President Victoria Triano Presiding
Today's Rotary Guest: Paul Schulze, guest of Harold Kane
Raffle Winner: Jim Earl
Happy Bucks:
· Jim E.- $ 4.00- winning raffle, having a good time growing his office
· Chet: $ 2.00- sad buck-missed the Interact Art Auction, happy buck-went skiing with friends at Mount Snow & escaped with no injuries
· Gloria: very successful Art Auction (Interact made $ 1,500.00)
· Brendan: poor after the Art Auction (he bought 4 pieces of art)
· Sue: her birthday today, John's birthday Thursday, ticket for her church's musical sold out in 1 hour.
· Ginny: Sad buck- wasn't at the Art Auction as she went to Gloucester
· Jim W: wanted to go to the Art Auction but fell asleep after doing yard work
· Vickie: $ 2.00-had a great time at the Art Auction, Ruth leaves on Sunday for one month in Africa
Fines: Vickie didn't nominate a finer, so everyone pay a buck for guilty pleasures
Announcements: The big check is Here!
· Bus Trip to New York: 22 people have signed up. Need 18 more for bus deposit. Please consider going.
· Brendan did P.E.T.S. training
· Need Rotarians to consider serving on the club's Executive Board of Directors
· There's been a development on the Pavilion to be built at Recreation Park: The proposal has been submitted to the Town Budget and is in process. It will be considered at the April 5th Board of Finance meeting. Dave Zoni passed out a sheet with telephone numbers & e-mail addresses of Finance Board member. Please contact the & voice your approval of this project.
· April 21st is Administrative Assistant Day. Rotarians are encouraged to bring their Administrative assistants to lunch at Rotary that day.
Guest Speaker: State Representative Bruce "Zeke" Zalaski speaking on balancing the State's Budget
· 2009 was a tough year. $ 500Million was passed in deficit mitigation legislation.
· The State faces an $ 8 Billion deficit. The 2010-11 budget includes $ 300Million cuts in spending revenue, millionaire & cigarrette taxes. 48 state face a shortfall in 2010.
· Nationally the total budget deficit of the 50 states is $ 194 Billion, the largest deficit in U.S. History.
· A new mitigation plan was vetoed in November. The Governor submitted a new plan on March 1st. This includes an $ 81 Million cut to towns & municipalities. Personal property taxes will skyrocket if this is passed.
· Only the Governor's office can negotiate with the State's unions on givebacks.
· Democrats want to keep the Estate Tax in place for 2 more years.
· Towns are going to have to band together & regionalize in the futureto avoid duplication of services & to maximize buying & spending economies.
Southington Rotary Card Raffle:
Target Card: Queen of Diamonds; Dolores picked the 5 of Clubs
The 50/50 jackpot now stands at ?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sue Smayda's St. Paddy's Day Irish Trivia...
- What is the title of Frank McCourt's followup to Angela's Ashes?
- What Irish poet won the Nobel Prize in 1923?
- Who wrote Ulysses?
- When is Bloomsday?
- What is Jonathan Swift's famous book?
- Where was Bram Stoker born?
- In Samuel Beckett's play, who are we waiting for?
- Who wrote The Thorn Birds?
Ralph Riccio...
Riccio dies at 81; Southington loses a pillar of the town
“Everything he did was for Southington and the Southington people,” Weichsel said. “He was a leading light in the community,” said Carl Sokolowski, a lawyer. “He was into everything. He knew almost everybody and everybody liked and respected him.” “I think Ralph could have been elected to anything had he desired to do so,” Sokolowski said. “He just chose to be active in the background.” For many years, Riccio volunteered his time at The Orchards and Southington Care Center, where he would dance with the senior citizens. After suffering a near-fatal aneurism in 1984, Riccio was told he needed to keep busy.
“Wewere the beneficiaries of that advice,” said Trish Walden, vice president of senior services at Southington Care and The Orchards. Riccio had a way of bringing “a ray of sunshine to the seniors,” she said. “He lived the full life, right to the very end,” said his son, Michael Riccio. Along with his wife, Ruth (England) Riccio, Riccio is survived by five children and nine grandchildren. Vito Riccio died in 1994 of a blood disease. The two had retired from their clothing business in 1988. Among other significant community collaborations, the brothers had been a driving force behind the Downtown Merchants Association and in fundraising for the property and construction of St. Dominic Church. In 1997, Ralph Ricciowas grandmarshal of the Apple Harvest Festival Parade. Born March 23, 1938, in Southington, Ralph Riccio was the son of Ralph A. and Rose Riccio, who had come to Southington from Amorosi, a province of Naples in Italy.
Michael Riccio said he and his father had traveled several times to the town in Italy the past few years, for reunions with family. Ralph Riccio spoke fluent Italian. “He didn’t speak a word of English when he went to kindergarten,” said Michael Riccio. After graduating from Lewis High School, in 1946, the brothers served in the Army in Korea for two years in what was considered World War II service. They’d insisted on serving together, said Michael Riccio. Returning to Southington, they attended school in New Haven, before establishing their clothing business at 79 Center St. in 1950. They were 21 years old at the time. Vito Riccio took an outside job to help support the fledgling business, while Ralph Riccio ran the store. The two did everything together and they never argued. As children, they’d decided that if there was a disagreement it would be settled by a coin toss. “That’s how they ran the business,” Michael Riccio said. At the onset, the business catered to men, but over the years it expanded to women and children. They even had a clothing line for priests, said Michael Riccio.
Expanding business compelled the Riccios to move in 1967 to larger space at 37 N. Main St. There they remained until 1988. Along with “Did You Riccio Today?” was the slogan “See the twins for double values.” It was, as Sokolowski recalled, much more than a clothing store. The downtown location, and the personality of the owners, helpedmake it a community center. “That was the place to go to find out what was going on in town,” said Sokolowski. “Ralph always found time to chat.”
Riccio’s aneurismhelped lead to the decision to retire the business, the burden of which had fallen to his brother. Michael Riccio was a junior in high school when the aneurism afflicted his father and said “it was like I had two fathers.” Gone was the aggressiveness that helped make Riccio a competitive businessman. He also struggled with short-term memory. However, “he never lost his love for life,” said Michael Riccio. “He just loved people. Southington was his gem.” Riccio also never lost another asset of note, his sense of humor. “He loved to tell jokes,” said his son, “right to the very end.”
By Jeffery Kurz (Record-Journal staff)
SOUTHINGTON—Ralph J. Riccio, who with his twin brother, Vito, ran a clothing store that was a downtown staple for nearly four decades, died Wednesday at 81, after a short illness. “We have lost a pillar in the community,” said Victoria Triano, a former Town Councilmember who recalled going to the shop when she was growing up. Embedded in the concrete sidewalk in front of the store, the phrase, “Did You Riccio Today?” was an enduring marketing slogan. Riccio had been a member of the Southington Rotary Club since 1950. On Wednesday, the club set a rose in his place to honor him, said Triano, the club’s president.
Though Riccio did not seek public office, he was a major influence. He was a strong believer in the council-manager system of government and was instrumental in bringing Town Manager John Weichsel to Southington. The two became close friends.
SOUTHINGTON—Ralph J. Riccio, who with his twin brother, Vito, ran a clothing store that was a downtown staple for nearly four decades, died Wednesday at 81, after a short illness. “We have lost a pillar in the community,” said Victoria Triano, a former Town Councilmember who recalled going to the shop when she was growing up. Embedded in the concrete sidewalk in front of the store, the phrase, “Did You Riccio Today?” was an enduring marketing slogan. Riccio had been a member of the Southington Rotary Club since 1950. On Wednesday, the club set a rose in his place to honor him, said Triano, the club’s president.
Though Riccio did not seek public office, he was a major influence. He was a strong believer in the council-manager system of government and was instrumental in bringing Town Manager John Weichsel to Southington. The two became close friends.
“Everything he did was for Southington and the Southington people,” Weichsel said. “He was a leading light in the community,” said Carl Sokolowski, a lawyer. “He was into everything. He knew almost everybody and everybody liked and respected him.” “I think Ralph could have been elected to anything had he desired to do so,” Sokolowski said. “He just chose to be active in the background.” For many years, Riccio volunteered his time at The Orchards and Southington Care Center, where he would dance with the senior citizens. After suffering a near-fatal aneurism in 1984, Riccio was told he needed to keep busy.
“Wewere the beneficiaries of that advice,” said Trish Walden, vice president of senior services at Southington Care and The Orchards. Riccio had a way of bringing “a ray of sunshine to the seniors,” she said. “He lived the full life, right to the very end,” said his son, Michael Riccio. Along with his wife, Ruth (England) Riccio, Riccio is survived by five children and nine grandchildren. Vito Riccio died in 1994 of a blood disease. The two had retired from their clothing business in 1988. Among other significant community collaborations, the brothers had been a driving force behind the Downtown Merchants Association and in fundraising for the property and construction of St. Dominic Church. In 1997, Ralph Ricciowas grandmarshal of the Apple Harvest Festival Parade. Born March 23, 1938, in Southington, Ralph Riccio was the son of Ralph A. and Rose Riccio, who had come to Southington from Amorosi, a province of Naples in Italy.
Michael Riccio said he and his father had traveled several times to the town in Italy the past few years, for reunions with family. Ralph Riccio spoke fluent Italian. “He didn’t speak a word of English when he went to kindergarten,” said Michael Riccio. After graduating from Lewis High School, in 1946, the brothers served in the Army in Korea for two years in what was considered World War II service. They’d insisted on serving together, said Michael Riccio. Returning to Southington, they attended school in New Haven, before establishing their clothing business at 79 Center St. in 1950. They were 21 years old at the time. Vito Riccio took an outside job to help support the fledgling business, while Ralph Riccio ran the store. The two did everything together and they never argued. As children, they’d decided that if there was a disagreement it would be settled by a coin toss. “That’s how they ran the business,” Michael Riccio said. At the onset, the business catered to men, but over the years it expanded to women and children. They even had a clothing line for priests, said Michael Riccio.
Expanding business compelled the Riccios to move in 1967 to larger space at 37 N. Main St. There they remained until 1988. Along with “Did You Riccio Today?” was the slogan “See the twins for double values.” It was, as Sokolowski recalled, much more than a clothing store. The downtown location, and the personality of the owners, helpedmake it a community center. “That was the place to go to find out what was going on in town,” said Sokolowski. “Ralph always found time to chat.”
Riccio’s aneurismhelped lead to the decision to retire the business, the burden of which had fallen to his brother. Michael Riccio was a junior in high school when the aneurism afflicted his father and said “it was like I had two fathers.” Gone was the aggressiveness that helped make Riccio a competitive businessman. He also struggled with short-term memory. However, “he never lost his love for life,” said Michael Riccio. “He just loved people. Southington was his gem.” Riccio also never lost another asset of note, his sense of humor. “He loved to tell jokes,” said his son, “right to the very end.”
Friday, February 26, 2010
Come dancing with Ginny...
