Cogitator April 24, 2013

Posted by George Cooper 
on Apr 24, 2013
 

Main Street Association of East Greenwich

 

(Many thanks to Vin Meola for his Cogitator work today…)

 

VISITING ROTARIANS

Sharon Garland was with us from the Providence Rotary Club. 

GUESTS

Gerry Manning joined us for lunch as a guest. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

…wishes go out this week to Soozie Sundlun on April 22nd! 

ROTARY ANNIVERSARY

This week, we also wish Bill TenEyck a happy Rotary Anniversary.  Bill was sworn into the club 8 years ago on April 27th, and ever since he’s been happily leading charges into battle for Rotary ever since.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*President-Elect Jodi Gladstone presented a club from the Balboa Rotary Club which gathers at Newport Beach, California.  Her parents live out there, and Jodi was able to present her recent Paul Harris Fellowship award to her dad.  The Balboa Club has a piano player serenading the crowd throughout their meetings.  Also, Jodi noted that fines can be steep out there…as much as $50!  (Ouch.  Better wear that pin every week!)

*Sue Dorne announced that the Feinstein Hunger Challenge closes out this week and thanked the club for its support in the 2013 campaign.  Cole Middle School contributed 200 items!  Today’s Happy Bucks were also pegged to be counted in our final tally, with Mr. Feinstein matching all contributions dollar-for-dollar.

*It’s Zumba Time!  Be there on Friday, May 3rd, at Cole Middle School, 6pm to 8pm.  Tickets are $10 before the event and $15 at the door.  Sue Dorne will be leading a fun Zumba dance party, and all net proceeds will go into the club’s Charitable Fund coffers. 

*Guest Sharon Garland made a pitch for the Providence Club’s second annual Jazz Fest which will be held at the Park Theater in Cranston on Sunday, May 17th.  The Jazz Fest will commence at 7pm.

*Keith Peacock reminded everyone that this month’s Rotary After Dark will begin at 5:30pm at Beso’s Kitchen and Cocktails next Thursday, May 9th.  Beso’s is located at 378 Main Street in East Greenwich.  Appetizers, drinks, a little unwinding after a work day…and, a great chance to kick back a bit with fellow Rotarians. 

*Judy Pratt was proud to announce that despite a rainy morning, there were still nearly 600 runners, walkers, scores of volunteers, and plenty of race-day supporters at Goddard Park on Saturday, April 20th for the Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K.  Final proceeds will be announced in the weeks ahead, but it looks like another stellar year! 

*Hear ye, hear ye!  Our Installation of Rotary Officers banquet will be held on Wednesday, June 6th, at the 1149 Restaurant on Division Road.  The evening’s festivities will begin at 6pm, with tickets costing $35 per person.  Mark your calendars and get ready for a great night celebrating President Ken Colaluca’s fine year at the helm, while looking ahead to the 2013-2014 Rotary year under Jodi Gladstone’s captainship.    

HAPPY BUCKS

-Judy Pratt had plenty of free PawSox tickets for the Monday, April 29th game at McCoy Stadium.  The PawSox have really pitched in over the past two years during our big ALS 5K event.  They give out, at the race, literally thousands of free tickets for ‘Scott Carlson Night’ at McCoy.  Amazing! 

-Sue Dorne, Lou Lepry, George Popella, and President Ken all congratulated Judy and her ALS 5K committee for another phenomenal year.   

-Bill McHale was happy to be back after five sunny months in Florida. 

-Beth DeGerlia was thrilled that Rocky Hill raised $125,000 during a recent gala.  Also, our club sponsored her daughter’s attendance at the recent RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) conference, and ‘she loved it!’ 

-Jodi Gladstone had a great time visiting her mom and dad out in Southern California. 

-George Popella cited good news in the worldwide battle against polio.  Only three countries are still reporting new cases.  George also mentioned that some volunteer health care providers have made the ultimate sacrifice…they’ve been murdered by thugs while administering polio vaccine to children. 

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

Doug Truesdell, President of Main Street Association of East Greenwich

Doug Truesdell works at Amgen as a senior project engineer.  He is also president of the Main Street Association of East Greenwich, always looking for ways to promote East Greenwich in a positive way. 

The Association was originally part of the East Greenwich Downtown Planning Association before breaking away to form a separate non-profit organization. 

His group has been responsible for, among other things:

-Starting the East Greenwich Farmer's Market in 2008.

-‘Historic East Greenwich’ signage in 2009.

-Downtown directories in strategic locations around town.

-Outdoor movies at Academy Field.

-Downtown historic walking tours, with Bruce MacGunnigle.

-‘Arts on Main’ events.

-Main Street Strolls. 

-The annual 5K Turkey Trot.

Doug added that they are always looking for good volunteers!   

Main Street Stroll

 

Farmer's Market

Ice Skating at Eldredge

Arts on Main

  

You can see the Association's good works on their website: www.MainStreetEG.org