Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
January 21, 2026
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE:
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Mandy Crispim
Fellowship: Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: Ray Barbeault – 1/21
Anniversaries: Bill Champagne – 41 years! Tom Adams – 24 years & Steve Martin – 3 years
Guests: Steve from Ascend Bank
Visiting Rotarians: None
Susy’s Fellowship was a history lesson on events that happened on this day. Some included the following. The first Concorde flight took place in 1976. King Louis the Sixteenth was killed. In 1911 the first Monte Carlo race took place. Today is National Hugging Day and birthday include Jack Nicklaus and Christian Dior.
Announcements:
The Whiskey, Wine and Cigar Event will take place once again this year on May 6th at Bella Fiore. Tickets will go on sale on March 6th. This year’s goal is 80 attendees and $6,000.00 raised. Please consider supporting this event by buying a ticket, inviting a friend and be a sponsor!
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.
Membership Minute: Molly Bruno
Molly encouraged all to bring prospective members to a lunch. She said she needs a committee to organize the Rotary entry on the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Norwich on March 8th. Stan Lucas has graciously invited all who take part in the parade to a party at his house following the parade at 280 Broadway. Hopefully Mike Goldblatt will have 2 of his classic cars for a few of the members to ride in.
Happy Dollars: Molly Bruno
Molly was sad to report that her brother-in-law died and she had to saend some time in snowy Litchfield County for the funeral services.
Bill Champagne gave $41.00 happy dollars to say that his anniversary of Rotary was messed up and it’s really on January 22nd and he was sponsored into the club 41 years ago by Mike Gordon. He also said that Rotarian Pat Marshall is in the hospital with dehydration as a result of her treatments for cancer. She happy for everyone’s well wishes but requests no visitors.
Steve Martin said that the Golf Committee will be meeting soon to start planning this year’s golf tournament. He also congratulated all Patriots fans on their win in the playoffs.
Mike Cooney said he went on a cruise and came back sick. Now his kids are sick and his daughter Katie even had a trip to the ER. Things have improved however.
Roz Etra said that its Girl Scout Cookie time of year and she will be taking orders for her granddaughter. Even though she is having knee replacement next week the cookies will be delivered!
Auction: No auction today.
Lottery: Bonnie Johnson
Ros Etra, Tom Adams and Barry Shead could not find the Ace of Spades. Our guest Steve from Ascend Bank won Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: President Steve introduced Emily Rorke from the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Some of the facts included that two thirds of the people with Alzheimer’s are women. Over 76,000 have the condition in Connecticut. Emily spoke of what the early signs of Alzheimer’s are and what to look for as early detection is key to treatment. For more information on how you can help or be helped as a caregiver log on to https://www.alz.org/ct
The meeting concluded with Bonnie Johnson leading the club reciting the 4-Way Test at 1:10pm.
** Looking for volunteers to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).**