At our lunch meeting on August 25th, 2026, Julia Rogers spoke about her work at the Housatonic Valley Association in Cornwall, CT. She is currently the conservation director. Here is more about Julia.
Julia joined HVA in October 2021. She has a B.A. in biology from Colby College and an M.S. in natural resources and the environment from the University of Connecticut. Julia has worked with land trusts in south-central Pennsylvania, northeastern Connecticut, and most recently the Hudson Valley of New York, where she managed their conservation portfolio and pursued new conservation opportunities. She also has extensive research experience - working on projects relating to invasive plant species, non-native earthworms, and tropical rainforest restoration. At HVA, Julia works with partners throughout the region to advance conservation projects and the Follow the Forest Initiative. Julia loves being outside and can often be found whitewater canoeing/kayaking, hiking, trail running, or exploring the Housatonic River Valley.
Our lunch speaker on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, was Lucas Blinn, District Director of the Western District of Scouting America, who spoke about “Camp4All.”
The Connecticut Rivers Council is one of New England’s largest private youth-serving organizations; the Connecticut Rivers Council delivers Scouting programs that develop character, citizenship, fitness, and leadership skills to more than 17,000 youth and nearly 5,000 adult volunteers in 127 cities and towns in Connecticut. Scouting America collaborates with hundreds of churches, school-affiliated groups, and other community organizations that organize and operate local Scout groups.
OUR MISSION: It is the mission of Scouting America and the Connecticut Rivers Council to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout oath and law.
SCOUT OATH: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
SCOUT LAW: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Rotarians Randy and Fran Chapell attended the annual Rotary District 7890 Celebration of Service and Installation Ceremony on Saturday, June 27th, 2026.
This year's event was held at the Four Seasons by the Lake, 51 Old Springfield Road, Stafford, CT. Rotarians from across District 7890 gathered for an evening of celebration, fellowship, and gratitude as we honored the installation of our incoming leadership for the 2026–2027 Rotary year. 🎉
Together, we'll recognize the dedication of those stepping into service roles while celebrating the impact Rotary continues to make in our communities and around the world through "Service Above Self."
Randy has volunteered to be the President of the Salisbury Rotary Club again for the next two years.
The pictures below are of E.J. Neafsey, the District Governor, and a group photo of the attendees at the event.
Rotary District 7890 Celebration of Service and Installation Ceremony
Jon Higgins, Treasurer, and William Hallihan, Director, attended our Rotary Lunch meeting and spoke to our club regarding the Salisbury Winter Sports Association, SWSA. To learn more, visit their website at: Home - Salisbury Winter Sports Association
The mission of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association is to acquaint our nearby communities, especially the children, with Nordic ski-jumping, cross-country, and Alpine skiing, and to teach the skills necessary for their enjoyment and lifelong pursuit. As part of its mission, SWSA hosts and perpetuates the annual ski-jumping competition on Satre Hill to sustain ski jumping in Salisbury and the Eastern United States.
Pictured left to right: Bill Pond, Rotary President, and Willie Hallihan, director from SWSA.
Kristen, the Project SAGE Executive Director, spoke to our Club about Project Sage, located in Lakeville, CT, on what they do and offer for our local communities.
VISION We envision a world in which everyone can be themselves, have healthy relationships, and live free of interpersonal relationship violence.
MISSION We create social change to end interpersonal relationship violence by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and by advocating for victims and survivors.
We welcome anyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, race or ethnicity. Project SAGE is here to support you.
Lou Bucceri, the Executive Assistant, and Chris Abel spoke to our club regarding what the Salisbury Association does.
Pictured left to right: Chris Abel, Lou Bucceri, and Rotarian Randy Chapell.
Salisbury, Connecticut, is a quintessential New England town founded in 1741. The Salisbury Association was established in 1902 to promote the town's best interests and protect its natural attractions. Today, that mission includes preserving our history, conserving our land, and celebrating our community.
For this year's Rotary Day of Service, some of our Rotarians sat at Labonne's Market in Salisbury collecting food and donations for our local food banks.
We had great success. Pictured, left to right, are Rotarians Peter Fitting, Carol Schultz, and Susan Dickinson; not pictured are Bill Spalding and Rudi Stoer, who helped earlier.
This year, for the Rotary Day of Service, several of our Rotarians volunteered at Labonne's Market in Salisbury, where they collected food and donations for local food banks.
The event was a great success! Pictured from left to right are Rotarians Peter Fitting, Carol Schultz, and Susan Dickinson. Not pictured are Bill Spalding and Rudi Stoer, who also contributed to the effort earlier.
Additionally, Rotarians Randy and Fran Chapell helped plant a community vegetable garden in Canaan, CT.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the generous sponsors who made this year's Kentucky Derby Social fundraiser possible. Your support plays a crucial role in our success!
For those of you who attended our Rotary Luncheon on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, welcomed our newest member, Michele Burns. Another great Rotarian who happens to work at Noble Horizons in Human Resources. Welcome Michele!
To purchase tickets or make a donation, please click on the "DONATE" button link at the top of this page. Under the note section, please put "Kentucky Derby" and indicate whether you are purchasing tickets or making a donation. Thank you very much for your support!
Click on "Read More" to access this year's letter.
At our 3rd Tuesday evening social dinner at the Boathouse on January 20th, 2026, we had our annual holiday gift swap. Great fun with fellow Rotarians and friends.
Those of you who attended our Lunch Meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, enjoyed hearing all about what's happening at the Sharon Playhouse.
Carl Andress, Artistic Director, Meghan Flanagan, Managing Director, and Michael Baldwin, Education & Community Director, spoke to our club about what's going on and what's upcoming.
"The Sharon Playhouse is a regional, non-profit theater producing high-quality performances with Broadway-caliber actors as well as talented local community members. Its mission is to entertain the community of Northwest Connecticut and beyond, while also serving as a teaching theater to encourage aspiring actors and other theatre artists of all ages to develop their craft."
To read and hear more about the Sharon Playhouse, visit their website at: About — Sharon Playhouse
If you attended our Lunch meeting on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, you heard Russell Antonacci from NBT Wealth Management share an update on the financial Market Insights. To learn more, visit the website: Wealth | NBT Wealth Management.
The Salisbury Rotary Club celebrated another Holiday Dinner on Tuesday evening, 12-9-25. Everyone had a wonderful time with their fellow Rotarians, friends, and family.
The food at Noble Horizons was delicious, and it ended with a fabulous peppermint cheesecake.
We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy holiday season.
Those who attended the lunch meeting on November 11th saw Susan Dickinson receive gift cards from Rotary Club members in honor of her 42-year retirement from the banking industry and for all she has done for the Rotary Club. Susan thanked everyone for their very generous gift and is very happy to start her new chapter in life.
Lisa Ferris, Executive Director of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut, spoke about the United Way in Torrington and all they do for our community.
Together, we help our neighbors in Northwest Connecticut thrive by addressing critical needs and strengthening our community.
Members attending today’s 9/23 luncheon meeting of the Salisbury Rotary Club at Noble Horizons heard Brian Ohler share his thoughts on the importance of nonprofit service organizations like Rotary and the YMCA to our communities. Brian serves as North Canaan’s First Selectman and CEO of the Northwest CT YMCA. With the Y’s branches in Torrington, Winsted & Canaan, he spoke specifically on the decline of volunteerism and the challenging need for nonprofits to work together to “unite for good” for the benefit of all.
The Salisbury Rotary Club again participated in the Back-to-School program and distributed more than 100 backpacks to deserving children in Region One.
Louise Riley is the Executive Director of the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in North Canaan. She spoke at our lunch meeting on August 12, 2025, about the increasing need for food and essential items for those in our community. The pantry serves over 90 clients from North Canaan, Falls Village and Norfolk. They operate out of the Pilgrim House and are open on Tuesday from 4:00 - 6:00 pm and Thursday from 12:00 - 2:00 pm.To find out more click here: https://www.fishesandloavespantrynorthcanaanct.org/
After many years of proudly co-sponsoring the Independence Day fireworks at Lime Rock Park, the Salisbury Rotary Club has made the difficult decision to retire this cherished event.
