President Anthony opened the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Richard Kaplan, long-time Rotarian and friend to all.
Anthony shared with great sadness the passing of Bill DiBiasio's wife, Donna.
George Burman offered Richard Kaplan’s life and work with the Providence Rotary as the day’s inspiration. Richard was an outstanding man who will be missed for his enthusiastic spirit. Despite health challenges in recent years, Richard will be remembered for fully embracing life with a smile and his generosity to the Club and individual members.
President Anthony noted the traditional banner display which includes flags from Rotary Club visitors throughout the world and includes banners from Clubs around the country that were touched by recent tragic events.
Providence Street Painting Festival, Saturday, September 17
Now is the time Providence Rotary Club members to get behind the Providence Street Painting Festival, a key fund and friend raiser for the Club. That’s the message from both Barbara Harris and John McGinn. Barbara is working on soliciting sponsorships that underwrite the cost of running the event. It’s a tremendous opportunity for businesses to be seen as supporting Providence as a center for the arts. John encouraged members to sign up for a square at the PSPF, you can pay on the Club’s website or at a meeting. It’s okay to split the cost with a friend, colleague or fellow Rotarian.
Willing to get your hands dirty for a great cause?
Contact Art Norwalk or Mary Brewster if you can join club members at the Harry Kizirian School on Camden Avenue in Providence, on Saturday, July 30th from 8 am to noon. We’re working on refreshing the school environment to give the kids a great surprise when they return to school in the fall!
Celebrations
We celebrated the 105th birthday of the Providence Rotary with a song led by Randy Dittmar, Liz Messier and Holly Applegate; a birthday cake and a new video history created and narrated by Art Norwalk. Notable is the fact that our bowling league started in the 1920s and continues today, the Providence Rotary Foundation was created in 1953, women first became members in 1987, the club build a Habitat for Humanity home in Olneyville in 2000 and among the ways we celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2011 was donating $22,000 (for Club #22) toward ending polio in the world!
Rotary International Foundation is 100 years old this year and PDG Kris David noted it was started with a $26.50 donation towards the eradication of polio. The Providence Rotary is looking at ways to continue the Club’s financial support of the RIF in the anniversary year. Stay tuned for more information.
President Anthony said Sue Kaplan asked that Rotarians remember Richard in their Happy Bucks, and many did. Here’s just a sample:
“For his big heart” Barry Fain
Geoff Gaunt, Richard was his accountant, great friend and advisor
Paul Borrelli for catering many of Richard’s crazy parties!
Jim Gilcreast remembers how Richard “hit the road running” as soon as he became a Rotarian.
Art Norwalk appreciated how assiduously Richard executed his “bucket list.”
Don Saracen remembered Richard for personifying the spirit of Rotary.
Barbara Harris appreciated Richard as a Mensch “a real human being” and a Tszadik, someone who is righteous.
New Club member, John Meara, grew up in Oklahoma and has been living in Rhode Island for eight years. He graduated from Roger Williams Law School and practices law at Barton Gilman in Providence.
John has a history with Rotary, his great grandfather was a Rotarian, his father still is and both John and wife attended RYLA at different times and places. John’s dad encouraged him to give Rotary a try, telling him that Rotary’s goals might fulfill something in that often gets overlooked in life.
John and his wife have done much international travel and are currently planning a trip to China, including the new Disney Park in Shanghai. They are currently enjoying Rhode Island by working their way around the area’s many beaches.
John passed the “chowda” pronunciation test, so he has potential for becoming a real “Rho Dyelinduh!” Welcome, John.
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