District Governor Richard Borden, Jr. visits Southington club...

Club President Carol Grant and District Governor Dick Borden

Asst. Dist. Gov. Rod Greaves, Carol Grant and Dist. Gov. Borden

Rotary District 7890 website

Walter Hushak speaks to Club.....

Southington Rotary Lifetime Member Walter Hushak was our guest luncheon speaker today. His presentation covered the U.S. Army Air Corps of WWII through today's modern U.S. Air Force observing its 60th anniversary as an independent force.

The Wings of Freedom Tour, Oxford, CT at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport:

Sep 6- 2pm to 5pm

Sep 7- 9am to 5pm

Sep 8- 9am to 5pm

Sep 9- 9am to 5pm

Sep 10- 9am to 12pm

Visit the Collings Foundation on the web at collingsfoundation.org or call 978.562.9182

Guest speakers from Oak Hill...

Ana Maria Mitchell and Trish Heslin of the Oak Hill School were the guest speakers at the luncheon meeting of August 1.

Per the organization's website, "Oak Hill was founded in 1893 by Emily Wells Foster, a Sunday school teacher in Hartford, to provide the means through which blind children could lead lives defined by their achievements. Since that time, Oak Hill has kept pace with, and been responsive to, the changing needs of people with disabilities. Today, Oak Hill provides services and solutions for children and adults with varying disabilities so they can live as independently as possible and be contributing, productive members of their communities."

Oak Hill has two facilities in Southington that are part of its Residential Program.

William S. Thomson Golf Scramble...

Please join us on Wednesday, July 11 at Southington Country Club for the 5th annual William S. Thomson Golf Scramble - Information Here!

Congratulations to our 2007 scholarship winners....

High School Seniors:

Joshua Debner, Southington High School

Jordan Emerick, Southington High School

Craig Folick, Southington High School

Veronica Hallaway, Southington High School (vocational)

Andrew Wells, Cheshire Academy

William S. Thomson Continuing Schoalship

Aaron Laviana, University of Notre Dame

John Ryan, Outgoing Rotary Club President, 2006-2007

I have been asked to say a few words about our outgoing Southington Rotary Club president, John Ryan.  But what can be said about him that has not already been said?  And, of that, what could be said in polite company?  Such is my task.

“John Ryan will be the new president of the Southington Rotary Club for the Rotary year 2006-2007.”  That seemingly simple statement sent shockwaves through a good number of Club members who remembered, quite painfully, his first presidency in the late 1990’s, a presidency often referred to as Ryan’s Reign of Terror.  It was an era of reputed fear, chaos, and uncontrolled spending.  Those with opposing viewpoints were crushed by Ryan’s Rotary militia.  It was, to be frank, not pretty.  But time, we are 

After the understated, assured, fiscally-responsible presidency of Rose DeFeo, the race between John Ryan and Rod Greaves indicated radical change might be on the horizon.  But throughout his election campaign, Ryan claimed he was misunderstood during those early days, but that he had .  Detractors scoffed, believing Ryan would say anything to get elected, and that he would, without doubt, return to his old ways if given the opportunity.  But he prevailed, edging out a bitterly disappointed Rod Greaves who, running on the election theme I am much more than a lawnchair, also wanted another shot at the presidency.  Immediately following his defeat, a bitter Greaves fired Steve Parsons, his campaign manager and former slumlord partner, and set off to the Rotary 7890 District level to seek his political fortune, never to be seen again. 

Has there been a recent Rod Greaves sighting?  Is he here with us tonight?

John Ryan’s second term as president was not without it’s controversy:

• His proposal for a presidential limousine, to be called Ryan’s Express, complete with driver and fully-stocked bar, was soundly defeated by the Club’s board of directors.
• His push for investing half of the Rotary Trust funds in CT Lottery scratch tickets was also poorly received.

But, on a serious note,

• He is the liaison to the SHS Interact Club
• He co-chairs both the Bill Thomson Golf Scramble and the annual Mardi Gras Night at Anthony Jack’s
• He has offered his services and has been elected to be permanent Club Recording Secretary, where he will, I’m sure, keep our records and filings up to the minute, or we shall each hear from him personally.

John Ryan stepped up to guide us through a year of change, of reorganization, of rededication.  With the help of the entire Club, he oversaw a major restructuring of our management approach, bringing it in line with current needs and attitudes.

Well, enough of this, his already oversized ego is on the verge of bursting.  Let’s bring him up here and give a subdued, polite applause -  to the outgoing President of the Southington Rotary Club, John Ryan.

John Kennedy 
Presented at  annual installation dinner, June 2007

Installation dinner photos thanks to Ginny Roy...

Can JR/JK get a makeup?

Carrollton Rotary Club beer tent at the 2007 Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans

Mardi Gras Fundraiser...

The food was deliciously spicy, the D. Smith Blues Band was HOT and Johnny Gumbo wore his famous PIANO SHIRT Tuesday night at Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill for the 2007 Southington Rotary Mardi Gras fundraiser.

PICTURES!

Get your tickets soon for Mardi Gras Night...

The Rotary Club of Southington is proud to announce its 3rd annual Mardi Gras Night to be held on Fat Tuesday, February 20, at Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill. The proceeds of this fundraiser have been designated for the Southington Science/Math Initiative (benefitting all students in the Southington School system) and other Rotary charities. - details here

SHS Interact students of the month...

President John Ryan introduces the Southington High School Interact Club students of the month for the 2006 fall semester at our January 24th weekly luncheon meeting at Mulberry Gardens.

Strosahl earns Paul Harris Fellow Award

(article in the Southington Observer 12/28/06)

The Rotary Club of Southington inducted the Rev. David C Strosahl into the Paul Harris Fellowship during a special luncheon held recently at The Orchards at Southington. The club presents this award to a person who embodies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” and
has shown over the years that they fulfill the “Object of Rotary” which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. Strosahl, pastor at The First Baptist Church of Southington, has proven to be worthy of this award which is bestowed as an honorary award by The Rotary Club of Southington.

Strosahl was a president of the Rotary Club of Hudson, New Hampshire where he was a member in good standing for 10 years. He was a Past President of The Rotary Club of Southington where he worked on both community and international projects. He was a cooperator for Bradley Memorial Hospital, he was President of the Southington Clergy association where he was instrumental in bringing together the diverse faith communities in our town. He assisted in the transition of the Good Samaritan Fund to the Manna Fund to allow Southington citizens to better help those in need. In 2005, he was awarded the Joseph Harper Award for outstanding service and contributions while a member of the Substance Abuse Council. Strosahl also participated and led several mission trips to the Dominican Republic, participating in building a hospital and schools for the sugar cane workers in the Dominican Republic. He is the 35th person to be named a Paul Harris Fellow during the 56 years that the Rotary Club of Southington has been in existence.

Bells will be ringing.....for charity

This past Saturday's bell ringers brought in a total of $2,066 for the local Salvation Army. The Interact Team raised $886; The Southington Rotary raised $1180.

2006 Rotary Senior Luncheon at the Plantsville Congregational Church

Lobster & Cards Night at the Manor Inn....

Inter-Club Meeting....

Quick Information Guide
When: November 15, 2006; Where: Manor Inn
Time: 6:30-7:00 Social Networking; 7:00 Meeting begins
Cost: $12.00 per person

Clubs Involved
·Lions*
·Rotary*
·Kiwanis*
·Jaycees*
·UNICO
·Key club
·Interact*
*Confirmed attendees

Reminders
·Each club should bring a prize for the raffle.
·Please supply approximate count of attendees to Wayne Stanforth by November 8
Email: wayne@wws-cpa.com

Order of Events

1.Opening Ceremony
Pledge Interact
America Kiwanis
Invocation Rotary
Lion’s Toast Lions
Jaycees Creed Jaycees
(Your club’s opening ritual)-please contact Wayne Stanforth if interested in adding to opening ceremony
2.Introduction
3.Dinner
4.Presentation of Individual Clubs-each club will present an explanation of their club’s philosophies and purpose
5.Keynote Speaker-Janet Mellon: Southington’s Director of Community Service will speak
6.Raffle

Apple Harvest booth...Second weekend photos from Ginny

"Fruits of our labor" report due shortly. See Hall of Fame induction- 2001 - here.

Sunday booth pics from Ginny....

All you need is love...

Beatles tribute band Abbey Road plays at this year's Apple Harvest Festival on Southington's mobile bandstand, which was a 1999 Southington Rotary Club fundraising project to mark the Club's 50th anniversary. - Rotary Bandstand Project

Johnny Fest.....

Record-Journal 9/29/06

Bocci Ballin'....

Stellar shotmaking in both the semi-final and final matches of the annual Southington Rotary Bocci Challenge propelled the Bocci Ballers, John Kennedy/Ginny Roy/Donnn Reilly/Bill DeFeo (Dave Maloney filling in for Bill in team picture))to the 2006 Championship at the pristinely manicured Fran Massucci Bocci Emporium Wednesday evening. The Ballers derailed a gritty, but overmatched Ryan's Express (John Ryan/Elaine Maloney/Judi Miceli/Chuck Miceli)in the finals. In the 'final four' matches, Ryan's Expresss outdueled the Great Pretenders (Art Blumer/Sandi Blumer/Dan Daigle/Chet Potrepka), while the Bocci Ballers spanked the E-Z Riders (Trish Walden/George Gorecki/Dennis Kane/Joe Depaolo).

Unfortunately, there was no trophy presentation, usually the highlight of the evening, because last year's winners (and you know who you are, Rod Greaves)LOST THE TROPHY!

Thanks to Elaine Maloney/Judy Miceli for coordinating the event and, of course, to Fran Massucci for being the very best of hosts. - Pictures

2005 Bocci

2004 Bocci

I wanna be Bob Dylan....

Bob Dylan is doing a summer tour of minor league baseball parks (a pretty cool concept in itself) and will play New Britain (CT) Stadium, home of the Minnesota Twins' Rock Cats, on Tuesday August 29. But the REAL news is that Lou Ann Barton ("one of the finest purveyors of raw, unadulterated roadhouse blues from the female gender that you'll ever hear."-AMG) will be appearing with Jimmy Vaughan, brother of Stevie Ray and co-founder of the Fabulous Thunderbirds! Also on the tour are Junior Brown and Elana James & The Continental Two. We are thinking of getting a group together to go. Tickets are available at $49.50 general admission. Go to bobdylan.com to purchase. Date is August 29th. As date gets closer we will talk about going as a group.

Nice article in the R-J about Rotary member...

Plantsville Pharmacy has had success despite emergence of chains
By Rachel K. Raczka, Record-Journal staff
 
SOUTHINGTON — In the age of the chain pharmacy, it is a true rarity. Plantsville Pharmacy, appro­priately situated among the vil­lage’s many antique shops, is marking its 60th year of contin­uous ownership by the same family. Pharmacist James Potrepka calls it “a quiet celebration.” The store, previously named Hallahan’s Pharmacy, was pur­chased by siblings Frank, Bernadine and Chester Potrep­ka Sr. in April 1946 and re­named Plantsville Pharmacy. “It’s an icon. When you men­tion Plantsville you think of the pharmacy. It has been the one place everyone gathers around,” said Art Secondo, president of the Greater Southington Chamber of Com­merce. The building has functioned as a pharmacy under different names since the 1800s. Today, Plantsville Pharmacy is run by cousins and pharma­cists Chester and James Potrep­ka, both of Southington.