Due to steadily rising costs and declining attendance, the fireworks are no longer a sustainable fundraiser for our club. This was not an easy choice, and we are deeply grateful for the memories this tradition has created.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible co-sponsor, Lime Rock Park, for their years of dedication and support. And to all who’ve joined us through the years—your participation and generosity have helped us make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Chaired by Immediate Past President Bill Spalding, the Salisbury Rotary Club’s June 10th luncheon featured two presentations. Past President John Hedbavny welcomed Digby Brown, now a Noble Horizons’ resident and former SRC member, and led a recognition of Digby’s years of service to the Club and the community. A Past President of the Club (2007-08) and past Chair for some 15 years of the Club’s July 4 Fireworks @ Lime Rock Park, the Club’s largest annual fundraiser, and additional leadership roles were recognized. Club member Bill Willis introduced local resident and noteworthy playwright, Lonnie Carter who shared his latest work, “1781,” that tells the story of MumBet, aka Elizabeth Freeman, and that will be presented June 19 at The Center on Main Street in Falls Village. MumBet’s momentous story tells of her being the first enslaved person to file a legal suit that won her freedom she had heard so much about and wanted so badly. FREE ADMISSION to celebrate Juneteenth.
Those attending the 5/27 luncheon meeting of the Salisbury Rotary Club heard Club President, Angelo Paul Ramunni, share why he decided to open the New England Accordion Connection & Museum Co. in North Canaan. To do so, he told several stories, each which accompanied the acquisition of an accordion by the museum and tied in nicely with the recent observation of Memorial Day. A descriptive and detailed telling of these stories can be found on Paul’s Facebook page. Paul has learned that it is the stories that come with each unique accordion that are the answer to why the New England Accordion Connection & Museum Co. has become a passion with such purpose. FMI: https://newenglandaccordionconnectionandmuseumcompany.com/
During our May 6, 2025, lunch meeting, we celebrated Keith Nolan's 90th birthday. His daughter, Alexandria, joined us. Keith has also been a long-time Rotarian. Happy Birthday to Keith!
At our lunch meeting, we enjoyed meeting and hearing from Eileen and her husband from the Rotary District.
Eileen spoke about the Rotary Foundation's importance and expressed her gratitude for all they do. She shared stories about how the money helps other clubs with projects.
Eileen Rau a member of the West Hartford Rotary Club and also the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 32 and Rotary Foundation Chair for District 7890 joined us along with her husband. She told us stories of how the Foundation helped other organizations with their projects and how thankful she was for this.
Our speaker on 2-28-25 was Melia Hill agent for the Social Services in Sharon CT. She spoke to our club regarding what her job responsibilities were and what she does and how we could help. Rotarians brought in food and the Club donated $200 to the Food Closet. To reach out to Melia or find out more click here: Social Services | Sharon CT.
Lisa Ferriss the new executive director spoke about what's happening with the United Way of Northwest. Here is a blurb from their website:
The United Way of Northwest Connecticut was significantly impacted by the pandemic. It hindered our ability to meet with donors face-to-face, effectively share our story, and conduct our campaigns in the traditional manner.
As we emerged from the pandemic, we recognized the need to restructure how we fulfill our mission. In response, the board reassessed our operations and has taken several key steps:
Hired a new Executive Director Elected a new Board Chair with 35 years of nonprofit experience Recruited five new board members Updated our bylaws and completed the 2022-2023 financial audit Collaborated with other United Way organizations in the region to explore best practices and operational efficiencies, and reestablished communication with United Way of Connecticut Developed a relaunch plan to engage agencies, corporate sponsors, leadership donors, and key stakeholders Revamped the corporate partner sponsorship program Welcomed the formation of an advisory council
United Way of Northwest Connecticut is dedicated to supporting our partner agencies and programs that make a meaningful impact in our communities, such as the VITA Tax program, Stock the Shelves, Warm the Children, Day of Caring, and advocacy for ALICE families.
We proudly serve 21 towns in Northwest Connecticut.
We had another successful evening giving out scholarship and community gift checks, Tuesday July 16, 2024.
This year's recipients for the community gifts were: The Jane Lloyd Fund, Extras Program Salisbury, The Lakeville Journal, 21 Century Fund and Dial A Ride.
Scholarship checks were issued to: Grace Rive, Ann Moran, Danielle Hill and Lindsay Faveau. Congratulations to all!
Due to severe weather in Saturday's forecast, we have decided to postpone the July 6th fireworks at Lime Rock Park until Sunday July 7th. Gates will still open at 6:00PM.
During our annual installation dinner our current President Bill Spalding swearing in the new incoming President Paul Ramunni and Richard Tennyson as a new board of director. Great dinner with family and friends to share this evening with us.
Don Mayland was the Salisbury Rotary Club’s speaker at its 12/19 luncheon meeting, chaired by President Elect Paul Ramunni. Mayland spoke about Salisbury’s need for affordable housing and did so in the context of how the town and the times have changed since he moved here from Long Island and bought his first house here in the 1970s. Noting the town’s culture as a major reason of why people love living here, he stressed the importance of doing affordable housing “right” in Salusbury so as to not lose what makes living here so special. FMI: https://www.salisburyct.us/boards-commissions-committees/affordable-housing/
The December 5th luncheon meeting of the Salisbury Rotary Club was a Business Meeting that served as the Club’s Annual Meeting, chaired by Club President Bill Spalding. Elections were held for the coming year with unanimous results being Bill Pond, President Nominee, Fran Chapell, Secretary, Richard Tennyson & Rudiger Stoer as members of the Board of Directors. Their terms begin July 1, 2024. The Club earned more than $1100 selling tickets for its LOTTERY TREE and the winning ticket was drawn at the luncheon: Lindsay Burr from North Canaan! Congratulations to Lindsay and thank you to all who bought tickets to support the Club’s fundraiser. Also noted was that the SRC & Canaan Child Care Center’s jointly sponsored tree donated to Noble Horizon’s annual Festival of Trees raised more money than any other tree displayed! The Club will recognize and celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2024! Stay tuned for a variety of related announcements and activities. Next Tuesday, Club members and their guests will gather for the annual Holiday Dinner, 6-8PM in the Learning Center at Noble Horizons. FMI: www.salisburyctrotary.org
Salisbury Rotary Club member and Salisbury School baseball coach Duane Estes was the club’s luncheon speaker at its 11/28 meeting at Noble Horizons. Who knew that there are more pitchers represented among the Baseball Hall of Fame’s inductees than any other position and that left fielders are a distant second?! Coach Estes knew that, and so much more!! His interesting and fun talk focused on pitchers and included the training drills used with them and the techniques involved in throwing a fast ball, a curve ball and a change-up pitch. VP Paul Ramunni chaired the meeting.
Members of the Salisbury Rotary Club enjoyed its annual Food Auction fundraiser for the club, raising $565 from food & wine donated. President Bill Spalding served as auctioneer, assisted by member Michele Kearns Wilson. Members also brought bags of non-perishable food items to donate to local area food banks! FMI: www.salisburyctrotary.org
The 11/14 Salisbury Rotary Club luncheon was a Business Meeting conducted by Club President Bill Spalding. Following Secretary’s & Treasurer’s reports, those present were reminded next week’s meeting would be at 5:30PM in Noble’s Learning Center room and the Club’s annual Food Auction fundraiser for the club and also the meeting to bring non-perishable food items for the club to donate to area food banks. The following week, 12/5, will be the Annual Meeting that will include election of Club officers for 2023-24. Members present also were told that discussions were continuing on the decision whether or not to sponsor fireworks next July and that the Club will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2024! FMI:
The Salisbury Rotary Club members attending the 11/07 luncheon meeting heard District Governor Christine Burns speak on Rotary International President Gordon McInally’s theme for the 2023-24 year, “Create Hope in the World.” She encouraged each member to do this by asking simply and sincerely “How are you really doing?” of those we encounter, noting many will respond honestly if someone is really listening. She also talked about Rotary Fellowships, international groups that share a common passion, as a way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or passion and enhance one’s Rotary experience. SRC President Bill Spalding is shown below (L to R) with DG Burns, DG Elect Vin Marinaro, and Justin Golden, Assistant DG for Area 8. FMI: https://www.rotary.org/en
In lieu of a speaker, Past Club President Jerry Baldwin (L) led the members attending the 10/31 luncheon meeting in a fun game of trivia, covering a wide range of topics including human anatomy, American history and geography. Current President Bill Spalding (R) led the meeting and shared a number of announcements re: upcoming events.
Those attending the Salisbury Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon heard Club member and Immediate Pasr DG Randy Chapell speak about Rotary International’s Rotary Foundation. Started 100+ years ago, this Foundation transforms donations into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world, spending more that $4billion on life-changing sustainable projects. Club VP Paul Ramunni chaired the meeting.
Salisbury Rotary Club members and guests heard local life coach Rev. Dr. Eileen Epperson spea at its 9/12 luncheon meeting. Explaining that she approaches her role as helping people live their life in the best way possible, she spoke on dealing with every-day common annoyances as stumbling blocks for many. Noting that one’s point of view tends to shape their perception of a person or situation and that finding options that will allow changing that perception can help reduce or eliminate being annoyed. The meeting was conducted by VP Paul Ramunni.
Thank you to everyone who made the Mid Summer Night's Dream event on Saturday, July 8th, 2023 a great success!! It was a wonderful evening with so many items to bid on. All had an enjoyable evening!! A special THANK YOU to Noble Horizons who donated the food, and hospitality! And everyone who made donations in either an item or cash. Without all of your support we could not have had such a nice event.
Members of the Salisbury Rotary Club joined other clubs from CT, four surrounding states, plus Bermuda in the 2nd annual Day of Service. SRC partnered with Chore Services doing yard work for local residents and conducting food collections to benefit local food banks.
Club President Bill Spalding welcomed members and guests to the Club’s monthly social gathering at NEO’s restaurant in Salisbury. FMI: https://salisburyctrotary.org/
Salisbury Rotary Club heard Juliet Lyon of Falls Village, at its 5/2 luncheon meeting. As a HVRHS student she was a member of the Club’s-sponsored Interact Club and then chosen to be a Rotary Exchange student who traveled to Ecuador. She has since compiled an impressive resume of community organizing with the Peace Corps in Mozambique where and then lived there for ten years and created ParCo, a non-profit org designed to create solutions to environmental and local social challenges. FMI:
Salisbury Rotary Club’s guest speaker at this week’s luncheon meeting was "Chuck" Conn from the Litchfield-Morris Rotary club. He spoke about his club’s partnership in the Teddy Bear program: stuffed animals are provided by the police to children involved in traumatic situations. FMI:
The Salisbury Rotary Club had an enjoyable “mixer” Tuesday evening at NEO’s Restaurant in Salisbury. A couple of dozen members & guests enjoyed a wonderful array of appetizers.
New member Nicole Chase was welcomed and presented her “new member packet” of info by Club President Bill Spalding and long-time member and 2x past President Peter Fitting was recognized by DG Randy Chapell, as a Paul Harris Fellow+1, the second time he’s been honored for “Service Above Self” in the name of Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris. CONGRATULATIONS to Peter and WELCOME Nicole! FMI—
John Coston, Editor of the Lakeville Journal, was the Club’s program speaker at its 10/25 luncheon meeting. He was pleased to announce Sadie Leite, of Simsbury & Salisbury, as being named the 2022 Bob Estabrook Intern. Sadie, a Senior majoring in English at Tufts University, spent her second summer as an Intern at the Journal. The Salisbury Rotary Club established the award in 2014 as part of its 65th Anniversary celebration, recognizing Bob Estabrook’s long-
time and dedicated membership, including serving as a Past-President of the Salisbury Club, and his distinguished career in journalism, including serving as Publisher of the Lakeville Journal. In addition, Coston spoke of changes and challenges facing the Journal, including its recent transition to non-profit status, and declining staff since the COVID pandemic. The paper is focused on increasing staff and restoring the paper to a 16-20 page weekly publication. FMI:
The Salisbury Rotary Club held the drawing for the $10,000 Cash Raffle on December 21st, 2021 and one winner, who chose to remain anonymous, was picked. The Club made a tidy profit on the sales and this money will be used for scholarships and funding projects that benefit those in need at the local, national and international level. The Club thanks all who participated in the raffle.