BALLROOM DANCING
AT THE
NEW ENGLAND CAROUSEL MUSEUM
Friday, February 26, 2010
Bring your buddies, bring your dancing shoes and take a spin on the beautiful hardwood floor at the New England Carousel Museum. Enjoy classic ballroom dancing and music from 7-10:30PM. Beginners are welcome and encouraged. Dances will be held regularly on the last Friday of the month at the Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave, RT 72 Bristol. BYOB Entry cost is $10.00 per person. For additional information call 860 585-5411 or visit www.thecarouselmuseum.org.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
It was a dark and stormy night...
The 2010 Southington Rotary Mardi Gras Night Crossword Contest
Alas, a stormy night wasn't about to deter these hearty souls from a great Fat Tuesday party. Nor a great crossword contest! (SEE MARDI GRAS PICS)
Rules: There are NO rules! Gather your team of four; then select a name. Get the answers by hook or by crook, then submit your completed puzzle to us by the end of the night. (Hint: Tip your servers, they may return the favor.) A winner will be selected from the correct entries and the team will receive gift certificates to Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill.
The results:
Eleven teams submitted completed entries. Five teams were eliminated for incorrect answers. Teams FTT#1 and FTT#2 (possibly cheating from each other) tripped up by answering that January 6th, the start of the Mardi Gras (or Carnival) season, was Trinity instead of Twelfth Night. The Friends team slipped up by guessing that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is commonly known as Carnival instead of Jazz Fest. The Three K's Plus One did not know that the Mardi Gras parades are organized by Carnival krewes. And Minnow 3 was tripped up by inserting an a instead of e in file gumbo (I know, I wanted to give you a pass, but the that damn rules committee overruled me).
That left six finalists:
The Mighty Browns
Sue, Meg & Eric
Chet & the Juniors
G-Spot
The Kanes
The Saints
And the winning team is -
CHET & the JUNIORS!
Congratulations!
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Southington, we would like to thank Barry, Cheryl and the wonderful staff at Anthony Jack's for their generosity, assistance and good humor in putting on this event again this year. The food was outstanding (kudos for the beignets) and the servers were good sports helping us out with the crossword contest. We would also like to thank Pat Giamatteo and Rogo Distributors for their donation of the beer. To Rob Jockel and Dr. Ya Ya's Gumbo Party, another great performance to set the mood for the evening! To all those who braved the surprising storm to attend and to all who couldn't make it, but bought tickets anyway - thank you! And finally, to all the committee members who pitched in to make this event possible (you know who you are), you're the best! See y'all next year!
John Kennedy/Trish Walden, co-chairs
Alas, a stormy night wasn't about to deter these hearty souls from a great Fat Tuesday party. Nor a great crossword contest! (SEE MARDI GRAS PICS)
Rules: There are NO rules! Gather your team of four; then select a name. Get the answers by hook or by crook, then submit your completed puzzle to us by the end of the night. (Hint: Tip your servers, they may return the favor.) A winner will be selected from the correct entries and the team will receive gift certificates to Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill.The results:
Eleven teams submitted completed entries. Five teams were eliminated for incorrect answers. Teams FTT#1 and FTT#2 (possibly cheating from each other) tripped up by answering that January 6th, the start of the Mardi Gras (or Carnival) season, was Trinity instead of Twelfth Night. The Friends team slipped up by guessing that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is commonly known as Carnival instead of Jazz Fest. The Three K's Plus One did not know that the Mardi Gras parades are organized by Carnival krewes. And Minnow 3 was tripped up by inserting an a instead of e in file gumbo (I know, I wanted to give you a pass, but the that damn rules committee overruled me).
That left six finalists:The Mighty Browns
Sue, Meg & Eric
Chet & the Juniors
G-Spot
The Kanes
The Saints
And the winning team is -
CHET & the JUNIORS!
Congratulations!
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Southington, we would like to thank Barry, Cheryl and the wonderful staff at Anthony Jack's for their generosity, assistance and good humor in putting on this event again this year. The food was outstanding (kudos for the beignets) and the servers were good sports helping us out with the crossword contest. We would also like to thank Pat Giamatteo and Rogo Distributors for their donation of the beer. To Rob Jockel and Dr. Ya Ya's Gumbo Party, another great performance to set the mood for the evening! To all those who braved the surprising storm to attend and to all who couldn't make it, but bought tickets anyway - thank you! And finally, to all the committee members who pitched in to make this event possible (you know who you are), you're the best! See y'all next year!
John Kennedy/Trish Walden, co-chairs
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Join us for the Mardi Gras!...
Join us for the 6th annual Southington Rotary Mardi Gras Night at Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill, 30 Center Street, Southington. Enjoy great food, drink and entertainment while supporting our designated beneficiary, the Southington Education Foundation, as well as other Southington Rotary charities. - moreJust the facts, Ma'am:
Date/time: Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill, 30 Center Street, Southington, CT 06489 - directions
Cost: $65/person, includes food stations, beer, wine, entertainment
Reservations:
Per IRS regulations, $35 of the ticket price qualifies as a donation to the Southington Rotary Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Hail the Hartford Dark Blues...
Club member in public service...
Self Insurance Committee leader steps down
Kane, 90, will remain a member
By Leslie Hutchison (Record-Journal staff)
SOUTHINGTON — Harold Kane figures he deserves a break from his duties as chairman of the town’s Self Insurance Committee. After all, he’s been in that role for 10 years, and served on the committee for about 25. And he’s 90 years old. Kane’s leadership through the 1980s and ’90s saved the town millions of dollars, according to his colleagues on the committee. He was instrumental in making it possible for the town to act as its own insurance agency. Kane said the cost now to be fully insuredwould be an additional $3 million per year. He estimated that the town has saved between $200,000 and severalmillion dollars per year in insurance costs since the ’80s.
Board of Education member Jill Notar-Francesco has served with Kane on the committee for two years. “He’s kind and generous. He’s put a lot of effort into the commu-nity,” she said. “He’s saved the town tons of money.” While Kane is stepping down as chairman, he’s not leaving the committee. “When you have a change of leadership, you have new ideas, but we’ll have him as a resource,” Notar-Francesco said. “He will be a guiding influence.” Kane decided earlier this month not to accept the chairmanship again. He joked about the reason: “To accept another two years would be quite a feat. I don’t want to go out feet first.”
John P. Moise has served with Kane for two non-consecutive terms. “He brought insurance issues to light in town. He is a wealth of knowledge,” Moise said. He said he’s glad Kane is staying on the committee. “Whoever is chair will need his bank of knowledge to move forward.” The town’s employee wellness program is an initiative Kane helped start in 2008 as a cost-saving measure. He said the committee will soon present plans to the Town Council for a new program for employees to support healthy choices. “We’re going to offer incentives, money,” Kane said.
The town’s health insurance budget has grown from $1 million when Kane joined the committee in 1983 to about $20 million today. More than 3,000 town employees and their dependents are insured by the town, he said. This year’s insurance costs are expected to grow again, from $18 million to $21 million. Kane said 70 percent of that cost is from the Board of Education. “The BOE is quite concerned” about the increase, he said. As health insurance costs continue to gobble up a bigger piece of the budget pie, Kane believes the wellness incentives could be a solution. “Obesity is a big problem,” he said. “Smoking has been, but it’s on the decline.”
Kane has studied how other businesses and municipalities have decreased their health insurance costs. He said a program by Safeway grocery stores has kept that company’s insurance costs level for four years. “They saved millions,” he said. Poor health is costly because it increases use of health services. Kane believes if employees exercise and follow health guidelines, the town could see its health insurance costs level off in the next few years. - lhutchison@record-journal.com
Kane, 90, will remain a member
By Leslie Hutchison (Record-Journal staff)
Board of Education member Jill Notar-Francesco has served with Kane on the committee for two years. “He’s kind and generous. He’s put a lot of effort into the commu-nity,” she said. “He’s saved the town tons of money.” While Kane is stepping down as chairman, he’s not leaving the committee. “When you have a change of leadership, you have new ideas, but we’ll have him as a resource,” Notar-Francesco said. “He will be a guiding influence.” Kane decided earlier this month not to accept the chairmanship again. He joked about the reason: “To accept another two years would be quite a feat. I don’t want to go out feet first.”
John P. Moise has served with Kane for two non-consecutive terms. “He brought insurance issues to light in town. He is a wealth of knowledge,” Moise said. He said he’s glad Kane is staying on the committee. “Whoever is chair will need his bank of knowledge to move forward.” The town’s employee wellness program is an initiative Kane helped start in 2008 as a cost-saving measure. He said the committee will soon present plans to the Town Council for a new program for employees to support healthy choices. “We’re going to offer incentives, money,” Kane said.
The town’s health insurance budget has grown from $1 million when Kane joined the committee in 1983 to about $20 million today. More than 3,000 town employees and their dependents are insured by the town, he said. This year’s insurance costs are expected to grow again, from $18 million to $21 million. Kane said 70 percent of that cost is from the Board of Education. “The BOE is quite concerned” about the increase, he said. As health insurance costs continue to gobble up a bigger piece of the budget pie, Kane believes the wellness incentives could be a solution. “Obesity is a big problem,” he said. “Smoking has been, but it’s on the decline.”
Kane has studied how other businesses and municipalities have decreased their health insurance costs. He said a program by Safeway grocery stores has kept that company’s insurance costs level for four years. “They saved millions,” he said. Poor health is costly because it increases use of health services. Kane believes if employees exercise and follow health guidelines, the town could see its health insurance costs level off in the next few years. - lhutchison@record-journal.com
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
SHS Interact Club...
Interactive building
The Southington High School Interact Club volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Falls Village. Pictured, from left to right, are Angie Frosceno, Jayna Dorau, Rachel Cisinski, club advisor Bob Brown and Lindsay Zissis. - (Southington Citizen)
The Southington High School Interact Club volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Falls Village. Pictured, from left to right, are Angie Frosceno, Jayna Dorau, Rachel Cisinski, club advisor Bob Brown and Lindsay Zissis. - (Southington Citizen)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday's "Ring the Bell" for the Salvation Army at Stop & Shop...
Thank you to all who volunteered this past Saturday to help “ring the bell” for the Salvation Army at Stop & Shop. Thanks to their efforts, this year we collected $1,527!!!
Thank you to…
Donn Reilly
Joanne Alfieri
Jim Williamson
“Santa” Art Blumer
Ginny Roy and her amazing dog
Steve Parsons and his amazing dog
Dave Zoni
Trish Walden & George
Gloria Brown
Dan Daigle and the Daigle clan
Carol Grant and her amazing dancing
Scott Garver
Linda Nicolo from Farmington Bank
….and members of the SHS Interact Club.
Thank you everyone,
Brendan T. Goodrich
Thank you to…Donn Reilly
Joanne Alfieri
Jim Williamson
“Santa” Art Blumer
Ginny Roy and her amazing dog
Steve Parsons and his amazing dog
Dave Zoni
Trish Walden & George
Gloria Brown
Dan Daigle and the Daigle clan
Carol Grant and her amazing dancing
Scott Garver
Linda Nicolo from Farmington Bank
….and members of the SHS Interact Club.
Thank you everyone,
Brendan T. Goodrich
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Lest we forget...
Kick off for our first car raffle
Few installation dinner programs have been so spectacularly bad. The infamous CARNAC the MAGNIFICENT with John 'Carnac" Kennedy, Bill "Ed McMahon" Taylor and Ed "Doc" Rosenblatt.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Luncheon speaker, November 25...
Don Mueller, Executive Director of the American Clock and Watch Museum
Don came to Bristol from Erie, PA where he was an active Rotarian. Don’s talk began with Tall Clocks, which were made abundantly in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War Era. Thomas Harland started making these clocks in 1783 in South Windsor. Clock-makers were metal workers and engravers. The movements were made of molded brass, thus making the clocks expensive. Apprentice to Harland, Daniel Burnap made musical clocks. Eli Terry was an apprentice to Burnap. He started a business in Plymouth . His experiments with making movements out of wood, and using unskilled laborers that could mass produce the clocks reduced the price of clocks sharply. Cabinets were made by cabinet makers.
James Harrison made clocks in Southington from 1790 to 1795. Clockmakers were all around Connecticut. The Globe Clock Company manufactured clocks in Milldale circa 1883-84. Porter Brothers of Waterbury provided venture capital for Eli Terry to expand his operation. Terry hired Cyrus Hoadley and Seth Thomas in 1807, they built a factory and mass produced clocks. Terry sold out to Hoadley and Thomas. He than developed movements with pendulums for wall clocks. At this point clockmakers started producing cases for their clocks. Elias Ingraham, a cabinet maker, came to Bristol and made cases for wall clocks. Parts were now made out of thin sheets of brass, reducing costs. Seth Thomas developed the clock making business. He moved his factory to Plymouth Hollow, now Thomaston, renamed in his honor. He was a great marketer. Over time there were 280 clock-makers in Bristol alone. After time he condensed to three major companies in Western Connecticut: Gilbert in Winsted, Seth Thomas in Thomaston and Ingraham & Sessions in Bristol.
The Great Depression and World War II spelled the end of the U.S. Clock making industry. Clock factories made war supplies. Postwar, the Marshall Plan supported European clockmakers who made cheaper clocks and shipped them to the United States. Edward Ingraham established the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol in 1952. By 1980 the museum had filled and expanded with the addition of the Ingraham wing. The museum has primarily American Clocks and Watches. Clock Museum is on Maple Street in Bristol - Call 860.583.6070 for hours.
Don came to Bristol from Erie, PA where he was an active Rotarian. Don’s talk began with Tall Clocks, which were made abundantly in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War Era. Thomas Harland started making these clocks in 1783 in South Windsor. Clock-makers were metal workers and engravers. The movements were made of molded brass, thus making the clocks expensive. Apprentice to Harland, Daniel Burnap made musical clocks. Eli Terry was an apprentice to Burnap. He started a business in Plymouth . His experiments with making movements out of wood, and using unskilled laborers that could mass produce the clocks reduced the price of clocks sharply. Cabinets were made by cabinet makers.
James Harrison made clocks in Southington from 1790 to 1795. Clockmakers were all around Connecticut. The Globe Clock Company manufactured clocks in Milldale circa 1883-84. Porter Brothers of Waterbury provided venture capital for Eli Terry to expand his operation. Terry hired Cyrus Hoadley and Seth Thomas in 1807, they built a factory and mass produced clocks. Terry sold out to Hoadley and Thomas. He than developed movements with pendulums for wall clocks. At this point clockmakers started producing cases for their clocks. Elias Ingraham, a cabinet maker, came to Bristol and made cases for wall clocks. Parts were now made out of thin sheets of brass, reducing costs. Seth Thomas developed the clock making business. He moved his factory to Plymouth Hollow, now Thomaston, renamed in his honor. He was a great marketer. Over time there were 280 clock-makers in Bristol alone. After time he condensed to three major companies in Western Connecticut: Gilbert in Winsted, Seth Thomas in Thomaston and Ingraham & Sessions in Bristol.
The Great Depression and World War II spelled the end of the U.S. Clock making industry. Clock factories made war supplies. Postwar, the Marshall Plan supported European clockmakers who made cheaper clocks and shipped them to the United States. Edward Ingraham established the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol in 1952. By 1980 the museum had filled and expanded with the addition of the Ingraham wing. The museum has primarily American Clocks and Watches. Clock Museum is on Maple Street in Bristol - Call 860.583.6070 for hours.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Paul Harris Luncheon at The Orchards 11/18/09...
Daniel Daigle
Dan has been a member of the Rotary Club of Southington for 16 years and during this time he served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President of the club. For the past seven years he has done an excellent job as our permanent treasurer. He has worked on all of the Four Avenues of Service Committees - Community Service, Club Service, Vocational Service and International Service. Dan and his family work at all the community service events and he is active at all of our fund-raisers - Apple Harvest Festival, Golf Tournament, Mardi Gras, etc. He has been a board member for many years with an excellent attendance record.
Ronald Klein
Ron has been a member of the Rotary Club of Southington for 30 years. He served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President. Ron worked for many years on the Radio Day Committee (the major fund-raiser back in the 80’s and early 90’s). He not only raised a lot of money for our club, but was one of the announcers for Radio Days on WNTY. Ron has served for a long time on the Gifts and Grants Committee and as chair of this committee has done a great job. When the Car Raffle became our major fund-raiser, he was at most of the fairs selling raffle tickets and it was through his office at Fleet Bank that we deposited the money and kept track of the tickets sold. He has served on all the committees of the Four Avenues of Service and is a permanent member of the Apple Harvest Festival “Setup” committee. He currently is President of the Rotary Trust.
