Category Archives: Official DG Visits

Official Visit #17 – Montville Connecticut Rotary Club

Posted on by

The Montville Rotary Club is made up of early risers and so far they are the only sunrise club that has agreed to have their board meeting with me before their meeting, which means that we started at 6:30 AM today.

For a club of just 14 members, the Montville Rotary Club does many great things in their community including:

  • Supporting the homeless shelter
  • Supporting Oklahoma Relief efforts
  • Distributing dictionaries to 3rd graders
  • Awarding (3) $1,000 scholarships to assist deserving students (residents of Montville, Connecticut) in continuing their education beyond secondary school.
  • Thanksgiving Food baskets
  • Honoring the Teacher of the Year
  • Adopting a family for Christmas
  • Participating and supporting the Relay for Life
  • Recently recognizing several Montville Businesses for their quick response and support for the Montville Cares Breast Cancer Tee Shirt.  Montville Cares is a Breast Cancer Awareness program that was started by three boys at Tyl Middle School who have had close family members affected by Breast Cancer.

to name a few ..

The club raises funds in some interesting ways including:

  • The Montville Rotary Club co-sponsors the annual Montville Master’s Race, a 6.2 mile running competition for people 40 and older.
  • Give back dinners done in partnership with the local Chili’s Restaurant
  • Fall Trivia Night

Despite the small number of members, the club is very organized and focused. They are especially focused on bringing in quality new members. Both Immediate Past President Nate Servidio and President Kim Navetta are committed to growing the membership.

The Montville Club usually has some interesting club programs and speakers, save today, which can be viewed on their very active Facebook page.

The club meets on Tuesdays mornings from 7 AM – 8 AM at the Hyatt Place in Uncasville, it is a beautiful facility in the shadows of the casino. They enjoy a nice breakfast for only $5 and the only thing missing is you!!! Stop on in and say hello.

Official Visit #16 – Clinton Rotary Club

Posted on by
President Joan DeFilippo

President Joan DeFilippo

Celebrating 350 Years - The Clinton Rotary Cookbook

Celebrating 350 Years – The Clinton Rotary Cookbook

The Town of Clinton Connecticut begins the celebration of their 350th Anniversary this weekend and many of the Clinton Rotarians have been actively involved in the planning.

President Joan DeFilippo wants everyone to know that the Clinton Rotary Club has released a cookbook with 350 Rotary recipes in it to commemorate  the 350th Anniversary. There is even a recipe from Binota Banerjee (Past RI President Kalyan Banerjee’s wife). The book cost just $15 (plus shipping) and can be ordered by sending President Joan an email. I was honored to be presented with a first run copy last night which was then signed by all of the club members.

The Clinton Rotary Club has established a Cancer Relief Fund that is involved with the raising of funds for cancer by organizing an annual Walk-a-Thon. They request donations to their fund on a continuous basis. All fund proceeds are available to cancer victims and their families by submitting an application to the Clinton Rotary Club. For information click here.

The club is very committed to the AMBERAlert (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) program and runs events on a regular basis. They will be participating at the Big E in September.

Rich Onofrio is the President-elect and he is looking forward to becoming President for the 3rd time on July 1st.

At 16 members;  the Clinton Rotary Club is small in membership numbers but big in action. This is a club that does a considerable amount for their size. All members wear numerous hats and do considerable heavy lifting. They would have much to be proud of they were ever able to sit back and reflect for a few minutes to rest on their laurels but the rest of us see and appreciate their good deeds.

The Clinton Rotary Club meets for dinner at the the Clinton Country Club on Old Post Road, Route 145, Clinton, CT.

Official Visit # 14 – Niantic Rotary Club

Posted on by

The Niantic Rotary Club enjoys one of the best lunches in D7980, no Rotary Chicken on this menu. They meet each Wednesday at Flander’s Fish Market & Restaurant in East Lyme CT.

President Dan kicked off the year in a very forward looking way by introducing his club to the Magical Mystery Tour, which is one of dinner themes at the Groton District Conference this coming May.

The club has about 40 dedicated and hardworking members that run fundraisers and work on projects that benefit their community. Club leadership is looking to expand into a global project this year by possibly partnering with other nearby Rotary clubs on a Solar Panel project.

The club holds three significant fund-raisers each year: The Niantic Rotary Gala; the Niantic Rotary Golf Tournament, and the Niantic Rotary food booth during Celebrate East Lyme.

