Rotary Club of Norwich
March 10th, 2021
Location-ZOOM Meeting
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Lottie Scott gave a very inspiring invocation.
Fellowship: Bob Farwell
Birthdays: Bob Reed 3/15 – The Ides of March (beware)
Anniversaries: Suki Lagrito – 2 years & Michelle Scott – 4 years
Visiting Rotarians: Nicole Sweeney – Plainfield Rotary Club/Berkshire Bank
Guests: None
Bob gave a fellowship on Clare Boothe Luce, Connecticut’s first female Congresswoman. In 1935 she married Henry Luce, publisher of Time Magazine. Politically, Luce was a leading conservative in later life and was well known for her anti-communism. She campaigned for Dwight Eisenhower and during her second term in Congress Luce was instrumental in the creation of the Atomic Energy Commission. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was also inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame and the Connecticut Woman’s Hall of Fame. She died in October 1987.
Announcements:
*Mary Richardson was happy to see so many members taking part in today’s meeting. Mary announced that it looks like the Matching District Grant project will not be used for the raised bed Community Garden at St. Mark’s on Broadway after all and will most likely be used on a project with the St. Vincent DePaul Food Center along with the RCC and the Norwich Sunrise Club. Mary also said she received a thank you note from Robin Hong, Bonnie Hong’s daughter, for the flowers the club sent to the funeral home a couple weeks back. Also, donations for the Norwich Rotary’s “Benji Fund” have been received from the Sloan’s, Deglin’s and Gorin’s Furniture.
*There will be a Service Person of the Month program next Wednesday March 17th for both last year’s recipient and this year’s recipient.
*If you know of anyone who would be a good speaker at one of our Rotary Meetings contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless. Speakers can be done virtual (ZOOM) as well if needed.
*Mary Richardson said she sent out an email about the Norwich Puzzle Piece Project that Jodi Savage from NFA is running. The deadline is approaching fast, so get your submissions in.
*President Mary suggested members take up Susy Hurlbert’s challenge and invite guests to our meeting even though we a Zooming the meetings. We should still invite guests.
*On March 24th our speaker will be Meg Strand from the New England Science & Sailing Program out of Stonington. Norwich Rotary has supported this program in the past.
*The Rotary Community Corps will be conducting a “Clean-Up the Streets” program on Saturday March, 27th from 9 to 11am. Bring your gloves and meet in the YMCA parking lot and bags and instructions will be provided. Please take part if you can.
*Gary Young reminded us that the Rotary Golf Tournament will be on September 1st this year. The first committee meeting will be on April 12th at Uncle D’s in Norwichtown.
*Paul Blanchard is working on getting a replacement for the Rotary Flag at Norwich Harbor.
*The Club hopes to resume in-person meeting as soon as our area is out of the Red Zone status for Covid.
*The Board approved 2 tables for the Madonna Place Trivia Challenge that will take place on April 30th.
Happy Dollars: Mike Gordon
Mike started things off with some sad dollars to learn of the death of Marian Silverstein who was the wife of former Rotarian Jerry Silverstein.
*Bob Reed gave sad dollars also for the passing of Marion Silverstein and said she and her husband Jerry were a great couple and remembered when Marion owned Towne Wine and Liquors and that they both shared the same birthday.
*Barry Shead welcomed Nicole Sweeney to the meeting.
*Bill Champagne gave saying that the Norwich Bulletin has been getting thinner and thinner.
*Erin Gizio gave to say how glad she was to see everyone even though it on the Zoom. She also encouraged members to look at Kevin Wickless’ Facebook page as he posted a very nice article about his mother Carol Crosby who does incredible philanthropic work in Florida and Michigan.
*Gary Young said he keeps subscribing to the Norwich Bulletin because they make offers that he can’t refuse, but then end up raising the rates a few weeks later.
*Mike Cooney was pleased that their new kitten will be arriving tomorrow and is birthday gift for his daughter Katie. The cats name is Shadow.
*Nancy Gentes gave for “March Madness” and the UConn Men’s Basketball team that seem to be back on track to resume their winning ways! The Woman’s team already clinched their Big East Title!
*Jim Daly welcomed Erin and Michelle to the meeting and was happy to have received his 2nd Covid shot!
*Susy Hurlbert reported that her son and daughter-in-law’s tribulations continue in Seoul, Korea. They did finally land an apartment to live in but were unaware that at $10,000 deposit was required! Susy was happy the arrangements got sorted out before she had to wire the $10,000 to her son! She’s also happy she will be receiving her Covid vaccine in Hartford on March 24th.
*Jen Granger said that the vaccine is not mandatory in Connecticut, but strongly encouraged everyone get the vaccine for everyone’s benefit. She also said that our region is almost out of the Red Zone status. Wear your masks!
*Andy Nollman was happy for the spring like weather. Welcomed Erin back to the meetings and also was sad to learn of Marion Silverstein’s passing.
*Michelle Scott wished Bob a happy birthday and wished Jim Daly well on his 2nd vaccine shot. She did say when she received her 2nd shot she felt quite ill and told everyone to plan on a day off following their 2nd one to recover.
*Mary Richardson was happy to report that her Zoom presentation to the Future Farmers of America on her landscaping business and her history in the business went very well and it was great fun to present. She also reported that she is now full owner of Safe Lawns Irrigation after buying out her partner.
*Michelle Sweeney is missing her Plainfield Rotary meetings during the pandemic and she is got her 1st vaccine shot last week.
Auction: No Auction
Lottery: Zoom lottery took place.
Program: No Program
The 20 members on the Zoom Meeting (Great Turnout!) recited the 4 Way Test!
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 12:50pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter