Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
WEEKLY BULLETIN |
June 13, 2019
We are a proud sponsor of the fo l lowing Service Leadership Programs in the Meriden school system:
University of New Haven,
Connecticut
Maloney High School
Platt High School
Wilcox Tech High School
Lincoln Middle School
Washington Middle School
Edison Middle School
Israel Putnam Elementary
Roger Sherman Elementary
John Barry Elementary
Ben Franklin Elementary
Casimir Pulaski Elementary
ARC of Meriden/Wallingford
The 1st Aktion Club in
Connecticut
The meeting was called to order by President Cindy D’Agostino. “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The
prayer was delivered by Martha Colarese . There were 13 Kiwanis members in attendance and 16 Rotarians present.
Guests: Dave Cooley and 16 Rotarians
Birthdays: Cheryl O’Connor June 3
Rhudean Raye June 3
Kate Slavinski June 3
Marlene Chambers June 4 Honorary Member
Julia Kane June 5
JoAnne Keene June 5
Richard Roccapriore June 7 Honorary Member
Irene Masse June 8
Daniel Neville June 9
Bob Gollnick June 16
Elaine Murphy June 19
Bruce Burchsted June 27
Cheryl O’Connor Rhudean Raye Kate Slavinski Julia Kane JoAnne Keene
Richard Roccapriore Dan Neville Bob Gollnick & Elaine Murphy Bruce Burchsted
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
Anniversaries: Marv & “Mike” Beloff June 14 Honorary Member
Bob & Sandi Gollnick June 16
David & Dorothy Elkin June 25
Richard & Winnie Leary June 28 Honorary Member
Mave & “Mike” Beloff Bob & Sandi Gollnick Dorothy & David Elkin
Kiwanis Anniversaries: Dorothy Elkin June 2, 1988
LeNissa Rivera June 7, 2017
Robert Mule June 13, 2002
Richard Carabetta June 30, 1976
Dorothy Elkin LeNissa Rivera
Quip: None
50/50 Raffle: Won by Florence Thibodeau
Happy Dollars: Eileen Bongiovanni - $2 – Happy to see my Rotarian friends here and also I think I’m going to ask my son to write a grant for Bongiovanni Insurance and Financial to see if I can get paid. My 2nd happy dollar is for my son because he would have borrowed it from me. Bob Gollnick - $5 - I was married on my birthday and it’s also Father’s Day so I have 3 reasons to celebrate. My wife says I’ve been happily married for 35 Yrs. So I guess I’m happy. Joan Kilby - $4 – for Matt Vaverchak who is a fairly new member. He doesn’t get to come to the luncheon very often so I’m the happy dollar designate. So Very happy to see him. And happy to join with the Rotarians who are with us today. Thank you all for coming. Martha Colaresi - $3 – one is in honor of Lt. LeNissa Rivera is leaving. We’re going to miss her. We’ll think of you often in Newport and hope you think of us. The 2nd happy dollar is in honor of Stewie the Duck who is going to make an appearance at the Mountain Mist YMCA Camp Family Day on Saturday. And 3rd happy dollar is in honor of the Literacy project free libraries and the STEM project. Also, Literacy Volunteers is having its celebration on Tuesday. All the Rotarians - $25 – thank you for inviting us. It’s nice to see 2 organizations get together and do such great work. Pauline Tiezzi - $1 – welcome a new resident at Kensington Village who is Elaine Murphy. Very happy to be here to enjoy both clubs. Cindy D’Agostino - $5 – Tell LeNissa that we are going to miss her. She is going to join the Kiwanis Club in Newport. We really enjoyed having you part of This club for a few years. I want to thank the Rotarians for coming.
Eileen Bongiovanni Bob Gollnick Joan Kilby Martha Colaresi
Pauline Tiezzi Cindy D’Agostino
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
Service Leadership Programs: Family Night: The 5th Annual Family Night took place on April 23rd, at Roger Sherman Elementary School. There were an estimated 150 SLP members, advisors and family members in attendance from Benjamin Franklin K-Kids, Casimir Pulaski K-Kids, Israel Putnam K-Kids, Roger Sherman K-Kids, Lincoln Builders club, Orville H. Platt Key and H. C. Wilcox Key Club. There were 11 Meriden Kiwanians, and one Middletown Kiwanian and one guest (Billie Keene) in attendance. Trophies were presented to the winning schools from Souper Bowl and certificates of participation for schools that participated in Projects for Paws. Clubs collected nearly $400 for the Meriden Humane Society.
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
What’s Happening:
Deptula Essay Contest:
The Walter Deptula Essay contest was held May 13th at Thomas Edison Middle School. The winners from all the Middle Schools in Meriden were:
Written Essays Oral Presentation
Thomas Edison Middle School: 1st Place – Isabella Soule Maggie Chen
2nd Place – Caitlin Hinde Caitlin Hinde
3rd Place – Maggie Chen Lisette Arevalo
Lincoln Middle School: 1st Place – Humyra Ferdus Ellie Galasso and Rachel Wozniak
2nd Place – Ellie Galasso Humyra Ferdus
3rd Place – Sinahy Trjillo and Alexander Soto Sophia Kwok
Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 1st Place – Wesley Ong Lindsay Amenta
2nd Place – Nicole Murzyn Wesley Ong
3rd Place – Lindsay Amenta Nicole Murzyn and Katelyn Feest
Washington Middle School: 1st Place – Aziz Bismillah Kevin Hudson
2nd Place – Kevin Hudson Olivia Valery
3rd Place – Sincere Hayden Griffin Papallo and Riley Pavitt
The judges were: Cyhnthia D’Agostino, Joan S. Kilby, Melissa Neville-Passarelli, Martha Colaresi and Wilfredo Morales. This event is chaired by E.
Jack Shorr and the Vice-Chair is Doreen Roddy. A hugh thank you to Thomas Edison Middle School staff and Principal Karen Habegger for their kind
hospitality. Great job Jack and Doreen!
Thomas Edison Middle School Lincoln Middle School Our Lady of Mount Carmel Washington Middle School
E. Jack Shorr, Chairman Doreen Roddy & Jack Judges
Education Awards:
On May 29th, the Education Awards were given out to students submitting applications from Orville H. Platt High School, Francis T. Maloney High
School and Horace Wilcox Technical High School. The event was chaired by David Wyskiel. In addition to the high school awards, the Ellen Mazza
Award and the Ann Giannetti Award was also given.
The recipients were as follows:
H. C. Wilcox Tech High School, Morgan E. Robinson, presented by Cynthia D’Agostino
Francis T. Maloney High School, Madison D. Clancy, presented by Doreen Roddy
Francis T. Maloney High School, Zeel P. Patel, presented by Kate Slavinski
Francis T. Maloney High School, Courney A. Bertrand, presented by David Wyskiel
Ellen Mazza Education Award – Phoebe A. Charpentier, presented by Eileen Bongiovanni
Ann Giannetti Education Award – Elliot L. Good, presented by David Elkin
The Awards Committee was comprised of David Wyskiel, Chair, Eileen Bongiovanni, Cynthia D’Agostino, David Elkin, doreen Roddy and Kate
Slavinski. A wonderful evening supporting these wonderful young students. A great job by Dave Wyskiel who was the Master of Ceremonies as well
as the Chair. A wonderful evening.
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
Strawberry Shortcake Fundraiser:
The annual Strawberry Shortcake fundraiser was held on May 30th at Il Monticello. This event was chaired by Pierre Blanchet. Assistance for this
event was given by numerous Kiwanis members of the Meriden Club. This fundraiser could not be successful without the help of everyone.
Doreen Roddy & Pierre Bob Gollnick Brian Cofrancesco Eileen Bongiovanni
Florence Thibodeau Joe Giannetti Lorraine Gamble
Stewie The Duck Story Walk:
The Kiwanis Club of Meriden was pleased to share our “Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim” Story Walk at the Meriden Green for the Meriden Lions
Club Duck Race. We met lots of people and passed out copies fo the book to children. The Story Walk wa on the bridge through Wednesday,
June12th. Thanks again to our Story Walk co-sponsor, Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation.
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
Stewie the Duck has moved to Meriden YMCA’s Mountain Mist Day Camp. There story will remain at Mountain Mist through Mid-July so that
YMCA campers can read it during the first two sessions of summer camp.
Melissa Neville-Passarelli Dan Neville, Bruce Burchsted, Brian Cofrancesco and Melissa
Announcements: Free Lending Libraries:
Martha Colaresi spoke on this project. This project will place up to 15 free libraries throughout Meriden parks and housing locations. Readers are
encouraged to take a book and return a book. This project is moving fast thanks to Joann Grabinski, a volunteer from South Meriden. Wilcox Tech
built the libraries and shipped them to Gallery 53 for decoration. Meriden Parks & Rec and the housing authority are providing the locations. Literacy
Volunteers has already begun donating books and at least on Meriden author has contributed signed books. Meriden Public Library and Friends of
the Library have also stocked the libraries and the Lions Club and Kiwanis Key Club will maintain them. Kiwanis has adopted the library on the
Linear Trail. It really does take a village to promote family literacy in the community and we are honored to be a part of this venture.
There will be a Cow Plop fundraiser in October. So please plan accordingly.
New 100th Anniversary District Jerseys are available. If you’re interested please contact [email protected] or visit the store at:
http://www.newenglandkiwanis.org/forms/store.html.
Kiwanis Club of Meriden Shirts – Dave Edgington has made a contact to purchase polo shirts for the Meriden Kiwanis Club. He has sent out an
email with information on how to purchase.
