Club Meeting November 29, 2016
 
Opening and Welcome:  President Jackie Guzie opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Luis Lee gave the invocation. Tom Sullivan led the club singing of “God Bless America”.
 
Members Present: Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Greg DeSantis, Frank DiGennaro, Natalie Donais, Jackie Guzie, Gail Handley, Richard Kisiel, Jon Kozloski, Luis Lee, Cat Morrow, Jack Muska, Paul Pace, Ken Pascoe, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Gordon Stagg, Tom Sullivan, Nancy Viggiano, and Ed Walsh. (22/37   60%)  
 
Guests: Heather Lee (spouse of Luis Lee); and BSA Troop 260 reps Ed Boyd, Cliff Baron, Andy Baron and Mickey Baron.
 
Announcements:
 
 Jackie Guzie announced there were two sign-up sheets circulating. The first was for menu selection and confirmation of attendance (and payment by Dec 6) at the Rotary Christmas party on Dec 13th at Oak Ridge CC. Cost is $25 per person. The second was volunteering for specific time slots during the annual Rotary involvement in the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Giving Drive. We are asking members wearing Santa hats to ring donation bells on Dec 17 & 18 at two locations:  Highland Park Market entrance and Mountain Rd’s Dunkin Donuts entrance.
 
Jay Presser also reminded members of the annual ongoing fund-raising for the Rotary International Foundation. Those who are looking to ensure they have year-end tax deduction eligibility should submit their donations in December.
 
Program: There were two separate and important programs tonight:
 
1)    Formal recognition and/or induction of new members to the Suffield Rotary Club: Luis Lee, our Rotary Membership Chairman, was pleased to officially welcome Natalie Donais, a former Rotarian from Windsor’s club; and new Rotarians Catherine “Cat” Morrow, Jonathan “Jon” Kozloski, and Edward “Ed” Walsh. Each received Rotary pins, new member certificates and badges, as applicable. Our membership is delighted to welcome this talented group to our club, and looks forward in the near future for each of them to educate the members further on their background and interests.
 
2)    Presentation by Ed Boyd and Cliff Baron of Suffield Boy Scouts Troop 260:  Their purpose was to inform members of the terrific experiences of Suffield scouts such as preparedness courses, summer camps, exploration of Maine’s Allagash Waterways, etc. They also conveyed their reliance on fund-raising to subsidize the kids and the troop as a whole. Cliff Baron, Assistant Scoutmaster, described a kettle corn popping machine as an ongoing fund-raising vehicle to ensure the troop’s financial self-sufficiency. Prior kettle corn sales at events such as Suffield on the Green have been very helpful in covering their expenses, but the ability to manufacture their own year round would guarantee their security. With the help of an in-town machinist donating labor and some parts, they hope to manufacture a machine for $2000 vs the $5000 standard cost. They are requesting whatever financial contribution Rotary wishes to assist with. At program’s conclusion, Ken Pascoe became an auctioneer for some available product, and Dale Baker and Tom Sullivan were generous buyers/contributors.
 
Blue Ticket Winners: Richard Kisiel had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Dale Baker and Ed Walsh.
 
Queen of Hearts:  Natalie Donais had the winning ticket, but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Next week’s drawing $102+.
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries/ Adjournment: Jackie Guzie adjourned the meeting with the members singing our traditional version of Happy Birthday, by request, to Heather Lee.
 
Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, Secretary on November 29, 2016.