Cogitator Nov 10. 2010

GUESTS

Katherine Lesh joined us.  Katherine is a facilitator for support groups at Laura Krohn's law office.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Steve Lombardi told us about a great program called Operation Holiday Cheer.  Local businesses are encouraged to place special boxes in their offices into which food and basic supplies will be collected for the needy. 

Betsy DePrimo gave a report that the phonebooks are now out.  Hallelujah!  Congratulations, Betsy and the Phonebook committee, who did a phenomenal job this year in meeting and exceeding budget goals in our largest fundraiser of the Rotary year.   

Jane Boynton reminded us about the Citrus telethon Monday and Tuesday, November 15th and 16th, at Pat Lenihan's Coldwell Banker office.  (Please make sure you show up if you're on the schedule!)  The Citrus Drive is our next big campaign, and we need more sales.

Chuck Sauer asked everyone to get their Election Day Breakfast ticket sales money in, so the committee can tabulate final figures and wrap up the campaign.

Alan Flynn recently attended the Cambodian Clean Water, Literacy, and Health dinner, held at Whites of Westport.  The committee was very grateful for our club's continuing support.  And President Chris from the Middletown Rotary Club will visit us in the near future as well to tell us more about their efforts.

The EG Rotary Board Meeting will be held Thursday, November 18th, same place, same time as usual: 7:30am, United Methodist Church on South County Trail.  All members are invited.   

Rotary Foundation Reminder**  Don't forget to see John Wolcott regarding the Rotary Foundation dinner. 

HAPPY BUCKS

Jane Boynton is heading to Florida with her 13 year old daughter, along with her daughter's friend and mom, for a girls-only weekend.   

Pat Lenihan had successful arthroscopic knee surgery.  Also, Coldwell Banker will host an evening to benefit Crossroads RI, Wednesday, November 17th, at the Providence Art Club.  http://www.crossroadsri.org/pdf/spiritofhomeflyer.pdf

Steve Lombardi was happy to announce that East Greenwich's favorite Santa will be a special guest next month at the Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours.

Betsy DePrimo gave a big HALLELUJAH for the Phonebooks going out this week.  (Amen, Betsy, and nice work!)

Rabbi Amy Levin was happy about her son's recent wedding in Israel.   Mazel tov! 

Gill Thorpe was happy to back joining us for lunch again after a long recovery from knee replacement surgery.  Welcome back, Gill!

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

Corey Guglietti--Classification Talk

In yet another excellent classification talk, we discovered several things about new Rotarian Corey Guglietti.  We learned, for one, that his friend took an online ministerial course and was able to preside at his wedding on a beach.  We also learned that he is a big basketball and Michael Jordan fan, so much so that he wanted to name his newborn son 'MJ.'  That's it.  No Michael Jordan Guglietti, no Matthew James...just MJ.  However, he did finally succumb to the pressure of soon-to-be grandparents, went beyond the initial plan of initials, and in the end named his little guy Max Jurelle.  Yes, like Superman's dad Jurelle.  'MJ' is now four, and he loves...BASEBALL.  DOHHH!  Corey's (patient) wife (with a great sense of humor) of 6+ years, Kelly, teaches second graders.  

Corey attended Rhode Island College and majored in theater, but after three and a half years, he went West to pursue an acting career.  After some time there, he ended up back in Georgia, where he performed professionally in the theater.  He was doing well and building a terrific resume, when one day he decided 'this isn't for me any more.'  The theater was thrilling, it was great work, it was fun...but there was a not-so-great repetitive nature within the theater.  It was the same thing, again and again.  And thus began his career with the YMCA.      

Corey worked for a while in Georgia at a local YMCA, and he built a name for himself there.  This helped when he came back to Rhode Island, as he soon became the Kent County YMCA operations director upon his return.  He has been with YMCA for 12 years in all.  Working at the 'Y' has allowed Corey to see some of the great work that Rotary International does, and that was his impetus for joining our club.

Lastly, we learned that Corey is...that's right...a standup comedian.  (Mike Gemma fell off his chair.)  Comedy work allows him to, as during his theater days, get in front of people, up on a stage, and express himself.  But he warned us: you had better leave the kids at home, since his 'colorful' expressions are usually of the R-Rated variety.  (He even advised all club clergy to stay away.)  Maybe there could be a future late night Rotary social event at the Comedy Connection?   (We'll get some disguises for Rabbi Amy and Reverend Jonathan.)  

  http://www.ricomedyconnection.com/     

 Great classification talk, Corey!  And welcome to our club!