Norwich Rotary Club
July 6th, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Gary Young
Two hundred and forty six years ago
The British suffered a mighty blow
In London they were sipping a cup of tea
While in America we were setting this country free
It was the start of a great nation
Built on wisdom and a Godly foundation
Our founders were not perfect but they set the stage
Where each generation could grow by turning the next page
In every endeavor we could have done better
If we followed God’s word and the Constitution to the letter
But we swerved and we dodged and we made some mistakes
Sometimes I think God wonders if we have what it takes
To turn things around before it’s too late
Or have we already gone through a closing gate
I know this sounds like things are tough
And you’re thinking hey enough is enough
So here is what I suggest we do
It’s easy and it’s certainly nothing new
Don’t turn away and do not cower
But every day pray for those in power
They need our support and they need our love
But mostly they need help from above
So that when they are gone we all can claim
That their decisions were not based on fortune or fame
So cheer up and be glad because we can still brag
That it’s still a privilege to salute Old Glory-our flag
Now let’s give thanks for the usual stuff
For the food and the fellowship-Always more than enough
And until we get together again-Let’s praise the Lord and say Aman!
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: No Birthdays
Anniversaries: No Anniversaries
Visiting Rotarians: No visiting Rotarians
Guests: Marilyn Lowney
Barry enlightened us on things that happened on this day in history. Some of the highlights included in 1887 Lottie Dodd won the women’s final at Wimbledon. In 1908 Perry made it to the North Pole. In 1933 the first Major League Baseball All Star game was played with Babe Ruth on the field. Also in 1933 the 3 Stooges released their 1st short film. In 1942 Anne Frank went into hiding. In 1947 the AK47 first went into production. In 1957 John Lennon first met Paul McCartney. In 1994 the movie Forrest Gump came out. And finally in 2022 on this date Norwich Rotarian Susy Hurlbert presided over her fist meeting as President!
Announcements:
*Susy Hurlbert had the following announcements:
*President Susy called fellow Rotarian Kathryn Tracey for a very special presentation. Kathryn presented a check to the club in the amount of $1,000.00 on behalf of Eastern Savings Bank for the Winter Coat Project. Thank you Kathryn!!!
*Please sign up for a Committee or two if you have not yet done so.
*Rotarians are encouraged to please invite prospective members for lunch and introduce them to the world of Rotary.
*The club will be looking for speakers. Should you know of an appropriate guest speaker contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless.
*September 7th will be the date for the 2022 Annual Golf Tournament.
*The club will be sponsoring another Amber Alert sign up on July 26th. Mike Matera will have more details to follow soon.
Happy Dollars: – Andy Grant
*Andy gave $100.00 and said the letter signed by Red Sox great Dwight Evans he bid on last week at the weekly auction could not have come at a better time. Over the weekend he was speaking with a good friend who is a huge fan of Dwight Evans and he gave him the letter! Andy also had kudo’s for Mike Matera for help with a lease.
*Bill Champagne spent the past 2 weeks in Chautauqua, New York and he and his wife had a great time. He also gave to congratulate Andy and Susy.
*Gary Young reminded the club of the annual golf tournament on September 7th. He also listed off a ton of great sports memorabilia that will be available to bid on at the auction. He also thanked Molly Bruno for offering space in her booth at Rock the Docks for his putting contest!
*Mary Richardson said she was pleased to see Jen Granger featured in the news and for Bob Farwell who brought books to Mohegan Park.
*Mike Matera welcomed Marilyn Lowney. He reported that he and his son worked around their house all weekend and his son came up with a few creative ways to try to end some of the work early. Yard work isn’t as fun as it would seem to be.
*Jen Granger was please that UCFS hosted a visit by Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. There were lots of pre-visit prep that included dealing with the Secret Service and all the other protocol that goes with hosting such a high ranking government official. It was a wonderful visit that was enjoyed by all.
*Andy Nollman gave $20.00 for having an amazing 4th of July weekend with friends and family. He also announced that his parents were celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary!
*Barry Shead said he was planning a trip to the mid-west this summer that will now have to be put on hold. His daughter informed him that she will be getting married in August and he’s better be there. Barry said he will and will pay for it too!
*Terry Congdon was happy to report that the art show this past Saturday in Niantic was a huge success and the rain held off as well! She sold a number of her art work!
*Bonnie Johnson Had a wonderful time out on her boat over the 4th of July weekend and the fireworks in Middletown were fantastic!
*Marilyn Lowney said today’s meeting was the first large indoor function she has been to since the Covid crisis began and was happy to attend.
*Susy Hurlbert spent the holiday weekend in Gettysburg, PA and stayed at a place called the Battlefield B&B. She said that she heard great lectures and didn’t realize how much she didn’t know about the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. She highly recommends a visit there by all.
Auction:
Jen Granger donated $20.00 for the cause!
Weekly Rotary Trivia: Terry Congdon. Terry asked a number of questions from articles from this month’s Rotarian magazine. Andy Nollman answered the most correctly and won himself some Rotary Golf Tees!
Lottery: – Bill Champagne
Barry Shead, Mary Richardson & Susy Hurlbert did not find the Ace of Spades! Gary Young won the cookies!
Program:
Roz Etra & Marilyn Lowney entertained the club with a good old fashioned American Sing-A-Long with Roz playing her accordion! The club sang a number of old American classics featuring “Take Me out to the Ballgame”, ‘God Bless America”, “Yankee Doodle” and “This Land is Your Land” just to name a few!
Susy Hurlbert led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter