Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
August 6, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Barry Shead
Fellowship: Barry Shead filling in for Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Stan Lucas introduced Atty. Isabel Del Vecchio. Mike Matera introduced his son Jonathan Matera.
Visiting Rotarians: John Merkel from Mystic Rotary
Barry’s fellowship was a short history on Robert Todd Lincoln, the oldest son of President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. Robert was an American lawyer and businessman. He was the only one of their four children to survive past the teenage years and also the only one to outlive both his parents. Robert Lincoln became a business lawyer and company president, and served as both United States Secretary of War (1881–1885) and the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain (1889–1893). Barry said there is a connection with Robert Lincoln to Norwich as Norwich Rotarian Mike Goldblatt owns a car that was one owned by President Lincoln’s grandson. Barry said he has toured the home of Robert Lincoln in Manchester, Vermont and said it’s worth seeing if you ever find yourself in that area. Robert Lincoln died in 1926 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan encouraged members to keep inviting people to our lunch meetings!
Announcements:
*New Member Posting (1st Posting)* Stan Lucas has proposed Attorney Isabel Del Vecchio for membership. If any member has objection please contact President Steve or any member of the Board.
Please bring spare clean egg cartons and give them to Bonnie Johnson.
Celebrate Diversity event will take place on Chelsea Parade on September 3rd from 5pm to 8pm. Sponsors are needed badly as there are no grants available this year to help pay for the event.
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.
Rotary Golf will be September 3rd. Get your 4-somes together as well as sponsors. Raffle items and goody bad items are also needed. Brochures are available to get sponsors at all levels and golfers.
Happy Dollars: Andy Grant
Andy started things off by welcoming Mike’s son Jonathan to the meeting.
Bill Champagne read excerpts from former Norwich Rotarian Steve Plank’s obituary. Here is a link to Steve’s obituary https://www.californiafuneralalternatives.com/obituary/StephenJ-Plank
Kathryn Tracey passed around a volunteer sign-up sheet for the Celebrate Cultural Diversity Day that will take place on September 29th.
Andy Nollman said that Jim Daly could not attend today’s meeting and asked him to please remember Steve Plank for him as Steve played a big part in his success. Andy also said he had a great weekend in New Hampshire visiting both his wife family and members of his family.
Mike Matera said last week he spent a great time with his old buddies in Alaska. They stayed at Air B&B’s and covered a lot of territory. Mike said while he was away, his wife and son Jonathan visited family in Brazil.
Pat Marshall shared a story about her grandson.
John Merkel said he was happy to be visiting our club today and looked forward to speaking about District Managed Grants.
Steve Martin said he did business with Steve Plank when he first started out in business and you would be hard pressed to find a better man. Steve is also looking forward to golfing in the Donny Marshall Golf Tournament this coming week.
Rodney Green reported that the Coat Drive has begun and he has purchased the first round of 360 new coats with more to come.
Stan Lucas gave tribute to Steve Plank and ended is comments saying that when Steve served as Norwich Rotary President he was a stickler for staying on schedule during weekly meetings!
Auction: Liz Cooke will donate $20.00?
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Tom Adams, Steve Martin and Kathryn Tracey drew cards but could not find the Ace! Pat Marshall won Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: President Steve introduced John Merkel who serves as District 7980 Managed Grants Chair. John started off by thanking Norwich Rotarian Nancy Gentes, who sits on the Managed Grants Committee, for her hard work and expertise as DMG Review Chair. District Managed Grants (DMG) are short-term grants in support of local, international humanitarian service projects and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference scholarships. They are funded through a grant from The Rotary Foundation (TRF), applied for annually and managed by the District 7980 Foundation Committee. For more information on District Managed Grants please log on to the following https://www.rotary7980.org/district-managed-grants/
The meeting concluded with all in attendance reciting the 4-Way Test and President Steve adjourned the meeting at 1:15pm.