104th Annual Kiwanis International Convention (ICON) Orlando, FL 2019
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (Note: As I receive information during the year, I will add to the calendar. This is what I have thus far.)
June 17 – 6:30 pm – Community Projects meeting held at home of Joan Kilby, 238 Curtis St.
June 27 – 30 – Kiwanis International Convention, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
June 27 – 6:30 pm – Kiwanis Night Meeting
Juy 1 – 6:30 pm at Dave Edgington’s House, 151 Natchaug Dr., Meriden
July 11 – 12:15 pm – Lunch meeting at Il Monticello, 537 Broad Street
July 11 – 6:30 pm – Board Meeting at Cindy D’Agostino’s Home
July 15 – 6:30 pm – Community Projects meeting held at home of Joan Kilby, 238 Curtis St.
July 25 – 6:30 pm – Kiwanis Night Meeting
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
July 27 -2:00 pm – Kiwanis Summer Picnic – President Cindy D’Agostino’s Home, 235 Westview Dr., Meriden
August 1 – 6:30 pm – Board Meeting at home of Florence Thibodeau, 85 Old Farm Road, Meriden
August 5 – 5:30 pm – John J. Nerden RTC Camp Service Clubs Picnic 89 Powder Hill Rd., Middlefield, CT (tentative)
August 8 – 12:15 pm – Lunch meeting at Il Monticello, 537 Broad St.
August 16 – 18 – Kiwanis District Convention , Radisson, Nashua, NH
August 19 – 6:30 pm – Community Projects meeting held at home of Joan Kilby, 238 Curtis St.
August 22 – 6:30 pm – Kiwanis Night Meeting
September 5 – 6:30 pm – Board Meeting at Cindy D’Agostino’s home.
September 9 – 6:30 pm – Membership meeting at Dave Edgington’s Home.
September 12 – 12:15 pm – Luncheon at Il Monticello
September 16 – 6:30 pm – Community Projects Meeting held at home of Joan Kilby, 238 Curtis St.
September 21 – Bike Rodeo – more info to come
September 27 – 6:00 pm, Il Monticello, 577 S. Broad St., Meriden, Kiwanis Installation of Officers
PROGRAM/GUEST SPEAKER:
David Cooley, Director of Making Meriden Center, located at 5 Colony St., Meriden.
Meriden has had some things to fix before it could develop such as the flooding issue. It is now ready to develop into a vibrant city. His role is to
get businesses and people downtown. We have empty storefronts and buildings which need to be occupied. We are busy putting up art in the
vacant windows and planting flowers to make the area more welcoming. We’re working with the Neighborhood Associations to put the word out
there that this is really a safe area. Our goal is to partner with businesses to find the right location for their business. There’s artwork going up. We
had “Yulefest” last year where Santa came into town on the rail which was quite effective. There was music, Castle Craig Players were there, quite
a festive affair. Towns are coming back to life in general. Lots of events are coming up: Concerts on the Green, Farmers Market. Looking to get
that signature restaurant downtown. In order to get more people downtown, we’ve got to spread the word and get more foot traffic downtown.
This will attract businesses and restaurants.
Here is a group photo of Kiwanians and Rotarians in attendance at the luncheon.
Adjournment: 1:15 pm
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org
Ask a Kiwanian about our
International project
KIWANIS CLUB OF
MERIDEN
CORPORATE
SPONSORS:
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AND FINANCIAL LLC
Terry Bongiovanni
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Pratt Street, Meriden, Connecticut
203-634-1266
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SUZIO – YORK HILL
Asphalt – Concrete – Trap Rock
203-237-8421
Westfield Road, Meriden, CT 06450
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DAVID E. WYSKIEL, ESQ.
Solomon, Krupnikoff & Wyskiel, P.C.
203-235-1659
“Counseling clients through the important
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E. JACK SHORR, ESQ.
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“Experience you can count on”
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“Affordable Peace of Mind”
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HUNTERS AMBULANCE
“Concern for Other’s” s ince 1963
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS!
KIWANIS CLUB OF MERIDEN
OFFICERS 2018-2019:
Cindy D’Agostino, President
Joan Kilby, President Elect
Michelle Bourdeau, Vice-President
Melissa Neville-Passarelli, Secretary
David Wyskiel, Recording Secretary
JoAnne Keene, Treasurer
Doreen Roddy, Immediate Past President
Bulletin Editor: Florence Thibodeau
Photographer: David Wyskiel
The Kiwanis Club of Meriden meets on the second
Thursday of the month at:
12:15 PM
Il Monticello
577 South Broad Street, Meriden, Connecticut
Kiwanis Club of Meriden | P.O. Box 733, Meriden, CT 06450 | www.meridenkiwanis.org