“It’s an unofficial historic landmark,” said Chester Potrepka, who began working for his father in 1980, after graduating from the University of Connecticut Pharmacy School in 1977. Creaky wooden floors and antique light fixtures are the first things one notices setting foot in the pharmacy. The racks of candy have handwritten price tags. Shelves of medica­tions and rustic wooden filing cabinets with phone numbers written on aging Post-it notes line the backroom, in obvious contrast to the atmosphere of the CVS or Walgreens up the road. “The fixtures may look an­tique, but we have up-to-date computer filing systems,” Chester Potrepka said. The pharmacy uses a QS­1 Pharmacy System that continu­ously updates itself.
 
“We’re very satisfied,” James Potrepka said of the computer system. The store’s timework ap­pearance, however, is deliber­ate. “It’s a village atmosphere and historically pharmacies have always looked like this,” he said. James Potrepka also graduat­ed from UConn Pharmacy School in 1970 and abandoned his original plans to be a veteri­narian to work in the family business. “I am very happy with my decision,” he said.


Competing with chain phar­macies that offer services such as drive-through prescription pickup and 24-hour service does not intimidate Plantsville Pharmacy. “What’s kept it here is the loyalty of the customers,” Chester Potrepka said. “We’re a hometown business, basically run by your neighbors.” Secondo said the reason for its longevity is the personalized service that only a family­owned pharmacy provides. Customers also like the idea of patronizing the same establish­ment where their parents shopped. “While many things in the world have changed, chain pharmacies have come and gone in the town, but Plantsville Pharmacy is still there,” he said.

Both pharmacists said they would not consider another job with a commercial pharmacy. “I enjoy working with the community. I love this commu­nity and I love the people in this town,” James Potrepka said. “Customers feel safer getting something from someone who cares,” said Chester Potrepka’s daughter, Jessica Potrepka, 20, a clerk at the pharmacy. “They get to know the pharmacists and form a bond.”

rraczka@record-journal.com 203.235.1661

Thank You!!!!

Thank you, everyone who participated in this event, for supporting the Southington Rotary Club projects for another year.

Golf foursomes pictures

Golf pictures

Dinner pictures

Golf awards

Thomson Scholar announced by Rotary (Record-Journal)

Senior Aaron Laviana, of Notre Dame Univer­sity, has been selected the 2006 Southington Ro­tary William S. Thomson Scholar and will be honored at the annual William S. Thomson Golf Scramble Dinner Aqua Turf Club on Wednes­day, July 12. The Thomson scholarships are for post-secondary (graduate or undergraduate) students who as seniors, were recipients of Southington Rotary Club scholarships.
 
Aaron Alan Laviana, a 2003 Southington High School graduate, will receive a $3,000 scholar­ship. Aaron is a senior at the University of Notre Dame double majoring in biology and econom­ics with a 3.77 grade point average. He plans to attend medical school with the aspiration of be­coming a doctor specializing in oncology. Aaron has interned at the UConn Health Center con­ducting colon cancer research as part of their graduate school fellowship program. He has had previous research experience at Yale University conducting skin cancer research.

“Part of the reason being a doctor appeals to me also deals with the field’s dualistic nature of combining intellectualism and humanism. Studying genomes to explain the fundamental principles of cancer is one thing: being able to apply this and deal with the delicate side of helping an individual is quite another. In a sense, being a doctor is exploring the artistic side of science, and my experiences of working in clinics have only reinforced this point.  Through interacting with numerous cancer pa­tients, some grasping for their last breaths of air and others indistinguishable from your average healthy teenager, I have learned the need to care for all aspects of a patient’s health. By attending medical school I hope to further learn how to meet the concerns of the patients and treat them according to their individual needs.”

Lifetime Member Induction- William Taylor...

William (Wild Willie) Taylor, Southington Rotary Lifetime Member Inductee
(John Kennedy, Presenter)

I am proud have been selected to present Bill Taylor as a Lifetime Member of the Rotary Club of Southington. I feel a bit put out about being passed up for the John Mullett or Tom McKnerney gig, but we are all team players here and you do what you’re asked to do. S0 here we go….(some of the following was taken from sketchy notes of a Dolores Fanelli biographical interview with Mr. Taylor about one month ago. Any inaccuracies can be blamed on my reading of the notes)

Born and raised in the streets of New York City, Bill early on fell in with ruffians and the like, living out the rough and tumble West Side Story. In his teens, while running numbers for the Mob under the moniker “Willie the Tailor,” he actually served some ‘hard time’ at Attica.

Yet, being the complex guy that he is, Bill also loved to sing streetcorner harmony- accapella, forming Dion & the Belmonts with his buddy, Dion DiMucci. Yes, it’s Bill’s soaring background falcetto you hear on “Why Must I Be A Teenager in Love.” The album jacket shows a tall, skinny kid with a greased-back DA haircut, cigarette dangling from his scowling lips, looking something like a 50’s Kevin Mezzanotte.

And in the early 60’s, yes, it was Bill, who, while traveling and co-writing with a young poet-folksinger named Bob Dylan, whom Bill had met down in the Village coffeehouses while reciting his fiery ‘beat’ verses, urged a reluctant Dylan to ‘go-electric’ at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, telling him, ‘Bobby, trust me, they’ll love it!”

After winning the Heisman trophy at the University of Alabama and editing the Harvard Law Review, Bill decided it was time to focus on his real passion- banking. And bank he did…......bank, bank, bank, bank, bank......Even as he married his lovely and talented wife, Rita, and raised their two boys, Brian and Jeffrey, he continued to bank.....

It was at this point in his career, 1984, that Bill joined the Southington Rotary, garnering a solid 58% approval rating by the Club membership. He immediately made his mark, teaming with Tom McKnerney to pass legislation that every Club event be an open bar, even breakfast meetings. He rose through the chairs eventually becoming President in 1990, succeeding a true Rotary legend (whose name escapes me at the moment), using the campaign slogan ‘Hey, back off, it’s MY turn!’ Unfortunately, during his term as President, Bill hurt his back and, according to legend, was out of action for 6 YEARS! But, regardless, Bill left his mark on our Club:

During his reign, Bill focused on making education the primary focus of the Club, with scholarships increasing from $1,000 to $6,000.

In addition to serving as President, Bill was the voice of reason as the chair, for over six years, of the sometimes-stormy Gifts & Grants committee.

He also chaired the Scholarship Committee for two years.

He was a silky-smooth voice of the airwaves on Rotary Radio Days

and the deadpan sidekick to yours truly in some truly memorable (many would say, and have said, truly forgettable) Rotary skits and tributes.

Bill Taylor has been what a Rotarian should be- someone who works hard for the good of the Club, someone who has a vision of what can be done and needs to be done, and, most importantly, someone who has the character/intellect/leadership skills to make that vision reality.

I am honored to introduce one of the three new Lifetime Members of the Southington Rotary Club - my fellow Rotarian – and my friend – Bill Taylor.

Who Will Be The Next Rotarian IDOL????

SOUTHINGTON ROTARY CLUB 2006 SPRING MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Being a Rotarian means being a part of an organization that changes millions of lives around the globe every day. The talents you share with others make a huge difference to those in need.

Some of the ways that lives are changed include:

§ Eradicating polio
§ Building sanitation services in Third World countries
§ Preparing youth for leadership throughout the world
§ Responding to disasters around the world
§ Making a difference, one Rotarian at a time

This year to promote membership our committee is developing the Who Will Be The Next Rotarian Idol membership drive. The goal we have set is to raise membership in our club by 10% before the end of this year. That means adding 4 new members between now and July 1st.

