Rotary Club of Norwich
October 14th, 2020
Location-Courtyard by Marriott
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Barry Shead
Fellowship: Bob Farwell
Birthdays: Keith Caplet – 10/15
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: None
Bob’s started fellowship in saying that 3 baseball great’s died this past week. Whitey Ford, Joe Morgan and Bob Gibson. Bob spoke today of Bob Gibson who was a Hall of Fame pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Bob pitched 17 seasons for the Cardinals and was actually a basketball player for the Harlem Globetrotter’s before becoming a major league baseball player. Bob was an early proponent for civil rights and was instrumental in the Cardinals being the first major league team to end segregation. In 1968, Bob had an ERA on only 1.12! He was known as a no nonsense player who rarely smiled and was not very friendly with his fellow team players and opposing team players. He destroyed the Red Sox in the 1967 World Series by being the winning pitcher for 2 games and even hitting a home run in game 7.
Announcements:
*Mary Richardson called on Rodney Green for a report on the Coat Drive. Rodney stated that 2 weeks from today on the 28th will be Coat Day for meeting in the basement at Auto Zone next to Surplus Unlimited for packing and wrapping coats.
*The Board voted to make Manny Kadish an Honorary Member of the club.
*The school supply drive will continue to January. Please bring Crayola Crayons, Crayola Markers and Ticonderoga Pencils to the weekly meetings for collection.
*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 as well if needed.
*Gary Young reported that “Benji’s Fund” has money to give away to young people who need help with education expenses or just general living expenses. He’s concerned that the money is sitting dormant and need to get out and put to good causes. Let Gary know if you know of any young person who would qualify. Gary will bring the bi-laws next week to explain the parameters.
*The Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Matching $20.00 drive has started at today’s meeting and will run through Thanksgiving.
*Mary Richardson reported there will be a meeting with the sunrise club about The Rotary Park on the harbor. The flag needs replacing as well as some brush cleanup around that area. Stay tuned for information on addressing this issue.
*”The Million Mask Challenge” took place last Wednesday and Mary had a good number of masks to distribute to Bob Farwell, Andy Grant and Nancy Gentes.
*October 24 is Rotary World Polio Day and all the club’s in our district are expected to donate $500.00 to the effort.
*Norwich Rotary has purchased 2 tables for the Virtual Trivial Pursuit Challenge to benefit Madonna Place. Sign up and let Nancy Gentes know if you want to play.
Happy Dollars: Barry Shead:
Barry started things off with $40.00 for the Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Challenge. He challenged members with the “Barry 20-20” Challenge to double the usual $20.00 donation because the need will be greater than ever this year. He also reminded us that Bob Gibson only allowed 3 runs in the 1967 World Series which brought the hot hitting Red Sox to an unsuccessful outcome.
Erin Gizio gave to the Thanksgiving Challenge and told a story of her daughter taking rock climbing lessons and wanted special rock climbing new shoes to do so. Erin told her everything would be furnished and she did not need them. He daughter did so well rock climbing, guess what? She got her new shoes!
Mike Cooney is happy his son Matt is scheduled to return to “in person” schooling next week! He also said to stay tuned for information on the “No Show Gala” and his son Matt is selling popcorn again this year and you can order on-line and it will be delivered to your home..
Jim Daly gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and for his grandkids who are 2 years and 13 years old.
Gary Young gave $20.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and to thank Andrew Nollman for the invite to the annual BNI Golf Tournament.
Mary Richardson gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and offed to lend Lottie Scott’s book to anyone who would like to read it. Jim Daly took he up on her offer.
Susy Hurlbert had $20.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge. She also reported that the meeting with ECAR and all the candidates running for election went very well. She also thanked Bill Champagne for the Community Outreach Committee.
Andy Nollman gave $20.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and was thankful that his wife Lona will not have to go through surgery for her herniated disk but will still have to be out of work for a while.
Rodney Green gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and was happy to report the Chestnut Street Playhouse Golf Tournament netted $12,000 that will certainly help pay for the issues with the windows in the front of the theatre.
Bill Champagne gave $20.00 to the Thanksgiving Challenge and said he had a call from the leader of his high school class from Hopkin’s School in New Haven that a class mate died recently. The gentleman who died was the only African American in the class. Bill will be working on a way to honor the man. He also said that the Hopkin’s School now has an African American principal and a diverse student enrollment.
Nancy Gentes gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge.
Kevin Wickless also gave $20.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge.
Lottie Scott gave $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge and is still trying to get better at her technical skills on the computer for the Zoom meetings!
Keith Caplet gave $20.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge.
Bob Farwell gave willingly $40.00 for the Thanksgiving Challenge!
Auction: Barry Shead auctioned off a package of chocolate chip cookies that were made by the ARC Bakery. Susy Hurlbert was the high bidder at $10.00!
Lottery: Kathleen Tracy
Rodney Green, & Ray Baribeault, and Nancy Gentes drew cards! The Ace of Spades is still safe for another week! Only 14 cards left!
Program: No Program today.
Bill Champagne led the club with the 4-Way Test.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 12:49pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter