Huw Jones is the new Executive Director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and started in the role on July 6th. Raised in the UK and a graduate of the University of Cambridge, Huw is an accomplished music educator, organist and administrator who has served in numerous capacities at leading independent schools for the past 20 years, including as an Assistant Head at London's John Lyon School.
Early in his career, he qualified as a chartered accountant, giving him a breadth of experience across both arts and finance. As a school music director, Huw spent more than a decade overseeing departments of more than 20 staff members while collaborating with the London Chamber Orchestra to give underserved children access to instrumental instruction with professional artists. He joined the NSO from the music department of Greenwich Country Day School. Huw is also the Associate Organist at St. Luke's Parish in Darien and serves on the board of the Darien Arts Center.
The Club Calendar is at the end of this newsletter. Please refer to it to see the meeting schedule, social events and more. It will be updated when speakers and events are added.
The updated Greeters and Openers schedule is also near the end of the newsletter, so please check to see if you are on there!
Friday Meeting - September 11
Marshall Mayer, Ukrainian Aid International, and Frontline Ukrainian Leaders
At our Friday meeting, we welcomed Marshall Mayer, executive director of Ukraine Aid International and three senior Ukrainian officials. Over 80 people attended to hear from Marshall and members of the Ukrainian delegation about front lines of the ongoing war to retain their freedom, sovereignty and safety of the Ukrainian people. We were joined by Connecticut State Senator Ceci Maher, Westport First Selectman Kevin Christie, Second Selectwoman Amy Wistreich, Weston's First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor, and the presidents of the Westport and Fairfield Rotary Clubs. Marshall included a stark video of the attacks on the cities which made the devastation of war even more of a reality. The three senior officials told us about their lives before and now what life is like during the war. Following their presentations they graciously answered questions from the audience.
To further reinforce our commitment to Ukraine Aid International and the Ukrainian people Ken Bernard, on behalf of the club, presented Marshall with a check for $2500 to help cover the cost of a bus to take the children from the affected cities to camps and give them some relief from the stress and fear of the war. The governor of The Bakhmut District presented us with a commemorative medal as a thank you for inviting them. In return, we presented the delegation with custom made shirts with our name and the Rotary logo, thanks to Ron Holtz's efforts and additional shirts for children.
We were very fortunate to have these important guests join us. It was a chance to hear first hand the positive effects of what our contribution and commitment means and how we help international organizations.
The need is great and if you would like to make a donation to UAI to help the Ukrainian people the website is: https://Ukraineaidinternational.org
Please join us for a further conversation about Inner Peace — what it means to you, what gets in the way of it, and how we might practice it.
Led by: Katie Augustyn and Dennis Wong Date : Tuesday, September 22 Time: 5:30-7pm Where: Westport Library in Room 216 RSVP to KatieARotary@gmail.com
=================================================
GILLESPIE CENTER COOKING / SERVING SCHEDULE
One of our club’s ongoing and rewarding commitments to community service is our commitment to serving dinner meals on the first Saturday of each month at the Gillespie Center here in Westport.
We are back to serving meals at the newly renovated Gillespie Center. We have the option to drop off prepared meals at 4:30 PM or to bring meals to serve in person at 4:40 PM (allow extra time if the meals need to be reheated). Meal service should include a main dish, side dish, vegetable, and dessert (no nuts or shellfish please). The number of meals to provide, currently 25, will be confirmed to you to in advance when it is your turn to serve.
If you choose to drop off prepared meals at 4:30 PM you have the option to prepare homemade meals, purchase prepared meals at the store/restaurant of your choice, or you can contact Fresh Market on the Post Road in Westport where you can purchase prepared meals (protein, two sides and cookies for $7 - $10 per meal). If you choose the Fresh Market option call Tory at 203 227-2910 on the Monday prior to your meal service to place your order. You can pay for the meals when you pick them up.
If you are unable to work on your assigned Saturday you will be responsible to call other Rotarians on the list to switch dates.
