VISITING ROTARIANS, GUESTS, BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES--

None to report this week...

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ROTARY AFTER DARK 

President Mike Gemma reported on a fun filled inaugural 'Rotary After Dark,' which was held after business hours at Meritage Restaurant last Thursday.  Some twenty five Rotarians, spouses, friends, and other guests enjoyed cocktails and camaraderie, kicking off what will now be planned as a monthly ritual for the club.  Next 'After Dark' event--Thursday, February 16th, 5:30pm at Caprice Restaurant.  If you missed last Thursday, make sure you're at Caprice on the 16th for yet another great time.

ROTARACT/NEW GENERATIONS

Speaking of kick-offs, Bill TenEyck, the club's New Generations Chair, is getting ready to officially get our first ever sponsored Rotaract Club under way.  Deb Lundin of New England Tech visited the club last week; she will be the official Rotaract Club advisor.  Great work, Bill! 

ROTARIAN, PAST PRESIDENT, AND FRIEND, BILL FOSTER...

(From the Providence Journal...) 

FOSTER, WILLIAM A., publisher of the East Greenwich Pendulum from 1964 to 1984, died in Bradenton, Florida on January 23, 2012. He was 88. He earned an English/Journalism degree from Northeastern University. His studies were interrupted by 2 1/2 years as a Bombardier in the Army Air Corps. He worked 20 years in advertising. In 1959, he moved to E.G. with his family. In 1964 Bill realized a long-held dream by purchasing the local newspaper, the 100-year old Pendulum, which he and his wife ran for 20 years. Foster was a member of the East Greenwich First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jane; five children: Mark (Michele) of RI; Anne (John), John (Nicki), David (Julia) of Washington State, and Beth McCormick (Paul) of CT; ten grandchildren; and a sister, Claire Hooper, of MA. He was predeceased by brother, Raymond, and sisters, Viola Foster and Grace Bean. A memorial service will be held at the East Greenwich First Baptist Church at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to the East Greenwich First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 551, East Greenwich, RI 02818. 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/providence/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=155633647 

http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/articles/remembering-bill-foster-longtime-pendulum-publisher 

Andy Erickson wrote this below to President Mike about Bill Foster's legacy in the East Greenwich Rotary Club.  Mike then sent it to the club...  

In paying homage to our friend Bill Foster it is important to acknowledge a few other unmentioned aspects of the enormous impact Bill has had on our Rotary Club.

Bill originated and made possible the telephone book project, with what was then advanced technology used at the Pendulum, paying an "underliner" and retyping names from the big publicly distributed directory from the phone company.

Bill originated the Citrus Drive based on a similar successful effort he learned of while visiting another club (in Oregon?), assembling a stalwart group in his living room to discuss and then implement the project under the capable leadership of "Citrus Sal" Russell.

Bill gave us the catalyst to try again to establish an endowed Scholarship Fund by bringing us a small but significant amount of community money (under $10,000) that had already been collected and was languishing unused without proper administration. When asked, Immediate Past President Bill O'Neel, who first had the dream of an endowed club fund, was willing to chair the effort and subsequently provided his typical inspired leadership.

There was much more for sure, but just imagine our club without:
1) The Phone Book Project
2) The Citrus Project
3) The Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Thank you, Bill Foster!
-Andy Erickson

SPIRIT OF LOU GEHRIG AWARD

Along with their outstanding dedication to the East Greenwich Rotary Club's Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K, Dr. Bob Miller and Dr. Judy Pratt serve on the board of the RI Chapter of ALSA.  Bob reported that at the last Chapter board meeting this year's Spirit of Lou Gehrig Award recipient was named.  This year's recipient will be...Judy Pratt! 

For those who've been to the RI Chapter's Evening of Hope held in late spring you've proudly watched as Judy and committee have presented check after check, since 2001, from $10,000 in the first two years to a record setting $55,000 last year.  Our club has donated $330,000 from our 11 years of ALS 5K efforts.  And no one has been more instrumental in that achievement than Judy Pratt.  In recognition for her dedicated service and compassion, Judy will be honored at this year's Evening of Hope at the Hyatt Regency in Newport.  The date has yet to be announced, but all will be encouraged to attend and share in Judy's incredible, and well deserved, honor.

Judy Pratt and Bob Miller

HAPPY BUCKS

It was a great week for Happy Bucks.  Andy Erickson, George Popella, Allan Flynn, Betsy DePrimo, Bob Greene, Jane Boynton, Richard Waterman, Jon Widmark, Bill TenEyck, Bob Petrucellli, Mike Gemma, Bob MacKenzie, Dave Iannuccilli, Vin Meola, and even our guest speaker--Mayor Allan Fung...all congratulated Judy Pratt for the Spirit of Lou Gehrig Award.  Most also gave still another happy buck in honor of our friend and former Rotarian, Bill Foster.  

