The Rotary Club of Trumbull

Club No. 6755, District 7980, Region 1

President-elect Mike Redgate called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Jack Quinlan said the invocation. Steve Hodson was directed by Jim Lang to sit on a chair at the front of the room where he was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by our club. Steve then led us in singing “Hear Our Prayer”.

Attendance:  32 of 64 members attended. Jim Bardon, Mary Birarelli, Greg Bivona, Jayne Bolton, Bev Cambras, Jackie Carlino, Sy Davidson, Barry Diamond, Lynn Fontana, Tom Galla, Steve Hodson, Phil Lane, Jim Lang, Ron Lesko, Dana Lonergan, Steve Lupien, John McBride, Ian McMillan, Ted Merritt, Preston Merritt, Frank Metrusky, Jack Quinlan, Michael Rappa, Michael Redgate, Joe Ruospo, Ray Rzasa, Dale Seymour, Dick Stein, Steve Taylor, George Voynick, Dave Wilson, Bill Zeidenberg.

Guests:  Bill Dunn, a guest of Ted Merritt; Bob Patragnelli, a guest of Tom Galla; Tim Rivers, a guest of Ray Baldwin; Richard Blanc, a guest of Lynn Fontana.

Happy Dollars:

Dave Wilson –2- for his daughter’s and his grandson’s birthdays.

Phil Lane – 5 – For Trumbull EMS who had to take his daughter to the hospital from school last week after she had an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Jim Lang – 2 – because he and his wife Marilyn will be attending a mandatory one week training program for Rotary leaders in Anaheim, California next week. Jim also thanked the club for purchasing the new Rotary pins he will distribute as gifts from our District. The pins have a picture of a rabbit coming out of a hat, with the inscription “The Magic of Rotary”. A fine tribute to Jim’s skill as a magician and his love of Rotary. Ted Merritt and Michael Redgate were presented with the first pins. Everyone else in our club will also receive a pin in the future.

Barry Diamond – 1 – to announce that Trumbull’s Own Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Stress Management” seminar at Rosedale on January 29^th, 2002. There are only ten seats left, so reserve with Barry now if you want to attend; that the TOCC is also sponsoring a “2002 Economic Forecast Breakfast” in conjunction with the Connecticut Better Business Bureau on February 12, 2002; and that both of Trumbull’s Chamber of Commerce’s are sponsoring a “State of the Town Address” by Ray Baldwin at the Marriott on March 5, 2002 at 8:00AM. The event is free of charge and includes a buffet breakfast.

Bill Zeidenberg – 1 – to announce that the Bike-a-thon committee will be inactive until after Winterfest. Help will then be needed, and a name must be selected. Perhaps “Rotary wheels out another great event” or “Wear your thong at the Bike-a-thon”—Just kidding.

Jack Quinlan – 1 – because the New York Rangers beat the dreaded Boston Bruins.

Preston Merritt – 3- For the Christian Heritage School Choir, and their fine performance at our Celebrity Breakfast; For the New England Patriots, who “Play by the rules”, and to encourage all members to watch the Patriots win their playoff game this weekend.

Ian McMillan – 1 – For the League of Women Voters Legislative Leaders Breakfast to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2002.

Ted Merritt – 1 – split three ways (a trick he just learned from Barry Diamond!) because our club received an award at a recent Rotary District meeting for being the best at Rotary Foundation contributions; for receiving a gracious letter and a donation from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, our guest speaker at the Celebrity Breakfast, and for our three upcoming fund raisers – Winterfest, Bike-a-thon, and an end-of-the-year picnic.

Frank Metrusky – 1- because Barry Diamond talked too much for a measly one dollar contribution. This prompted Barry to immediately rise and contribute another two dollars for Frank’s “Polish Statement”.

Jayne Bolton – 1 – a thank you for all the members who ordered Girl Scout cookies from her daughter.

Birthdays and Anniversaries: As reported above, the club sang Happy Birthday to Steve Hodson.

Announcements:

Mike Rappa announced that the new Winterfest posters are here, so please take one for display at an appropriate place in town or where you work. Sign-up sheets were passed around for volunteers for the critical activities at Winterfest. A portable billboard will be in the center of town starting on January 26, 2002. Our club will sell hot chocolate and coffee at Winterfest.

Program:

Lynn Fontana and Trumbull High School social studies teacher Richard Blanc introduced our guest speakers Ravdeep Chanana and Prabhdeep Chana, who utilize the nicknames of “Rob and Prab”. Both students were previous guest speakers at our club, but did not have time to finish their presentation. Mr. Blanc said that their presentation to fellow high school students has been very successful in reducing tension towards Sikh’s and Muslims, and helps promote tolerance and understanding. Ted Merritt reminded members that one of our scholarships this year will be awarded to a student who helps promote world peace and understanding. Among other things, Rob and Prab said:

1.      Sikhs are required by their religion to wear turbans, allow their hair to grow long, and not shave their beards. Thus, their appearance causes some people to believe that they are terrorists, because they resemble Osama Bin Ladin.

2.      This has resulted in hostility directed toward Muslims and Sikhs who are not terrorists, are patriotic Americans, and condemn terrorism.

3.      They were familiar with people staring at them because of their appearance before 9-11-01, but are now afraid of what someone might do to them, because of their appearance.

4.      Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh who was active in his community in Arizona, was murdered at his gas station just after 9-11-01, by a person who claimed he shot Mr. Sodhi for “patriotic reasons”.

5.      The terrorists who hijacked the airplanes in the United States were not wearing beards or turbans when they did so.

6.      There are seven different types of turbans. Rob and Prab were wearing two different styles.

7.      A Canadian boxer and a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were successful in court, and can now wear turbans and beards at their chosen careers.

8.      Sikh’s have a long history of community service and fought with the British Army in World War II.

9.      There is one Sikh temple in Norwalk and one in Southington, CT. Both maintain open shelters and kitchens for anyone in the community.

10.  Adult Sikh’s are required to rise at 5:00AM and pray five times per day.

Sy Davidson commented that many limousine drivers in New York have had to shave their beards and wear hats rather than turbans, because some clients would not ride in their vehicles.

Raffle:  Dick Stein and Steve Hodson drew for $496.00, with no winning card selected.

                        UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

January 29        TOCC “Stress Management” seminar at Rosedale

February 1       Joe Ruospo, “Membership”

February 6       Board meeting at the Marriott at 7:00PM

February 8       Pedro Gouveia, Trumbull Teacher of the Year

February 9       Winterfest

February 12     2002 Economic Forecast Breakfast 8:00AM at the Marriott

February 15     Dr. Ron Travalino, Director of Bloodless Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital

March 1           Deborah Kovachi, Anti-bullying, Anti-harassment Program, Trumbull Schools  

Respectfully Submitted,

Dale J. Seymour