retired from Electric Boat. Vic has served on the Board of Directors of the Norwich Historical Society and gives Civil War Cemetery tours at the Yantic Cemetery on occasion. Vic told the story of one of Norwich’s most important Native Sons Aaron Dwight Stevens who was born in Lisbon and raised in Norwich. Stevens is most famous for fighting alongside John Brown on the raid at Harper’s Ferry fighting for freedom and justice for Native American slaves. Stevens was charged with murder, treason, aiding and abetting slaves to rebel. Having been found guilty of only aiding and abetting slaves he was hanged for it on the day before his 29th birthday. His sister and his girlfriend attend his hanging. Today there is a section of Route 138 in Lisbon that is named in his honor. More can be learned on this amazing piece of history by reading “Fields of Honor-Pivotal Battles of the Civil War” by Edwin C. Bearss.
At 1:08pm Bonnie Johnson led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter