Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rotary Meeting 2/15/17

Pledge: Pres-Elect Rick Beck
Prayer: Brent
Brents Card Game Winner: Dr. Eugene Sapoznikov

Sergeants Report: Joe Arcari
Raffle Winners: Kathy Calinan, Pete Zucco, Sam Fulginiti
Happy Bucks: UCONN Women and winning their 100th game in a row, the success of the Wine Tasting last Friday night, Gerri enjoying Florida and well deserved rest!, guests (there were none), Doug for learning a new prayer

Marty's Report on the Wine Tasting
Though the figures aren't yet final, this is by far the most successful WT we've had in our 20 years of doing this. All categories (ticket sales, auction, raffle, esp. sponsors) were up. In all, we cleared about 21K after expenses. There were too many people to thank but special recognition goes to Gerri who put her life on hold to bring this event to fruition. Thanks for the club members who purchased tickets and Raeleen who added some pizazz to the event with her live dance demonstation. When all gears are turning, this is a great fundraiser for the club!
Start thinking about the next fundraiser which is our golf tournament Thursday May 25.

Bill O'Shaugnessy reported that the foundation is doing well, investments are up about 8% from last year. He reminded us that the market is subject to fluctuation however so lets not rest on the good news.

Jan Peruccio announced an upcoming musical by the Old Saybrook HS and Rick proposed a $100 ad which the club approved.

Rick Beck:
Rick was born on March 10, 1937 in Norwalk, CT. The family moved to Westport where he spent his high school years. Rick went on to attend Nichols College. Following a 2 year course at Nichols, Rick enlisted in the Army for 2 years serving at Fort McClellen. After his service, Rick married Joan and they had a son Shawn. Rick took over the family business and expanded it to the export market which contributes to the company's revenue and continues to grow. While in Westport, Rick joined the Rotary Club and took on the presidency. Among his accomplishments was the refurbishing of the YMCA which became their meeting location. Eventually the building was torn down and rebuilt. In 1995 Rick turned the busines over to his son and moved to Florida where he again became involved in Rotary. The club supported the Boy & Girl Scouts among other things. Rick and Joan moved back to Connecticut, settling in Old Saybrook. Rick is our President-Elect meaning he will take over for Gerri this year. He has plans to work with the Park & Rec department to possibly establish a Rotary Park in town. Rick would also like to see a new system for paying for the meals on a quarterly basis instead of the current pay as you go system.

Mark Caldarella
Mark was born in West Hartford in 1955. He is married to Kate 31 years and they have a daughter Kristin 26. For a while, Mark worked for his brother who owned a construction company. Mark later attended a community college for 2 years and took a job with Grossman Lumber. Mark then went to BJ's wholesale club when it was starting up and worked for the until it became more corporate. He start ed his own business as a sales rep. Once the family came along he sold his business and went to work for a company in PA as a VP of  Marketing and Product development in the building materials industry. He became experienced at sourcing from Asia and traveled particularly to Vietnam China. He moved to Old Saybrook in 2014 where he continues to work in the Marketing and Product Development business.

md