Dear Fellow Rotarians,

    Jerry Scarano returned to a very busy meeting today.

    We had the five members of the GSE as our guests.  They were delightful to be with.  They spoke English and were enthusiastic with their questions before and after the meeting.  I watched their faces during the meeting and they appeared to be interested in everything we did.  And, they laughed and laughed with us.  Antonio Ortega Rios is the leader and he introduced each member who gave us a brief bio.  They wore blue blazers with Rotary pins on both lapels.  Venezuela flags on the sleeve.   I presented Antonio  with our banner  and he gave me a pin of crossed flags.  The Venezuelan flag and the Rotary flag.  I shall wear it with pride.  After the meeting Bob, John and Ted took them to the USCGA for a tour of the museum.

    Doretta Colburn attended today's meeting in her capacity as Asst. District Governor and I neglected to introduce her.  She would have had some welcoming words for our guests.

    Barry brought Nina Capone who spoke of a Care Package Drive for our CT troops who will be stationed in Afghanistan  over the next year.  The drive will be held on Sunday, June 25th at  Washington Park in Groton.  We didn't have the opportunity to discuss it today but it's something we should support and I'll have more details later.

    I read a letter from Alan Hurst stating that the District Governor in 2008-2009 will be Richard B. "Rick" Benson.  Anyone who objects to this nomination may write to Alan Hurst at 1 Spice Hill Drive, East Hampton, CT 06424 in the next two weeks.

    I was pleasantly surprised to receive my 8 years tab.   Dave Stryker, my sponsor, presented it to me.   Can't believe I've been in Rotary that long.

    Foundation requests must be in by May 16th.  Request application forms can be found on this Website and I have extra copies.

    Fred Keith is looking for volunteers to interview students who are eligible for scholarship  money.  The interviews will take place between the 15th and 22nd of May at Fitch and Ledyard High Schools.  Please call Fred at 464-1607 if you would like to volunteer.   I did it last year and it is a wonderful experience.

    Lee Vincent is checking with the AMC to get the details for us to have a blood drive to honor Skip.

    Have a great week.  Remember to say a prayer for Barry's little grandson.

Yours in Rotary, President Barbara

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

    As far as attendance was concerned our meeting today was pathetic.  Under 20 members.   Many people had told me they would be away and many didn't.

    Of course there's no school this week and I'm sure that was a contributing factor.  It's really too bad because the speaker was very good.  Maggie Jones showed slides and spoke so interestingly about her position as Executive Director of the  Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.  The pictures were beautiful and we were amazed to learn just how many critters and birds are here.  I had two turkeys in my yard last week.

    Many of us may have had the problem I had.  I left my home at 11:30 and arrived at Groton Inn and Suites at 1:00.  I crawled from just beyond exit 89 to exit 88.  Then I crawled to the traffic light on 184.  I thought I was home free then but no such luck.  I picked up speed to about 8 to 10 miles per hour until I reached Wal-Mart's and could make a left turn headed for GI&S.  I walked into a dark room showing slides and was sun blinded for about ten minutes.  Cathy Lathrop arrived in a few minutes.  She had made the mistake of taking I95 from her office.  Doretta was coming to hear Maggie but she gave up a little after one and went shopping.  She showed up at 1:30 to show us her good intentions.  I thought it was an accident but I have since learned that it was Road Construction.  Inexcusable to detain people to that extent.

    Next week we host the Service Person of the Month.  This is done by the Chamber of Commerce and Mike will be our spokesman.  I have purchased a $100 savings bond as our gift to him.   Because it takes about three weeks, I have only  a gift certificate.  It'll be fine.

    I reminded the club today of the dinner Saturday night at Groton  Senior Center.  Please be there at four to  help set tables and get ready for the folks to arrive about 5:00.  I won't be there because of a previous engagement but you all can handle things without me.

    There won't be a board meeting tomorrow because too many officers are away.   We'll meet next Wed. the 26th.

