INSPIRATION
Geoff Gaunt read a passage from Thich Nhat Hanh - "Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe and are aware you are alive - that you can touch the miracle of being alive - that is a kind of enlightenment."
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
Despite the rain, the 17th Rotary Street Painting Festival was a financial success and Bill and Kris David are to be commended for their great efforts in running this event.
A Street Painting wrap-up meeting will be held at Kris & Bill’s home Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5-8 pm, with dinner. At 5:30pm we will be able to view the live stream of the World Polio Day event from Seattle. Bill Gates and others will be part of the event. For more information about World Polio Day and how you can support the global efforts to be part of history go to www.rotary.org.
Bill DiBiasio reported that Shelter Box equipment has been put to full use in the recent weather disasters in the Caribbean island area and other parts of the world and more funds are needed to replenish the supplies.
On Friday,October 27th the Rotary Halloween Party will be held at the Squantum Club in East Providence, beginning with cocktails at 6PM (make reservations by Oct . 24 by calling 401-434- 8377).
The Paul Harris Dinner will be held on November 9th (contact Sharon Garland for reservations).
PP Barbara Harris and Interactor Elizabeth Jackson were on the painting team at Harry Kizirian Elementary School Saturday. Principal Danny Smith said students and staff all appreciate the work done by Providence Rotarians over the past year.
HAPPY BUCKS
Kevin Kernan for success at poker at Foxwoods.
Pete Brock for the successful charity auction at the Patriot Alumni event.
Barry Fain for the 20th anniversary of Providence Monthly magazine.
Richard Applebaum to express gratitude for the work of Rotarians at the Street Painting Festival.
Jim Williams for a visit from his grandson who is stationed on a US Navy destroyer in the Mediterranean.
Christy Clausen for the recovery of her sister from a serious injury.
SEN. WHITEHOUSE ON TRUMP,
DARK MONEY AND CLIMATE
Our guest speaker, US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, said the Trump administration has subjected our constitutional system to a "stress test" by its disruptive actions and our system is performing well in restraining it.
He said the main problem in politics now is "Dark Money" - political donations from untraceable sources. Climate change projections indicate a 9 foot rise in sea levels by the end of the century which would have particularly dire consequences for Rhode Island, including creating new islands in areas now connected by low-lying land.
