Rotary Club of Norwich, CT
September 24th, 2025
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Steve Martin
Invocation: Mandy Crispim
Fellowship: Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: Nancy Gentes
Anniversaries: None
Guests: Molly Bruno introduced Meghan Meyerhoff
Visiting Rotarians: None
Susy’s fellowship was on the origins of “Soup.” The word soup has surprisingly rich history for four little letters. It started in Germanic languages, from the root meaning “to consume liquid.” That root is the same one that gave us the words like supper, sup and even sop. Despite its unusual journey, soup has always been about nourishment and fellowship. Susy followed up with a few soup jokes featuring “Why don’t secrets last in soup? Because it’s always spilling the beans!” “Why are there only 239 beans in Irish soup? Because if there was one more, it would be 2 farty!”
Membership Minute: Stan Lucas
The club is what you make it. Every member must stay on top of inviting prospects into the club. Stan commented that all should take a few moments every Wednesday to think of who they could invite to the club as either a member or speaker and keep Rotary in focus every day.
Announcements:
**New Member Posting** Stan Lucas is proposing Anna Lucas. 2nd Posting.
November 7th is the Trivial Pursuit Tournament to benefit Madonna Place.
From October 1st to October 29th is the “Crush It for Inclusion” Can Challenge between Putnam Rotary and Norwich Rotary in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month! All donations will benefit the ARC Eastern Connecticut. Bottles and cans only. Bring to Rotary on Wednesday’s! Winner receives Bragging Rights, Proclamation Banner and Community Pride!
Please bring spare clean egg cartons and give them to Bonnie Johnson.
Celebrate Diversity event will take place on Chelsea Parade on September 29th from 5pm to 8pm. Reminder, that volunteers are still needed especially between the hours on 5 to 8pm.
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.
Happy Dollars: Nancy Gentes
Nancy started this off saying she celebrated her birthday and only stated that it was a “Big One!”
Barry Shead said the Putnam Rotary Club is very competitive and we better step up to the plate in the can drive. He also told a story about trying to get a free breakfast at Cracker Barrel over the weekend that was not too successful. Barry also gave tribute to Lottie and reminisced about the Fellowship program he did last year on Lottie’s life.
Bill Champagne gave $20.00 in honor of Norwich Rotarian Lottie B. Scott who died last Thursday. Bill gave a very heartfelt tribute to Lottie and said that a service in her honor will take place at the Jacqueline Owens Auditorium at Kelly Middle School on October 11th. Any memorial donations should be made out to the Norwich Arts Center in her honor to benefit the “Miss Lottie’s Café” music series.
Mike Cooney gave in honor of Lottie Scott and he said he will miss her. His daughter Katie got a trumpet and in a short time has mastered the instrument quite nicely. He also said he has been quite busy managing late summer golf tournaments.
Jen Granger gave to remember Lottie. Jen also reminded that the morning of October 29th will be the day for delivering dictionaries. Volunteers needed to deliver to the Norwich Schools. 10am at the UCFS building in Norwichtown will be the meeting point. Jen also said that a presentation was given about the “Twilight Wishes” program that is like the “Make a Wish” program, but for seniors. She said it might be a good collaboration with the Happy Dollars committee.
Rodney Green gave to remember Lottie and he enjoyed reading her books on her life. He also gave Barry a short tutorial on how gift cards and two for one promotions work in the food industry. He gave caution to what a diner in Uncasville was doing that was kind of sneaky.
Mike Matera said he’ll miss Lottie and his company used to use her company to give sexual harassment seminars back in the 1990’s.
Pat Marshall gave sad dollars for Lottie and said that Lottie’s partner Clifford was at Norwichtown and he is understandably devastated. She said to say prayers for him.
Gary Young gave $10.00 for Lottie and he was a member of the NAACP because of her friendship.
Stan Lucas gave for Lottie and said that year’s back Lottie made sure members stayed in the correct lane as far as jokes that were said!
Steve Martin said that for many years Lottie would stop in to his business almost on a weekly basis and check in. Steve also said he’ll be busy golfing in a few charity tournaments over the next couple weeks.
Auction: Mandy Crispim auctioned off a couple passes to the Mystic Aquarium. Stan Lucas was the high bidder at $25.00.
Lottery: Barry Shead
Tom Adams, Mike Matera and Bill Champagne drew cards, but could not find the Ace! Pat Marshall and Jen Granger won Barry’s ARC Cookies!
Program: No program today
The meeting concluded with Bonnie Johnson reciting the 4-Way Test and President Steve adjourned the meeting at 1:05pm.