New Member Induction
In addition to honoring the two newest Paul Harris Fellows, new member Kate Terricciano (classification-marketing) was inducted into the Club by Membership Chair Arthur Blumer. Kate is the first former member of the Southington High School Interact Club to become a Rotary member. She is pictured at right between her sponsor, Carol Grant, and Art Blumer.
(photos courtesy of Ginny Roy)
Dan has been a member of the Rotary Club of Southington for 16 years and during this time he served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President of the club. For the past seven years he has done an excellent job as our permanent treasurer. He has worked on all of the Four Avenues of Service Committees - Community Service, Club Service, Vocational Service and International Service. Dan and his family work at all the community service events and he is active at all of our fund-raisers - Apple Harvest Festival, Golf Tournament, Mardi Gras, etc. He has been a board member for many years with an excellent attendance record.Ronald Klein
Ron has been a member of the Rotary Club of Southington for 30 years. He served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President. Ron worked for many years on the Radio Day Committee (the major fund-raiser back in the 80’s and early 90’s). He not only raised a lot of money for our club, but was one of the announcers for Radio Days on WNTY. Ron has served for a long time on the Gifts and Grants Committee and as chair of this committee has done a great job. When the Car Raffle became our major fund-raiser, he was at most of the fairs selling raffle tickets and it was through his office at Fleet Bank that we deposited the money and kept track of the tickets sold. He has served on all the committees of the Four Avenues of Service and is a permanent member of the Apple Harvest Festival “Setup” committee. He currently is President of the Rotary Trust.New Member Induction
In addition to honoring the two newest Paul Harris Fellows, new member Kate Terricciano (classification-marketing) was inducted into the Club by Membership Chair Arthur Blumer. Kate is the first former member of the Southington High School Interact Club to become a Rotary member. She is pictured at right between her sponsor, Carol Grant, and Art Blumer.(photos courtesy of Ginny Roy)
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
A fundraiser for one of our most generous supporters...
The DePaolo Family Foundation presents A Sunday Jazz Brunch with The Ken McKinnon Band for Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday, November 29, 2009 11:00am - 2:30pm All You Can Eat Brunch Buffet - $14.95 At Bonterra Italian Bistro 98 Main Street Southington, CT |
Friday, October 30, 2009
Southington Rotary organizes townwide food drive...
Southington Community Harvest Collects 3,000 Pounds Of Food For Needy
by Ken Byron (Hartford Courant)
SOUTHINGTON — - A townwide drive collected about 3,000 pounds of food, a big help to local organizations struggling to supply depleted food banks and pantries. The food drive, called the Southington Community Harvest, was held last weekend. People could leave donations at various locations in town. At Tops Supermarket, customers were given special bags to be used to donate food purchased there. A "crop walk" sponsored by a local church on Sunday collected another 500 pounds of food. Janet Mellon, director of the town's community services department, said the food will last a couple of weeks. Most of the food went to the community services department's pantry and to the organization Bread for Life, which runs programs that feed needy people in town.
Mellon said the Southington Rotary Club organized the collection after hearing that her pantry was short of food. "People in Southington take care of their own," Mellon said. "They came through here." - complete article
by Ken Byron (Hartford Courant)
SOUTHINGTON — - A townwide drive collected about 3,000 pounds of food, a big help to local organizations struggling to supply depleted food banks and pantries. The food drive, called the Southington Community Harvest, was held last weekend. People could leave donations at various locations in town. At Tops Supermarket, customers were given special bags to be used to donate food purchased there. A "crop walk" sponsored by a local church on Sunday collected another 500 pounds of food. Janet Mellon, director of the town's community services department, said the food will last a couple of weeks. Most of the food went to the community services department's pantry and to the organization Bread for Life, which runs programs that feed needy people in town.
Mellon said the Southington Rotary Club organized the collection after hearing that her pantry was short of food. "People in Southington take care of their own," Mellon said. "They came through here." - complete article
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Rotary Bocci, People!
When: Wednesday evening, September 23 from 6PM-9PM - $15/person
Where: Fran Massucci's house at 215 North Main Street
Email Robin Morrell at robinmorrell@msn.com
2007 highlights
2006 highlights
2005 highlights
2004 highlights
2003 highlights
BE THERE!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Retirement celebration for Dave Strosahl...
2PM - 5PM Aqua Turf Club $35 per ticket For tickets: First Baptist Church of Southington 860.628.8121 email at erin@fbcsouth.net Please feel free to send to the church congratulatory cards and letters, which will be presented at the retirement celebration. |
A farewell conversation with Rev. David C. Strosahl
After 22 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Southington, the Rev. David Conrad Strosahl will retire on Oct. 4. He is being honored Sunday at a celebration at the Aqua Turf Club. Upon retirement, he and his wife, the Rev. Cynthia “Cyndi” Johnston Strosahl, are moving to a new home in Biddeford, Maine, which has been the host state of their family vacations since they were married in 1982. Their son Andrew, 26, lives only 32 miles away in Dover, N.H. as does their daughter, Sarah, 22, who attends the University of New Hampshire. Their retirement holds the promise of being enriched by familiar surroundings and proximity to family. Strosahl was born on Oct. 8, 1947 in Plainfield, N.J. At age 7, his family moved to its ancestral home in Honesdale, Penn. He attended Mansfield University in Mansfield, Penn., and earned a bachelor of science degree in education in 1969. While in college, a stronger, higher calling came, so upon graduation, he took a brief position as a social sciences teacher while awaiting admission later that year to Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center, Mass. In 1972, he received a master’s degree in divinity and accepted a position at the Lincoln Park Baptist Church in West Newton, Mass. From 1976 to 1987, he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Hudson, N.H. He met, and in 1982 married, Cyndi Johnston, who was also attending Andover Newton. She graduated in 1986. A year later, with toddler, Andrew, and infant, Sarah, in tow, the young family arrived in Southington, where he became pastor of the First Baptist Church, located at 581 Meriden Ave., a church that was founded in 1738. He succeeded the Rev. Gordon Swan, now a director of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. - (complete article in The Southington Citizen)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rotary Club scholarships announced...