    We still have some auction items to auction off.  One of these days we'll be able to fit it in.

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

    We had a good meeting yesterday.  Two visiting Rotarians and Lee inducted Cathy Lathrop into membership in our club.

    I announced that Fred Keith won't be with us for a few weeks because he has undergone a hip replacement.  He called me and he is doing very well.

    Ted spoke of the upcoming Amber Alert meetings that will be taking place.  My personal feeling is that we don't do enough to help out the other clubs.  More of us should volunteer.

    Special Agent Spencer Evans, from the  FBI office in New Haven spoke on Identity Theft.  It was fascinating and scary.  One of the members suggested to me that we have him back for more questions and answers.

    Last night many  of us went to Applebee's where 10% of our bill was donated to Fitch Interact Club.  I went with four neighbors and saw at least six Rotary families.  George Letz was there with Bev, his bride of 60 years.  I took it upon myself as president of the club and  asked to speak to the manager to thank him for what he is doing  for our Interact Club. He was pleased and thanked me profusely and even brought the district manager to my table to meet me.  Made me think that maybe people don't thank people enough and too much is taken for granted.  Just a thought.

    Tomorrow Frank, John and I are going to Meriden to attend the district conference.  Wish more members were going with us because they are so rewarding and educational.

    Have a happy weekend and don't  put away your winter underwear yet!!

Yours in Rotary, President Barbara

Dear Fellow Rotarians

    We had a very happy meeting yesterday.   It was one of those days where everything came together the way it should.

    RB received his one year pin and it was so rewarding for him.  He flashed his big, beautiful smile at everyone.

    Kim Winkelman became a member.  Lee Vincent did his usual lovely ceremony.  Kim was happy and as I looked out at the members there were smiles everywhere. Taking in a new member makes a meeting better!!

    We can look forward to another new member next week when Lee will install Cathy Lathrop.

    Lee was our speaker and spoke on "The Worst Mistake in Histotory...Sleeping With Pigs.."   It was interesting, amusing and educational.  Lee always entertains us.

    In last week's page I told you about New London Rotary's "Rotary After Hours" party at Louie's in New London, but I didn't give you the date.  It's Tuesday, April 25th.  See last week's page for details.

    Have a very good week and enjoy the warm weather.

Yours in Rotary, President Barbara

    I talked with Irene this evening and she is, understandably, holding up well in her state of shock.  I asked her to call if there is anything she would like us to do as a group or individually.   She was pleased and assured me that she would call if she needs anything at all.   I instructed Pete to send flowers from our club to Irene because I feel there will be many at the funeral and I felt Irene should have them at home.  They will be delivered tomorrow.  I did not ask Irene for funeral details.  I'm sure they'll be in tomorrow's paper or we can always get them from Greg.

Have a good week. 

God Bless,  President Barbara

Yours in Rotary, President Barbara

Good Morning Fellow Rotarians

We are invited to a party!  New London Rotary is presenting:

RAH !  RAH!  RAH !   Rotary After Hours

Stash's Cafe, 95 Pequot Ave., New London

Thursday, January 26th, 5-7PM for Rotarians, Guests and Friends.

 Stash's Famous Thursday Taco Bar (Free)  Admission Free  Cash Bar

                                     NO PROGRAM------NO SPEAKER------NO WORK

                                    JUST A BUNCH OF ROTARIANS HAVING FUN!!!!!

 I received this invitation from Reid Burdick and am passing it on to you.  Hope we can have a good turnout. 

 Yours in Rotary,  President Barbara 

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

     Rotary was cancelled today because of inclement weather.  At 8:00 this morning I saw on television that schools were closed and there were many cancellations.  I took a look outside and saw ICE all over everything.  I waited until 9:00 to start calling and was able to get through the entire list in about an hour. No need to make up.  I was my own telephone tree.

    Nolan Nixon's son died this week. The funeral service was Saturday, Dec. 31st. He was 46 years old.  It's a very difficult time for Nolan and he  needs our support.

