Cogitator 10/1/20

SERVE...THIS SATURDAY---7:00 AM...-CHRIST CHURCH...CEDAR AND POST ROAD.  THIS PROJECT NEEDS YOU.  TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR...COUNTS AS A MAKE UP.

Our visiting Rotarian was General Alexander.  Didn't catch his first name, but he is the father of Allison Alexander, a news anchor with ABC 6.  She just had a baby and her parents are here to be with her.

Happy Birthday to Ken Colaluca and Jonathon Widmark.  Ken was absent, but we sang to Jonathon.  He was very appreciative as he said he had forgotten the big day.  (Is it the truth?)

Coming up the first week in May----a Group Study Exchange from Quatemala.  Rotary is looking for host families.  This is a small group of young business people who will be here to get an idea of who we are and what we do.  They visit local sites and speak to Rotary clubs.

Our Congratulations to Vin Meola, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.  George Popella presented him a pin with two sapphires, signifying Vin as a recipient of three fellowships.

 

Don Anderson expressed his appreciation to the club for our donation to "Shelterboxes" for Haiti.  Don, who is in contact with Rhode Islanders who have family and friends in Haiti reports hearing directly the type of stories we have been watching every night on television. 

John Wolcott has had contact with people in La Romana in the Dominican Republic, the project our club has supported.  He says that 75 people from that area have loaded up vehicles with supplies and are heading into Haiti to do what they can.  La Romana is a struggling area itself, but they will be doing what they can to help their neighbors.   John reported the Baptist church will again be holding their annual chili cookoff, a fund raiser for the La Romana effort.  The Baptists travel there each year to work on various projects.

Chuck Sauer announced the revival of the Self Directed Community Service Awards.  The Board has set aside $2,000 for this effort.  Rotarians are invited to direct $100 of this money to a charitable cause of your choice.  It is first come, first served.   See Chuck for the small amount of paperwork involved.  He will have the forms at the next meeting.

 

Our guest speakers from the Academy Players gave us some readings from their upcoming production of "Our Town".   The Academy Players are holding a fund raiser at the Varnum Armory this Saturday, featuring a number of entertainers, including the Ocean State Follies.

Rotarian Amy Levin gave us information on a Temple Torat Yisreal 2010 Concert Series featuring Tom Ruksh, Richie Havens, Tom Chapin and Mustard's Retreat.  The concerts are at the Temple at 330 Park Ave in Cranston.  Tom Rush is first up on Sunday, February 28th aat 7:00 pm.   Tickets are $35.00

This newsletter may be a little disconnected and may be missing a few items, as I was handling the Sgt. At Arms duties and probably misssed a few things.   As Rotarians it is important that you attend meetings, as that is the key to involvement.  It is also important to the club budget.  We guarantee and pay the Post Office Cafe 30 meals.  On Wednesday we only had 24 paid meals, plus 3 non-paying guests.  Being Sgt. at Arms is an important and active position and everybody should have to do it at least once to apppreciate the job.  Say thanks to Jim Essex the next time you see him.