Cogitator 091014

ROAD TRIP.   We hit the road to Meeting Street School, and thanks to my very fine directions, we only lost two people.   When driving North of Providence please be on the lookout for Rotarians alongside the road.  They apparently missed the turn.

Our guest was Donna Wolcott, brains of the Wolcott family.

Our guest/new member was Damon Palagi.  Damon had his fireside chat on Tuesday, in time to become a full fledged member for the Wednesday meeting.   His official induction is being pepared, banners ordered, food cooked and parade organized.

NO MEETING ON NOVEMBER 11TH.   IT IS VETERANS DAY.

Service above Self.   Betsy DiPrimo corrected the phone number on over 400 citrus flyers...saving a lot of calls for the person whose number we had printed.  The number was also corrected on the mailing and we are perfect everwhere.

Ed Neff brought word of Rotary Night at the Providence Bruins...FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th.   Bruins versus the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 at the Dunk.  Tickets only $13....free RI Reds T-Shirts to the first 2,000 fans.  Ticket purchasing deadling is Friday, October 23rd.  Call Ed Neff at 374-5983 (cell)  885-4650 (club) or e-mail edneff@cox.net

So why were we at Meeting Street School?   Because 31 years ago John and Donna Wolcott were watching an Easter Seal Telethon and decided to drive to the broadcasts with a check.  Somehow they wound up on television, one thing led to another and they have been involved with the school ever since.  
Director John Kelly explained how the school outgrew its location a few years ago and had the opportunity to move to a building designed specifically for what they do. They have to raise 10% of their 14 million dollar budget, a challenge every year.  Of the children they serve 85% are under 6, two thirds are from low income families and 24% don't speak English.  Their goal is to be a national center of excellence where every child thrives, and with a goal of inclusion their students thrive and grow together.

President Bob was pleased to present the school with a $500 check.

Upcoming events.
Foundaton Seminar, Saturday, October 24th...8:00 am...Buttonwood Zoo...425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.  $25.00 per person. Open to all Rotarians.

Foundation Dinner...Wednesday, November 18th....$45.00 per person---Venus DeMilo Restaurant...75 Grand Army Highway  (Route 6), Swansea, MA 02777.   Special Guest speaker...Past Rotary International President Frank Devlyn.