Dave Bayersdorfer, retired social studies & history teacher at Region One’s Housatonic Valley Regional High School, was the Salisbury Rotary Club’s 7/27 luncheon speaker. Speaking as Chair of the 21st Century Fund for HVRHS’s Board of Directors, he shared the mission and history of the Fund, noting that it was the vision of former HVRHS principal, Jack Mahoney, who started the Fund in 1994 to provide financial support for educational enrichment programs & learning opportunities beyond the classroom and not provided for by the school’s budget. Examples of recently funded programs include the school’s Robotics program, the electric car, numerous approved grants submitted by students and teachers, all funded by individual donations and by special, generous benefactors. FMI:
In an effort to assist those most in need during the current pandemic, the Salisbury club donated $5,000 to Sharon Hospital for PPE equipment and medical supplies. The club also donated cash and food totaling over $10,000 to: The Corner Food Pantry in Lakeville, Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Canaan and The Cornwall Food and Fuel Fund in Cornwall. Members of the club purchased food locally and on-line and delivered the items to the local food pantries.
The Salisbury club, in partnership with Lime Rock Park, held the annual Independence Day celebration fireworks event on July 5th after weather forced a postponement of the original July 3rd date. This event is a major fund raiser for the club and proceeds benefit local scholarships and community programs. The event, featuring approximately 500 aerial fireworks were launched by Legion Fireworks Company Inc. based in Wappingers Falls, NY.
Chris Tripler, owner of Great Falls Brewing Company in North Canaan, was the program speaker at the Club’s July 20th luncheon meeting. Located in the historic and refurbished Canaan Union train station depot in North Canaan, the brewery opened its doors in December 2018. A variety of beers are brewed & served with IPA and lager the two best sellers. Named after the waterfall formed along the Housatonic River at Falls Village, just six miles south of the Depot, the brewery offers bar snacks and regularly scheduled food trucks and is committed to holding community-based events to support local businesses, non-profit orgs, and the town’s major annual July event, Railroad Days. FMI: https://www.greatfallsbrews.com/home.
The Rossi Family Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the arts, education, health, social services and the environment, recently donated 100 million PPE masks to Rotary clubs in NewYork and New England as part of the Million Mask Challenge. The Salisbury club delivered 14,000 masks to schools, nursing homes, SVNA and other local organizations in the five NW Corner towns served by the club.
The Salisbury Rotary Club will hold an evening meeting via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 27th. Guests are welcome and club members are also encouraged to bring a guest.
Lance and Ann Beizer were each recently awarded a Rotary International Paul Harris +8 pin. Paul Harris award is a prestigious award given to those who have donated $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Each successive $1,000 results in a Paul Harris plus (+) pin. Lance and Ann's award means they have donated $9,000 to TRF. Rotary International, through TRF, has donated over $4 billion dollars on life changing, sustainable projects throughout the world.
Due to the uncertainty of the current pandemic, the Salisbury Rotary Club Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the fireworks event for 2020. We look forward to see all of you next year at our event on the Fourth-of-July.
The annual fireworks have been rescheduled!! We reluctantly had to postpone this event from the original July 3rd date but are now pleased to announce this new date of October 10th at Lime Rock Park. What a great way to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall!
Do to the threat from the COVID-19 virus weekly meetings have been suspended indefinitely. A date for the resumption of meetings will be set as the situation warrants.
Edward “Nick” Nickerson, 94, was the guest speaker at the Salisbury Rotary Club’s January 28 luncheon meeting at Noble Horizons. During the last winter of WW2, Nick was stationed in northern Italy with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. He shared a riveting story from that time and the 1993 reunion trip to that locale with several of the men with whom he served. Nick Is a former SRC member and was introduced by current SRC member, John Hedbavny.
Salisbury Rotary Club was treated to a tour of Norway at its 2/18/20 weekly luncheon at Noble Horizons. Club members Ann & Lance Beizer shared wonderful photos and talked about their time last August experiencing “the northern most....” of much of what they saw while north of the Arctic Circle!
The Salisbury Rotary Club began restoration of the Salisbury Band Wagon with a new roof as the first phase. The Club contracted Backcountry Woodworking (www.backcountrywoodworkingllc.com) for the project. The new roof is now complete and looks fantastic!