Some of the beneficiaries of Niantic ROTARY fund-raising efforts include:

  • The ROTARY Foundation (humanitarian and educational programs)
  • The ROTARY Foundation (polio eradication )
  • Haitian Health Foundation
  • Amber Alert
  • Niantic Main Street
  • Third grade Dictionary Program
  • Student of the month luncheons for selected East Lyme high-school students
  • $5,000 in scholarships to East Lyme high-school graduating seniors
  • Middle school essay contest for students in East Lyme, Salem and Lyme/Old Lyme
  • Middle school citizenship prizes
  • Serviceperson of the month luncheon each July
  • ELHS Interact Club
  • Care and Share
  • Friends of Smith Harris
  • Hospice Southeast Connecticut
  • New London Food Center
  • Women’s Center
  • Sub Vets Association
  • EL Light Parade
  • Senior Picnic
  • EL Holiday Stroll
  • Make a Difference Day

In addition to the fundraisers and charities the club did the following significant community projects during the past several years:

  • Placed a four-sided clock on Main Street in what is called the Rotary Crossing.  The Rotary International Logo is on all four faces of the clock and the Four-Way Test is around the base.  The clock is lighted and has chimes and music available.
  • Donated a portion of its funds to the improvement of the playscape at McCook’s Park.
  • Donated a portion of  its funds to the erection of an electronic sign to be placed at Flanders Four Corners.
  • Donated a portion of its funds to the erection of an electronic sign at the entrance to East Lyme High School.

The Niantic Rotary Club is a medium sized club with an EXTRA LARGE heart!!! They do amazing things, are never satisfied with the status quo and are always looking to improve. Case in point….President Dan working to revamp the way that the Interact club is operating.

A visitor to this club can’t go wrong. Great meal choices, great fellowship and a welcoming crowd (Having a YELLOW hard hat to hold the happy bucks was a nice touch today!!). Put this one on your ‘Rotary Bucket List’ and visit them at some point for lunch on Wednesdays.

If you still need convincing then remember that the Niantic Rotary Club is Susan Wheelers home club!!! I know that Susan will see this as she always reads to the end.

Official Visit #13 – Branford Rotary Club – 1 New Member & 2 Paul Harris Recognitions

Posted on by
President Ed Vescovi

President Ed Vescovi

Kerry Haynes being pinned by Sponsor Emily Granelli

Kerry Haynes being pinned by Sponsor Emily Granelli

Paul Harris +1: Phil Carloni and Pat Andriole

Paul Harris +1: Phil Carloni and Pat Andriole

President Ed Vescovi has a full plate this year as the Branford Rotary Club of 66 members runs several major events and actively supports dozens of local and international causes.

The Branford Rotary club did a ‘reboot’ about a year ago and went back to basics under Past President Tony Terry’s leadership. They changed from being a lunch club that met on Mondays to becoming a breakfast club that meets on Wednesdays. At the same time Tony and his board dusted off the results of their ‘Club Visioning session’ and took a long hard look at it with respect to the core values that were important to their club. The Result? A Vibrant Rotary that is growing, having fun, raising a ton of money and doing a tremendous amount of good in the community and the world.

The Branford Rotary club has added 11 new members in the past year including a new one today, Kerry Haynes, who was sponsored by Emily Granelli.

The club also honored Phil Carloni & Pat Andriole with Paul Harris Fellow +1 pins for their generous support of the Rotary Foundation.

The Branford Rotary Club supports the following:

  • Provision of school supplies for elementary school students in Arusha, Tanzania
  • The Soundview Family YMCA
  • The Branford River Project
  • The literacy project which provides a personal dictionary to every third grade student in Branford
  • The Community Events sign on the Branford green
  • Annual bell ringing during the holidays to assist the Salvation Army
  • Annual holiday dinner for Branford’s senior citizens
  • Sponsorship of the Branford High School and Hamden Hall Interact Clubs
  • Financial assistance to the SARAH organization
  • Annual food drive to benefit the Community Dining Room and Branford Food Council
  • Provision of new computers at the James Blackstone Public Library
  • The renovation of the Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps Hall
  • Construction of the Volunteer Services Center on Harrison Avenue
  • Installation of the entrance arbor at the Adult Day Care Center in Short Beach
  • Construction of a playscape for children at Parker Park, Branford Point
  • Financing a chlorination system for clean drinking water in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
  • Installation of the Harry Johnson Memorial at Branford Point
  • Donation of an annual scholarship for graduating seniors at Branford High School
  • Contributions toward the well being of needy children in Bangladesh, Colombia, and Paraguay
  • Funding for the “Read to Grow” program
  • Raising money for its initiative to provide clean drinking water in impoverished areas in the world.
  • Assistance toward the operation of Branford Community Television
  • A “Secret Santa” activity of presenting holiday gifts to less fortunate children
  • A clothing and blanket drive for those in need
  • Financial aid for the “Hole in the Wall Gang” camp
  • Provision of school supplies and camp scholarship for children at the Boys & Girls Club in New Haven
  • Sponsorship of “Student of the Month” program at BHS
  • Participation in efforts to eradicate polio from affected areas of the world
  • Funding for the projected new facility of the Soundview Family YMCA
  • AMBER Alert child identification program
  • Branford River cleanup activity
  • World War II Public Service Awards presentation with Conn. Secretary Of State
  • Donations of goods to the needy at the Errera Community Care Center
  • Luncheon for members of Blind Rehabilitation Center, VA Medical Center, West Haven
  • …and more!

