The Rotary Club of TrumbullClub No. 6755, District 7980, Region 1May 10, 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. Steve Hodson led us in singing “God Bless America”.
Attendance: 46 of 75 members attended. Ray Baldwin, Jim Bardon, Jonathan Baron, Jim Baum, Greg Bivona, John Bogannam, Jayne Bolton, Tricia Brown, Bev Cambras, Carl Carlson, Dawn Dalrymple, Sy Davidson, Guy DeFeo, Barry Diamond, Bill Dunn, Joan Farley, Lynn Fontana, Len Germano, Tom Heaney, Bernie Helfrich, Steve Hodson, Thelma Hoyt, Steve Jakab, Phil Lane, Jim Lang, Ron Lesko, Dana Lonergan, John Makar, John McBride, Ted Merritt, Preston Merritt, Frank Metrusky, Jack Quinlan, Mike Rappa, Michael Redgate, Tim Rivers, John Rosati, Joe Ruospo, Ray Rzasa, Dale Seymour, Rose Marie Spatafore, Paul Squillace, Dick Stein, Bob Tolomeo, George Voynick, Bill Zeidenberg.
Guests: Barry Richelsoff, Principal of Madison Middle School. William and Patti Woods, the parents of our Student of the Month Kelly Woods.
Happy Dollars:
Ray Baldwin – 2 – to announce that Jim Berry, Trumbull’s Police Chief, has been “Locked Up for Muscular Dystrophy”. Ray passed around a sponsor sheet to bail out our capable new chief. Ray paid another dollar to celebrate his trip to Washington with Gary Cialfi with the “We the People” team. The return train ride took 11 hours. Bob Tolomeo – 1 – to announce that the “Tip a Cop” dinner will be at Vazzy’s on Friday May 10th at 7:00PM. All money raised will benefit Connecticut Special Olympics. Sy Davidson – 1 – to celebrate that he, Bernie Helfrich and Guy DeFeo, Charter Members of the Trumbull Rotary Club, were all present at the meeting. Steve Hodson – 2 – to announce that his new CD is for sale, with all profits going to our club. Steve also said that the Read aloud program featured great stories about immigrants, which rekindled fond memories of his grandfather. Joan Farley – 1 – to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers.Frank Metrusky – 1 – because he was happy to see his friends, the Wood’s family, here for Kelly to receive an award. Barry Diamond – to announce that the TOCC now has a sign up at the Helen Plumb Building. The TOCC is hosting an event for new members on May 16th, and another function on May 22. Jack Quinlan – 1 – to announce that Jim Lang is the only driver he has seen in many years who uses hand signals to turn. Jim said he did it on purpose because he knew that Jack would know what it meant. Bill Zeidenberg – 5 – because his wife and John Makar decided to weed and trim our sign display area on Stroebel Road and because he was happy to be at our meeting. He was also sad because he was supposed to be at another meeting in Baltimore. He was happy about his nephew’s Bar Mitzvah. Thelma Hoyt – 2 – She managed to get the Trumbull Times to print two stories about our Bike-a-thon, and because book talks begin at the Library on Tuesday. Jim Lang – 1- to announce that the District Conference in Albany was great, although lightly attended. Guy DeFeo – 1 – to announce that Al Syzmansky sent best wishes to everybody. Ted Merritt – 1 – because Trumbull High School won the State Championship for “We the People” and St. Joe’s came in second. Mike Rappa – 10 – because it was nice to see Karen Zeidenberg weeding when he drove by. Mike ducked down so they wouldn’t see him. Mike also commented on the nice article about Sherry Lonergan in the Trumnbull Times. Sherry has successfully battled cancer, yet still finds time for community involvement and many other worthwhile activities. Rose Marie Spatafore – 1 – to announce that our club received 5 awards at the District Conference. She also announced that everyone who signs up for next years Conference by May 17 would be eligible for a raffle prize of a vacation at St. Marten.
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
The club sang “Happy Birthday” to Barry Diamond, Preston Merritt and Dale Seymour. All three announced that they were born on Mother’s Day.
Announcements:
Michael Redgate announced that: 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 Mike Rappa 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. Twenty-three members have signed-up so far. Be sure to pick up your registration material at our meeting room, not the line at the registration table. Our next Board Meeting will not be June 5, 2002, but at a date and time to be announced. The dedication of the room named for Marilyn Gordon at The Discovery Museum will be held on May 16, 2002 from six to eight PM.
Bill Zeidenberg announced that many more riders are needed for the Bike-a-thon, which will be held on June 9th. Bill passed out registration forms. The event has now been affiliated with St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound, and new posters are available.
Bill Dunn announced that the Sunset Run is being resurrected this autumn. Our goal is 150 runners. There will be many different levels of sponsorship opportunities available. Marty Schiavone, a dedicated runner and teacher at Trumbull High, will coordinate managing the event. Committee members are welcome to become involved. The event will require 20 volunteers on the day of the three-mile race.
Len Germano proudly announced that our club won five awards at the District Assembly, as follows: 1. Greatest Membership Increase – we were at plus 14. 2. Project of the Year – for our Celebrity Scholarship Breakfast. 3. Project of the Year for Area 4 – for our collecting 7,000 books that we shipped to Africa. 4. Silver Citation – for accomplishing many projects. 5. Silver Award for Presidents – out of 60 clubs in our District.
New Member Induction:
Mike Rappa presented John McBride who took great pleasure in introducing his brother Joe as a new member of our club. They are the first sibling team to ever join our club, and we are proud of them both. John said that both he and his brother travel a lot with their children for activities such as sports on weekends, and they don’t get much chance to spend tome together. Joe said that he grew up in Trumbull, and is now happy to return and give something back to the community. He is presently active in running the golf outing for Fairfield Prep School. Welcome!
Student of the Month:
Madison Middle School Principal Barry Richelsoff introduced Kelly Woods, our Student of the Month. Barry said that Kelly was Editor of the school Newsletter as well as the Yearbook, and also serves as a Peer Mediator. He attributed her success to a combination of her own efforts as well as that of her parents. Kelly thanked the 8th grade teachers that selected her, the Rotary Club and her parents.
Program:
Lynn Fontana introduced Edward C. Krawiecki, Jr. Deputy Insurance Commissioner in the Insurance Fraud Department. Among other things, Ed said:
1. Insurance Fraud is a crime in violation of Ct State Statute 53A-215. It is a class D felony, punishable by a term of incarceration in excess of one year, as well as a fine. 2. Fraud is usually divided into the soft and hard-core varieties. 3. Health Insurance Fraud is punishable separately under 53A-442. 4. Life Insurance Fraud, such as filing a false application, in punishable under 38A-287. 5. Fraud is a massive challenge in all areas of the United States, with a net increase in insurance premiums for everyone. Fraud can amount to thirty billion dollars annually. 6. Fraud can be prosecuted at the State or Federal level. 7. An excellent handout was provided.
Raffle: Dale Seymour and Bill Dunn drew for $500.00, but no winning card was selected.
UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
May 17 Thelma Hoyt, American Town Network, followed by the District Assembly at the Marriott May 24 Joe Ruospo. “Rotary for Dummies” May 31 Trumbull High School Interact students who traveled to Wisconsin. June 7 Installation Dinner at Vazzy’s June 9 Bike-a thon at Madison Middle School June 14 Lt. Robert Tolomeo, CSP. Communications from the 9/11 attack June 21 Ann Henry
Respectfully Submitted, Dale J. Seymour |
