June 1, 2001

President Joe Ruospo called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Jack Quinlan said the invocation. Jim Lang led us in singing “My Bonnie lies over the Ocean”.

Attendance: 37 members of 58 attended. Greg Bivona, Jayne Bolton, Doreen Buotote, Bev Cambras, Jackie Carlino, Sy Davidson, Don Emond, Joan Farley, Lynn Fontana, Tony Gagliardi, Len Germano, Tom Heaney, Steve Hodson, Thelma Hoyt, Steve Jakab, Phil Lane, Jim Lang, Gene Leone, Dana Lonergan, John Makar, John McBride, Ian McMillan, Preston Merritt, Ted Merritt, Frank Metrusky, Jack Quinlan, Mike Rappa, Michael Redgate, Joe Ruospo, Ray Rzasa, Russell Schwartz, Dale Seymour, Rose Marie Spatafore, Dick Stein, George Voynick, Dave Wilson, Bill Zeidenberg.

Guests: Scholarship winner Raymond W. Bourdeau, of Fairfield Prep High School, with his parents Ray and Diane.

Recognition: Len Germano introduced Raymond Bourdeau, one of our Rotary $1,000.00 scholarship winners. Raymond will attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he will major in Biomedical Engineering. Raymond expressed his thanks for our scholarship and discussed his many volunteer service projects in the City of Bridgeport while he was a student at Fairfield Prep.

Announcements: Today’s meting was a “Business Meeting” with no guest speaker, so there were many announcements and discussions. Joe Ruospo announced that several “Trumbull Rotary” golf shirts are still available in two different styles. Send your check ($25.00) for your shirt to Len Germano. Joe also announced that a letter of thanks was received from our Rotary District for our support of the District Golf Tournament. A letter of appreciation was received from Ralph Iassonga for our support of the Trumbull High School Bicentennial Team. Thanks were also received from John Annick for contributions to Trumbull’s Business Institute.

Tony Gagliardi was available after the meeting to take pictures of all members for our new membership book. Tony will be available 15 minutes before and after each meeting for the next two weeks. Tony promises to be able to “young up” your picture, and has ordered a large case of air brushes to accomplish that daunting task.

Bill Zeidenberg announced that our “Adopt a Ramp” program had a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday, with Tony Gagliardi taking pictures. Our site is on the esplanade at the corner of Daniels Farm Road and Stroebel Road. It should be completed in approximately two weeks.

Jim Lang announced that he is leaving Sunday for Jeremy, Haiti to volunteer at a dental clinic there with brother Rotarians. Jim discussed the terrible poverty in Haiti and explained the great need for volunteers. He also expressed his thanks for the large box of baseball caps donated by our members for the children of Haiti. Jim also discussed the memorial service for Marilyn Gordon, former President and Charter Member of the Bridgeport Sunrise Club.

Joe Ruospo explained that letters with dues invoices were given to each attending member today, with the remaining to be mailed. In response to last week’s appeal for contributions to the Rotary Foundation, an additional five to six hundred dollars was received. Joe asked everyone to be as prompt as possible with dues and foundation contributions. Payment plans can be arranged, if necessary.

Dana Lonergan announced that the Old Towne Restaurant in Trumbull Center will be happy to accommodate our club for breakfast. We will have a sample breakfast meeting there in the immediate future. Jayne Bolton said that Tashua Knolls is not interested in hosting our breakfast meetings because they are geared for evening functions. Jayne will meet soon with Marisa’s Restaurant. Joe Ruospo is also planning on meeting with the management of The Marriott regarding the quality of our food.

Joe Ruospo and Mike Rappa said that the meting with the First Selectman and other town officials regarding pending charges for Winterfest has been postponed. It is hoped that the situation will be favorably resolved.

Happy/sad Dollars: Ted Merritt gave a happy dollar for the “Regal” presentation of our scholarship awards at the Trumbull High School graduation by Preston Merritt and Len Germano. A round of applause seconded Ted’s comments. Jack Quinlan gave a happy dollar for the assist on a goal “Our Own” Chris Drury achieved during Thursday’s 3-1 win by the Colorado Avalanche over the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup finals. Frank Metrusky gave a happy four dollars for great golf in New Jersey and for Preston Merritt. Joan Farley gave an advertising two dollars for an upcoming program at Rosedale regarding “Advance Directives”. The program will be held on June 7^th between 4 and 5PM, and again between 7 and 8PM. Call Joan at 445-2604 for reservations and information. She also stated she had the pleasure of meeting President George W. Bush recently. Lynn Fontana gave a sad dollar and announced that Trumbull High School student Danielle Fratantonio passed away from cancer on May 31^st. Lynn thanked the club members for our financial support of this courageous student and her family. Len Germano gave a happy dollar for Lynn Fontana who donated 1200 pounds of books to our book project. Russ Schwartz gave a happy advertising dollar to announce an open house at Spring Meadows. Thema Hoyt gave a happy two dollars for Dale Seymour’s performance as our Newsletter editor. Dale Seymour gave a happy “Dick Stein Vacation Dollar” for being inspired by Dick to take a motorcycle vacation each year. This year’s trip is to the Americade Touring Rally at Lake George, NY next week.

Birthdays and Anniversaries: Ron Lesko was remembered for his birthday and Ray Baldwin for his wedding anniversary, but neither was in attendance, so there was no serenade.

Raffle: John McBride and Steve Hodson drew for $245.00, with no winner selected.

	UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
June 8	Miss Connecticut at the Marriott
June 13	Board meeting at Joe Ruospo’s home. Parking is limited so please carpool from Mike Rappa’s home at 7:10PM.
June 15	We will meet at the Great River Golf Course in Milford. Directions will bve distributed at the June 8^th meeting.
June 22	*No morning meeting!* Installation Dinner at Tashua Knolls at 6:30PM. Plan on bringing your spouse or a friend. Send your reservation to Jayne Bolton.
July 1	District Governor Installation at Wallingford. We will be reserving at least one table of ten. Call Len Germano with your reservation