Rotary Club of Norwich
February 12th, 2020
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mike Cooney
Invocation: Rich Pascal
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Mike Cooney – February 14th
Anniversaries: Theresa Madonna – February 13th-11 Years
Joel Etra – February 15th – 24 years
Guests: No Guests
Barry Shead started fellowship with some good Presidential Trivia in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday! Lincoln was our tallest president at 6’4”. He was often called the “Bankers President” as he set up the Nation Banking System during his administration. Lincoln also is a member of the Wrestling Hall of Fame” as he took part in 300 matches and lost only one! Lincoln held a patent. John Wilks Booth who murdered Lincoln had a brother who was a doctor who saved Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, from death. Lincoln was known to have fired weapons on the White House lawn! The Secret Service was formed on the day Lincoln died to protect the president. Lincoln never slept in the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House as he used it as an office at that time.
Announcements:
President Mike Cooney had the following announcements:
*Native Son/Daughter Committee with meet after the February 19th meeting.
*The District 7980 annual Conference will be in Mystic this coming year in April. All are encouraged to attend.
*Mark your calendar! Rotary Golf Tournament will be September 2nd!
*Happy Dollars committee is looking for deserving families or individuals to support.
*If you know of anyone who would be a good speaker at one of our Rotary Meetings contact Mary Richardson.
*The Rotary Carnival will be Memorial Day Weekend this year. Location hopefully will be back on the waterfront at Norwich Harbor. Stay tuned for more information as volunteers will be needed throughout the weekend.
Happy Dollars: Barry Shead
Barry gave an update of Joel Etra and said he is back in the hospital at Backus.
Bill Champagne reported that the first program on Race Equality that was held last week at the Otis Library was meaningful and encouraged everyone to attend the next two parts in the three part series. Next sessions will me March 11th and April 1st.
Rodney Green was sorry that his manager’s father suffered a heart attack. He also flew down south to be with his brother who is having health issues. Rodney will be away for the next 4 weeks to take his annual trip to Aruba. This will be the first time that his good friend Joe Matera will not be joining him on the annual trip to Aruba due to illness. Joe has been at Yale/New Haven for the past 2 months with serious health issues.
Lottie Scott said she serves on the Race Equality Committee and encouraged members to attend the next session at the Otis Library. Also, come to the Donald Oat Theatre for the Blues concerts on every 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Jeff Bruning Wishes Rodney the best on his trip. Jeff also took his family on a trip to Lake George in upstate New York and with a recent storm they had no power in the house they were staying in. They cut the vacation early and discovered on the way home that the power was restored but kept going as they were almost home!
Mike Cooney enjoyed the prior weekend doing scouting events with his children. He was also very impressed that his little daughter Katie knew the works to “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills & Nash!
Auction: Bob Reed will make a donation.
Lottery: Bill Champagne – Bob Farwell, Bob Reed and Michelle drew cards to no avail.
Program: Bob Farwell gave a program mentioning Rotary library projects. There is a great article in the latest edition on Rotary Magazine on a project in Rowanda. Bob reminded us that a Gallop Poll has found that the Public Library is still the main place to gather. On average people make 10.5 visits to the local library. That’s more than visits to the movies! Bob also stated there will be a puppet show on the Harris Sisters. The Harris Sisters were important African-American sister who attended the famous Prudence Crandall School in Canterbury.
Bob Farwell led the club with the 4-Way Test.
President Mike Cooney ended the meeting at 1:25pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter