Cogitator 2010/5/12

It's almost here, the Wine tasting event of the century.  There have been other wine tastings, there have been other locations, but there has never been a wine tasting like this one.
In case you hadn't heard the date is Thursday, May 20th---the location is Crestar at 51 Liberty Street  (right behind Centreville Bank)...and the start time is 6:30.   There are 136 paid reservations to date.

Jane Boynton, the Chair, has chosen this week to go to Bermuda, but says she will be back in plenty of time to finish the planning and arrangements.  She is thinking about having some wine, food and maybe some auction items.  She returns on Wednesday, and if she clears immigration, will be at the event on Thursday.


Our regular meeting will be held on the 19th, noon at the Post Office Cafe.  

From the Board Meeting

The search is on for Rotarian of the Year.  This individual will be named at the installation Banquet, on June 14th.  An official form will be coming from the committee in the near future.

A new touch for the installation banquet...entertainment by the "Hummingbirds" during the evening.  This trio from North Kingstown is very poplular and sings "our kind" of music.  You will recognize every song and may even sing along while tapping your toes.  (By the way - no regular meeting on June 16th because of the installtion on the 14th.  Put it in your blackberry, blueberry, strawberry and grapegruit.)  The following week, June 23rd, there will be a club assembly to set the pace of activity for 2010-2011.

The resignation of John Eastman has been accepted with regret.  John cites involvement in other activities and lack of time to be everywhere.

The Board has approved membership for Ron Winde, proposed by Andy Erickson.  Ron's contact with the club dates back to when his father was a member.  You've seen him at meetings recently and now will see him permanently

Approved by the Board at the May 13th meeting....$750 to the Barbara Tufts pre-school....$750 for scholarships to EG Parks & Recreation programs this summer.  The Board also approved an expenditure by Chuck Sauer from REAP funds to help a stressed local family buy clothes for their three kids. $200 was allocated for each child.

The Board also released teh $5,000 allocated for Clean Water.  It is expected this check will be delivered at a "Cambodian Night" event on June 26th.

We received a communication acknowledging our donation for three shelter boxes for Haiti.  Through Rotary some 13,000 shelter boxes were sent to help Earthquake victims.  Each unit can accomodate 10 people.  It is hoped more can be sent before the rainy season.

Phonebook Chair Betsy DePrimo reports the first mailing has been sent to current phonebook advertisers and we have already had a response from a few.   Bill TenEyck and Jonathon Widmark are strategizing on "New" business and the official club kick off is June 2nd.

A full house for the Million Dollar Meal at the Police Station.   Most members made it through the tour, but one or two were recognized and detained for questioning.
During a short program before the tour we handled a few business details, including a report from John Wolcott on the  GSE visit and the start of planning for the next exchange, which is with Scotland.