Opening and Welcome: President Dick Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Luis Lee provided the invocation and led the club singing of “God Bless America”.
Members Present: Dale Baker, Gayle Demko, Frank DiGennaro, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Heidi Huhn-Partain, Richard Kisiel, Luis Lee, Bob Lowell, Jack Muska, Roger Pratt, Charles Roumas, and Gordon Stagg. (14/33….42.4%).
Guests: Jackie Hemond, Director of Kent Memorial Library and Victoria Noak, guest of Greg Heineman.
Announcements: President Kisiel made several announcements:
- A Wine and Beer Tasting will be scheduled as a Fall fundraiser and Nancy Viggiano will chair. Several members have volunteered to assist and details will be forthcoming.
-The Interact Club has secured the project of assisting with the Community Garden which is located behind the Emergency Aid on Route 75.
PROGRAM Jackie Hemond of the Kent Memorial Library brought the Rotary up to speed with what’s been happening at the library. To accomplish her goal of “bringing Suffield a 21st Century Library”, Jackie’s bringing imagination and innovation to the community.
She is hopeful to be in the newly renovated center of town location by the end of the year with updates to the art gallery, auditorium, bathrooms, HVAC and lighting as well as the PCB abatement yet to be accomplished. Jackie will dedicate one room for studying and tutoring purposes. Currently programs are running at the temporary location at Flyer Place with the Senior Center hosting those programs requiring more seating space.
Jackie’s vision is to foster a community where history, research, storytelling, design and technology can keep them connected. Jackie envisions the library as a place where a grandmother can teach her grandson how to sew or knit and technology is available to all ages.
The library will now to ‘bring the library to you’ by holding programs outside the physical building, such as offering a program at the Farmer’s Market beginning the end of May, participating within the schools and at Hilltop Farm events. The library has items to check out that would help the community outside the building as well. You may check out their museum passes, 16 theme bags of activities for weekend checkout and a hot spot in addition to books!
Two new part time reference librarians have been hired to focus on youth and teen programs. She would like to fund more teen program activities, specifically the Saturday Science Project and their Robotic program which could use a 3D printer and various materials. Jackie provided a “Wish List” to the Board for consideration.
Blue Ticket Winners: Blue ticket winner was Nancy Viggiano with side won by Frank DiGennaro and Gayle Demko.
Queen of Hearts: Charles Roumas had the winning red ticket but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Total winning pot now stands at $255+.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: None
Adjournment: Richard Kisiel closed the meeting with a group singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”.
Next week’s meeting (Apr 10) – April Rotary Student of the Month