Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
June 4, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Rodney Green
Invocation: Cara Westcott
Fellowship: Ray Baribeault
Birthdays: Molly Bruno – June 11
Anniversaries: Jennifer Granger – 12 Years
Guests: None
Visiting Rotarians: None
Ray’s Fellowship was an array of his usual funny puns! “Looking at the glue factory where I met my wife…. We bonded immediately!”
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
Stan conveyed a story of a meeting he had earlier in the day with a couple of clients. During the meeting he said he was thinking “Gee, this guy might make a good Rotarian.” He invited him to be a guest speaker in a few weeks to get his foot in the door. Always be thinking of business associates, client’s friends and acquaintances who might like to be invited into Rotary.
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!
Happy Dollars: Jen Granger
Jennifer started off saying her recent trip to Amsterdam was great fun. She cautioned if you ever visit it’s somewhat risky to be a pedestrian as the cars, busses and bike rule the roads! Also, UCFS Golf Tournament will take place on June 23rd at the Stonington Country Club. UCFS is also celebrating Pride Month.
Rodney Green said he had a good time playing in the ARC Golf Tournament yesterday with Stan Lucas, Gary Young and Jim Daly. Rodney also told a story of his grandson taking a trip with his daughter and being offered $2,500 a piece to give up their seats to Taiwan. They went to Cabo San Lucas instead!
Andy Grant told a tale of mountain biking out in Utah and rode flawless for 12 straight rides! In number 13 he took a spill that was no fun!
Bill Champagne said Lottie Scott is now residing at Elmbrook in Bozrah. A card was passed around for all to sign to send her best wishes.
Bay Baribeault said his solar is finally installed and operational at his house after 2 years in the works!
Gary Young requested 2 volunteers to help him out next week as he has family visiting and will not be able to attend a few Rotary obligations next week. Andy Grant agreed to help him out!
Pat Marshall took the Amtrak down to Manhattan for her grandsons play. The train was over an hour late getting there. The play was good, but her grandson had to keep pulling his pants up during his performance! Ice Cream following the show was unusually expensive! On the train home she said a lady sat next to her and talked non-stop for the entire ride!
Mary Richardson reminded all that the Native Daughter Award Lunch is next week. Over 100 have registered and if you plan on attending you need to register before Friday.
Steve Martin said be enjoyed playing in a golf tournament yesterday. He’s playing in one next week in Pittsburgh and more after that! Lots of golf!
Mike Matera told a story of working on a farm in his youth and haying for the summer. The farm also had 1,700 cows and generated tons of manure!
Mike Cooney ran a golf tournament at the Tunxis C.C. at the other end of the state yesterday. It was nice to have a dry day for a change! There were an unusual amount of geese on the course however! His daughter Katie is having an incredible year playing softball!
Cary Trantalis had some UCFS Pride Care flags and material for upcoming events on Pride Month. A tree was planted in honor of Rene Benoit who died 5 years ago.
Jeff Brining said he was leaving early to meet with the people the city purchased Natural Gas from. He told a great story of his son buying a lawn mower to earn some gas money for his car. The lawn mower had seen better days and he was having trouble starting it. Jeff told him how to pour some gas in the carburetor to get it started. It worked and his said “Wow dad! You were right!” Jeff only wished there was someone else to hear those words as he rarely hears them!
Mike Goldblatt gave $20.00 to say he is happy to hear Natural Gas is on the rise and it’s certainly a cleaner fuel to burn. He attended a family event in Brooklyn, New York over the weekend for his great-niece’s Bat Mitzvah. Long ride to get there with no bathroom stops along the way!
Stan Lucas said he had fun golfing with his Rotary Golf Team of Rodney, Gary & Jim. He also said he’s very proud of his grandson for being a Scholar Athlete for playing Lacrosse and was honored at a banquet.
Auction: Tom Adams
Tom auctioned off 2 envelopes. One having a $20.00 bill in it and the other having a $1.00 bill. Andy Grant bid $20.00 for the first one and Stan Lucas bidding $15.00 for the second one. Andy got the $20.00 and Stan got the buck!
Lottery: Bill Champagne
Pat Marshall, Gary Young and Rodney Green could not find the Ace of Spades!
Program: No Program today.
Bonnie Johnson lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:00pm.