The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club marked the passing of another successful Rotary year as the president’s gavel was passed to Sharon Herman as the club celebrated a remarkable year under the leadership of outgoing president Joe Shapiro. Prior to the start of the evening and after the program, the guests were entertained with the music of the Stardust Jazz Trio which included Joe and also his wife JoAnn who is also a very active club member. Joe started the evening with his “farewell” remarks – He’s not going anywhere – where he thanked all the members for a very active year of community engagement which helped to make both communities better places. He noted that not only did the club award grants of $18,000 and scholarships of $22,000 they participated in a wide variety of hands-on activities throughout the year. He then brought up members of his board of directors and committee chairs and presented them with plaques for their service.

Assistant District Governor Lucy Andrade who also happens to be Joe’s predecessor as Club president then recognized Joe for his tireless work and then presented him with a gavel, past presidents’ pin, and president’s chair which is a long-standing tradition for the club.

Then it was time for District Governor Stephanie Philips to take to the podium to firstly congratulate for all that it has done to enhance the communities of Derby and Shelton during the past year noting the incredible amount of activity for such a small group of dedicated Rotarians. She followed that up with the formal swearing in of incoming president Sharon Herman and wishing her the best for another successful Rotary year. Stepanie also swore in the new officers for 2026-2027.

Joe then came back for his last formal duty as president by passing the gavel to Sharon and presenting thank you plaques to his leadership team.

Sharon then completed the evening with her thoughts and plans for the upcoming year. The Stardust Trio then continued to entertain everyone.

Some pictures from the evening- you can hover over and image and press Control twice to enlarge a picture:

Some pictures:

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Rotarians and friends came together for an evening of fun and to support Rotary’s efforts to End Polio Now.  At the Courtyard Marriott in Shelton, The Bare Slate held a workshop where participants stained, stenciled and dabbed to produce individual projects.  With complimentary wine and snacks, tea cup raffles and fellowship, money was raised to help the End Polio Now Initiative of Rotary International.

When Rotary began its Polio Eradication Program in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of wild polio in 125 countries.  Since then, the global burden of polio has been reduced by 99.9%.

Eradication efforts have successfully wiped out two of the three wild poliovirus strains. In February 2026, the World Health Organization reported that wild polio cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan had fallen to 41 cases across 24 districts.  Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only remining polio endemic countries where insecurity continues to hamper efforts to reach all children.

The Initiative vaccinates millions of children multiple times annually.  Every year more than 650,000 children are spared lifelong paralysis thanks to continued polio eradication efforts.  With fundraisers like this, we continue our efforts and are almost there.

Polio anywhere is a risk everywhere.  Together…we End Polio Now

Come and join Derby-Shelton Rotarians at Shelton High School on April 21 for a Far, Far Away concert by the New Haven Symphony. A Galaxy Far, Far Away, music from sci-fi classics like Star Wars, E.T., Interstellar, Dune and Star Trek. Star Wars and All net proceeds from tickets purchased with code ROTARY will be donated to our club. The code ROTARY  will also provide the buyer with a $5 discount. Buy Tickets using the above link or call the box office at (203) 693-1486, and make sure to use the code ROTARY. NHSO also offers free tickets to children under 18 with a paying ticket. To use BOTH promos together, the buyer must call the box office at (203) 693-1486.

Veterans, Rotarians, and friends stand in front of the new railing.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is proud to have supported an important accessibility improvement project for the American Legion Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, located on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. The American Legion is the nation’s largest veteran service organization, founded by an Act of Congress after World War I. For over a century, it has fiercely advocated for the needs of veterans, service members, and their families who have pledged to protect our nation. Established in 1919, the Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16 has been an active part of the community and the state. However, the facility was in need of a handicapped-accessible railing along the existing pavement from the parking area to the lower level where the club is located.

Brennan Construction hole digger

Robert Huelsman and Billy Hannon

Atlantic Equipment did the railing fabrications.

Recognizing this need, the Post identified a local fabricator who generously provided the wrought-iron railing at cost. District 7980 Managed Grant, the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club was able to help fund the project. Robert Huelsman, President Atlantic Equipment Installers Wallingford CT did the railing fabrications and helped install it as a volunteer to the American Legion and Rotary club. J.J. Brennan Construction of Shelton assisted by digging all the holes for the posts at no charge. Matthew and Eric Brennan dug all the holes no charge.

On October 4, 2025, several Friends of Rotary joined 13 Rotarians who assisted with unloading materials, leveling the ground, and ensuring safety throughout the installation process. A commemorative plaque will soon be installed at the site to acknowledge the club’s efforts and community collaboration.

The result: a safer and more accessible walkway for American Legion Post 16 members, guests, and visitors—another example of Rotary’s commitment to “Service Above Self.” Thank you for volunteering, Jeff Dow, Billy Hannon and all Rotarians

A few additional pictures:

Legion Honor Guard Durin the Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans and Rotarians joining together after the ceremony.

Rotarian Kim Ryan-Caro wearing her father’s WWII U.S. Army jacket

In addition, Carolyn Dow, Rosemary Allen and Lucy Andrade received a certificate of appreciation for their work on the Disaster Relief Task Force.