The date we have set for our Membership Recruitment Day is Wednesday May 17th.
Team captains are:

Helen Archangelo Art Blumer, Co Chair Audrey Brown Charlie Cocuzza Rich Corcoran	Matt O’Keefe Steve Parsons Harvey Polansky Chet Potrepka Donn Reilly
Dan Daigle Rosemary DeFeo Joe DePaolo Dolores Fanelli John Gissas	Ginny Roy John Ryan John Salerno Carl Sokolowski Dave Strosahl
Dr. Carol Grant Rod Greaves Dennis Kane Harold Kane John Kennedy	Vicki Triano Audrey Vinci Ruth Warner Trish Walden Dave Zoni
Ron Klein Dan Longo Elaine Maloney Mike Mathieu Robin Morrell

Each team is challenged to recruit one good member to become a “Southington Rotarian Idol.” We encourage you to bring this candidate to the meeting on May 17th because it will be at this meeting that we play the Rotarian Idol game and prospective new members will not only have some fun, they will meet other Rotarian “Idols” in the process. If however, you have a candidate who cannot come to this meeting we encourage you to have them come anytime. Let’s try to make this a great year for bringing in new members!!!!

Mardi Gras Night at Anthony Jack's

The Rotary Club of Southington is proud to announce its 2nd annual Mardi Gras Night to be held on Fat Tuesday, February 28, at Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill. The proceeds of this fundraiser have been designated for relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Entertainment will be provided by Guitar George Baker and his band, The George Baker Experience. All Music Guide states that Baker "may be one of the best-kept secrets in the mainstream blues world." Hailing from New Roads, Louisiana, Mr. Baker's impressive resume includes stints as music director/guitarist touring with Marvin Gaye for three years and as a member of the house band at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. His new CD/DVD, Mojo Lady just received a 3-star rating by Downbeat Magazine.

Chef Barry DePaolo has promised to again serve up some very tasty cuisine, which will be accompanied by several interesting fine wines. Tickets to the event are $65/person and can be obtained at Anthony Jack's, by calling John Ryan at (860) 276-3843, or from any Southington Rotary member. If you were there last year, you know what a great night it was; if you missed out, do NOT allow it to happen again. BE THERE for great fun while aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

View our 2006 Mardi Gras Night page
View our 2005 Mardi Gras Night

EMAIL US!

An invitation from Carol Grant.....

INVITATION
Dr. Carol Grant and her staff warmly invite you and your staff to celebrate the grand opening of her new office at 1601 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk Milldale. The celebration is from 5-7 and refreshments will be served. Ribbon cutting at 6 ish. We are located at the corner of Clark Street and Meriden-Wtby Tpk. RSVP regrets only at 860-620-9523. See you there.

(note: as soon as Carol tells me the DATE, I will gladly pass it along to you; otherwise, just pick a day and go there, but be sure to go between 5-7pm.)

Birthday boy is luncheon speaker

John Ryan gave an overview of a new program to stimulate reading in our community. The following is reprinted from the Southington Library website.

Southington Reads – A Community Gets on the Same Page

Get on the Same Page with your friends, coworkers and neighbors. Visit the Southington Library and charge out your copy of Dalton Conley’s, Honky (check availability). The Southington Reads Committee under the auspices of The Southington Library and Museum are spearheading, a One Town One Book project – SOUTHINGTON READS (SR).

The Southington Reads Committee is excited by the concept of a large, town wide, heterogeneous group within our community all of whom will read the same book. The community then has the opportunity to attend a program where the book's author will speak about his work and answer questions regarding the concepts evoked in the participants' minds while reading his book.

Southington Reads Committee invites you to GET ON THE SAME PAGE come to the Grand Book Discussion with Dalton Conley, professor of Sociology at New York University, March 8, 2006 @ Southington High School Auditorium, 7:00 PM. The author will be available after the discussion to sign your copy of his book. Copies of Honky will be available for purchase the evening of this free event.

2005 Rotary Senior Christmas Luncheon

This year's event was held Wednesday, December 14 at the Plantsville Congregational Church from 12pm - 2pm. View pictures of the Senior Luncheon - here!