Social Services Christmas Party

The Southington Social Services party was held on 12/16/05 with the Rotary & Interact clubs providing/serving the food. Children who attended were able to "shop" for presents for their parents.

Rotarians Audrey Brown, Dolores Fanelli and Dave Zoni help prepare the food and are, therefore, WAY too busy to look up for this photo op.

Southington High School Interact Club

Southington High School Interact Club

Christmas bellringing for Salvation Army

On Saturday, December 17, we once again rang and sang under the direction of Chair John Ryan. - The following is a recap of the team efforts: $ 97 - Dave Z and Chet $111 - Rich and friends $153 - The Family DeFeo $212 - Ginny, Dave S and Kiwi (see photo- s/b self-evident) $155 - Ginny, Mike and Kiwi $169 - Trish and George $ 73 - Joe and Rod (a truly pitiful performance) $202 - Donnnnnnn and JR $940 - SHS Interact Club Grand Total= $2,112

VIEW PICTURES

Thanks to everyone who "rang the bell"

Carl Sokolowski speaks of Rochambeau

Rotarian and Southington Town Historian Carl Sokolowski entertained and educated us at Wednesday's luncheon meeting, with accompanying charts and graphs, about Lt. General comte de Rochambeau's connection to Southington during the Revolutionary War, but disputed Ron Klein's claim that he was giving a first-person account of the events.

Rochambeau commanded the French expeditionary army sent to help the American Revolution during 1780 to 1782. His skillful leadership and professional wisdom were vital to the American-French allied victory at Yorktown in September 1781. The year 2006 represents the 225th anniversary of the French march from Newport, RI, through Southington, to Yorktown, VA. Carl informed us of a project to erect a plaque on the Plantsville green to commemorate the event, which will cost about $1,200. Are we interested in funding this project?

revolutionaryct.org

SouthingtonCARES

John Myers and Janet Mellon spoke about SouthingtonCARES, a new community-based action-oriented task force of members representing agencies, businesses, town officials and individuals who are dedicated to helping victims of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters.

Vision
SouthingtonCARES will act as a conduit with other agencies such as the Red Cross, AmeriCares, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army and other service organizations to match available resources with the needs of people affected by this and futures disasters.

Meetings
Meetings will be held every other week for the first three months to develop an organizational structure and identify short-term, mid-term and long-term goals along with an action plan to accomplish those goals.

Objectives

1. Coordination of workers, skilled and unskilled, who want to help in whatever way they can.
   
2. Coordination of training programs to prepare workers to provide services to those in need.
   
3. Coordination of immunizations needed for workers.
   
4. Coordination with the Red Cross for blood drives.
   
5. Coordination of financial resources.
   
6. Coordination of support services for displaced families in Southington.
   
7. Coordination of support groups for those returning from disaster areas.

Group to aid in disasters - Southington CARES a permanent entity
By JESSICA KASTNER, Observor staff writer

When disaster strikes, most people are willing to help. But a group of community leaders calling themselves Southington Cares says it will be a permanent resource for disaster victims for years to come. The group was initially created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when representatives from the - article continued

Carl Sokolowski, John Ryan honored

YMCA honors three for their efforts by Jessica Kastner, Observer staff writer

Carl Sokolowski is the Town Historian. Mike Albert is President of Pilgrim Furniture and John Ryan was the coordinator of the Apple Harvest Festival. Although the three men represent different sectors of the community, they have one thing in common- they help people. Sokolowski, Albert and Ryan were honored by the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA last week for their contributions to the community over the past year.

YMCA Executive Director John Myers said the decision to select Sokolowski as the YMCA Person of the Year was a “no brainer,” since the historian’s reputation precedes him. Myers used terms like “compassionate” “man of high ideals,” “high integrity,” “true friend” and “town resource” to describe him. “Your place in Southington history is secure,” Myers said. “Because history is not only what we are, but who we are.”

Sokolowski’s roots with- - more

Call him Johnny Fest

Despite rainout, apple fest turns profit
By Robert C. Pollack, Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON — Despite fierce rain that caused the second Saturday of this year’s Apple Harvest Festival to be called off, Festival Coordinator John Ryan announced Monday the event had earned a profit of $31,397. He immediately asked that money — minus a few outstanding bills, yet to be paid — be applied to next year’s festival, which was given a quick stamp of approval by the council.

To loud applause, Ryan told the Town Council that his army of volunteers and a number of town departments, led by the Parks and Recreaton Department, the police and the council itself, had combined to bring the festival home — to give it the Southington flavor it featured when it started 37 years ago. Ryan released figures that showed what amounted to a five-day festival had earned $130,617, with expenses totaling $99,310. Beverage sales at the four festival committee booths totaled $27,556; Booth fees were $24,216 and sponsors kicked in $57,200. That figures at $27,200 more than had been anticipated. - complete article

Fest details in place, coordinator hopes for best
By Robert C. Pollack, Record-Journal staff
SOUTHINGTON — They call him Doc, or J.R., in deference to a license plate his two children gave him for Christmas. But what educational consultant John Ryan, 58, hopes people will start calling him after the six-day Apple Harvest Festival that starts tomorrow night and ends next weekend is the coordinator of one of the most successful and "down home" festivals ever held.

Ryan, director of the Future Horizons support center for adolescents and adults with learning disabilities, at 50 Center St., stresses that while he is getting major credit for the way the 37th festival has been put together, it is really the 12 festival committees and more than 100 volunteers who deserve the praise.

Ryan is earning $15,000 as the first town-hired coordinator of the festival, which had been sponsored and managed by the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce for the previous 36 years, with Daniels Productions of West Hartford managing it for the past two. But Ryan stepped in and applied for the job after the Town Council decided to contribute $80,000 in front money to run it, making it a town-sponsored event for the first time. - complete article

Southington Apple Harvest Fest kicks off with plenty to do - By Jennifer Manes, Record-Journal staff

Our annual Bocci Night at Fran Massucci's Bocci Emporium.

Bocci Night attendees were treated to world-class steaks grilled to perfection by chefs Tom McKnerney and Fran Massucci. Add to that picnic chairperson Helen Archangelo's "potato salad for 550 people", a glass of beer/wine/soda/water, witty conversation, Dr. John in the background and you have a very nice start to the festivities.

Helen Archangelo/Audrey Brown opted out of the bocci competition with curious back ailments. John Ryan left early to attend a 'meeting.'

The Greavous Faults pose smugly after upsetting the two-time defending champion Bocci Ballers. The Faults are: Mike Mathi...whatever Ginny Roy Team Captain Rodney Greaves a guy named Joe

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	...is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. Beaten, but unbowed, the Bocci Ballers are: Ron Klein Bob Potrepka Team Captain John Kennedy John Gissas
	"Oh shutup, Rod. I don't want to hear AGAIN that you were bocci champion three years ago!"

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- 2004 Bocci night highlights

The Doug McLeod Trophy sits amongst reclining repeat champion Bocci Ballers Ron Klein, John Kennedy and Bob Potrepka while Rose (DeTreasurer) DeFeo and John (Good-Shirt, No-Play, Brings-Own-Beer) Ryan closely guard the boxes-o-wine at the 2004 Bocci Night. 'Baller Pauline Levesque was not available for the photo-op.

Rotary clubs get together on centennial parade float

Float pictures and thank you letter from Ginny Roy, committee chair -

Pictures posted by Bristol Rotary

Article by Ken DiMauro, The Southington Citizen

In celebration of Rotary International's 100th anniversary, three area Rotary clubs have joined to sponsor and build a float that will be featured in this Sunday's Mum Festival Parade in downtown Bristol and the Apple Harvest Festival Parade on Oct. 2 in Southington. Dolly Chamberlin, former president of the Plainville Rotary Club and member of the club's parade float committee, said Rotarians in Plainville, Southington and Bristol have been working on the float, which is being stored at Trumbull Restoration Co. in Plainville.

Ginny Roy, chairwoman of the Southington Rotary Club's Centennial Committee, said it was her group's idea to build the float and the members invited Plainville and Bristol to participate. She said the anniversary float was a good way to publicize Rotary and its 100th birthday.

Chamberlin said the three groups have been planning the float since April. Use of a trailer was donated. The float will feature a large mockup of a four-tiered cake. Rotary International is marking its 100th anniversary and Plainville's Rotary is celebrating its 50th birthday, she said.

