Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
July 16, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Stan Lucas introduced Anna Lucas and Isabel Del Vecchio
Visiting Rotarians: None
Barry’s fellowship was the history of George Washington Carver. George Washington Carver was an American agricultural scientist and inventor who promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion. He was one of the most prominent black scientists of the early 20th century. Thanks to a long program of laboratory research, Carver would invent over 300 products derived from peanuts, including milk, flour, dyes, plastics, wood stains, soap, linoleum, oils and cosmetics.
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan announced there is the “Car Show” meeting at the residence of Mike Goldblatt. The date is July 23rd from 5pm to 7:30-8pm. This meeting will take the place of the usual noon meeting and will be a dinner meeting. $20.00 per person. It’s a good opportunity to invite guests or prospective new members. Address is 63 Sherwood Lane in Norwich.
Announcements:
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.
Rotary Golf will be September 3rd. Get your 4-somes together as well as sponsors. Raffle items and goody bad items are also needed.
Happy Dollars: Andy Grant
Andy started off with he enjoyed a morning pickle ball match and he was happy to be at today’s meeting!
Mike Matera welcomed our guests and our guest speaker Mary Brown. Mike said that next week he will be in Alaska with a few old buddies to celebrate their 40th birthdays (a few groans from the room were heard as we all know a few years need to be added!). The goal when they get together is to always arrive as friends and leave as friends.
Kevin Wickless welcomed today’s guests and thanked both Rodney and Steve for their Rotary service.
Roz Etra spent last week at the Jersey shore with family. She said she consumed lots of great deli food and some junk food as well, against her doctor’s wishes! She’s also looking for some yard games for a senior outing she is organizing.
Rodney Green told of picking cotton as a young child and getting paid one cent per pound. He said he could pick 30 pounds in a day. In the couple years following the rate went up to three cents per pound. Then the cotton picking machine was invented and work was not so lucrative.
Michael Vaz invited members to attend the Norwich Sea Unicorns game on Friday the 18th and tickets are only $10.00! For every ticket sold, $5.00 will benefit the Thames River Community Service. Come enjoy a great family night out and support a great organization. Game time is 6:30pm.
Cara Westcott thanked President Steve for fixing the email distribution list. She also welcomed Mary Brown to the meeting.
Anna Lucas thanked Gary Young for all the Payday candy bars he has given her father Stan over the years. She also said she just celebrated her birthday last week and was surprised with a new car from her father Stan Lucas!
Andy Nollman asked Stan if he could be his adopted son and maybe get a new car! He then welcomed our guests and said he was have a busy week at work but a good one!
Steve Martin said he had a great visit to Old Orchard Beach to celebrate his wedding anniversary.
Auction: Kevin Wickless auctioned off a dozen “Wickless Law” golf balls that he guaranteed would go straight. Stan Lucas was the high bidder at $25.00. Bill Champagne also had an old item of interest to auction off. It was a 1909 flag commemorating Norwich’s 250th Anniversary. Stan Lucas again was the high bidder at $55.00.
Lottery: Paul Gaffney
Rodney Green, Bill Champagne and Ivy Del Vecchio could not find the Ace of Spades. Only a few cards left, so next week be sure to buy tickets as your odds are good!
Susy Hurlbert won the ARC Cookies and passed them around!
Program: President Steve introduced Mary Brown, Executive Director of the ECHO Cancer Foundation. The ECHO Cancer Foundation is dedicated to providing hope and support to cancer patients, their families, and their caregivers. The ECHO Cancer Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization since its inception in 2004. ECHO is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and support, ensuring that no one faces cancer alone. ECHO aims to support access to necessary medical care by mitigating finance and transportation barriers. There are numerous ways to support the Foundation, including donations, sponsorships, and volunteering. Click here https://www.echocancerfoundation.org/ to learn about how you can make a difference.
Bonnie Johnson lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:04pm.