     Frank, George and I have birthdays this week so we'll bring a cake to Rotary on the 10th.

 Have a good week and a Happy New Year,   President Barbara

Note from Webmaster:  Nolan Nixon's address can be found in the Details pages.

Good Afternoon Fellow Rotarians,

    It was a rainy November day but we had a good turn out.  

 

And, bring a friend to our next meeting.

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

    I'm a bit late getting this written.  It's been a busy week for me. 

    Dr Edward Monahan spoke to us about "Rowing Old Gracefully."  It must be a fascinating sport.  I don't think I'm ready to try it out but I could see by your faces that some of you were sold.  Good luck.

    Mike Riegel reports that more checks have been turned in for our foundation.  They are all for the full amount, $100.  This is good, but I really want us to get as close to 100% as possible and it isn't necessary to pay all at once.  Installments between now and the end of June should be easy to do.  Please contact Mike and lets all become sustaining members. I sure would love to have that on my president's record!  You may also give more than $100 if you so desire.

    On Friday night Ted Colburn is going to represent our club at the District Foundation Dinner in Wallingford.  Thank you, Ted.

    Next Tuesday Skip will receive his 20 years pin.  Way to go, Skip!!

    After his report re: Interact, Barry received an ovation.  He has done a spectacular job.  Papers were signed by me this passed weekend and we have 12 members already.  I'm going to speak to the board about having them as our guests perhaps the week between Christmas and the New Year when they are off from school.  I feel they should put some faces to their founders.  I'd appreciate some input from you before the board meeting next week.

    This year we are going to do our Santa Claus job for Mystic (Groton side) Chamber.  I shall bring in the schedule on Tuesday and I hope you'll sign up for it.  It's really fun.  All you do is talk to children, if you want to, and pass out candy canes.  The Santa suit is provided by the Cooper Shoppe and you have a throne  to sit on with our banner on display. Mystic Rotary is across the street all day ringing bells for the Salvation Army. We work 3 hours Sat and Sun afternoons.  

    Ed will not be return from WI until after Thanksgiving.  His puppy (FeFee, a Bichon Frise) has had a very serious accident and is hospitalized. On the 24th of October, she was dragged by a passing car for about a mile and a 1/2 and has been in the hospital ever since.  She lost skin, hair, the end of one rear toe, and needed about a hundred stitches but is well on her way to a full recovery

    I'm a real softie for animals and this broke my heart.  The good news is that Ed will be away longer, the bad news is that FeFee was injured.

    Think winter is fast approaching us.  Keep warm, stay healthy and get your flu shots.

Yours in Rotary,   President Barbara  

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

    The sun was shining brightly and everyone was happy.  We had a very informative speaker.  Heather Medic from the Aquarium showed slides and told us all about seals and turtles.  Fascinating.

    Walt Doolittle was there and looking healthy after his surgery.  Can't keep a good man down!!

    Barry and RB brought their wives.  It's always nice to have the spouses visit and they seem to enjoy it.

    I spoke to Walt Doolittle about not passing around the sign up sheet for the auction.  This year we're going to try to make it a bit more interesting by putting  together people who compliment one another.  At the board meeting tomorrow we'll discuss some other possibilities to make our presentation more "alive."

    My feeling is that we work very hard for a very long time for too little money.   Hope we can improve upon that.

    Next week the District Governor will visit.  He is going to present five Paul Harris Fellows.  We'll have many guests.  Greg Thevenet suggested that we get dressed up.  Let's do it, and be sure to wear your medals.

Have a great Rotary week,  President Barbara  

_____________________-=*=-_______________________

August 30th, 2005

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

    Today's meeting was a disaster at every turn.  Even I wanted to walk out. The trouble began when we ran out of space and had to put chairs up to a table holding eight people and two members sat at the head table. There were three mistakes on the agenda which made me look and feel like I wasn't in control of the meeting.  Bob Perry had 37 years perfect attendance last week and was on vacation.  We weren't ready with his hanging tab a week later.  The room looked sloppy.  One banner was hung on a light fixture and was crooked.  The other banner was draped over a podium.  Neither of our stands were used.  The food was good and I had a meeting with Bev regarding our menus.  There will be some changes made.  The saving grace today was Mike Stryker, our speaker, who spoke on The History of Rotary. Informative and very well done. I'm expressing my feelings because I heard someone say I was getting feisty.  Guess I can only take a few errors at a time when I work so hard all week to have things run smoothly.  Yes, I did get feisty.  I'm sorry.

    I'm happy to report that Ted Colburn met Stacey Debruin and she is planning on coming back to Rotary.  She has had a very difficult time with her health and hopes that soon she'll be able to get around.

    Tried to reach Lian to find out about her surgery but wasn't able to.  Skip is only "so so" and in a great deal of pain but he'll be back.

    The District Governor is coming on the 27th of September.  Bo will be ready  to have Alan install a Paul Harris Fellow.  Be sure to wear your Paul Harris medals.

    Reading Challenge Recognition Day is September 28th.  John Silsby and I will be at Fitch Middle School to present the dictionaries to third graders.

Thank you,  President Barbara    

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

This is the beginning of my second term as president and I am optimistic.  We're going to have a good year.

At our meeting yesterday, July 19, 2005, Bud Fay gave us an update on the BRAC committee.  Personally I was encouraged.  We'll see.

We had several guests;  Barry Leon (our prospective member),  Walt Brown's grand niece from Scotland, and visiting Rotarians from Hawaii, Westerly , Stonington  and Mystic.   Our Assistant District Governor, Doretta Colburn  presented us with the Service Above Self banner from Carl-Wilhelm Stemhammar, Rotary International President.  She also gave me pins that I shall distribute next week.

We presented Greg Thevenet with a gift of appreciation for his many years as Club Treasurer.  He was always available and his office staff Pam and Bonnie were ready to help in any way.  Thank you, Greg.

Frank stepped in for Vicki and introduced Bud.  Bill Anhalt has been filling in as Sergeart at Arms until we could find someone who would take it on weekly.  Bill spends a great deal of the winter in AZ and FL.

Had our monthly board meeting this morning.  Welcomed Bob Perry and Richard Abston to their first board meetings for the Rotary year 2005-2006.  We voted on Barry's application for membership and a letter will go out to the members  with our support.

Mike Riegel and I are going to work on a yearly calendar so that we'll know what is coming and won't be tripping over each other with speakers.  We are also going to get members to sign up for speakers on a monthly basis.  This should make things easier.  I'm sure Vicki has felt the pressure and will be grateful.

Moshe has been very anxious to get involved with our International Service. Greg Leonard is going to speak to him about what we can do so you can expect some activity in that department.

Bruno is going to be our Club Service Director.   Frank will be on his committee as Public Relations Director.   We now know how to get publicity in The Day so Frank will have a contact.

Our new Sergeant at Arms is Bruno.   And when I say "arms" please remember that he carries a gun.  Be prepared for BIG fines.

We discussed the MOAF and are looking forward to our two days selling popcorn and pretzels.   I need to find a committee to help me work out the details.  Any volunteers?

The board has been very helpful with suggestions and I  feel that many of them shall work some hours.  Please call me for details if you would like to help.  536-4775.

There have been many complaints about the food.  I shall have a meeting with Bev and we'll see how it can be changed.

Please keep in touch and tell me if you have any problems.  The board and I shall do our best.

Thank you,   President Barbara  

Dear Fellow Rotarians and Guests,

We had a great Installation Dinner on Thursday, the 23rd at Groton Inn and Suites.  I tried to do everything that was expected of me but neglected to introduce the guests.  Please accept my apology.  Guess I think of most of you as family. 

Beverly at GI&S did a superb job for us.  Food was delicious.  Most people ordered Prime Rib and it is always a hit.

