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The Rotary Club of Trumbull Club No. 6755, District 7980, Region 1 January 4, 2002 meeting
President-elect Mike Redgate called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Jack Quinlan said the invocation. Bill Zeidenberg led us in singing “The Whiffenpoof Song”.
Attendance: 36 of 64 members attended. Ray Baldwin, Jim Bardon, Jonathan Baron, Jim Baum, Greg Bivona, John Bogannam, Doreen Boutote, Jackie Carlino, Gary Cialfi, Barry Diamond, Joan Farley, Lynn Fontana, Keith Gatling, Len Germano, Tom Heaney, Thelma Hoyt, Steve Jakab, Phil Lane, Jim Lang, Gene Leone, Dana Lonergan, Ted Merritt, Preston Merritt, Frank Metrusky, Jack Quinlan, Mike Rappa, Michael Redgate, Joe Ruospo, Ray Rzasa, Dale Seymour, Rose Marie Spatafore, Dick Stein, George Voynick, Dave Wilson, Bill Zeidenberg.
Guests: Steve Lupien, who was approved at our last Board Meeting as a new member.
Happy Dollars:
Frank Metrusky – 1 – For the football team of Mount Union College, who won the Division Three football championship. Jim Lang is an alumnus of Mount Union.Jim Lang - 1 – for his alma mater, the “winningest” team in college football history. Phil Lane – 5 – for having to wear a Rotarian apron to our meeting. Jim Baum – 1 – for a two-week vacation in Florida. Preston Merritt – 1 – to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Barry Diamond – 1 – to announce that Trumbull’s Own Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Stress Management” seminar at Rosedale on January 29th, 2002. Bill Zeidenberg – 16 – that included a sad dollar because he had to install a new transmission in his BMW before he was able to sell it. Happy dollar reasons for Bill included his ability as a song leader, good weather while he was on vacation in Florida, for getting a free eight-dollar lunch and paying the lunch tab here, for forgetting to pay three happy dollars from a previous meeting, and for the inspiration from the debonair Mike Rappa for Bill’s new “slicked back” hair styling, which employs elaborate amounts of Grecian Formula, gel, and “official authorized BMW” used transmission oil. Mike Rappa – 1 – to extend an offer for free hair gel to any Rotarian who needs some, especially Joe Ruospo and Dale Seymour
Birthdays and Anniversaries: The club sang Happy Birthday to Rose Marie Spatafore, who then gave five dollars to the raffle fund.
Announcements:
Phil Lane displayed the Rotary apron that all volunteer waiters will wear at the celebrity breakfast. We expect a crowd of nearly 300 people to listen to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. All waiters should arrive at 7:00AM on Friday January 11th. Mike Rappa announced that more sponsors are still needed for Winterfest. A meeting will be held at Mike’s home on Parkwood Drive on Monday evening from 7:00PM until 9:30PM. More entertainment ideas are needed, and more groups are needed for the crazy sled race and the volleyball tournament. Bill Zeidenberg announced that he and Jackie Carlino will have a meeting at Bill’s home on Thursday evening January 10th to discuss the bike-a-thon to be held in June with members of the Bridgeport Sound Cyclists Club.
New Member Induction:
Mike Rappa, Ted Merritt and sponsor Lynn Fontana introduced and inducted our newest member, Mary Birarelli. Ted spoke of Mary’s long history of being an outstanding volunteer worker for the good of the Town of Trumbull and its residents. Mary and her husband own and operate an independent insurance agency in Milford, CT. Welcome to our club!
Program:
Ted Merritt introduced our guest speaker, our own Rose Marie Spatafore. Ted said that Rose Marie has been designated by District Governor John Annick to promote the Rotary International Convention, to be held this year in Barcelona, Spain. Among other things, Rose Marie said: 1. She is grateful for the honor of putting together a travel program and making her first presentation to our club, where her friends are. 2. She is proud to be a Rotarian from the USA. 3. Stand up, be proud and don’t be afraid to travel. 4. Travel with our own group of club members to promote fellowship and friendship, which grows among traveling associates. 5. Attend the convention to share ideas, projects and solutions with new friends from throughout the world. 6. Don’t say, “I should have gone”. Make it happen. 7. After the convention, tour Spain and Portugal. A. Friends and family can join the group after the convention for the tour. B. You can choose from a variety of hotels in Barcelona and get discounted rates. C. Al the travel packages are flexible. D. Convention costs are separate. 8. The travel program will generate revenue for our club and will save all Rotarians money compared to the plan being offered by the Hamden travel program.
Jim Lang reminded everyone to register immediately to attend the convention, and to check “Home Hospitality” under the special event section.
Raffle: Dave Wilson and Barry Diamond drew for $431.00, with no winning card selected.
UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
January 7 Winterfest meeting at Mike Rappa’s home at 7:00PM. January 9 Installation of Trumbull’s new Police Chief at the Library 7:30PM. January 10 Bike-a-thon meeting at Bill Zeidenberg’s home at 7:00PM. January 11 Scholarship Celebrity Breakfast with Dick Blumenthal January 18 Fred Astaire Dance Studio January 29 TOCC “Stress Management” seminar at Rosedale February 9th Winterfest
Respectfully Submitted, Dale J. Seymour |
