Norwich Rotary Club
March 5, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: Mary Richardson filling in for President Rodney Green
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: Paul Blanchard – 3/9 13 years. Erin Gizio – 3/9 9 years
Guests: Andrew Nollman introduced Atalia Champalath. Barry Shead introduced Liz Cooke
Visiting Rotarians: None
There was no singing today.
Barry’s fellowship began with he was happy to have made a visit to Florida last week and took in a Red Sox game. He related a story of a very unusual flight that included boarding the flight 20 minutes early, leaving the gate 20 minutes early and landing at his destination 30 minutes early! Jet Blue did a good job and for once it was a story with all good things. He asked anyone in attendance if they had any airport travel stories they’d like to add and Stan Lucas got up and told a tale of a recent trip to Tucson, Arizona with his son and daughter that was far from a pleasant experience!
Membership Minute: Paul Gaffney
Paul started by saying what a great time everyone had during the St. Patrick’s parade on Sunday the 2nd. He thanked Mike Goldblatt for donating his classic cars for Rotarians to ride in during the parade. Paul reminded all to follow-up on the prospects they wrote down a few weeks ago and invite them to a lunch meeting.
Announcements:
There is still time to donate to the Clock Tower Project. The Rotary website has been updated with current pledge forms and Rotarians and anyone else can get their pledges in by the end of March to be included in naming opportunities on the clock. Installation will hopefully be in April or very soon thereafter.
Rotary Grants are now through May 15th. Applications can be found on the Norwich Rotary website.
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.
The Rotary 4 Way Test Speech Contest will happen this March.
Native Son/Daughter Applications are being sought between now an March 12th.
The Rotary Day of Service will happen on May 19th. Details to follow.
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.
Happy Dollars: Cara Westcott
Cara started things off saying what a great time the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in Downtown Norwich on Sunday. She thanked Mike Goldblatt for the Classic Cars to ride in and all the Rotarians who participated. She also gave thanks to Stan for hosting a party afterwards that included pizza, Beer and wine.
Barry Shead again said what a nice time he had with his son in Florida. He said they ate at a place called the Ford Garage that actually has a 1940’s vintage Ford Coupe hanging for the ceiling!
Andrew Nollman reminded that the Whiskey, Wine and Cigar event will take place on May 7th and tickets will be on sale this Friday! $5,000 was raised last year and he hopes to better that number this year with a sellout. You don’t have to love cigars or whiskey to have a “Great Time” as he put it! Buy some tickets and enjoy the great food and fellowship as well!
Mike Goldblatt said the parade was a great time although it was a bit cold! He thanked Bonnie Johnson’s husband Dave for all his help getting is cars ready for the big event.
Stan Lucas thanked Paul Gaffney and Mike Goldblatt for all they did to make the parade a huge success and for heling defray the costs of all the party libations and food following the parade. Next year he’ll be sure to have Gin and bitters for Bonnie Johnson!
Mary Richardson added another airplane story of a flight she made to London where her friend who is a nurse helped a sick passenger during the overnight flight that ended with the flight crew giving them Champagne upon landing at Heathrow for the good they did.
Mandy Crispim was looking forward to seeing her 92 year old mother-in-law from Brazil making her first trip to the US.
Margarita Martins-Querido told a story of feeling homesick for a relative who lived in France who was a very generous person. Margarita was wearing a pin that was given to her by that Aunt when she admired it. Mandy admired the pin earlier at today’s lunch, so Margarita gave the pin to Mandy in a gesture of generosity that was reflective of her Aunt.
Pat Marshall had happy dollars to say how much fun she had at the parade riding in Mike’s classic car. She felt like royalty! She also said she had no water at her house today and hoped the problem would be solved by the time she returned home.
Auction: Mary Richardson auctioned a Peace Lilly and Cara Westcott was the winner at $22.50!
Lottery: Barry Shead
Stan Lucas, Bill Champagne and Bob Reed could not find the Ace of Spades. Barry’s cookies were won by Mike Goldblatt.
Program: No Program today.
Mary lead the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:04pm.