Randy and Fran Chapell from the Salisbury Rotary Club, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Tulum Mexico, donated an iPad to a young Mayan man named Gervasio. Gervasio will be the first person from this small Mayan village in Yaxche to attend college. This is a very big deal as children are encouraged to work in the fields to support the families who have a very meager subsistence. The Tulum Club will be working to raise money for the young man’s tuition as the family has no money and there is almost no government assistance available.Visit them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/clubrotarytulum
President Elect Randy Chapell attended the North East President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Framingham, MA last week. This seminar prepares incoming Presidents for the new year. Incoming RI President Mark Maloney was present for the event and was a keynote speaker.
The SALISBURY ROTARY CLUB had a good presence at the annual Salisbury Fall Festival, Saturday, October 7th, along with dozens of other organizations and businesses. Raffle tickets @ $5 supported the club's Scholarship program and gave the buyer a chance to win a tree (see photo) decorated with 40 lottery tickets! The tree will be available at several future events and the drawing for a winner will be held at the club's December 3 Business Meeting.
September 26 found members of Salisbury's Rotary Club & the Canaan Exchange Club at Camp Sloane YMCA for an evening picnic/BBQ and a combined effort to pool resources to support a local food drive. SRC President is shown with Jean Chapin, Director of Canaan's Fishes & Loaves, unloading donated bags of food at Pilgrim House in CT.
Rotary's District 7890 hit one out of the park to End Polio Now at the New Britain Bees on Saturday August 26th. The crowd of 130 Rotarians, friends and family from our district attended the game, including Salisbury Rotary Club members (L to R), Rick DelPrete, Digby Brown, Randy Chapell, Duane Estes and Pat Galloway..
District Governor David Mangs and Governor Nominee, Mark Brady, visited and spoke to the Salisbury Rotary Club on July 18th. DG Mangs shared RI's current theme for the year, "Rotary Making A Difference," and related it to membership, youth exchange, Interact, RYLA and the RI Foundation. He and Mark Brady, along with SRC President Fran Chapell, presented GEER Village food service staff member, Donna Steed, with a Profiles in Courage certificate in recognition of the many life challenges with which she has been faced and her years of serving the SRC's weekly luncheons.
A fun annual event sponsored by Salisbury Rotary & Canaan Exchange Clubs, to benefit local scholarships and other community needs in CT's NW corner. Silent & Live auction items, mint juleps, great food & friends, and the Kentucky Derby on a huge screen. Sat, May 6, 4-7:30PM. FMI, to be a sponsor, & to buy tickets: www.runfortheroses.org
Our own Duane Estes kept us interested and laughing during his presentation on “Road Trips & Baseball~1948-1958.” Duane was our program speaker Tuesday, August 12, 2014. Thanks, Duane!
Welcome New President, John Hedbavny ( holding the gavel) sworn in on June 24th, 2014.
New Officers for 2014-2015 . From left to right, Kevin O'Connell-1st Vice President, Susan Dickinson-Treasurer, John Hedbavny-President-Kim Downey-Secretary, Lance Beizer-Past President and Michele Gorat-2nd Vice President.
Pak Kyung-Director (left) and Shin Houn-Yee spoke about the history of Korea. The work for the non profit organization to promote Korean spirit and culture.
Congratulations to Susan Dickinson and Michael Loftus for receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, May 14th, 2013.
The Paul Harris Fellowship was created in memory of Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with 3 business associates in Chicago in 1905. It is awarded to Rotarian's who exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” through their commitment to projects which benefit their community as well as internationally. Susan’s and Michaels can do attitude and willingness to volunteer whenever needed was recognized with receipt of this award. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a medal, pin and certificate upon becoming a fellow. These identify them as supporters of Rotary’s goals of world peace and international understanding.
Susan is pictured below, with Mona Staaf-Gunther, a past Paul Harris Fellow recipient.
Michael is pictured below with John Neufeld, a past Paul Harris Fellow recipient.
Our 2nd year for "Run For The Roses" event, held on Saturday May 4th, 2013, from 4pm-7pm was a huge success. Great food, friends and conversations.
All had a wonderful time. A special Thank You to "Geer" for hosting the event, and making this such a wonderful day. Also to Sam Yasmer for such wonderful food. Below is a list of this years sponsors- Thank You!!
