Opening and Welcome: Vice President Charles Roumas opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Scott Seabury provided invocation and the club sang “God Bless America”.
Members Present: Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Greg DeSantis, Frank DiGennaro, Jackie Guzie, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Jon Kozloski, Luis Lee, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Ken Pascoe, Roger Pratt, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, Thomas Sullivan and Nancy Viggiano. (19/33….58%).
Guests: Speaker Lynn Mervosh, Phelps-Hatheway House and Garden Site Administrator and Jackie Hemond, guest of Gayle Demko.
Announcements: Vice President Roumas opened the meeting with a tribute of appreciation for all those who made Memorial Day possible. Additional announcements:
- Replacement signup sheets for Paul Harris dinner and Yard Goats game were circulated; payment for tickets will be collected next meeting.
- Golf Committee: Jon Kozloski asks for all members to bring in a raffle item and a tee sign donation during June; gift certificates and raffle items are the key to making this project a financial success. (Wine will be collected during the month of July.)
- Wine Tasting: The committee has met and is proposing a Sep 21 timeframe; the venue to be determined. Nancy Viggiano will continue to update as this events firms.
PROGRAM: Charles Roumas introduced Lynn Mervosh from the Phelps-Hatheway House; Lynn’s daughter was Rotarian of the month earlier in the year. Lynn introduced the owner of the property as Connecticut Landmarks – a non-profit organization that has restored and operates eleven significant historic house museums in Connecticut. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, the organization was founded in 1936 as the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society. She brought three historical items from the house and played a guessing game until the item was correctly identified. The house is filled with many beautiful antique treasures and welcomes visitors and events. July 8 at Noon the Ct Landmarks Phelps-Hatheway will host a reading of the Declaration of Independence, which will be read by members of our community. Charles and Gayle will represent the Suffield Rotary in this event and all are welcome to attend!
Blue Ticket Winners: Congratulations to the Blue ticket winner Jackie Hemond with sides won by Luis Lee and Greg DeSantis.
Queen of Hearts: Gordon Stagg had the winning red ticket but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Total winning pot now stands at $364+.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: Scott Seabury was serenaded with our special Happy Birthday tune.
Adjournment: Charles Roumas closed the meeting with the song “My Country Tis of Thee”.
Next week’s meeting (June 5) – Catherine (Cat) Morrow: An insider's view of the workings of CT State Legislature.