In addition to the cake and a large banner with the organization's motto, "Service Above Self," the float will have items of note from the three towns, including chrysanthemums and apples. The mums will be placed on the float before the Mum Parade and baskets of apples will be on the float for the Apple Harvest Festival. Covered bales of hay will be at the base of the float. Chamberlin said the float has room for three or four Rotarians, too. - complete article

Rev. Dave Strosahl in the news

Local pastor calls work teaching clergy in Haiti ‘inspirational'

Special to The Southington Citizen

Sweating in a formal suit in 90-degree heat and going to worship services eight hours a day doesn't sound fun to most people. However, for the Rev. David C. Strosahl of First Baptist Church of Southington, having that experience in Haiti was like a breath of fresh air that renewed his soul. Strosahl recently returned from his second trip to the impoverished nation, where he was one of three American pastors who taught Haitian clergymen at the Bethesda Evangelical Mission Annual Pastors Conference.

"Haiti is a beggar nation rife with poverty, brutality and corruption, dependent on international largesse," he said. Violence is not uncommon with bandits preying on rural travelers.

Undaunted by such reports, Strosahl accepted the invitation from two Wallingford pastors, the Rev. William Huegel and the Rev. Jean-Lubin Beaucejour. The prospect of teaching excited Strosahl because it lent a new aspect to his mission trips, which he takes regularly to the Dominican Republic. "This was something I could get into: teaching pastors," he said. - complete article

Rotary hits century mark

By JESSICA KASTNER, Southington Observer staff writer

America is the richest nation in the world, with more opportunities for success today than ever before. But the 1.2 million people who call themselves Rotarians say it isn’t enough to gain success and live for yourself. With great blessing comes great responsibility. Rotary International is worldwide organization business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Southington has about Rotary members, led by new President Rose Marie DeFeo, who is a manager at TDBanknorth downtown Southington.

That may be because not just anyone can join Rotary. The group only consists of business owners, or in DeFeo’s case, managers of a corporate or municipal entity. Also, no more than four percent of the group’s total enrollment can consist of one type of business. That way, members have a wider pool of resources and people to connect with. So is Rotary an elitist group focused networking and socializing? Hardly. When examining the groups goals, values and activities over the last 50 or so years, Rotary is a powerful vehicle for our community’s betterment.

Just ask Aaron Laviana, a junior at Notre Dame University, and Marta Mieczkowska, a 2005 graduate of Boston University, who were both selected to receive the 2005 continued

Programs

Wednesday, September 21 - Walt Hushak's history of Southington Rotary
Walt makes a point about our Club history as John Gissas ponders the fate of his two garbage barrels he gave to John Kennedy for the golf tourney in July.

Southington Rotary Club history





Wednesday, September 7 - Good News Garage
"GOOD NEWS GARAGE CREATES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO PEOPLE IN NEED." - Website

Wednesday, August 31 - Every Dollar Feeds Kids
Trish Walden, husband George Gorecki and sister Kathy Corcoran presented a program about their trip to Mexico where they visited the project. - - Website

Rosemary DeFeo Installed

By John Kennedy, Campaign Manager- Committee to Elect DeFeo (ed. note: it has been reported that due to sound system problems, many were unable to hear the presentation. For a small fee, Mr. Kennedy will recreate the performance for you.)

Only once in a great while there comes along a person this special - someone who is good-looking, charming, witty, humble, intelligent; someone who really cares about his/her fellow man and works to improve the human condition.

But tonight is not about me - it’s about Rosemary DeFeo, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Southington. Late last December, Rose approached me after a weekly meeting about helping her run for President of the Southington Rotary Club. “John,” she said in an exasperated tone, “Did you hear Rod Greaves has announced that he wants to be president for yet ANOTHER year? My God, that must be like 5 years in a row! He thinks he’s FDR, for Pete’s sake! Someone has GOT to stop him for the sake of the club and I’m just the one to do it. But I need your help. Will you be my campaign manager?”

I said, “Rose, calm down. Rod is a friend of mine, but please don’t hold that against me. We’ve been on the infamous Apple Harvest Booth setup committee together for years. And Rod is the one who sponsored me as a Rotarian. But, I must agree with you, Rod has become quite the little dictator these last few years and I think it’s time for a change. Yes, I will help you unseat the tyrant.”

