Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
April 8th, 2026
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE:
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: No Birthday’s
Anniversaries: No Anniversaries
Guests: Mary Richardson introduced Joanne Delouis. Kevin Brown from NCDC and our Guest Speaker Mayor Swarnjit Singh were also in attendance.
Visiting Rotarians: None
Nancy’s fellowship was “Famous Women throughout History.” Nancy enlightened us with speaking about such great women including Jane Austin, Nellie Bly, Marie Curie and Hedy Lamarr.
Announcements:
The Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event will take place once again this year on May 6th at Bella Fiore. Tickets will go on sale NOW and can be purchased at https://www.norwichrotaryevents.org/ This year’s goal is 80 attendees and $6,000.00 raised. Please consider supporting this event by buying a ticket, inviting a friend and be a sponsor! The event is already half sold out!
Native Son/Daughter luncheon will be coming up. A meeting of that committee is meeting following today’s meeting to choose this year’s honoree.
Rotary Day of Service is May 16th so mark your calendars and help pack meals at the United Methodist Church in Ledyard.
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.
**Reminder** as a courtesy to our guest speakers, guests and fellow members, Rotarians are strongly encouraged to silence all electronic devices during meetings.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan handed out cards that are invitations for prospective members to come to a lunch or Rotary event. Stan urged everyone to USE THEM!
Happy Dollars: Mike Matera
Mike welcomed our guests and said he was sad to have seen both UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams lose in the Final 4.
Stan Lucas gave requesting that Rodney Green return to the club as the welcome song was way off key today and when he’s here it always pitch perfect!
Andy Grant welcomed Mayor Singh.
Paul Gaffney was happy to share that he scored a hole-in-one on the 15th hole of the Norwich Golf Course the day prior!
Barry Shead said Jim Daly sends his best. He welcomed Mayor Singh and complimented him on his support of the Cultural Diversity Event and the food he served.
Susy Hurlbert welcomed our guests. She attended a realtor’s conference last week. She was also disturbed by some hateful posts on social media involving Mayor Singh.
Anna Lucas welcomed our guests. She’s looking forward to traveling to California to visit her brother Mason. She was also happy to have completed her teaching certificate in cosmetology.
Mary Richardson gave $15.00 in honor of her 15th Rotary Anniversary that was last week.
Margarida Martins-Querido said she finally met her son’s girlfriend over the Easter holiday and she met with her approval! Her son showed his girlfriend all the places he thought important throughout Eastern Connecticut.
Auction: Kathleen Stauffer sent an IOU.
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Our guest Joanne, Susy Hurlbert and Mary Richardson came forward and drew cards. No luck! Cookies went to Steve Martin
Program: Anna Lucas introduced Norwich’s newly elected Mayor Swarnjit Singh. Mayor Singh spoke about many of his goals for economic development including the Chestnut Street Mill, waterfront development projects, civic engagement and Dodd Stadium. He took many questions from Rotarians in attendance and it was a very positive exchange. He welcomed everyone’s help and input for accomplishing is goals. Norwich Rotary certainly wishes Mayor Singh well in accomplishing all his goals that lay ahead.
The meeting concluded with the club reciting the 4-Way Test at 1:19pm.
** Looking for volunteers to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).**