WIN
Founders Insurance Company
Geer Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Mountainside
PLACE
Century Aggregates
Salisbury Bank and Trust Company
Fred and Martha Spoor
SHOW
Ascendant Compliance
Terence Dougherty
Drury & Patz Law Firm
Mona Staaf -Gunther
Elyse Harney Real Estate
John Harney Associates Real Estate
Herringtons
Litchfield Bancorp
Salisbury Breads
Salisbury School
Salisbury Visiting Nurses Association
Smith & Watson, CPA’s
William Perotti & Sons
GRANDSTAND
Best & Cavallaro Real Estate
Dr. Robert Bird
Canaan Vision Center
Decker & Beebe
Illinois Tool Works
John Lannen
National Iron Bank
Thornhill Nursery
Woodland Restaurant
Click on More below... to view some pictures of the event!
Frederick Spoor (left) of West Cornwall- was sworn in by Rick DelPrete (past President 2010-2011) as Salisbury Rotary Club's NEW President for 2012-2013. Welcome Fred!
The Salisbury Rotary Club Foundation presented a check for $3,500 to Pat Chamberlain -superintendent for the "Food for Thought" fund, which go towards children s lunches for those in need. Presenting the check is President Fred Spoor (right) and member John Neufeld (left).
Please welcome new member - Michele Gorat, Executor Director for the Salisbury Visiting Nurses Association. Michele is very active with activities related to her children and anxious to expand her community involvement. Michele was sworn in on June 4th, 2013, with member John Neufeld.
Kevin is the new administrator of Geer Corporation. He is also a board director of a local YMCA camp. He is interested in community development and local charities.
Cast of the show "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" performing at Tri-Arts Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT performed musicals from the performance showing June 28 - July 15-2012. Duane Estes (left) our very own Rotary Member!
Members of Prime Time House were speakers at our May 8th lunch meeting. Since 1988 Prime Time House has evolved from a small non profit to a thriving community based organization.
Lisa Lynch-Ex. Director
Ian Roig- Rehabilitation Counselor (right) and a Clubhouse volunteer
Please welcome new member Kim Downey who was sworn in on July 11, 2012. Kim works at the Salisbury Bank & Trust as an AVP and Trust Officer and lives in Lakeville. Welcome Kim!
President Fred Spoor, Kim Downey and Mona Staaf-Gunther, member
Salisbury Rotary Annual Fire Works were held at Lime Rock Park, Saturday, June 30th, 2012 this year. Opened at 6PM fireworks started around 9pm. $15.00 per car, $5.00 for walkins.
Thank you to the Rotary Members and non-members who volunteered their time. And a special THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by to see the fireworks and supported the Rotary Club of Salisbury.
Volunteers from the Salisbury Rotary club served up chili and served at the Amber Alert booth during the Tri-State Chamber's buy local event held at the Regional High School on Sunday 3/27/11.
District President Parsad Manon, District President Elect Sue Klock and Assistant District President Marcel Schmidt along with the East Hartford Club soon to be President Mr. Klock were all on hand at today's Rotary Club luncheon meeting at the Boathouse in Lakeville. Each brought news and updates from their international travels as well as their local clubs.
John Leich of Canaan, CT becomes the newest HONORARY member of the Salisbury Rotary Club. With a round of welcoming applause, even in his absence, John's fellow club members were overwhelmingly pleased with his new status and willingness to continue his membership in the Salisbury Club. Congratulations John!
Rotarians Randy and Fran Chapell attended the annual Rotary District 7890 Celebration of Service and Installation Ceremony on Saturday, June 27th, 2026.
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Lisa Ferris, Executive Director of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut, spoke about the United Way in Torrington and all they do for our community.
The Salisbury Rotary Club again participated in the Back-to-School program and distributed more than 100 backpacks to deserving children in Region One.
President Bill Pond presenting this year's recipient of the Bob Estabrook Scholarship for the Lakeville Journal to David Carley of Norfolk. 
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Our own Duane Estes kept us interested and laughing during his presentation on “Road Trips & Baseball~1948-1958.” Duane was our program speaker Tuesday, August 12, 2014. Thanks, Duane!
Frederick Spoor (left) of West Cornwall- was sworn in by Rick DelPrete (past President 2010-2011) as Salisbury Rotary Club's NEW President for 2012-2013. Welcome Fred!
President Fred Spoor, Kim Downey and Mona Staaf-Gunther, member
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