10/2/24

Posted by Jerry Meyer 
on Feb 24, 2010
 
 

Who was the guy at the podium?  After snowstorm cancelled meeting and a trip to look at prospective colleges, President MacKenzie appeared somewhat befuddled as he returned to the position of leadership.   Admitting that it felt as if he had been gone for a very long time, he also admitted he couldn't remember anything about the past two weeks.  His family says he has periods when that happens.

 

Jane Lives!  Jane (everything looks better with tile) Boynton appeared for the Wine Tasting Committee meeting this (Friday) morning and is in charge.  The group met at Crestar and went over details of the building with Jason Dittleman.   They have had a number of similar events, which helps eliminate some of the "first time" concerns.  The building lays out very well and will be enhanced by their art work.  Jason is also donating a number of items for the live and silent auction.   We still need "stuff".   We have some great donations so far, and if you have vacation cottages, boat rides, Red Sox tickets, whatever, this would be a great help.  Of course we also need you and your friends...$30.00 a person...$160 a party of six.  The date is May 20th.   This event is being vetted as a possible replacement, or at least supplment to, some of our older projects.  Time and technology can not be denied and we have to be alert to change.

 

The G.S.E. is on the way.  G.S.E. is Group Study Exchange, a Rotary program that brings young professionals to our country to examine what we do and how we do it.  Similar groups from the U.S. travel to other countries to see what they do and how they do it.  We have five people on the way for a visit in May.  John has housing for four, but isn't worried as he knows where there is a shelter box.

 

John also reported for the Scholarship committee that $15,000 in scholarships will be awarded again this year in spite of the fact the market stinks.  That maintains our level of awards to students in East Greenwich Schools.    

 

John was also recognized by George Cooper for 27 years of perfect attendance.  There are actually five other members of the club who have better records.

 

Do you pay for the meeting by check?   If you do, please make the check payable to the Post Office Café.  It makes the bookkeeping much easier for our Sgt. At Arms.

 

This coming meeting is the last time Lou will ask you to buy daffodils, which is good news because it is getting pretty annoying.  Lou collects faithfully each year for the American Cancer Society.  He is their official daffodil boy.

 

Amy Levin is back from Israel where she had a great visiting her kids and seeing the country.   She reminded us that Tom Rush is performing at her Temple on Sunday.  A great concert if you can make it.  


 

 

My next visit to the dentist is going to cost me a fortune.  Judy reported she and her family went to Vancouver for the Olympics during the holiday break.  She also recently bought a new car and those kids keep getting closer and closer to college.   She is pretty sure I need major dental work.  

 

 

 

What to do when your program falls apart?  Check www.rotary.org .  Ed Neff did and came up with a modified version of Trivial Pursuit.  Ed played the role of Pat Sajack and President MacKenzie was Vana White as they spun the wheel and asked questions of the competitors.   The afternoon flew by as the old Rotarians reached into their memory banks to come up with the answers and the new, young whippersnappers googled the questions on their cell phones.  (Take away those cell phones and those people are so clueless they couldn't even make a phone call.)

 

More on this coming.   Chuck Sauer is looking at what we might do to help the 45 people now homeless and without possessions after the fire at the Trafalger apartments on Post Road.  The assistance is being coordinated by West Bay Community Action.  Go to their website  www.westbaycap.org for details and to contribute on line to the Trafalgar East Fire Fund.      Personal items, clothing food and household goods can be delivered to he West Bay Cap.  Furniture donations should be taken to Christ Church at the corner of Cedar and Post Road.

 

And.from our fellow Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Pawtuxet Valley...word they are partnering with the Coventry Senior Center, Coventry Department of Human Services and the Central Coventry Fire Department for a pasta and meatball dinner to raise money for Haiti.    The date is March 5th, 5:00 - 7:30 pm at the Coventry Senior Center, 50 Wood Street in Coventry.    $7.00 per person or $25 for a family of four.   Advance tickets can be purchased at the Coventry Senior Center or at the Fire Department at 240 Arnold Road in Coventry.   If you need more info call 822-9175 or 825-7800.