President Ed has made it his mission to Engage the majority of Rotarians in his club this year in all of the good things that the club does.

The Branford Rotary Club meets at the Parthenon Diner on 374 East Main Street in Branford on Wednesdays for breakfast. Admission price is a Rotary Pin and $7 for a good meal, a fun time and some good fellowship. Be sure to join them.

AG Robert Friend, President Ed Vescovi, Kerry Haynes, Emily Granelli and Rick Bassett

AG Robert Friend, President Ed Vescovi, Kerry Haynes (New Member), Emily Granelli and Rick Bassett

Official Visit #12 – Ridgefield Sunrise

Posted on by
President John Metzger

President John Metzger, Hal Marcus, Jennifer Slover and Tom Watson at their morning meeting on 08-27-2013

Today was the District Governor Official Visit to the Ridgefield Sunrise Club. I was joined by Assistant Governor Larry Gardner who has now had to endure my talk twice within 12 hours; poor guy.

The Ridgefield Sunrise club was chartered in 2011 and is the newest club in District 7980. John Metzger is the third President of the club since it’s inception. The club was initially chartered with 25 members but membership has slipped into the upper teens, which is common for new clubs trying to get a footing.

The club plans on focusing on two main charities during this Rotary Year; the Ridgefield Food Pantry and The Disabled Veterans Organization.

President Metzger and the board have identified the following club priorities for the coming year:

  • Making each meeting a valuable use of attendees time.
  • Retaining and attracting new members.
  • Keeping focused on the main goals for the year.

The club recognizes the importance of fellowship as a foundation to membership and as such Keith Miller, Immediate Past President, has a fellowship picnic scheduled at his house on Labor Day for members, prospective members and their families.

The Ridgefield Sunrise, a breakfast club, is one of two Rotary clubs in Ridgefield Connecticut. The other Ridgefield club is a dinner club that was established in 1941.

Join the Ridgefield Sunrise club for a nice breakfast on Tuesday mornings at 7:15 at Eats on Main.

Official Visit #10 – Ridgefield Rotary Club

Posted on by

The Ridgefield Rotary club just came off of an award winning year under Past President Bill Wyman and President Joe Kritez is already building on those successes.  President Joe is a highly organized leader running a very motivated club that is looking to accomplish big things in their community. The Ridgefield club is looking to add a 2nd major fundraising event on top of their Taste of Ridgefield  event so that they can meet the increased demand for community needs and they are also looking to expand their already successful community presence by leveraging social media more effectively.

The club has a very good handle on membership growth and retention and they brought in a dynamic young member, Kathy Graham, last night they also have plans to bring in 3 – 4 additional members in the coming months. After Kathy was inducted each member introduced themselves to her and gave her a warm welcoming and thanked her for being part of their club (it was the first time that I had seen this done at a Rotary club). President-elect Rich Vazzana was Kathy’s sponsor.

Assistant Governor Larry Gardner actively participated in the board meeting last night and he clearly has the admiration as a trusted advisor and friend of the club. AG Larry also did a superb of introducing me to the club!

The Ridgefield Rotary club generously supported the Oklahoma Relief effort by presenting me with a check for $1,000 last night. Barbara Moore and I are extremely grateful for this kindhearted support.

Just off the Presses: The first page of the The Ridgerunner -Aug 22, 2013 by Bill Wyman

The Ridgefield Rotary club meets for dinner on Wednesdays at the Bar & Grill on 7 @ 967 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield. It’s a fun group and a nice place to visit. I was lucky enough to have an item on the menu in my honor (DG Ribs).