Cogitator August 7, 2013

Posted by George Cooper 
on Aug 07, 2013
 
 

VISITING ROTARIANS

None.

GUESTS

Maryann Hartman joined us as a guest of President Jodi Gladstone.  Maryann and Bob Hartman own the local natural food store Back to Basics.    

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Very happy belated birthday wishes this week go out to Past President Bob MacKenzie.  Bob’s birthday was last Wednesday, July 31st.

NEW ENGLAND TECH/ROTARACT

From Bill TenEyck, New Generations Chair: 

The ROTARACT CLUB INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS will take place on Saturday, August 17th at 3:00 p.m. on the NEIT Campus.  EG Rotary Club members, their families & friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.  There is a ‘great slate’ of new Rotaract officers that will be installed and they need our support.  

As they did last year, the Rotaract Club will prepare a delicious Caribbean buffet, so bring your appetite.  We will charge the traditional lunch fee of $15- to help defer the meal expenses.  This event also counts as a make-up.

The Rotaractor's have showed up in a big way for our Rotary Club Events and I expect that to continue.   For planning purposes I need to know if you will be attending and the number of guests.  Your attention to this important event is greatly appreciated.  Please contact me with any questions.

ROTARACT FIELD TRIP

Bill TenEyck also invited club members to join the Rotaractors on a ‘field trip’ to United Natural Foods in Providence, on Friday, August 23rd, from 9:30am to 12 noon. 

PHONEBOOK CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Phonebook chair Matt D’Agenais presented some updated figures for this year’s campaign.  We currently have 93 of 181 businesses renewing their ads from last year.  The gross revenue tally is $32,000, while our goal remains at $64,500.  Please everyone—it’s time to get to work on our largest Charity Funds fundraising event.  Don’t forget to make your calls, get out and see your phonebook customers, make sure to continue selling the additional online listing (it’s a bargain at only $25 and 100% profit to the club), and get those ads in as soon as possible.  Time is running out!

YALE SPIZZWINKS(?)   

Andy Erickson, distinguished Eli, reminded us that the Yale Spizzwinks(?), America’s ‘first and oldest a undergraduate a cappella group,’ will join us at Chianti’s for a very special presentation on Wednesday, August 21st.  Please make sure to let Sergeant at Arms Jim Essex or President Elect Ron Winde know if you plan to invite guests that day. 

MEMBERSHIP

Janet Essex reported that the membership committee is involved in two important missions—recruitment and retention/engagement.  She asked us to continue inviting guests to Wednesday lunch meetings.  We’ll have invitation cards for everyone to pass on to at least 2 prospective members in the weeks ahead. 

RED SOX VS. ORIOLES

The Boston Red Sox will host a Rotary Night at Fenway Pahhhk on Tuesday, September 17th.  Let’s get a good sized group of Rotarians together to cheer on the Sawx as they chase an October playoff spot.

END POLIO NOW

President Jodi again invited us to visit www.EndPolio.org to see the great work of Rotary worldwide in eradicating polio once and for all.  Jodi also added that we will soon take part in what’s being billed on the site as ‘The World’s Biggest Commercial.’ 

HAPPY BUCKS

-Vin Meola was happy to see friend Maryann Hartman join us for lunch.

-Bill TenEyck is looking ahead to his family’s upcoming vacation in the Catskills. 

-Vin Meola suggested that Yankee fan Dave Iannuccilli pay a buck for Alex Rodriguez’ return to baseball after a long stretch on the DL.  Dave didn’t really bite…so Vin happily paid the buck.

-Ron Winde ‘survived’ his weekend while having a great time at Pocono speedway. 

-Steve Lombardi’s son, a graduate of NYU, is departing his first job in Manhattan to work for a Boston firm, ‘Generation Citizen.’  Steve and his son also recently had a nice night at Fenway watching the Sox win. 

-Maryann Hartman thanked Jodi for the lunch invitation.  She also noted that United Natural Foods is very engaged in her business at Back to Basics.    

-Soozie Sundlun has a new granddaughter, and mom and baby are doing great!

-Bob MacKenzie enjoyed a boat cruise for his birthday last week…the ‘big 6-0!’  

-George Popella was thrilled to finally have all six of his grandkids together last week during a family trek to Maine.  Also, George’s girlfriend Deb is thrilled over her first grandchild born two weeks ago.  Lastly, George praised Bill TenEyck for his hard work and success with the New England Tech Rotaract Club. 

-Jonathan TerMeer wished father-in-law Bob MacKenzie a happy birthday.  Jonathan was also happy that his wife Megan is finishing up her CPCU insurance courses for Amica Insurance. 

 

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

Amiee Turner, Producing Artistic Director, Ocean State Theater Company

   

The Ocean State Theater Company was formed with one primary mission in mind:  the grand re-opening of Matunuck’s Theater by the Sea.  Having succeeded in this mission and after a couple of successful seasons, Ocean State’s lease was unfortunately not renewed.  So what did they do upon this disappointing news?  They opened up a brand new theater. 

In 2011, Ocean State Theater broke ground on the old Paul Bailey Ford truck site located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick.  Today, they put on terrific shows in their new 10,000 square foot/400 seat theater.  Amiee Turner praised the theater as ‘very well thought out and very well built,’ including its handicap accessible seating.    

Last year, they put on six shows and received excellent reviews in local papers. 

Amiee also mentioned the theater’s educational outreach efforts in Rhode Island schools.  They bring kids and teachers in for an interactive day at the theater and a 30-minute short play.  Ocean State Theater now plans to also ‘take the show on the road’ to various schools. 

Having theaters in a community, according to Amiee, is ‘great for property values.’  She also noted that there’s a 3-to-1 economic multiplier in communities possessing an active theater.  For every $50 spent on tickets, for example, over $150 is spent in support of that night out at the theater (food, parking, babysitters, etc.).

The Ocean State Theater ‘fills a void’ in Rhode Island, since ‘it’s the only theater south of Providence supported by local artists and staff.’ 

http://www.oceanstatetheatre.org/

 

Andy Erickson with Ocean State Theater’s Amiee Turner