November 19th, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Rodney Green
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Guest Speaker Suzi Schell from the Waterford Country School
Visiting Rotarians: None
Barry’s fellowship started off with seeing as there are no Rotarian Birthday’s to report he noted that today is Red Sox great David Ortiz birthday as well as actress Imogene Coca’s birthday. He said anyone with a cool name like Imogene should be remembered! Barry then gave a brief history of a very notable woman in American history, Julia DeForest Tuttle. Julia was a landowner and entrepreneur known as the “Mother of Miami” for her pivotal role in the city’s founding. After moving to the area following her husband’s death, she bought land and convinced railroad magnate Henry Flagler to extend his railroad to Miami by sending him citrus blossoms during the 1894-95 freeze. Her efforts led to the development of the city, and she is recognized as the only female founder of a major U.S. city.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan announced that he would like to host another Holiday Pot Luck/Yankee Swap dinner at his Norwich home on 280 Broadway. December 10th is planned from 5:30 to 7:30. Great way to invite prospective Rotary members to meet current members and learn what Rotary is all about. Stay tuned for details.
Announcements:
President Steve announced that $3,600.00 was raised for the Liberty Bank/Rotary Thanksgiving Challenge. 48-$75.00 gift cards will be distributed.
Please bring spare clean egg cartons and give them to Bonnie Johnson.
If you know of a speaker for one of our meetings, please contact Kevin Wickless or Alexis Kahn to get on the schedule.
If there is a Rotarian who is sick or going through a tough time let the Sunshine Committee know and contact Mary Richardson or Nancy Gentes.
** Looking for volunteers (3) to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).
Happy Dollars: Mike Matera
Mike Matera started things off saying great job to everyone for a very successful Liberty Bank/Rotary Thanksgiving Challenge. Mike’s staying busy trying to keep up with his son’s busy sports schedule. He finished with a story of his dog Namar jumping out of his car and disappearing into the wood chasing a deer. Thankfully Namar returned 15 minutes later!
Barry Shead went to Mechanics Hall in Worcester over the weekend for a Glenn Miller Band concert. He was so caught up in the music he bought $50.00 worth of Glenn Miller music CD’s without realizing he no longer owned a CD player!
Rodney Green said he attended the Annual Madonna Place Holiday Dinner. He also read a letter from Operation Warm founder Dick Sanforo thanking Rotary for the donation of $7,776 for winter coats.
Cara Westcott said that she was featured in a recent episode of “Poppy’s Planet” that was filmed at the UCFS facility here in Norwich. Poppy’s Planet is a children’s show that promotes mindfulness, creativity, and social-emotional learning through imaginative play and exploration. Cara also just returned from a trip to London to visit her daughter. She visited a memorial garden for Princess Diana that was quite moving as well as the play “Wicked.” She’s looking forward to her daughter returning on December 13th home.
Steve Martin said that he attended a meeting covering programs that Hartford Health Care offers at their training center in Willimantic that was really good.
Jeff Brining was very happy to announce that the Board of Directors of NPU just named him as the new General Manager of Norwich Public Utilities. Thunderous applause followed!
Susy Hurlbert gave to congratulate Jeff on his new position. Susy just returned from a realtor’s conference in Houston, Texas and there were great speakers at the conference, most notably Olympian Gabby Giffords and Robert Herjavec from the show “Shark Tank.” She also still has tickets for the CT Realtor’s that has lots of great prizes and cash prizes. $10.00 a ticket. See Susy for your opportunity to win!
Pat Marshall said her son has been attending Iron Man classes at the gym he belongs to in New York City. She said he said that the classes were good, but the next day was not as good! Sore! She said that David and Kevin will once again be taking part in the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade as giant balloon bearers. This year, look for the Minnie Mouse Balloon and that’s them!
Auction: Susy Hurlbert auctioned of a bag of good stuff featuring a bottle of red wine, a French coffee press and a gift card to Starbucks. Cara Westcott was the high bidder at $20.00!
Lottery: Kathryn Tracey
Susy Hurlbert, Pat Marshall and Paul Gaffney could not find that Ace of Spades.
Program: President Steve introduced Suzi Schell, Development Director at Waterford Country School. Suzi said Waterford Country School is proud to be a nonprofit agency with strong roots. In 1922, Ettie and Henry Schacht started a school in Brooklyn, NY and later moved their innovative school and camp operation to Quaker Hill, CT. Waterford Country School now employs 150 staff and sits on 320 acres of rural land. Every day, we use of therapeutic animal interaction, nature based enrichment activities, hands on learning, and compassionate staff to change the growth trajectory for struggling children. We are proud of how far we’ve come. For more information on the many incredible programs offered and how you can support log on to https://www.waterfordcountryschool.org/
The meeting concluded with Bonnie Johnson reciting the 4-Way Test at 1:28pm.
** Looking for volunteers (3) to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).