Cogitator June 29, 2011

[My sincere apologies for not having a full Cogitator for this week, June 29th.  On a personal note, I was at Kent hospital with my mom, who has had a heck of a battle since her stroke this past February.  Regarding the meeting on the 29th, please feel free to email me with any additional information 'for the archives.'] 

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Happy birthday this week to yours truly on June 30th, and, happy birthday to Laura Krohn on the 1st of July.  

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ED NEFF

Our hats are off one last time, as we salute President Ed Neff's terrific job leading the club throughout an extraordinary Rotary year, 2010-2011.  Congratulations, and great work, Ed!!!  And, our best wishes and support go to our club's new president, Mike Gemma, as well as his officers and board members, as the new Rotary Year commences, 2011-2012.   

PROGRAM/SPEAKER 

Dave Iannuccilli, President of the East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Fund, introduced the 2011 East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship recipients.  Thanks to Dave and his Scholarship Fund Committee for their fine work throughout the year.  

EAST GREENWICH ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS--SPRING 2011

Ms. Stephanie Huang---$4,000 East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship

Ms. Sonali Shah---$4,000 East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship

Ms. Ianna Leshin Szewczok---$1,000 Personal Achievement Award

Ms. Lindsay Buckheit---$1,000 Community Service Award

Ms. Sarah Ann Thomas---$500 Arthur Philip Silverman Award

Mr. Dylan Strachan---$500 Howard D. Silverman Award

Mr. Robert Carlson---$500 Irving A. Silverman Award

Ms. Rachel Denice---$500 Chuck and Bea Keyes Award

Ms. Eddye Golden---$1,000 Barbara M. Tufts Award

Ms. Caitlin Indermaur---$1,000 Walter G. Barney Award

Ms. Phoebe Bartlett---$1,000 Rocky Hill School Award 

***Since this was scholarship recipient week, I decided to include a few pictures in honor of our friend Bill O'Neel (1936-2010), founding president of the East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Fund.  Bill was president of the Scholarship Fund for 20 years.  From 1983, his first year as president, in which there was one scholarship recipient, to his last year at the helm (2003-2004), Bill did an amazing job year in and year out leading the charge and growing the overall funds to an amazing $250,000.  Among other things, Bill was also a past president of our club, a Rotarian of the Year, an avid pilot, and an accomplished Dixieland musician (banjo was his specialty).  Bill passed away last December, and he will be fondly remembered by those who knew him and by those whose lives he touched.  Being around Bill O'Neel was always, to use his own phrase during happy bucks, 'a positive personal experience...'

Pilot Bill, always smiling when taking to the skies.     

Intently working on a project...  

And standing by his newly finished wings.    

A picture from yesteryear, Bill (back row, left) poses with scholarship recipients and fellow committee member Sally Russell (front row, right).   

This was taken years ago at 'Big Shots for Little Tots,' a former Rotary sponsored service project held in Providence for impoverished children in need of vaccinations.  Always the enthusiastic volunteer for Rotary, whether for the Scholarship Fund or 'Big Shots,' Bill had a good time here in his famous 'Power Rangers' costume.  Also pictured is 'Big Shots' volunteer Andy Erickson (front, red shirt) passing out refreshments. 

Bill (back row, second from right) playing with his Dixieland band, High Society.