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Cogitator Feb 13, 2013
Associate Dean Richard Rhodes, URI’s College of Environment and Life Sciences
VISITING ROTARIANS/GUESTS
None.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
The club harmonized well in song while wishing Dr. Bob Miller a very happy February 15th birthday.
ROTARY ANNIVERSARY
Bill Foster was a great East Greenwich Rotarian, and one of his many lasting legacies was recruiting community-minded locals to swell the ranks of the club. Thirty years ago this week, on February 16th 1983, he proudly saw his friend and young real estate professional, Vin Meola, inducted.
BOARD MEETING
First on, then off due to pending weather…the Board Meeting…was back on for Thursday, February 14th, 7:30am at the United Methodist Church. All members are welcome each month to join the board discuss important club matters, including how our charity funds are allocated back into the community.
JOINT MEETING WITH WARWICK CLUB
President-Elect Jodi Gladstone announced that General Treasurer Gina Raimondo will be the guest speaker for our March 28th (Thursday) joint Rotary meeting with the Warwick Rotary Club. We’ll meet at Warwick’s lunch site—the Airport Radisson Hotel on Post Road.
MILLION DOLLAR MEAL
Bill TenEyck noted that our next Million Dollar Meal will be held at the New England Wireless and Steam Museum. Save the date—Wednesday, April 10th—for a field trip to Frenchtown Road as we visit our good friend, Bob Merriam.
DAFFODIL DAYS
Lou Lepry’s daffodils are still on sale, and will be until March 1st. Help Lou in his annual effort supporting the American Cancer Society. Bouquets are only $10; potted bulbs, $15; Gifts of Hope, $25; Bears and a Bunch, $25; and, Bear Hugs for hope, also $25. All flowers and gifts will be delivered the week of March 18th.
GREENWICH ODEUM ‘THANK-YOU’
Steve Lombardi announced that the Greenwich Odeum on Main Street, in appreciation for Rotary’s support of its Grand Re-Opening, will provide Rotarians a 10% discount on all future Odeum productions.
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Janet Essex reminded those on the new membership committee of a 9am meeting at President Ken Colaluca’s office on Friday, February 22nd.
SCOTT CARLSON MEMORIAL ALS 5K
Saturday, April 20th will be the big day for the 13th Annual Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K. Judy Pratt thanked club members for their support so far, but added that there are still plenty of opportunities for sponsorships this year. Please see Judy or one of her committee members for a sponsor packet.
UPDATE/CHUB CLEMENT
Judy also gave an update on Chub Clement. He is still in intensive care at RI Hospital, showing slow signs of recovery after his brain hemorrhage. Chub’s family again thanked the club for its get-well-wishes, and our thoughts and prayers.
50th ANNIVERSARY GALA
Our club’s big 50th anniversary celebration will be held at the Crown Plaza in Warwick on Saturday, March 23rd. Bill TenEyck cited a roster of Rotarians who have reserved tables already, admonishing others who haven’t purchased tickets yet ‘we will sell out!’ So…get your tickets asap!
GREETINGS FROM NEW MEXICO
Jane Boynton read a nice note from friend Betsy DePrimo, who last year moved to New Mexico with her husband. Betsy won’t be able to make it for the 50th bash, but she passed on greetings to all and said she misses being in Rotary with the gang back East.
UNSUNG HEROES
Pat Lenihan read a warm note of thanks from Ana Opishinski, one of our Rotary Scholarship Fund recipients. Ana will also be one of the club’s Unsung Heroes recognized at our 50th Anniversary event.
HAPPY BUCKS
-Vin Meola was happy to celebrate his 30 years in the club.
-One of Jane Boynton’s tile vendors, after years of hearing Jane talk passionately of the club’s activities, wrote a check for $500 for her to allocate as she sees fit toward ‘anything in E.G. Rotary.’ Wow—and nice work, Jane!
-Pat Lenihan was thankful for Bob Miller’s painstaking efforts with photos for the 50th anniversary party.
-Lou Lepry was stopped for a minor traffic violation recently, and when the officer approached his car he asked if he’d like to purchase some daffodils. ‘That’s a new one,’ replied the policeman. Lou received only a warning. And so, today he offered a jubilant buck for ‘all the police of the world!’
-Ed Neff was very glad that his son’s wedding was scheduled for Saturday, February 16th instead of Saturday, February 9th, aka, Blizzard Weekend.
-Bill TenEyck gave a nod to Chuck Sauer and his upcoming Methodist Church youth missionary trip.
-Bob Miller got to spend a couple of days in Cranston with his cousin Vinnie after the Big Storm. He also celebrated his birthday by writing a check for $116(!), to the East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Fund, in honor of his combined age and years in Rotary.
-Dave Iannuccilli praised Jodi Gladstone for her excellent work in getting speakers this year.
-Jodi Gladstone’s son-in-law was at Carnegie Hall, playing his bassoon recently. Also, track star son Caleb had a great day at the Class Track Championships, garnering a couple of 1st and 2nd place finishes.
-Matt D’Agenais thanked club members who’ve placed ads in the commemorative 50th Anniversary Gala program booklet.
SPEAKER/PROGRAM
Dr. Richard Rhodes, Associate Dean, College of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island
Dr. ‘Rick’ Rhodes started by giving a happy buck of his own, to yet another great speaker—himself. Now that’s confidence. But what can one say—it turns out he was 100% correct.
An endocrinologist by trade, Dr. Rhodes directs agricultural experimentation at CELS, or, the College of Environment and Life Sciences at URI. In an enthusiastic presentation, one demonstrating his passion for his decades-long work, Dr. Rhodes offered some lessons and questions he has presented his students over the years.
He offered that ‘there’s no better gig in the world’ than doing what he does. ‘My mirror is my students,’ and they keep him young, challenged, and energized. Always.
‘This is where dreams come true!’ was his answer one day to a lost dad, traveling with his family, who asked through a car window, ‘Where are we?’ His advice to his students, and to everyone, is to be passionate, and to share that passion with everyone.
Dr. Rhodes proudly stated that URI equips students with great tools for future responsibility and stewardship over our Earth.
One of his stories centered on ‘taking a chance’ on a mediocre student who wished to partake in his lab work. That former lab intern is now director of human resources at a major pharmaceutical firm in New Jersey.
Dr. Rhodes spoke of three important questions he poses to students:
1) What will you do to make a difference?
He followed with a story about a student who had Lyme disease, asked for and received extra help (from Dr. Rhodes), passed his class, and went on to become an oncology fellow at the Sloan Kettering Institute.
2) When was the last time you gave an ‘annoying’ person a chance?
Dr. Rhodes advice here--to simply bury the axe, forgive, and see what happens. You might be surprised!
3) When was the last time you said ‘thanks’ to someone who made a real difference in your life?
He told us of the chance he had, along with other fellow students, to see his life mentor, Dr. Randall, receive a prestigious award. After they later enjoyed dinner together, Dr. Rhodes was able to tell his friend, ‘I owe everything to you.’
Two life-long educators, Lou Lepry and Professor ‘Rick’ Rhodes