Norwich Rotary Club
March 15th, 2023
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: Susy Hurlbert
Invocation: Gary Young
LORD, WE HOPE THIS POEM DOESN’T MAKE BRIAN NERVOUS
WE JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE
KEEPING UP WITH HIS SCHEDULE COULD BE KIND OF TOUGH
HE IS SUPER ACTIVE DOING SO MUCH STUFF
HE SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE AND IS A GOOD MENTOR
WHEN HIS TEAM GETS OFF TRACK HE PUTS THEM BACK IN THE CENTER
HE VOLUNTEERS AND HE LEADS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT
ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP – GIVES HIM A GRADE A REPORT
HE HONORS VETERANS AT EVENTS AND LOCAL PARADES
HIS GOOD ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION NEVER SEEM TO FADE
STAFF SERGEANT SIBLEY – YOU’RE LIKE THE ACE OF SPADES CARD
THERE’S NONE BETTER TO REPRESENT THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
CONGRATULATIONS BRIAN!!
SO NOW LET’S GIVE THANKS FOR THE USUAL STUFF
FOR THE FOOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH
AND UNTIL WE GET TOGETHER AGAIN
LET’S PRAISE THE LORD AND SAY AMEN.
Thunderous applause followed!!!
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Bob Reed – 3/15 He’s getting really old.
Anniversaries: Andrew Nollman – 14 Years!
Visiting Rotarians: None.
Guests: Andrew Nollman introduced Stephanie Rush and Mike Cooney introduced his son Matt and daughter Katie.
Barry in honor of all the service people in attendance gave a fellowship on one of Norwich’s most famous veterans, Brig. Gen. James Bolles Coit. Coit was born 9/29/1836 in Norwich, CT and resided there until at 24 years old he enlisted in the army on 4/22/1861 as a Private. He was Mustered Out on 8/7/1861 at New Haven, CT On 8/20/1862 he was commissioned into “K” Co. CT 14th Infantry He was discharged for disability on 9/9/1864. He was wounded at the following Civil War battles.
* Wounded 9/17/1862 Antietam, MD
* Wounded 7/3/1863 Gettysburg, PA
* Wounded 2/6/1864 Morton’s Ford, VA
* Wounded 5/6/1864 Wilderness, VA
* Wounded 8/16/1864 Deep Bottom Run, VA
* Wounded 9/6/1864 Petersburg, VA
He was promoted to Brig-General 3/13/1865. After the war he lived in Norwich until his death on December 8th, 1894.
Announcements:
*Susy had the following announcements:
*On March 23rd the Ledyard Rotary will present a program “Fighting For Your Life: How to Advocate for Yourself Medically.” 6:30 – 7:30PM at the Ledyard Senior Center.
*March 29th will be the Rotary Business Lunch with the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.
*May 3rd will be the Whiskey and Wine Event at Bella Fiore. $75.00 per person and tickets will be on sale right now on Eventbrite. Log on to the club’s webpage and follow the link to purchase tickets!
*May 20th will be a “Rotary Day of Service” and our club will be doing a joint project with other area clubs that day. It will most likely be packing meals this year. Location is 3 Rivers Community College.
*April 4th will be the next Race Equity Event to be held at 3 Rivers College.
* ARC Film Festival is coming up on March 29 and will be at the Spa at Norwich Inn. Tickets at $50.00 and can be purchased at TheArcECT.org/film-tickets
*Bowling with the Ledyard Rotary Club will be Sunday, August 13th! Let’s get a team together and show em’ how it’s done!
*Golf Tournament will be September 6th this year!
*The Native Son/Daughter Lunch will take place in June 7th and our club will be sponsoring the event along with the Norwich Woman’s City Club. Nominations deadline is March 15th.
*Rotarians are encouraged to please invite prospective members for lunch and introduce them to the world of Rotary.
*Speakers wanted for our meetings. If you have an idea for a good guest speaker contact Kevin Wickless or Bob Farwell to get one on the schedule.
Special Presentation: Kathleen Stauffer was presented with a Paul Harris +3 Award for her support of the Rotary International Foundation.
Happy Dollars: – Jen Granger
*Jen gave to congratulate Kathleen Stauffer on her PH+3!
*Stan Lucas gave some sad/happy dollars as he was sad that he cut his thumb working in his wood shop building a hobby horse and the wooden leg exploded and his thumb hit the band-saw blade and cut right to the bone. He was happy that the thumb will heal and there will only be a mark on the bone where no one will see it! He also asked all the Vet’s in the Club to stand and it was he and Gary Young.
*Andy Nollman welcomed his guest Steph Rush and reminded the club to get their tickets to the Wine, Whisky and Cigar Event!
*Barry Shead gave to say how proud he was of Kathleen Stauffer as he was the one who introduced her to Rotary.
*Kathleen Stauffer urged all to attend the ARC Film Fest at the Norwich Inn on the 29th. You will leave feeling great!
*Mike Cooney’s daughter Katie gave because she was happy to be at the meeting.
*Mary Richardson gave and wished Bob Reed a happy birthday wand welcomed him to the 65 year old club? She also said she was at the P.E.T.S. Conference last week and told everyone to “Look Out!” as she came back with lots of great ideas of things our club will be doing!
*Susy Hurlbert welcomed all the Military people in attendance today, especially today’s honoree, Staff Sargent Brian Sibley.
Auction: No auction today.
Monthly Rotary Trivia: Stay tuned.
Lottery: – Bill Champagne – The first ticket drawn was Sgt. Sibley’s guest Vinny from the Special Olympics. He drew a card and guess what? HE WON! A rousing applause followed and Vinney said how much he loved Sgt. Sibley!
Cookie winners were Bob Reed, Stan Lucas, Gary Young and one of our military guests! Cookies galore!
Program: SERVICE PERSON OF THE MONTH
Susy Hurlbert introduced Dara from the Navy Federal Credit Union and Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. Dara explained about the award and then introduced Sargent Len Christianson from the Army National Guard. Sargent Christianson gave background of all that Staff Sargent Sibley goes both in the Guard and in the surrounding community that was very extensive. He then introduced our area Service Person of the Month Staff Sargent Brian Sibley. Sargent Sibley thanked all involved for honoring him and explained a little about what he does and why he is so active in the Guard and the community. The Special Olympics is especially close to his heart and he donated much of his time to that organization. He’s also a lawyer! Dara then gave him a plaque and gift’s from area businesses to honor him. A donation from the Norwich Rotary was made in his name to the Special Olympics.
Susy led the Club and all recited the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:12pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter