Category Archives: Official DG Visits

Official Visit #54 – Darien Rotary

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The Darien Connecticut Rotary Club is a small but active Club that is just into the double digits with respect to membership.

President Martina Tucker

President Martina Tucker

Martina Tucker has been the President of record for the past 2 years but she may or may not actually exist; I’m not sure as I’ve never met or talked to her. I asked the members at today’s meeting if Martina was real or if they were using a photo from stockphotos.com. I was hoping that the Official Visit would lead to a meet-up between Martina and me but it wasn’t to be today, perhaps another day. (All of this is in good fun so don’t read more into it than there is).

Bob Chandler - 52 years perfect attendance

Bob Chandler – 52 years perfect attendance

This Club was chartered in 1961 and they still have one Charter Member; Robert ‘Bob’ Chandler. Bob has been a Rotarian for 52 years and wait for it…….he has 52 years of perfect attendance. Bob was inspired to become a Rotarian by his father, who was a Rotarian for 20 years.

The Darien Rotary Club supports the Darien Beautification Commission, Little League and youth hockey teams, the Junior Achievement Program at Darien High School,  awards scholarships to high school students and is active in the District’s Youth Exchange program.

Darien Rotary Afgan Toy Project

Afghan Children with donated toys (Photo: Darien Times)

The Darien Rotary members ran a toy collection for Afghan kids. which were sent to the Afghan Children’s Project which distributes them to children hospitalized for illnesses or injuries in Kabul. The last shipment in early April consisted of 10+ boxes.

The Darien Rotary Club has participated in other international projects including one that involved building modern toilets for a school near Nairobi, Kenya.

The Darien Rotary Club meets at the Goose @ 972 Boston Post Rd in Darien on Thursdays for lunch. It is a friendly group of Rotarians and a very nice lunch at a wonderful restaurant. I am looking forward to returning.

Official Visit #53 – New London Rotary Club – Two Official Visits on the same day

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The New London Rotary Club is so large (just about 100 members) that they required 2 official visits on Thursday Oct 24th.

The New London Club runs a breakfast and lunch meeting each Thursday as the ‘dual schedule’ affords members maximum flexibly to attend Club meetings on a regular basis.

Ten to fifteen New London Rotarians meet in the morning @ Muddy Waters in what is known as a satellite meeting while the balance of the New London Rotarians attend their regular Rotary meeting for lunch  @ Tony D’s. The morning meetings have an interesting format in that they are facilitated by Ivan Sadler in such a manner that each attendee is afforded several minutes to talk about issues germane to New London and New London Rotary. While the feel is relaxed the group actually covers considerable ground in the hour that they meet.

The afternoon meeting is structured in a way that makes the most efficient use of 80+ people’s time of 1 hour and 15 minutes. The Club recently moved a few blocks away to Tony D’s Restaurant from The Holiday Inn. Members appear to be enjoying the environment, the hospitality and the food at Tony D’s as the move seems to have had a positive impact on attendance.

On Thursday Mark Spinnato was recognized with a Paul Harris plus 2 sapphires (PH+2) for his generous support of The Rotary Foundation. During his brief remarks Mark told us that big things in the world are possible by making small sacrifices in life like cutting back on lattes. Mark is a role model that we can all be proud of, he lives Service above Self everyday. Mark is in good company as many New London Rotarians also generously support The Rotary Foundation.

While the New London Rotary Club is known for it’s many good works in their community and the world, they are famously known for their long-term support of:

With respect to Fundraisers the Club holds (2) Brewfest events and (1) Wine event each year.

Want to visit the New London Rotary Club but can’t decide? Then attend both breakfast @ Muddy Waters and lunch @ Tony D’s as a number of members do.

Official Visit #52 – Chester Rotary Club – All about Performance, Fun & Cohesion

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Chester meets around the long table

Chester Rotary meets around the long table

The Chester Connecticut Rotary Club has 22 friendly, hardworking, fun-loving members with an interesting collective sense of humor.

Meetings are held around a long table where all Rotarians can easily see and interact with each other which keeps everyone interested and engaged. This effective meeting format is also used by the Deep River Rotary, Black Rock Rotary and The Stoningtons Rotary Clubs.

President Ron Woodward introduced PFC (Performance, Fun & Cohesion) as a concept for everything that the Club does this year. All of their meetings and events have these elements.

Ms Chest Hair contestant 2012

Ms Chest Hair contestant 2012

Fun is so important to the Club that they practically require it in their bylaws. Need more convincing? The Club has run a Womanless Beauty Pageant the past 3 years where they crown “Ms. Chest Hair” as a fundraiser; a great example of having fun while doing good.

The Club is one of 29 Connecticut Clubs that participate in the Liberty Bank Turkey Drive each year so that they can raise funds to give away meals at Thanksgiving time to Chester area families in need through their local food bank. They proudly exceeded the $1,000 mark in collections at last night’s meeting and are pushing forward.

Chester Lobsterfest 2013 IMG_8007The Club is famously known for their two big annual fundraisers; the 4 on the 4th road race (4 miles on July 4th) and the longest running Lobsterfest in D7980 but they are about much more than that.

Every year they host a recognition dinner where they give community recognitions to deserving citizens as provide financial support to the Tri-Town area. Below are some highlights of the support provided by The Chester Rotary Club at last year’s event:

  • Motley Scholarships
  • Tri-Town Youth Services
  • Bikes for Kids
  • Chester Backpack Program
  • Early Chilhood Council
  • Camp Hazen
  • Chester Parks & Rec
  • Chester Hose Company
  • Barzilian American Youth Cultural Exchange
  • Boy Scout Troop 13
  • Dictionary Project
  • Valley Regional High School Football Boosters
  • Interact
Chester Rotarians

Chester Rotarians

Chester Rotarians

Chester Rotarians

The Chester Rotary Club enjoys their evening meetings during the warm season outside on the banks of the Connecticut River at Crisholm Marina. They meet at the Ivory Restaurant & Pub in Deep River during inclement weather and the cold season.  Be sure to visit this group of fun loving Rotarians that do amazing things in their community. I am looking forward to seeing them again soon.

Official Visit #51 – Norwich Rotary Club – Dictionary Project and 2 New Members

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Norwich IMG_0391

Club picture day at Norwich Rotary

Barry & Bonnie distributing Dictionaries

Barry & Bonnie in class

Norwich crew getting ready for Dictionary project

Dictionary Crew

Today was a very busy and enjoyable day visiting the Norwich Rotary Club. The day started early as the Club delivered over 350 Dictionaries to 3rd graders in classrooms all over Norwich. I had the pleasure of accompanying President Barry Shead and Past President Bonnie Hong to one of the schools. Nice touch Norwich handing out Yellow Dictionaries.

New Member Induction

New Member Induction

Sara and Mike being pinned by their Sponsors

Sara and Mike being pinned

Today was an extra special day at the Norwich Rotary Club as we inducted 2 new members: Sara Glynn and Mike Cooney.

This 50+ Club (# members, not age) is very busy supporting and working on many community  projects. A partial list of those endeavors includes:

Community Projects:Norwich IMG_0399

  • Rose Garden
  • Refurbish Greenville Playground
  • Build Electric Trolley for City of Norwich (more on this in future post)

Ongoing Projects & Support:Norwich IMG_0406

  • Amber Alert
  • Dictionary Project
  • Norwich Little League
  • Book Donations for Otis Library
  • CAPPS Awards Luncheon
  • RYLA
  • Grocery gift cards for needy families
  • Coat Drive
  • Norwich Rotary Community CorpsNorwich IMG_0380
  • Native Son/Daughter Recognition Banquet
  • Celebrate Diversity

The Norwich Rotary Club meets at the Bella Fiore Restaurant @ 543 West Thames Street in Norwich on Wed afternoons for lunch. It’s a great group of Rotarians and certainly an enjoyable time making up there.

Official Visit #50 – Milford Rotary Club – A Very Yellow Greeting!!

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Milford Rotary Brag Board

Milford Rotary – What We Do

At just over 100 members the Milford Rotary Club is the largest Club in District 7980 and on Thursday I had the honor of inducting 2 new members (Leigh and Dan) into the Club. The Club also awarded a Paul Harris recognition to Dr. David Esposito.

While the Milford Rotary Club is known for their 2 Mega Fundraisers, The Lobster Bake and The Oyster Festival, they are certainly about much more than that. Have a look at what I like to call “The Brag Board” on the right and you will quickly understand the depth of philanthropic endeavors by this Club. Every one of these ‘line items’ has a significant story behind it that the Milford Rotarians are extremely proud of; especially the annual award of $25,000 in scholarships to High School Seniors.

Westport President Tony Riggio

Westport President Tony Riggio contributes  $500 in the name of Terry Munk

Besides being generous community and international Benefactors the Milford Rotary Club also helps out other Rotary Clubs. One example is how the Club helped the Westport Rotary Club get their LobsterFest off the ground last year. Now in it’s 2nd year the Westport LobsterFest is a profitable mature event thanks to the help of Milford Rotary. Westport President Tony Riggio came by yesterday to express the Westport Club’s thanks by contributing $500 in honor of  Terry Munk.

It’s not all business for the Milford Rotary Club as they know how to have a good time as well. Happy Bucks during their weekly meetings sometimes feel like Open Mike Night in Comedy Central, their fellowships are big, fun and usually include massive amounts of good food and beverage as well as many family members. They have a newer annual event called Blues, Brews & BBQ (Music, Drink and Food in case you were wondering) which is technically a fundraiser but can easily be mistaken for a giant fellowship event.

Many Milford Rotarians wore yellow yesterday which brightened the day for the Official District Governor visit,  I sincerely appreciate that thoughtful extra effort. Receiving Yellow Limincello Jello in the shape of Big Bird’s had was a first, thanks to First Lady Brenda Bergami for making that.

The Milford Rotary Club meets on Thursdays for lunch at Aldario’s Restaurant @ 240 Naugatuck Ave, Milford, CT. Stop in if you can or treat yourself to their Blues, Brews & BBQ event in the spring, you will enjoy it either way.

Special thanks to Assistant Governor Ann Brignola for many of these photos.

 

Official Visit #49 – Colchester Rotary Club

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The Colchester Rotary Club is a Club that knows how to have fun and enjoy life while doing good in the world. They do impromptu meetings at places like Gung Ho, drive the wheels off cars on test tracks, have entertainers such as Judy Live and Tommy C visit for sing alongs, have loud fellowships, turn the work of selling Pierogis at the Hebron Fair into fun and occasionally partake in some Wine Tasting.

This Club typically gets some interesting speakers at their regular meetings. Steve Glick, Bob Steel Jr. and DGE Mukund Nori are just some of the people that have spoke at their club recently.

The Official Visit last night was held at President Holly Potvin’s home. Club business was done in the form of a board meeting before the balance of the Club Members arrived for the weekly meeting. The regular meeting featured a bountiful feast that would exceed the most generous of Thanksgiving spreads. The meal was prepared entirely by the Colchester Rotarians.

The Colchester Club is in the middle of their largest fundraiser of the year, A Car Raffle, which will conclude on Oct 30th with the grand prize drawing. First spouse, Wayne Potvin, has been working tirelessly on this fundraiser by going above and beyond to inspire his fellow Rotarians to sell tickets, sell tickets, sell tickets.

This is a smaller but active Rotary Club of twenty-something that does important things in the community and the world. A few examples:

  • The Club turned out in big numbers for the Oklahoma Benefit Dinner in East Hampton on Sept 20th where $4,000 was raised for the District’s Oklahoma Relief Fund.
  • They honor an outstanding citizen in their community each year.
  • Club members generously support The Rotary Foundation including PolioPlus.
  • They support the Colchester Rotary Foundation’s food programs.
  • They recently established a scholarship program

Besides producing many dynamic Club leaders the Colchester Rotary Club has added to the collective brain trust of the District with Assistant Governor Gretchen Marvin and VTT Chair Nancy Riella.

The Colchester Connecticut Rotary Club just celebrated their 50th Anniversary in August.

The Club doesn’t always meet at Holly & Waynes house but when they do it is an extra special night. The Club’s regular digs are at Nu Nu’s Bistro in Colchester for their Wednesday night meetings. It is a very nice place with a staff that takes care of the Colchester Rotary Club nicely, so stop on by.