Pledge: Gary McCauley
Prayer: Gary McCauley
Four Way Test: Gary McCauley
Song: Zoom meeting is not conducive to singing!
Raffle: I am declaring myself the winner!
Happy Bucks: Several for the beautiful day and the possibility of snow (?), several for the declining COVID positivity rate, Pete for John A. helping with Meals on Wheels, Marty for the updated flyers and tickets for the Wine Tasting/Auction on 5/6/22, Gail for our guest speaker, and Alan for Mike’s feeling better.
President’s Update: Volunteers are needed for the nominating committee. If interested, contact Gary. Club members will be sent a survey regarding Afghan refugee resettlement. This is a Rotary International survey which should be returned ASAP. A subcommittee will be established to set criteria for the Brent Taylor Scholarship. The Summer Concert Series 2022 is on. OS Rotary will again sponsor the event which includes 16 shows. Performers will be announced soon. Meeting schedule: ZOOM meetings at noon will continue for the next several weeks. Student of the month presentations will be held in March (hopefully).
Program: Save the Ghost Signs
Mike O. introduced Barbara Harms, a member of the Historic District Commission, who presented the HDC’s plan for saving the two Ghost Signs in Old Saybrook. The signs, located at the intersection of Main Street and Sheffield Street, first appeared around 1900 and advertised three community businesses – Stokes Brothers General Store, Old Colony Package Store, and Crowley Real Estate Agency. The fading signs are not only a nostalgic symbol of the enduring local merchants but also received a preservation designation from the National Parks Service. The Crowley sign has been restored and the other sign has yet to be completed. The cost of completing the project is between $22K and $25K. Grants and donations have raised $15K. John Canning &Co., a professional conservation firm, completed the Crowley sign and are ready to restore the other sign. Money is needed to complete the restoration project of the only Ghost Signs in town. Donations are welcome. The Outreach Committee will be reviewing the HDC’s application for funds and will be making a recommendation to the Club.
Wine Tasting Event Update: New tickets, posters, and flyers are now available. Pick them up at Marty’s office. Call ahead.
Committee Reports:
Foundation: Transferred $35K to the Club’s operating budget.
Membership: Liz Meyer is completing the new member process.
Speakers: Devin Carney will speak at the 2/2/22 (wow, that’s a lot of twos) meeting.
Next meeting: ZOOM 1/26 at noon
