Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
December 3rd, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: Bill Champagne – Today! Erin Gizio – 12/12
Anniversaries: Pat Marshall 2 years on 12/6
Guests:
Visiting Rotarians:
Nancy’s fellowship was some “funny” or “odd” events that have taken part in history. Here are just some of the funniest ones. The “Great Emu War” was a 1932 military operation in Western Australia where soldiers armed with machine guns were deployed to cull an estimated 20,000 emus that were destroying crops. During President Taft’s Presidential years he was rumored to have been stuck in his bath tub due to his large frame being over 6 feet tall and weighing 340 pounds! The CIA is said to have plotted to kill Fidel Castro with exploding cigars. The CIA had been brainstorming and implementing plots to assassinate Fidel Castro during the Kennedy administration.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan announced that he is hosting another Holiday Pot Luck/Yankee Swap dinner at his Norwich home on 280 Broadway, December 10th from 5:30 to 7:30. Great way to invite prospective Rotary members to meet current members and learn what Rotary is all about. If you haven’t signed up, let Stan know if you’re coming. Stan also read an obituary for former Norwich Noon-time Rotarian Denny Gibbs. Denison Noyes Gibbs of Norwich, Connecticut passed away on November 28, 2025. He is survived by his beloved soulmate of 67 years, Margot Hacker Gibbs, son Stephen and wife (2nd daughter) Albertine of Stamford, CT and daughter Karen and husband (2nd son) Gary Bilotti of Barrington, RI. Also in mourning are very special grandchildren Dr. Katharina Bilotti (Dr. Blaise Leeber); Laura Veyera (Bryan), Ian Gibbs (Kathleen); Stephanie Gibbs; Tanner Gibbs; and great grandchildren Claire and Evan Leeber; and Georgia and Nicholas Veyera. Denison is also survived by brother Brent Outwater. He was predeceased by his brother Ralph, sister Elizabeth Gibbs Cummings, and stepsiblings Barbara and Catrina.
Denny was born August 5, 1933 in Norwich to the late Ralph Lillibridge Gibbs and Elizabeth Noyes. He was a graduate of Hotchkiss and received a B.A. from Yale College, ’55. This was followed by service in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, Atomic Artillery commander in Germany. He was the recipient of the Quilt of Valor in honor of his service to his country. Locally, Denny was co-owner of Moran Insurance Agency, was the 1986 Norwich Citizen of the Year, served as President of the Rose Arts Festival, President of the Rotary Club, and President of the Denison Family Society. He also was a Corporator of Norwich Savings Society and Chelsea Groton Bank, and was Vice President of St. Jude Commons, Executive Board Member of Backus Hospital and Director-Trustee of Maplewood Cemetery. He took special pride in being a 6-gallon blood donor and his first job was delivering the Norwich Bulletin six days a week for 15 cents a week! He was beloved by many and enjoyed the special times with his friends at Dixie Donuts. Religiously, he was a (lifelong) member of Central Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Most recently he was an attendant at First Congregational Church in Norwichtown.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the First Congregational Church of Norwich, 81 East Town St, Norwich, CT 06360 (firstcongregationalchurchofnorwich) or The Norwich Historical Society 69 East Town St, Norwich CT 06360 (norwichhistoricalsociety.org)
Calling hours will be held on December 12th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Woyasz & Son Funeral Home, 141 Central Ave, Norwich. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery.
Announcements:
President Steve said that plans for a Rotary Blood Drive are going forward and will take place at the Norwich Senior Center. More details to follow.
THERE WILL BE NO ROTARY MEETINGS AND DECEMBER 24TH AND DECEMBER 31ST.
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: Barry Shead
Barry Shead gave to remember Denny Gibbs and said that his Thanksgiving holiday was an enjoyable one as the stress level was much lower as he had a smaller crowd than usual!
Bill Champagne gave tribute to Denny as well. He also gave $76.00 in honor of his birthday and credited the club on a great job singing happy birthday to him during fellowship!
Andrew Nollman had a very funny Denny Gibbs story to share when he ran the Native Son/Daughter Award a few years ago. Looking for a Florida condo? He’s selling his parents condo in West Palm Beach for a real deal! Andy also said he had a great time over the weekend attending a wedding in South Carolina. He’s sorry he’ll miss the holiday party at Stan’s but it his wife’s birthday and they have plans!
Mike Goldblatt remembered Denny. He had a good story of a recent visit to Williamsburg that involved what happens when one committed a crime in the old days and you ended up in the stocks! Tough on crime back then for sure!
Mike Cooney said he had a good Thanksgiving. He was at an Eagle Scout review when he got the call that Denny Gibbs died from the Norwich Bulletin. Denny was a big help to him when it was his year to organize the Native Son/Daughter luncheon. Mike also remembered Kevin Ryan who recently passed as a good person.
Nancy Gentes said she has really enjoyed watching the PBS/Ken Burns series on the American Revolution. She also said that Terry Friedman sends her best wishes and she hopes to attend a Rotary meeting in the near future.
Paul Gaffney gave good news that his cousin has had a successful kidney transplant. He also shared that a family member Father John Gaffney used to work with Pope Leo a few years ago!
Auction: No Auction today
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Paul Gaffney, Mike Matera and Barry Shead could not find that Ace of Spades. Stan Lucas was the winner of Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: No Program today.
The meeting concluded with Rodney Green reciting the 4-Way Test at 12:55pm.
** Looking for volunteers (3) to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).