The six winners of the 2009 Rotary Club of Southington scholarships have been announced. Steve Vasil will be attending Bristol Tech for instruction in heating and cooling, installation and repair. Allison Frega will attend St. Joseph College in West Hartford. Kelsey Schrey will attend Unity College and will major in sustainable agriculture. Rabia Hamid will attend the University of Connecticut and major in biology and chemistry with hopes of becoming a physician. Michele Richardson will attend Sales University in Pennsylvania. Ula Salus will attend Loyola University of Chicago and double major in political science and Spanish. The Southington Citizen
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Bringing home the bacon...
You will be glad to know that the Southington Rotary team of John Kennedy/Steve Parsons placed 3rd in the 4th Annual McCabe Moving Two-Man Golf Scramble & Pig Roast held Saturday, August 15 at Pine Valley Country Club. The proceeds of the event benefited Parents For a Change.Golf tournament helps Parents 4AChange
(by Brandi Sabato, Special to The Citizen)
Jim Mc Cabe of Mc Cabe’s Moving and Storage sponsored a golf tournament fundraiser at Pine Valley Golf Course in Southington on Aug. 15 to benefit Parents 4 A Change, a Southington-based non-profit organization which aims to create an unfriendly community environment for drug use, as well as provide support for families in crisis. Mc Cabe’s Moving and Storage has sponsored the golf tournament for the past four years, and selected Parents 4 A Change as the charitable organization to benefit from this year’s event. A total of 79 golfers and more than 120 diners came out to participate in the tournament followed by a pig roast banquet at the Falcons Club in Southington. The participation and generosity of the golfers, diners, sponsoring individuals and companies helped raise more than $4,800 for Parents 4 A Change. Mary Marcuccio, founder of the organization, said she was thrilled when Mc Cabe offered to donate the proceeds from the tournament to her organization. “I’ve run the group, thus far, on my own personal funds and some private donations. I run the group as a volunteer, and all of the participants are volunteers as well. We only recently became a Connecticut nonprofit, but we are still unfunded. I really appreciate the generosity Jim Mc Cabe has shown my organization,” Marcuccio said. - complete article
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thank youuuuuu!....
William S. Thomson Golf Scramble
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at Southington Country Club
Thank you, everyone! Because of the support of our major sponsors, niche sponsors, hole sponsors, golfers and volunteers, the William S. Thomson Golf Scramble raised over $20,000 for Rotary scholarships, community activities and Rotary International projects.
2009 William S. Thomson Golf Scramble results/photos
We hope to see you again next year (always 2nd Wednesday in July)!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at Southington Country Club
Thank you, everyone! Because of the support of our major sponsors, niche sponsors, hole sponsors, golfers and volunteers, the William S. Thomson Golf Scramble raised over $20,000 for Rotary scholarships, community activities and Rotary International projects.
2009 William S. Thomson Golf Scramble results/photos
We hope to see you again next year (always 2nd Wednesday in July)!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Weekly luncheon speakers: Mary Marcuccio - Parents 4 a Change...
Our Mission
We are parents and citizens, based in Southington, Ct., who are speaking up to make a difference in the fight against opiate abuse by teens and young adults. We are raising awareness about this issue, while providing support for families in crisis. We are also working with local and state authorities to make our communties unfriendly environments to drug use and drug activity.
Our Goals
* Raise awareness about the serious, life-threatening drug problem of opiate abuse that exists in our town, as in so many other suburban communities in the northeast.
~ Did you know that HEROIN as become the drug of choice for many suburban teens?
* Provide a network of communication and support for parents and families who are going through this nightmare of drug abuse with their teenager.
~ Are you or someone you know suffering in silence? Feel alone, isolated?
We can be a support for you because we have lived it! We have REAL answers, RIGHT NOW!
* Create REAL and EFFECTIVE deterrents to drug use and drug activity in our town and yours, in order to protect our teens and young adults AND our communities.
~ We would welcome anyone who would like to work with us in making changes!
PLEASE feel free to contact us at parents4achange@yahoo.com or 860-621-1682. We will get back to you as soon as possible! Mary Marcuccio - Parents 4 A Change
Golf scramble to benefit Parents 4 a Change
“McCABE’S MOVING & STORAGE”
4th ANNUAL TWO MAN SCRAMBLE
GOLF TOURNAMENT and BANQUET
Saturday, August 15, 2009 at PINE VALLEY GOLF COURSE,
300 Welch Road, Southington, CT 06489
1:00 Registration, 2:00 Shot gun start, $110 per golfer
All proceeds will benefit PARENTS 4 A CHANGE!!!!
Golfers join the pig roast banquet at the Falcon's Club (33 Knowles Ave., Southington) immediately after tournament.