A few other happy bucks were given as well, beyond the major 'salutes' of the day...

Ron Winde's daughter recently received a graduate degree from Hunter's College.  

Betsy DePrimo in her congratulations to Judy mentioned that a good friend of hers also endured a battle with ALS.

Bob Greene spoke of Bill Foster's terrific work for many years as editor of the club's Cogitator.

Jonathan Widmark praised RI's Former Governor, Joseph Garrahy, who also passed away this week.  

Bill TenEyck's daughters are making names for themselves in track and basketball.  

Janet Essex recalled the first ALS 5K event back in 2001.  Janet was Club President that year, and she called the club into action after a meeting with Joyce Phipps.  The plan--to put together an event which would raise money and awareness of the scourge of ALS, a disease with which Joyce's son-in-law, Scott Carlson, had been diagnosed.  We've come a long way since 2001.  Judy Pratt took command of the ALS 5K in 2004, and since then she has brought the spring event to a whole new level, year after year.

Bob MacKenzie enjoyed a cross country trip while en route to the Grand Canyon. 

John Wolcott, now a Cranston resident for several years, passed on a vote of confidence to Mayor Fung, saying that 'the poor schmo who runs against you' doesn't have a shot come November.

Corey Guglietti said 'it's nice to be back,' and also shared news of an April 1st baby on the way for the Gugliettis.  (Congratulations!)

Mike Gemma thanked Bill TenEyck for his spirited leadership with New Generations, and, the club's first Rotaract sponsorship.

Vin Meola remembered his Rotary sponsor, Bill Foster, as 'a great man.'  He also noted that Bill was very instrumental in the 'renaissance' of the East Greenwich Hill and Harbour District back in the 1970's and 1980's.  

Yours truly congratulated his good friend, Judy Pratt, for her future award, mentioning to the club that it is the major award at the Evening of Hope, recognizing a special someone extraordinarily dedicated to a singular cause--helping RI families battling Lou Gehrig's Disease. 

*Also, I have a Cogitator from the Bill Foster era, which Florence Clement gave me several months ago.  It's terrific, and I'll pass it out at our next meeting for your enjoyment.

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Allan Fung, Mayor of the City of Cranston

Mayor Allan Fung followed his friend Steve Laffey into Cranston City Hall as mayor.  A city councilman from 2003 until 2008, Mayor Fung was sworn in for the first time in January, 2009.  He easily won re-election in 2010 and is now in his second term.  He is the first Asian-American mayor in Rhode Island, and he is the first mayor in Rhode Island to succeed in negotiating municipal pension reforms.  

Mayor Fung noted that, as a community leader, it means a great deal to see dedication and leadership from 'civilians' like Judy Pratt, and it gives him a sense of pride and hope that there are members of the community who truly care and give so selflessly to others. 

Born in China, then escaping to Hong Kong, Mayor Fung's parents came to America in the '60's not knowing a word of English.  After a few years here, they set up a small business, worked hard, and pushed their kids to make the most of themselves in school.  Their initiative and courage continue to inspire Allan.  

Governing the third largest RI city has been quite challenging, to say the least.  The world is in economic recession, including America.  So are America's states, cities, and towns.  This makes it all the more important for those in charge to provide effective leadership, and plain old common sense, when struggling through the challenges of our times.  

Mayor Fung would like to see 'Zero Based Budgeting' adopted in Cranston.  This phrase was confusing to many when he arrived, but it's a common sense principle--every budgeting year is a new year, and the baseline for all budget items is 'zero.'  Mayor Fung believes that increases across the board of 3% (or whatever percentage) must not be accepted carte blanche.  Legacy costs from politicians who made bad promises remain a worsening problem.  Something has to give, including reduced community services, if city and town governments stubbornly remain on the same course.   

Mayor Fung has also been involved in commanding police, fire, as well as emergency and public work crews during major snowstorms, and, the terrible Flood of 2012.  It struck him, especially during the flood, how impactful each decision he made was for the residents hardest hit.  The Mayor admits that it can be frustrating at times with every decision being second-guessed, but he sticks to a simple formula of using his experience and 'great reflection' when moving forward with what he deeply believes would be best for all of Cranston. 

www.allanfung.com/about-mayor-fung 

Mayor Allan Fung, with Ken Colaluca