Norwich Rotary Club
December 18th, 2024
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Nancy Gentes
Birthdays: Erin Gizio – 12/12 & Kimberly Pondreau – 12/27
Anniversaries: Paul Gaffney – 12/20 1 year & Bill Champagne – 12/31 at least 40 years
Guests: Kelly Whipple brought Kiane O’Brien, Bonnie Johnson brought Sean Spatafora, Stan Lucas brought Mason Lucas and Dixie Lee Apell
Visiting Rotarians: None.
Nancy’s fellowship was a number of very humorous signs that stand in front of churches. One sign being “Everyone forgets to pray….. until a cop turns around and follows your car!” Many others funny ones followed.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan said the Christmas Party at his home on Broadway was a huge success even though the weather was not so great. He thanked the Committee who organized the event including Molly Bruno, Bonnie Johnson, Paul Gaffney and his daughter Anna. Over 30 people we in attendance and the Yankee Swap was a huge amount of fun as always. He Gave Gary Young a Payday candy bar as a thank you for coming the following day and help clean up after the party. Stan looks forward to another fun event next year!
Announcements:
Rodney passed around Thank You notes from residents of Schwartz Manor for the Gift Cards they received for Thanksgiving. Rodney also read a letter from Manny Kadish’s daughter thanking Stan for his heartfelt eulogy at Manny’s service and included a check for $1,000.00. A number of Rotarians suggested that the money go to honor Manny at the Rotary Clock that will be installed next year.
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.
Happy Dollars: Barry Shead
Barry wished everyone a Happy Holiday! He also said that he was humbled and honored to have received the highest award that the Masonic Lodge bestows on a member – The Hiram Award.
Bill Champagne said that this year the club will be 104 years old. He recommended that all members support the Rotary Clock Project in honor of that milestone. He believes he’s been a member of Norwich Rotary at least 40 years and not 12 as announced earlier in the meeting. He’ll check and if so he’ll give $40 Happy Dollars!
Pat Marshall said she had a great time in Texas at the Giraffe Sanctuary. She said there were 5 Giraffe’s there as well as a couple of Rino’s. She said you could get real close and even feed them. Pat looks forward to returning next year and said it was an incredible experience.
Mike Cooney said he feels a growing energy in the club and thanked Stan, Barry and President Rodney for all they have done to make that happen. He was sorry to have missed the Christmas Party. His son Matt played the flute brilliantly at his middle school bands holiday concert. Mike too the Cub Scouts camping over the weekend and said the cabins were toasty warm. Speaking of scouts… Mike had plenty of excellent popcorn for sale for the scout’s annual fundraiser.
Ryan Telford congratulated Barry on his Masonic honor he received and wished everyone a happy holiday.
Susy Hurlbert thanked Stan and Rodney for the club membership growth this past year. She also thanked the newspaper for coverage on the Rotary Clock. She said that ARC just donated $1,500 for a clock sponsorship. The deposit has been finalized and the project will go forward. The end of February will be the deadline for getting your sponsorship money in.
Molly Bruno said she had a great time at the party at Stan’s and she traded the mouse traps for a slot machine she won.
Bill Champagne thanked everyone for singing the birthday song in honor of his 75th year around the sun! He’s then followed up with 75 Happy Dollars! Applause followed!!
Gary Young thanked Stan for hosting the Christmas Party. He said the Payday candy bar Stan gave him was the 29th of the year!
Auction: Rodney auctioned a large tin of holiday cookies! Molly Bruno was the high bidder at $15.00!
Lottery: Barry Shead
Kerry Trantalis had her number drawn twice to no avail. Rodney Green also came up short. The Ace of Spades is still safe until next year!
Program: Stan Lucas introduced his son Mason Lucas to entertain on his guitar. Mason started off with a rendition of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” to get everyone in the holiday mood! He followed that with “The Hanukkah Song” written by Adam Sandler, which ended up being the crowd favorite. Mason closed up really showing his guitar chops with some great international guitar tunes. It was a wonderful way to end the Rotary year!
President Rodney at 1:17pm led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.