Henri-Marie Boyle
Presiding: Mike Cooney.
Invocation: Barry Shead.
Fellowship: With Bob Farwell. He used the word “salubrious” in a sentence – sending many people to their phones and Google. Then he spoke at Stendhal Syndrome. The trigger for the condition, according to Psychology Today, “is works of art that are perceived by the individual to be beautiful and all housed in one place (such as an art gallery).” Stendahl, of course, was the pen name 19th century French author Henri-Marie Boyle (1783-1842).
Birthdays: None.
Anniversaries: None.
Guests: Annah Perch, the director of annual giving at Norwich Free Academy.
Announcements: Native Son/Daughter nominations are open. The first meeting of the committee was to occur just after this very meeting.
The carnival is slated for Memorial Day Weekend at a site to be determined.
At noon on March 18, the 100th anniversary of our club will be celebrated during the regular meeting. There will be cake.
The next meeting of the centennial committee is March 4.
The One World Variety Show is March 27 at NFA.
Happy Dollars with Jen Granger.
Jen went to the annual state contractors association award dinner in Farmington. UCFS was awarded the best small build in the state for its Griswold Health Center.
Susy Hurlbert went to the Blues on Broadway concert last week, and to Café Otis before the show. She was impressed with both. Her daughter has secured her community hours needed for school, and Susy is going on a cruise.
Theresa Madonna saluted Martin House, and reminded people of its major fundraiser, coming up on Feb. 28 at Tony D’s in New London. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased from Theresa.
Erin Gizio signed her husband up for ski lessons with their daughter. The family went skiing and Erin says skiing is a great event for children; especially in that it gives them confidence.
Mike Cooney’s son Matt is turning 7 soon. The birthday outing was to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford and to Chucky Cheese. He also donated $5 – the same $5 that Bob Farwell gave him to not play music before the meeting.
Lottie Scott is going to South Carolina to visit, including for her aunt’s 103rd birthday.
Auction: None today. Mary Richardson donated instead.
Lottery with Bill Champagne: Jim Daly, Jen Granger and the Jim Konrad/Theresa Madonna combo all failed.
Program: Jim Konrad, who talked about The Bulletin’s community connections, including their large stable of local columnists. A lively Q&A was included.