Rotary Club of Norwich
March 24, 2021
Location-Zoom
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Joel Etra spoke about the origins of Passover and modern day traditions celebrated as the Jewish Holiday.
Fellowship: Bob Farwell. Bob spoke about how he noticed that Ash trees along Colonel Ledyard Highway were being cut down. It reminded him of his youth when the family home enjoyed heat from the wood burning stove in the kitchen. Enjoyed (?) many days of toiling chopping, splitting, and stacking wood. His father gave him guidance. While he spoke it was appropriate that a chainsaw was cutting wood outside of his window! As Bob was wrapping up his talk, he quoted Henry David Thoreau and a passage from , Two Tramps in Mudtime’ written by Robert Frost.
Birthdays: Michelle Scott Dixon and Theresa Madonna
Anniversaries: Barry Shead
Guests: Visiting Rotarian Nicole Sweeney, speakers Eric Jesselhardt and Caleb Rose
Announcements:
President Mary Richardson had the following announcements: Mary and Michelle attended Zoom PETS. Michelle related that after attending that she very much appreciates our club, spoke of inclusion. Mary reports that the sessions were each night, 2+ hours!
Madonna Place Trivia April 30. Please sign up.
Crayons and pencils delivered to the Sunrise Club for their project.
RCC street cleanup Saturday March 27th.
Working on a $1,000 grant with the Sunrise Club to donate diapers to Madonna Place and St. Vincent DePaul.
Membership: Looking for new members and guests. Please invite someone to visit.
Golf Tournament September 1st.
Mary explained Happy $$ to guests.
Happy Dollars: Mike Gordon presiding. Asked Mike Cooney to send out information pertaining to paying fines and happy dollars online. Happy birthday to Michelle and Theresa. Told a story of Linda Salaphia (sp?) who was the club’s first female president. She travelled to Canada that year and attempted to join a Rotary meeting, but was met with resistance. They didn’t allow female members. After reporting to them that she was actually the Norwich Rotary Club’s sitting president, they let her attend.
Rodney: Going to chamber golf tournament mid-May. Gary and Romer are on his team.
Bob Reed: $20, will write a check. Happy birthdays to Michelle and Theresa. Welcomed Nicole, Eric, and Caleb. Barry, happy anniversary! Spoke about the UConn basketball teams and the tournament.
Barry: 2 grandchildren with birthdays this week, Jonas turned 2 on Tuesday. Ariella turns 1 today.
Andrew: $5 excited that Llona has early Friday shift. Booked his vaccination appointment. Additional $5 to announce that he has some pine wood cut and split. Suitable for outdoor fire pits. Please see him if interested.
Gary: $5. Gary split wood yesterday. Lot of fun!?? 2nd COVID shot tomorrow.
Bill Champagne: Will send check. Thought that Michelle had interesting times at PETS. NHS to host a Race Equity meeting that evening on Zoom. NHS to have 4 virtual presentations this Spring. Had second COVID shot with Patrice.
Erin: $5. Happy Passover. Happy birthday Michelle and Theresa. Recieve 1st COVID shot last week due to a cancellation. Was told by Kathleen when she joined, ‘Norwich Rotary is a safety net of amazing people that do amazing things!’.
Mike Cooney: Katie’s teacher had COVID. Fortunately Katie tested negative.
Mary: Continued the ‘wood pile’ theme. Her wood pile is diminishing. Ash trees along Colonel Ledyard Highway are being removed as they have Emerald Ash Burrowers. Had 1st vaccine Saturday.
Auction:
Erin Gizio made a donatiion.
Lottery:
Program: Eric Isselhardt, Director of the New England Science and Sailing Foundation, and associate Caleb Rose discussed their organization. Created in 2002 in Stonington, NESS delivers a unique ocean experience with an educational curriculum. With a $3 million annual budget, they have served 1,500 students since 2014. Core values are inclusiveness, experimental learning, personal growth, and stewardship. They work with area schools to tailor programs for theit students. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in 2018, 75% of their students get financial aid.
Mary ended the meeting with the 4 Way Test.
Respectfully submitted,
Barry Shead substituting for
Susy Hurlbert – RONE Reporter