I awarded Ed Kolar with a President's Citation because of all the hours he has put in to  help us with our successful auction.  Ed is always there to help any one of us with our personal computer problems. He spends a great many hours at my computer!!!

The Scarano Award went to Bill Miller.  Bill is always there as we come in and reminds us to pay, take tickets and pick up our badges.  He has been doing this for many years and sometimes I feel we take people for granted.  Thank you Bill, for making this president's job a bit easier. 

The down east quilt was raffled off and Bill Anhalt was the lucky winner.  He immediately offered it up for an instant auction.  I started it off at $60 and then Moshe did a fantastic and lively job of getting a final foundation donation of $220 from Pete Lampasona.  Pete, the foundation thanks you sincerely.

Gerry Scarano did a beautiful, sensitive job of swearing in the Officers and Directors.  I hope I speak  for the entire board when I say I felt proud to be a Rotarian and look forward to doing even more next year.

Thank you, President Barbara

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

I have returned safely from Maine.  I brought back a Downeast Quilt and two pillow shams to be raffled.  I called Greg from ME to make sure we had the finances to do this.  The quilt is queen size in neutral colors.  It is dated and signed and numbered.

The tickets will sell for $10 each and the board and I will talk about when we do the drawing.   The only person who has seen the quilt since I returned home bought four tickets.  Off to a good start.

Be sure to get foundation requests in.

I'll be at the Senior Center tomorrow night.

Thank you,  President Barbara

April 9, 2005    

Thank you.  President Barbara   

_____________________-=*=-_______________________

On Tuesday we welcomed Agnes Cunha  as a  Paul Harris Fellow. 
This was made possible through a donation from Russ Vile who performed the installation.  Agnes was most deserving and Russ surprised us with some of her accomplishments.

A board meeting was held after the meeting to discuss the election problems with the members of the nominating committee, of which only Jim Mitchell was in attendance.  We had a good discussion and hopefully it is now behind us. It was determined that we , in fact, did elect the nominating committee's recommended slate of officers with the addition of my staying on as President for an additional year to bring our club into congruence with the RI Constitution change that occurred several years ago but was either not understood or missed until the day of this election.  

I want to thank the board and the few members who remained to take part in the discussion.

Please let us move on and get our Rotary business done.

Thank you.  President Barbara 

Wednesday, January 19, 2005,  the Groton/-Ledyard Rotary Board of Directors met at my home at 8:00am.

We had a very good, productive, meeting.  John Silsby reviewed the presentation of dictionaries to third graders.  The next dinner at the Groton Senior Center will be held on April 23rd.

Lori is planning the wine tasting with her committee, Michelle and Dan.  It shall be held in conjunction with our 50th anniversary.  More on that later.

We had a discussion re the letter written by the secretary to all members.  It is time we enforced the rules of RI and all agreed that we do it.  The letter was not meant to offend anyone.

We discussed the election of our officers.  We regret that some members appear to have left the club because of it.  We are having a meeting next Tuesday after our regular meeting with members of the nominating committee.  Hopefully, this will be solved.

Thank you.  Have a good Rotary week,    President Barbara       

Jerry Scarano called me last evening to say that Ellie is hospitalized with a slight stroke.  It has hit the right side of her brain which controls her left side.  She can move her arms and legs but her speech  is affected.  She'll be hospitalized for a few days.  I'll talk with Jerry tomorrow and Sunday and have an update for you on Tuesday. 

We should all know the SAS test, it could save a life.

On Tuesday, after I got home from our meeting, I received a packet of thank you notes from third graders.  They are so happy with their dictionaries.  The letters are delightful  to read and I shall bring them to Rotary on Tuesday the 4th.

The board will meet at the Groton Town Hall at 8:00am on the third Wednesday of every month.  The next meeting will be January 19th.

Assembly meetings will be the fourth Tuesday of the month.  I shall ask Vicki  not to schedule speakers at that time.

Thank you, President Barbara