Club Meeting- Sept 20, 2016

Posted by Charles Roumas on Sep 21, 2016
 
Club Meeting September 20, 2016
 
Opening and Welcome:  President Jackie Guzie opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Scott Seabury gave the invocation and led the club singing of “God Bless America”.
 
Members Present: Gil Ahrens, Dale Baker, Jerry Crane, Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Jackie Guzie, Gail Handley, Richard Kisiel, Luis Lee, Robert Lowell,  Jack Muska, Ken Pascoe, Ray Perleoni, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, and Tami Zawistowski. (19/34  56%)   Additionally, the Secretary has recorded additional “meeting make-ups” for members not in attendance on Sept 20, who worked multiple shifts for the Suffield on the Green event including Joe Blake, Blair Childs, Ralph Fletcher, Guy Fortunato, Greg Heineman, Clark Mason, Karen Mason, Heidi Huhn-Partain, Anthony Migliozzi, and Nancy Viggiano. (85%)
 
Guests: former Suffield Rotarian Greg Panjian, Catherine Morrow (awaiting new membership approval and induction), speaker Steve Sorrow, and three guests of member Bob Lowell (wife Linda Stevenson, Estelle Coffman from Louisiana, and prospective member Natalie Donais-former Windsor Rotarian).
 
Announcements:
Ray Perleoni reminded members of the upcoming annual Steak and Lobster event on October 18th at the Fox Hollow Gun Club. He expressed the need for volunteers to help with set-up, food donations, supplies, etc. Ray will be distributing a sign-up email to members for volunteer slots and a list of items needed.
 
Program: Suffield Rotary was pleased to have two speakers with separate topics:
  1. Steve Sorrow, President Windsor Locks Canal Trail and Park Friends: Steve is a Suffield resident actively involved since 2004 in the upkeep and enhancement of this historic and natural locale. 300 people use it daily. The board of five consists of residents of Suffield, Windsor Locks, Warehouse Point and Enfield, and works closely with the Park Ranger. Amongst the wonders at the park extolled are milkweed thatches and winterberry bushes for the Monarch Butterfly and Golden Warbler migrations, respectively. Although the State must handle the major infrastructural issues, the local Friends group has a priority wish list of needs (gas for equipment, solar battery charger, rain barrel, etc.). Steve was asked by the club to forward the wish list. Also importantly, the members were unanimous in their use of the trail/park, and instructed Steve to create opportunities for Rotarians to volunteer time/services to this unique facility. The club also thanked Steve for his continued dedication.
 
  1. Bob Lowell, Suffield Rotary member: Bob returned from house reconstruction and other important aid relief he and others provided the victims of the recent flooding disaster in Louisiana (sudden 20 inches of rain). This was designated a 1000 year flood by FEMA and destroyed thousands of homes. Bob was part of a large group of service volunteers from many organizations focused on cleaning up the mold and other elements of inhabitability from flooded homes. His genesis for this was meeting our guest Estelle Coffman years ago on a Cycle America Bike Tour.  After becoming friends for years, Estelle’s house was amongst those destroyed, and Bob responded to her call for help, and that of her neighbors, in true Rotarian spirit. Our club is proud of his actions.
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries:  Gayle Demko was the recipient of our special rendition of the Happy Birthday song. Don and Debby Miner also celebrated a wedding anniversary.
 
Blue Ticket Winners:  Luis Lee had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Dick Kisiel and Gail Handley.
 
Queen of Hearts:  Gordon Stagg had the winning ticket, but did not select the queen. Next week’s drawing $632+.
 
Adjournment: Jackie Guzie adjourned the meeting and Scott Seabury led “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” as the closing song.
 
Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, Secretary on September 20, 2016.