Pledge, Prayer, 4-Way Test: President Gary McCauley
Sergeants Report: Pete Zucco filling in for Joe Arcari
Card Game Winner (high hand): Marty
Raffle: Alan, Sam, Charlie N.
Happy Bucks: PZ: $10 happy live meeting; SF: seeing everyone; PS: special guest; NM: leaving for Florida at 7pm; JM: seeing everyone; CN: live meeting; MD: live meeting, winning the card game and happily donating it back; NW: guest; GM: Nancy's trip; CR: happy for no particular reason; PD: live meeting, guest
Happy birthday wishes have gone out to Jan, Mark P, Pat S and Alan
- Ukraine fund available through Rotary. See letter from acting DG Rick Bassett
- There will be a PTO fundraiser at the St. Patricks Day event
- Transfer Station project (Commodities Exchange) - a check has been sent as a down payment to Beard Lumber for the materials. This is to meet the timeline for district who matched funds
- Nominating Committee: the slate of officers for 2022-2023 is ready and a vote will take place at the next meeting of Thursday, March 24
- Thank you cards were received from Judy at the Chamber of Commerce for our sponsorship of the Chili Contest and Ghost Signs for their historical preservation project
New member induction: Elizabeth (Liz) Meyer
President Gary McCauley and membership chair Pete Zucco welcomed Liz to Rotary. Liz is excited to join us and looks forward to working on the projects that help make our communities of Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Lyme-Old Lyme, better places.
Guest speaker Mike Urban
Pat Settembrino introduced Mike Urban. Mike is an award-winning food and travel writer and the author of five books on New England cuisine: Clam Shacks, Lobster Shacks, The New England Diner Cookbook, The New England Seafood Markets Cookbook, and Unique Eats and Eateries of Connecticut. He is a regular writer for Yankee magazine and a contributor to Connecticut magazine. Mike served as vice president and associate publisher of the Globe Pequot Press when it was located in Old Saybrook during the 1990s and lived in Old Saybrook from 1991 to 2021.
Making his way around the state of Connecticut by county, Mike told of many restaurants that most people don't know about but are worth going to for their unique charm and great food. Here is a partial list of restaurants, mostly mom & pop types, that you should definitely try if you haven't already. The page number from his latest book is next to the name. Mike had books for sale which many present at the meeting took advantage of.
- Fairfield County: Bloodroot (36), Goulash Place (20), Heilbecks Stand Wilton (44), Minas Carne Danbury (34)
- Litchfield County: Bohemian Pizza & Tacos (76) deceptive from the outside because its a road side place, Dottie's Diner (80) traditional, Winsted Diner (182) since 1930s
- Hartford County: Blackie's (58) hot dogs their special way with famous hot relish, Lilly's Soul Food (66) beautiful spot, Pho 501 (22) great mural on display, Shady Glen (54) throwback to old times and great ice cream, Staropolska (124)
- New Haven County: Donahue's Clam Castle (122), Frank Pepe's Pizza Napoletana (24), Sally's and Modern too - world class pizza, Long Wharf Food Trucks (82), Louis' Lunch (150), Sultans Turkish Restaurant (16), Ted's Steamed Cheesburgers (158), The Place (2) BYOB fire pit makes for a great atmosphere
- Middlesex County: Blue Oar (126), Essex Shad Bake (184), Himalaya Cafe (168) owned by an Indian family - wonderful, built a new deck, Lobster Landing (72) for freshest and best lobster rolls, O'Rourke's Diner (6)
- Tolland County: Rein's NY Style Deli (4) full deli menu, Traveler Restaurant (12) book exchange as well
- Windham County: Frog Rock Rest Stop (30), Willimantic Brewing Company, one of the state's first micro breweries, Zip's Diner (162) since 40's visited by Joe Dimagio, Carl Yastrzemski, Liberace and more
- New London County: BF Clyde's Cider Mill (26), Abbott & Costello's (74), Flanders Fish Market (78), Ford's Lobster (110)
Other Business
Pat Devito and Gary attended the NEPETS (President-Elect training seminar for NE and parts of Canada) online along with 300+ people. There were presentations and 16-17 break out groups.
- Incoming President is Jennifer Jones from Canada - Pat was very impressed!
- Next years Rotary Int. theme is Imagine Rotary
- Topics discussed were: membership, strategic planning, public image, Rotary Foundation, diversity, equity and inclusion
- Pat met many great people and have asked two of them to present to our group - Marti, co-president of Stonington Club and Martin from Texas on diversity and inclusion
- There were many specific issues and items to consider. Not enough time to discuss them now but Gary and Pat will get together and talk about them and come back to the group with the key issues to discuss as a group
- BIG TAKEAWAY - It was great to be with more than 300 Rotarians who are all good people who together are trying to make the world a better place!
Shredding Day Event, April 9, 9am - 12pm
John Aforismo, chair for the upcoming Shredding Day event, has 10 lawn signs to be set up around town. There will be give aways for people who come. Facebook has added it to our page so go on a hit 'like' and spread the word. Volunteers are needed, help from Amber and Interact will be there.
Wine & Beer Tasting and Silent Auction, May 6, 2022
Marty informed that we still do not have a resolution to the permit issue. It is being worked on collaborating with Saybrook Point Resort & Marina and Paradise Wines. Meantime, members need to continue their efforts to sell tickets and get items for the silent auction. People can purchase tickets online which is a great option. We are up to about $10,000 in sponsors and more are welcome. Now is the time to work hard, May 6 is just around the corner so have at it!
Committee Reports
- Foundation: Jan says all is well
- Outreach: Ukraine relief is underway, see Ukraine Relief page for ways to contribute through Rotary. Matching funds are available for contributions received by April 30. Rotary is also encouraging people to donate in other preferred ways as well. There are over 2 million displaced people who need help.
