The Rotary Club of TrumbullClub No. 6755, District 7980, Region 1April 26, 2002 meetingPresident-elect Mike Redgate called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Jack Quinlan said the invocation. Steve Hodson played a song he wrote and recorded titled “ Have You Ever Been to the Little Town of Love”. Steve has the song available for sale. It would make a great gift. Attendance: 41 of 74 members attended. Marge Anctil, Ray Baldwin, Jim Bardon, Greg Bivona, John Bogannam, Jayne Bolton, Bev Cambras, Barry Diamond, Dave Dunn, Bill Dunn, Lynn Fontana, Len Germano, Tom Heaney, Steve Hodson, Thelma Hoyt, Phil Lane, Jim Lang, Ron Lesko, Dana Lonergan, John Makar, John McBride, Ian McMillan, Ted Merritt, Frank Metrusky, Bob Patragnelli, Jack Quinlan, Mike Rappa, Michael Redgate, John Rosati, Joe Ruospo, Ray Rzasa, Bob Schwartz, Russell Schwartz, Dale Seymour, Rose Marie Spatafore, Paul Squillace, Dick Stein, Dave Wilson Guests: Prospective members Joe McBride, a guest of his brother John McBride, and Charles Jones of the Wilton club. Kelly Czmadia, host of the “Spokes” program at Hillcrest Middle School and six student members. Sad Dollars: Jim Lang – 1- because the club had a short attention span for Steve Hodson’s recorded song.
Happy Dollars: Phil Lane – 5 – to announce that Trumbull AYSO will be holding a silent auction on Friday night and he will help cook an Italian Dinner for a fund-raiser at St. Theresa’s church on Sunday night. Thelma Hoyt – 1 – to announce that on May 8 at 7:30PM, John Patrick, a former IBM executive and developer of the Internet, will be giving a free lecture on “The Future of the Internet” at the Trumbull Library. Jack Quinlan – 1 – for having a good time working at the Carnival, including pleasant comments from Lynn Fontana.Barry Diamond – 1 – because the Read aloud program is going well and is set for May 1st. It’s not too late to volunteer. Rose Marie Spatafore – 5– because she attended her last “planning meeting” for the District Conference. Joe Ruospo – 2 – for the great food at the Carnival and the splendid efforts of Preston Merritt and Len Germano. Len Germano – 2 – to announce that 74% of our members either volunteered to help or worked at the Carnival. Bob Schwartz – 2 – to announce that on May 4th the Christian Motorcycle Association will sponsor a 100-mile ride to raise funds to distribute bibles and fund ministries in the United States. You can sponsor Bob in the ride. Mike Rappa – 1- for a great vacation in the Caribbean with his family, thanks to Rose Marie Spatafore. Ray Rzasa – 1 – because his son made it through his plebe (first) year at the US Naval Academy. Ian McMillan – 1 – to announce that Trumbull’s Challenger Little League program has started and that volunteers, spectators or donations are always welcome. Frank Metrusky – 2 – one for Ray Rzasa’s son and the other because at last a builder has been selected and approved for the new elementary school in town. Ray Baldwin – 1 – because Ray Rzasa’s son should make the right choice and select the US Marine Corps when he graduates from the Naval Academy. Lynn Fontana – 1 because her niece graduated form Boston College. Jim Lang – 2 – to announce that he was surprised that nobody asked him why he had a two-dollar bill pinned to his lapel, and he wanted to explain it. This prompted Ron Lesko to pay five dollars and Barry Diamond to pay another dollar so everyone would not have to listen to Jim’s explanation. Undaunted, Jim explained that we are the top club in the District for giving to the Rotary Foundation, with a participation rate of over 85%. Jim hopes we can make it 100%, and will pay the first two dollars to anyone else who wants to contribute. Birthdays and Anniversaries: The club sang Happy Birthday to Lynn Fontana. Announcements: Michael Redgate announced that: The District Conference will be held in Albany, NY from May 2nd to May 5th. The District Assembly will be held at the Trumbull Marriott on May 17th, right after our morning meeting. Our club will pay for your attendance, but you must submit your name to Michael Redgate to be properly registered. All Club Officers must attend. The featured speaker will discuss the Polio Plus program. The event will be held from 8:30AM until 3:45PM. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Our next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, May 2, 2002 at the Marriott.
New Member Introduction: Membership Chairman Mike Rappa and Dale Seymour introduced our 74th member, Bob Tolomeo. Dale Seymour sponsored Bob. Bob previously gave an excellent presentation to our club regarding the response of the CT State Police to the ongoing threat of terrorism. Bob is the Commanding Officer of State Police Troop “G” in Bridgeport, CT and recently graduated from the FBI Academy’s advanced school for Police Command officers. He was raised and presently lives in Stratford, CT. Bob explained how his involvement with Rotary will be a satisfying experience for him and will also enhance the effectiveness of the many community service projects the CT State Police are involved with. He formerly belonged to the Rotary Club of Salisbury, CT while he was serving as Commander of the State Police Troop at Canaan, CT. Welcome!
John McBride introduced his brother Joe, who has moved back to the area after an absence of many years. Joe is involved with financial management and is a prospective member.
Program: John Rosati started the Spokes program at Hillcrest Middle School two years ago. Spokes is designed to teach students the value of community service and serve as a feeder program to Rotary’s Interact program at the high school level. John introduced Kelly Czmadia, the teacher who has personally contributed many hours of dedicated work with the students who enthusiastically support the program. Six students were in attendance, and they all introduced themselves and spoke of the accomplishments of the group. Among their accomplishments are the following: 1. Raised $950.00 for the American Red Cross after the 9-11 tragedy. 2. Donated $748.00 on behalf of Trumbull students for Afghan children. 3. Participated in and helped at many fun events with children from the special needs program. 4. Collected food and assembled over 100 baskets for needy families in Trumbull at Thanksgiving. 5. Sponsored a friendship dance on Valentine’s Day and raised over $500.00 for the American Heart Association in the process. 6. Participated in the “Adopt a Family” program.
Raffle: The raffle was for $404.00, but no winning card was selected.
UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
May 1 Trumbull Read aloud program May 2 7:00PM Board meeting at The Marriott May 2-5 District Conference at Albany, NY May 17 8:30AM District Assembly at the Marriott June 7 Installation Dinner at Vazzy’s June 9 Bike-a thon at Madison Middle School
Respectfully Submitted, Dale J. Seymour |
