Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
June 8th, 2026
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE:
Presiding: Barry Shead
Invocation: Gary Young
‘TWAS BACK BEFORE 1776
THE BRITISH WERE UP TO THEIR OLD TRICKS
TAXING OUR TEA AND HOLDING US DOWN
TRYING TO MAKE US KNEEL TO THE CROWN
THANK GOD WE HAD HEROS LIKE PAUL REVERE
WHO RODE ALL NIGHT SHOUTING THE BRITISH ARE HERE
AND PATRICK HENRY WHO SAID WITH HIS LAST BREATH
GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH
AND DON’T FORGET GENERAL GEORGE
WHO LED THE TROOPS TO VALLEY FORGE
IF NOT FOR THESE AND GOD’S GRACE WHAT COULD I SAY
EXCEPT THERE WOULD BE NO SUCH THING AS THE USA
IT’S LIKE THEY SAID “THE BRITS-WE DON’T NEED ‘EM”
WHAT WE NEED IS LIBERTY AND FREEDOM
SO, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME WHO THINK IT’S A DRAG
WE STILL STAND AND SALUTE THE FLAG
WE ARE NOT PERFECT BUT WE GIVE AND LOVE
WE TRY TO SHINE GOD’S LIGHT FROM ABOVE
WE TRY TO LIVE OUT THE REASONS WHY
WE TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY
SO LET’S GIVE THANKS FOR THE USUAL STUFF
THE FOOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH
AND UNTIL WE GET TOGETHER AGAIN
LET’S PRAISE THE LORD AND SAY AMEN
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: Cristin Wickless – July 9th & Ana Lucas – July 12th
Anniversaries: Nancy Gentes-21 Years!
Guests: Suzy Hurlbert introduced Dan & Rose from ECAR
Visiting Rotarians: Jim O’Shea – Rotary Community Corps
Barry’s fellowship was about the most popular collectable classic cars in honor of last week’s meeting at Mike Goldblatt’s home with his classic automobiles. Here are some of the most wanted cars by collectors across the country. The 1965 Shelby Mustang. 1970 Hemi Cuda by Plymouth. 1966 Pontiac GTO. 1957 Chevy Belair. The 1959 Caddie with the big fins! These are just a few of the popular collectables!
Announcements:
The club is being run by a “Council of Presidents” as this year was supposed to be Pat Marshall as President. We all know Pat died a few weeks ago. Currently the club needs some members to serve as President-Elect and Vice President. Please see Mary Richardson, Steve Martin or Andrew Nollman to discuss the possibilities of stepping in to one of those positions.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity event will be coming in September. If you care to serve on this event committee contact Roz Etra.
The Rotary Golf Tournament will take place on September 9th at the Norwich Golf Club. Player 4-somes, sponsors, prizes, volunteers are needed.
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.
*Reminder* as a courtesy to our guest speakers, guests and fellow members, Rotarians are strongly asked to silence all electronic devices during meetings.
Membership Minute:
Continue to bring guests to our meetings! Look for people who would make great Rotarians! They’re out there!
Happy Dollars: Ivy Del Vecchio
Ivy welcomed our guests to today’s meeting.
Suzy Hurlbert was happy to have the Board leadership from ECAR Dan and Rose as her guests. She said that leadership at ECAR changes often and she couldn’t ask for better bosses than Dan and Rose.
Roz Etra said that the band(s) she plays with have been busy lately performing in North Stonington, Noank and Eastern Point in Groton. She added that when her husband Joel asked her parents for her hand in marriage the dowry was six cowbells!
Jim O’Shea said that the current Rotary Community Corps will be changing into a Rotaract Club. He was also happy to report he is now a grandfather to a set of twins! He is also submitting an application to re-join our club! That drew great applause.
Steve Martin said he and his wife were extra’s recently out at Foxwoods for an episode of “Hell’s Kitchen.”
Rodney Green reported that fellow Rotarian Mike Matera is suffering from a detached retina and will be out of commission for a number of weeks.
Andrew Nollamn wishes Ana Lucas a Happy Birthday and he also celebrated along with his parents on their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Ana Lucas said she experienced a torn retina a couple of years ago. She said that her dad Stan is in Rome with her son Sloan and her other son Sasha is in Switzerland. Her brother Mason is visiting here so she won’t be lonely.
Mandy Crispim said she has 13 tickets to the Sea Unicorn’s for anybody who could use them. Mandy also was happy to report that her daughter’s boyfriend visited she and her husband the other day asking for their permission for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Chivalry is not dead!
Bonnie Johnson was away in Sweden for a few weeks visiting family. Her granddaughter now has her driver’s license.
Rodney Green said that “The Secret Garden” will be opening next week at the Chestnut Street Playhouse. He also was happy to report that his granddaughter who is an actress is staring in a pilot and it will hopefully be picked up for full production.
Auction: Tom Adams donated $20.00
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Ana Lucas, Barry Shead and Gary Young could not find the Ace of Spades. Rodney Green was the winner of Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: No program today.
The meeting concluded with Bonnie Johnson leading the club reciting the 4-Way Test at 12:48pm.
** Looking for volunteers to serve on The RONE committee. Contact Bob Reed (bobr@hallradio.net).**