So I had Rose compose a listing of Rod’s legacy to be used against him in the campaign. Just listen to his legacy!

A partial listing of the Greaves atrocities includes:

First, the overthrow of the Rich Corcoran administration and reinstalling himself as president was unconscionable. And remember when he forced that car raffle on us a few years ago, making us go to the ends of the earth for weeks at a time to sell those damn tickets? Then he had the audacity to take all the credit for himself! And I TOLD him that the Miata was the wrong car to raffle off, but he just ignored me. I remember hearing him mutter under his breath, “What does a dumb broad know about cars.” I could have punched him! Our weekly meetings are chaos, consistently starting late, the singing is pathetic and no one listens when he’s talking (not that you can blame them). And he refuses to learn any of the new members’ names; I thought Mike Mathieu was some distant relation of Walter Mathau for the first 6 months he was a member here. Plaid shirts. I’ve seen so many plaid shirts in the last few years that I thought I was stuck in an awning convention time warp! Gifts & Grants: I think the last straw was the approval of the $50,000 grant to the “New Britain Real Estate Renovation Trust” which Rod told us was going to help the needy in our state get affordable housing. Well, it turns out that the RE Trust was a shell corporation registered in the Caymen Islands and it was owned by none other than “Slumlord Properties, LLC” which, as everyone knows, is Rod Greaves/Steve Parsons’ sleazy real estate empire.

So Rose used these items very effectively in her hard-hitting campaign. I think it opened the eyes of a previously uninformed membership. Next, I told Rose to assemble a cabinet that would show her commitment to reform. She chose:

Treasurer- John Salerno: John would be charged with trying to get some of that $50,000 back from Slumlord Properties, LLC (and maybe get some of his tasty ribs). Secretary- Mike Mathieu: Rose chose Mike because he seems to be, well, kind of a Bulldog, willing to see things through to completion. And I’m going to make it a point to force Rod Greaves to introduce him at every meeting until he gets Mike’s name right. Vice president- John Ryan: This was an important choice. John was chosen for his sensitive and non- confrontational nature, which would be needed to heal the wounds of years of tyranny.

So, with the slate of officers set, Rose commenced her presidential election campaign - giving speeches, kissing babies, wiretapping the Greaves campaign headquarters - the usual campaign trail stuff. It was not easy, for Rod can be very intimidating. Rose told of her supporters being harassed about their attendance and being forced to write letters explaining their absences. Any initiatives, like Rose’s plan to bring back the legendary Rotary grinder for Apple Harvest, were met with staunch resistance from the administration, who wanted to push through its pet project of plaid uniforms for all the school children in Southington.

But Rose was relentless.

One of the most effective campaign tools, was Rose sitting in a corner with her guitar singing protest songs as Rod conducted his usual “I’m Rod Greaves and you’re not” meetings.

Come senators, congressmen Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Slowly members began to notice; there was revolution in the air.

But when election day came, veteran Club observers didn’t give Rose a chance against the powerful Rod Greaves political machine. Greaves usually got his followers to, as he put it, vote early and vote often. But, in one of the closest elections in Club history, Rosemary DeFeo defeated the incumbent and tonight will be installed as president of the Southington Rotary Club for the year 2005-2006! Congratulations!

Telegram!!!!! I’m aghast! This is a telegram from Rotary International concerning our slate of officers. It reads: Dear President-elect DeFeo: Because your vice presidential candidate, Dr. John Ryan, is still on Rotary International probation for his "Reign of Terror" and uncontrolled spending while president of the Club (a situation from which the Club is still reeling), I must direct you to name Rod Greaves as your vice-president for the coming year. I have passed this information along to the Chair of the Southington Rotary Trust, I forget his name - the guy with the boat. Thank you and have a wonderful Rotary dinner. Ima Reely Bigdeil, Rotary Int'l

Southington Rotary announces 2005 Thomson scholars

Aaron Laviana, a junior at Notre Dame University, and Marta Mieczkowska, a 2005 graduate of Boston University, have been selected to receive the 2005 Southington Rotary William S. Thomson Scholarships and will be honored at the annual William S. Thomson Golf Scramble Dinner at the Aqua Turf Club on Wednesday, July 13. The Thomson scholarships, funded by the William S. Thomson Golf Scramble, are for post-secondary (graduate or undergraduate) students who, as high school seniors, were recipients of Southington Rotary Club scholarships. Complete article...