We are parents and citizens, based in Southington, Ct., who are speaking up to make a difference in the fight against opiate abuse by teens and young adults. We are raising awareness about this issue, while providing support for families in crisis. We are also working with local and state authorities to make our communties unfriendly environments to drug use and drug activity.
Our Goals
* Raise awareness about the serious, life-threatening drug problem of opiate abuse that exists in our town, as in so many other suburban communities in the northeast.
~ Did you know that HEROIN as become the drug of choice for many suburban teens?
* Provide a network of communication and support for parents and families who are going through this nightmare of drug abuse with their teenager.
~ Are you or someone you know suffering in silence? Feel alone, isolated?
We can be a support for you because we have lived it! We have REAL answers, RIGHT NOW!
* Create REAL and EFFECTIVE deterrents to drug use and drug activity in our town and yours, in order to protect our teens and young adults AND our communities.
~ We would welcome anyone who would like to work with us in making changes!
PLEASE feel free to contact us at parents4achange@yahoo.com or 860-621-1682. We will get back to you as soon as possible! Mary Marcuccio - Parents 4 A Change
Golf scramble to benefit Parents 4 a Change
4th ANNUAL TWO MAN SCRAMBLE
GOLF TOURNAMENT and BANQUET
Saturday, August 15, 2009 at PINE VALLEY GOLF COURSE,
300 Welch Road, Southington, CT 06489
1:00 Registration, 2:00 Shot gun start, $110 per golfer
All proceeds will benefit PARENTS 4 A CHANGE!!!!
Golfers join the pig roast banquet at the Falcon's Club (33 Knowles Ave., Southington) immediately after tournament.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Weekly luncheon speakers: The Chi Society of CT...
The Chi Society of CT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and a totally volunteer rescue network. We do not have a facility where the dogs are housed, they live in our foster homes until they can be placed in suitable,caring permanent homes. We also provide sanctuary for a small number of dogs, who, through no fault of their own, have been deemed unadoptable and would have otherwise been euthanized. We provide food, shelter, medical care, grooming, exercise and training as needed for all of our dogs. Our adoption fees currently range from $200-$350, depending on the dog. These fees are the sole means of support and medical treatment for all the dogs in our care. An application for adoption can be found on our website, www.thechisociety.org. For more information or to make an appointment to meet a dog, call our main foster home in Glastonbury at 860-633-1167. We can also be reached by email at TheChiSociety@gmail.com.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Signs, signs, everywhere are signs...
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New Rotary signs installed at various highway entrances to Southington. Thank you to Steve Giudice and Roger Limmer of H.E.Cole & Sons - Great Job Guys!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mardi Gras Night 2009!...
Tell all your friends. If you have no friends, tell anyone else you know. The 5th annual Southington Rotary Mardi Gras Night will be held on Fat Tuesday, February 24th at Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill. In addition to fine food and interesting people (if YOU come, of course), you will be thoroughly entertained by Dr. Ya Ya's Gumbo Party. To quote New Orleans' own Dr. John - "SUCH A NIGHT!" Just imagine, all this and support for the Southington Rotary Club's community programs, too!
Just the facts, Ma'am:
Date/time: Fat Tuesday, February 24, 2009 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: Anthony Jack's Wood-fired Grill, 30 Center Street, Southington, CT 06489 - directions
Cost: $65/person, includes food stations, beer, wine, entertainment
Why: To support the programs/scholarships of the Southington Rotary Club
Reservations: Co-chair John Kennedy @860.276.8025, Co-chair Trish Walden @860.378.1226, Anthony Jack's @860.426.1487
Mardi Gras Night page
Dr YaYa's Gumbo Party
Who's Dr. Ya Ya? The original Dr. Ya Ya was a voodoo root doctor in 19th century New Orleans, a successor to Marie Laveau and Doctor John. How'd a band from the Nutmeg State come to be named after him? Dr. Ya Ya's Louisiana specialty was a jimson weed elixir, not the fake nutmegs carved from wood and sold by Connecticut peddlers of old. One hundred & fifty years or so later, drummer Tom Smith got tired of missing Mardi Gras every year because of gigs in New England and asked friends to join together in a party band to celebrate Fat Tuesday. At their 1992 debut, this masked ensemble of popular Connecticut musicians had so much fun that they continued performing sporadically as Dr. Ya Ya's Dirty Rice Revue. The current Dr. Ya Ya's Gumbo Party grew from this mysterious krewe. What's a gumbo party? When a group of friends get together for a gumbo party, everyone brings a different ingredient to toss into the cooking pot.
Just the facts, Ma'am:
Mardi Gras Night page
Dr YaYa's Gumbo Party
Who's Dr. Ya Ya? The original Dr. Ya Ya was a voodoo root doctor in 19th century New Orleans, a successor to Marie Laveau and Doctor John. How'd a band from the Nutmeg State come to be named after him? Dr. Ya Ya's Louisiana specialty was a jimson weed elixir, not the fake nutmegs carved from wood and sold by Connecticut peddlers of old. One hundred & fifty years or so later, drummer Tom Smith got tired of missing Mardi Gras every year because of gigs in New England and asked friends to join together in a party band to celebrate Fat Tuesday. At their 1992 debut, this masked ensemble of popular Connecticut musicians had so much fun that they continued performing sporadically as Dr. Ya Ya's Dirty Rice Revue. The current Dr. Ya Ya's Gumbo Party grew from this mysterious krewe. What's a gumbo party? When a group of friends get together for a gumbo party, everyone brings a different ingredient to toss into the cooking pot.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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