Cogitator Dec 29, 2010

Posted by George Cooper 
on Dec 29, 2010
 
 

 

 

 

 

GUESTS

President Ed's better half, Irene Ferreira, joined us.  Harry Buckheit, Paula's husband was also with us.  Bill TenEyck invited his daughters, Sklyer and Laurel, as well as their friend Gabby.  Finally, Dave Iannuccilli's guest was Paul Santucci, of Commonwealth Investments.  Paul is the EG Rotary Scholarship Fund's new investment advisor following the retirement of Joe Piotti. 

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Happy Birthday...to several Rotarians this week: Henry Boezi, December 30th; Joyce Phipps, December 31st; Lou Lepry, January 1st; and Betsy DePrimo, January 3rd.

Happy anniversary to Soozie and Bruce Sundlun (January 1st), and, Bob and Trish Miller (January 2nd). 

Also, happy Rotary anniversary to: Honorary Rotarian Earl Shaw, 45 years; Chub Clement, 32 years; Dave Iannuccilli, 28 years; and Bob MacKenzie, 17 years. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Bill O'Neel memorial service will be held Friday, January 7th, at the East Greenwich Yacht Club.  The memorial service will be from 2 to 3pm, and the celebration of life for our departed friend will be from 3 to 6pm.  All Rotarians are invited to the Yacht Club on Friday. 

After two weeks of hat passing, we raised $436 for a special holiday bonus for the good folks at Post Office Cafe, who take great care of us each week. 

Reminder from President Ed--please make sure you pass on your Rotary Lunch Invitation postcard to a friend, family member, colleague, or someone in your inner circle who you know would make a good Rotarian.  Let's all get these invitations out, so Ed can induct as many members as possible before June. 

Speaking of June, we held our annual elections for East Greenwich Rotary officers for the 2011-2012 Rotary year.  The following slate of candidates was presented and unanimously 'ayed' by the club at large:

President--Mike Gemma; President Elect--Betsy DePrimo; Secretary--Ken Colaluca; Treasurer--Mike Balsamo; Assistant Treasurer--Dave Caldwell; Sergeant at Arms--Jim Essex.

The Tea Party stirred in the back of the room, but in the end they fell silent as the Gemma juggernaut rolled to victory.  Congratulations, and thank you one and all, to the 2011-2012 officers!

HAPPY BUCKS         

John Wolcott was very happy, after a long season of Santa appearances, to bring the red suit to the cleaners and take a deep breath...until next season.

Ron Winde, whose future son-in-law recently asked for Ron's daughter's hand, announced that it's official.  His daughter received her official marriage proposal under the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York.  And in other great news, Ron mentioned that he was the champion of his fantasy football league and will enjoy those extra few bucks in the New Year. 

Bill TenEyck gave three happy bucks for his three happy guests.

Dave Iannuccilli was happy to have the scholarship kids join us for lunch. 

And yours truly gave a happy buck for his traveling niece, Mia Cooper, who was enjoying a trip to London with her mom and best friend, a nice treat for bringing in the New Year. 

PROGRAM

East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Recipients   

Congratulations to Dave Iannuccilli and the scholarship committee, for presenting $15,000 to scholarship award recipients.  Dave and his committee are busy all year long taking good care of the scholarship fund, which has been built up over 20+ years and is approaching the $250,000 mark.  The economy and investment markets have been tough to navigate over the past years.  Dave and committee, under good direction from financial advisor, Joe Piotti, have been very conservative, making sure the funds were safely tucked away and that scholarships continue.

Scholarship Fund Treasurer John Wolcott also passed out a pamphlet, reminding club Rotarians to reach out and help support the Scholarship Fund.  Contributions to the Fund are always welcomed.  Also, several Rotarians throughout the years have funded and named scholarships through their wills, insurance policies, or retirement plans (Walter Barney, Barbara Tufts, Irving Silverman, Howard Silverman, Arthur Silverman, and Chuck Keyes).   

Here is a list of this year's recipients:

Ms. Lauren Cunningham--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; graduating from University of Connecticut; studying physiology and neurobiology.

Mr. Maxwell Edmonds--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; graduating from URI; pre-med, studying biology and French.

Mr. Matthew Colavita--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; junior at URI; studying chemical engineering and physics.

Ms. Melissa Lorenzo--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; junior at Davidson College; pre-med, biology major.

Ms. Lauren Buckheit--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; sophomore at Syracuse University; studying architecture in a 5-year program.

Ms. Spencer Dean--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; sophomore (absent due to the flu).

Ms. Brook MacDonald--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; freshman; studying special education and elementary education.   

Ms. Jenna Denice--$1000, EG Rotary Scholarship; freshman at Boston College; studying English.

Mr. Brian Sit--$1000, Personal Achievement Award; freshman at URI; studying chemical engineering and pharmacy.

Ms. Zoe Rocke--$1000, Community Service Award; freshman at Jacksonville University; studying English, organic chemistry, and philosophy.

Ms. Bianca Angolani--$500, Arthur Silverman Award; freshman at CCRI; also works full-time in assisted living facility.

Mr. Adam Russell--$500, Howard Silverman Award; freshman at CCRI; will major in journalism/

Ms. Lauren Eckles--$500, Irving Silverman Award; freshman at Ohio State University; studying communications.

Ms. Kelly Cleary--$500, Chuck and Bea Keyes Award; freshman at Providence College; studying elementary special education.

Ms. Devon Annicelli--$1000, Barbara Tufts Award; freshman at Providence College; studying theater and dance.

Ms. Mia Cooper--$1000, Walter Barney Award; freshman at Fordham University; studying history and political science.  (Absent due to traveling.)

Ms. Polina Oganesyan--$1000, Rocky Hill Award.  (Absent due to traveling.)

 

The East Greenwich Rotary Club presented $15,000 in scholarships to area students at its meeting on December 29th.  Recipients shown in photo, l to r, were Zoe Rocke, Melissa Lorenzo, Devon Annicelli, Kelly Cleary, Brook MacDonald, Spencer Dean, Lauren Buckheit, Laura Cunningham, Bianca Angolani, Lauren Eckles, Brian Sit, Maxwell Edmonds, Adam Russell, and Matt Colavita.  Not pictured but receiving scholarships were Jenna Denice, Mia Cooper and Polina Oganesyan.