Annual Dinner & Installation of Officers- Friday, June 10

The 2005 Rotary Club of Southington Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers will be held Friday night, June 10th at Gene's Banquet Room, South Main Street, Plantsville.

The skinny:

6:00pm - Cocktails (open bar) with cheese/veggy table 7:00pm - Dinner (choice of prime rib/stuffed chicken/baked stuffed shrimp 8:00pm - Program $30 per person RSVP by June 3 to co-chairs: A. Brown 860.628.7988 or D. Fanelli 860.276.1045

Incoming officers:

President- Rosemary DeFeo Vice President- Rod Greaves Secretary- Gina D'Ambruoso Treasurer- Mike Mathieu

Interact Club car wash- Saturday, May 14

The Interact kids will be doing a car wash this Saturday from 11 to 3 at Burger King on Queen Street and MacDonald's on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike. I know the weather is supposed to be marginal with possible rain, but if you get a chance, please drop by one of those sites and support this fundraiser. Thanks.

jryan

Rotary Bowling Night- Elaine Maloney, Chair

Just a reminder! Our annual Bowling Night is Saturday, April 9, 2005, at Brunswick Lanes. John from Topp’s Market will be serving Dinner at 6 p.m. so we all know it will be wonderful. This is a fellowship event, so bring your family and friends for a great night out for Dinner & Bowling… Please bring your check for $15.00 per person to today’s meeting. If you will not be attending the meeting, please contact me at my shop 621-5255 or home 621-7499.

Thanks,

Elaine - EMAIL ELAINE

Circle of Honor recognizes World War II veterans for service

By Harry Kyle, The Southington Citizen

Red, white and blue were the colors of the day last Wednesday, as about 60 of Southington's veterans gathered at the Elks Club to participate in a Circle of Honor luncheon marking their service to our country during World War II. The event honored the town's 100 World War II veterans who registered at Town Hall. Veterans who didn't attend the event will receive their awards at their homes. The honored veterans, together with their families and friends as well as local officials and dignitaries, filled the Elks Club hall, enjoying a buffet lunch hosted by the Southington Rotary Club and provided by Tops Market.

The event was the brainchild of the Southington Town Council and Chairwoman Victoria Triano. "When I first saw on CNN that this was the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, I began to realize that we as a town have never done anything to formally recognize the service that the men and women who served in the conflict gave to their country and community," she said. "I felt we needed to do something to recognize their services, especially since they were all getting older. They were called the last great generation, a title they really earned. They went above and beyond the call of duty. Those that went off to war and those who stayed behind were all united in the common cause of liberty and freedom," Triano said.

Triano announced the initiative at the Veterans Day observance held at the American Legion. She said she thinks Southington is the only town in the state to do something like this. - complete article

Rotary Centennial Luncheon

Around the world, Rotary celebrates turning 100 By ERIC REED, New Britain Herald Staff Writer

SOUTHINGTON -- A worldwide celebration began Wednesday at noon that heralded the 100-year anniversary of Rotary International. In Southington, District 7890 met at the Aqua Turf Club on Mulberry Street to participate in the event, drawing in current and former members both local and abroad.

The luncheon was held by and for the Rotary clubs within District 7890 of Connecticut, which includes the towns of Avon, Bristol, Farmington, Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, Simsbury, Southington and West Hartford. Complete story... - Pictures...

Fat Tuesday at AJ's

Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and file' gumbo 'Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou Jambalaya, a spicy concoction of rice with crawfish, chicken, ham and sausage, together with a glass of Greg Norman Shiraz, was just one of the gastronomical delights awaiting the Fat Tuesday revelers on Bourbon Street in Southington. Good evening, welcome to Mardi Gras! Story/Pics 1... Pics 2... Pics 3...

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Jazz 'N Ribs... - New Orleans R&B...

Weekly meeting 1/26/05

Art Blumer conducts the new member induction ceremony for Virginia Roy as her sponsor, Harold Kane, looks on

Interact Club advisor John Ryan presents the fall semester Interact Student of the Month awards as President Rod Greaves checks his lotto tickets

Stuart Estra presents
the 2004 Salvation Army Bellringer Community Fundraising Award (whew!)
to The Rotary/Interact Clubs