Norwich Rotary Club
February 12, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Mandy Crispim
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: Kathryn Tracey – 2/12 Mike Cooney – 2/14 and Alexis Kahn – 2/18
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Bonnie Johnson introduced Sean Spatafora and Stan Lucas introduced Atalia Champalath
Visiting Rotarians: Jan Sauvageau from Norwich Sunrise
The club sang the “old” version of the welcome song much to Rodney’s chagrin. We owe it to President Rodney to learn the new welcome song that he wrote himself! As they say at Carnegie Hall “Practice, practice, practice!” We can learn the “new” one!!
Ray continued Fellowship with his usual Puns! “There is a big sale at the Lego Store. People are lined up for blocks!”
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan encouraged members who wrote down prospects to follow up in the next couple weeks and invite them to a Rotary Lunch Meeting!
Announcements:
There is still time to donate to the Clock Tower Project. The Rotary website has been updated with current pledge forms and Rotarians and anyone else can get their pledges in by February 28th to be included in naming opportunities on the clock. Installation will hopefully be in April or very soon thereafter.
Rotary Grants are now through May 15th. Applications can be found on the Norwich Rotary website.
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.
**New Member Postings**: Michael Vaz-Thames River Family Program-2nd Posting. Sean Spatafora of Crystal Restoration, LLC – 1st Posting. If any member has objection please talk to President Rodney or any member of the Board.
Happy Dollars: Mike Matera
Mike started things off with wishing a happy birthday to all the birthday people. He also added that his son is finishing up his mid-term exams at St. Patrick’s School.
Gary Young is happy now that football season has ended baseball spring training is just around the corner! He then followed with a story about Yankee Stadium and the Red Sox/Yankee rivalry and how Mickey Mantle showed class in defending a Red Sox player who was being assaulted buy some unruly fans.
Roz Etra commented on how her daughter Dori enjoyed her visit to the club and she is still selling Girl Scout Cookies. See her if you want to order some! Roz also told some funny stories about blizzards always happening around big family events and holidays! They all turned out fine, especially her and Joel’s nuptials taking place in a huge snow storm.
Bill Champagne reminded that February is Black History Month. He said that the Garde Theatre in New London is running the movie Origin on February 27th. Tickets are free but you must register in advance for your seat. https://gardearts.org/events/
Suzi Hurlbert said she had dinner at Bella Fiore and it was fantastic. She congratulated Harvey for running a great business for 32 years!
Mike Goldblatt reminisced about the restaurant that was before Bella Fiore called Prime Steer. He said Bonnie Johnson had called him to see if he was ok after a number of weeks absence from Rotary meetings. Mike was in Florida to get out of the cold! Mike said he will also lending 2 of his classic cars for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Rodney Green told a few stories about Dick Brax who owned the Prime Steer way back when. Rodney said he considered buying that location at one time and had plans to build a waterfall in the dining room. The plan did not pan out and Harvey ended up taking that idea and there is a waterfall in the dining room to this day!
Pat Marshall said that she had a great time at last year’s Whiskey, Wine and Cigar event! She hired Sean to clean her house and said she now only smokes outside. She has cut down from 2 packs a day to a pack and a half and hopes to keep cutting down.
Molly Bruno said she enjoyed attending the Annual Meeting of NCDC at American Wharf Marina. She also encouraged anyone who hasn’t seen the movie Origin to do so.
Stan Lucas said it was nice to see Mary Richardson looking so well after her recent shoulder surgery. He had fun skiing at Berkshire East over the weekend. He’s leaving on a buying trip to Tucson, AZ with his daughter Ana as she is opening a new shop in the old Dunkin’ Donuts building in Downtown Norwich.
Auction: Mike Matera gave $20.00. Gary Young auctioned off a dozen passes to the Home Show at Mohegan Sun. Mary Riley paid $12.00!
Lottery: Pat Marshall
Atalia Champalath, Roz Etra and Rodney Green did not find the Ace of Spades.
Program: President Rodney introduced Mary Riley, Community Manager for Foundry 66 which is a part of Norwich Community Development Corporation.
Foundry 66 offers flexible monthly plans with no long-term commitment, deposit, or security. Mail membership starts at $25 per month, flexible plans at $175 per month, dedicated desks at $300 per month and various offices from $600 per month. Conference Rooms & Private Meeting Spaces are available for members offering real-time availability for all our meeting rooms. One can request and manage bookings online. All members enjoy affordable rates, unique benefits, and abundant amenities as part of their membership. Professional workspaces & Meeting rooms Unlimited coffee, tea, water, and seltzers Free Parking Hi Speed Internet Copying and Printing Secure, 24/7 access Education, Events, and Networking Support Programs & Resources.
Rodney lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting ended at 1:20pm