Newsletter Date: November 5
Meeting Date: October 30
Reporter: Holly Applegate
Jane Kratsch, Wendy Marcus, Holly Applegate and Kris David were trick or treat greeters!
INSPIRATION
Wendy Marcus as Wendy the Good Witch with the help of two puppets, gave a historical inspiration about women in Rotary.
For nearly 60 years (From 1905 until 1964), all clubs were MEN only. In 1964, A Rotary Club in Ceylon started admitting women into their club. In the United States (in 1980), Rotary men finally realized that” Toto…. we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Everything hit the fan in Duarte, California when Rotary International after nearly 2 decades of repeated proposals, terminated the club from the roster for admitting women. After several “back and forths” in state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1987 that Rotary Clubs in the U.S. could no longer exclude women from membership on the basis of gender.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Don Saracen gave special thanks to Jane Kratsch for her Halloween treats at the door and on the tables. Thank you to Holly Applegate, Kris David, Jane Kratsch, Wendy Marcus and Barbara Harris for coming to the meeting in their costumes!!!
Visiting Guests and Visiting Rotarians.
Dwight Douglas for 53 years of perfect attendance.
John Gazerro from Technology Advisor Group, guest of Anthony Hollingshead.
President Don inducted our newest member, Major Steve Stoops from the Salvation Army. He was sponsored by Anthony Hollingshead. Steve was a past President of a Rotary Club in Pennsylvania. He also is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Bob Murphy announced the upcoming Holiday Lunch for San Miguel School students on Monday, December 4th. Bob is asking for ideas for gifts for the children. He would like to meet with those interested before next week’s meeting. Everything else has been planned.
Anthony Landi announced the upcoming Providence Bruins Game at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Saturday evening Dec 2nd. The tickets are $15, of which $5 goes to Polio Plus. Please consider donating the cost of your ticket if you are unable to attend.
Past President Randy Dittmar announced the upcoming Dictionary Project which includes the distribution of over 3000 dictionaries to third grade students throughout the city of Providence. Randy will be having a label sticking party with pizza. Stay tuned for the date.
Sharon Garland announced the upcoming Paul Harris Foundation Dinner on November 9th.
HAPPY BUCKS
Pete Brock gave 5 Happy bucks for the Patriots win, the Amherst college football win, safely surviving the Wind Storm, babysitting for his grand daughter, and to his brother Stan Brock who was inducted in the Hall of Fame at the University of Colorado.
Nondas Voll gave a Happy Buck for our guest Former US Attorney Neronha, who graciously helped teach criminal classes.
Maxine and Avram Cohen gave Happy Bucks for Peter Loescher and George Babcock for the wonderful Halloween party at Squantum Club.
Anthony Hollinghead for Jane Kratsch for her Halloween spirit at the meeting, his guest, John Gazerro, and for new member, Major Stoops.
Jim Gilcreast for Dwight Douglas who has 53 years of perfect attendance (a few more than Jim but as Jim noted, he’s older), to Major Steve Stoops and to his attendance at the Red Bandana Boston College Game as a tribute to a brave young man who sacrificed his life saving many on Sep 11th in the Twin Tower.
Dwight Douglas gave a Happy Buck for his make up meeting in Providence.
Priya Banerjee gave a Happy Buck for being back to our meetings from being away in New Hampshire for her private practice in addition to her job here, and for celebrating Halloween with her three-year-old daughter.
President Don Saracen gave a Happy Buck for newly inducted Major Stoops and for Peter and George for their planning of the Halloween party.
TOP RI PROBLEMS INCLUDE CORRUPTION, OPIOIDS AND SEX TRAFFICKING
Former US Attorney Peter Neronha spoke about what he believes are the major legal threats facing Rhode Island: public corruption, opioid crisis and child sex trafficking.
He said public corruption greatly impacts our economy and our efforts to attract companies to RI. The opioid crisis is the number one health risk in RI with 350 deaths a year and 1500 at risk. He talked about physicians who have over-prescribed medications and how kids get into medicine cabinets at their homes and other people’s homes. The child trafficking has affected young girls from broken homes who are sold for sex. The road of recovery for these girls are through counseling and safe housing provided by programs like Day One and Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
Neronha is a native of Jamestown and a graduate of North Kingstown High School and Boston College.
