banner
Newsletter Date: 
April 10, 2016

For Meeting on
April 4, 2016

Reporter:
Dick Gregory
Upcoming Speakers
May 23, 2016
David Ostrowsky, Writer of Sports books
What athletes do after their athletic career is over
 
May 31, 2016
Tuesday - Karin Sprague
Stone Carving
 
Jun 06, 2016
Jan Feyler
Charities Foundation Grants
 
View entire list
Guests
 
Elaine Fain
Wife of Barry Fain
 
Anthony Landi
Guest of Richard Kaplan
 
Dan Mechnig
Guest of Geoff Gaunt
Officers & Directors
President
Michael E. Kelly

President-elect
Anthony Hollingshead

1st Vice President
Elizabeth R. Messier
 
2nd Vice President
John McGinn

Secretary
Don Saracen

Recording Secretary
Arthur D. Norwalk

Treasurer
Richard A. Kaplan

Assistant Treasurer
Peter M. Loescher

Sergeant-at-Arms
Parker Smith

Past President
Paul R. Borrelli
 
Governor, District 7950
Kristine Musco David

Directors
to June 30, 2016:
George Burman
T. Bryan Cook
Geoffrey P. Gaunt
William R. DiBiasio


to June 30, 2017:
Mary Brewster
Bintou Chatterton
John Folan
Ed Queenan
Jim Gilcreast

Executive Administrator
Jeremiah H. Cannon
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
 
Returning snowbird Paul Borrelli reminded us that our relative affluence and political freedom give us the opportunity through Rotary to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters around the world. Guide us in our service, give us health so that we may continue to serve, and bless those whose lives we touch with fulfilling, joyful lives.
 
Arthur Robbins will be honored by the RI Heritage Hall of Fame.
 
Rotary Evening at the Barker Playhouse will feature Sondheim’s “Assasins” on May 19; tickets will go on sale soon.
 
The Rotary “fishing derby” for boys from San Miguel School will be held on May 14. See Walt Adamowicz to volunteer.
 
Previewing the Paint-off, auctioneer Dan Mechnig told us about some of his personal “highs” and “lows” in art  collecting. A high: having paid $2,600 for an original monogram, which turned out to be 1 of a series of 4 by Augustus Glendenning, the other 3 of which are in the very prestigious Tate Gallery in London. And a low: having acquired an alleged Bannister through a high end antique shop which had been “de-accessioned” by the Smithsonian, only to find that it was a copy.
 
 
Speaking of the Paint-off, what a great evening it was! More than 60 members, guests and friends enjoyed the food, wine, fellowship and fun, then bid to purchase the newly painted artworks and silent auction items. The numbers haven't been fully tallied yet, but it appears we will net over $8,000 for the club foundation. Huge thanks to Geoff Gaunt for organizing, donating and hosting.
Lots of ways to grow business in Rhode Island
Our speaker, Elizabeth (Liz) Tanner, Executive Vice President of Client Services for the RI Commerce Corporation, said her agency is all about helping RI businesses to grow and out-of-state firms to locate or re-locate here.
 
For example, its Procurement Technical Assistance Center educates firms about doing business with the state; its financing program provides financing to promising businesses which do not meet commercial bank lending requirements; its Renewable Energy Fund finances renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; its international program educates businesses about doing business in international markets; its tax programs educate businesses about tax incentives and credits.
 
Measuring success is always difficult in a service business. The Commerce Corporation tracks new contacts (826 this year), customer satisfaction (4.7 out of 5), and coming soon will be a “new jobs created” number.
Happy Bucks
 
Margaret Kane kicked off Happy Bucks suggesting that the FBI open an office in the State House
 
Randy Dittmar and Bob Morse for the RI Philharmonic’s terrific performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
 
Jane Kratsch proud of nephew’s graduation honors
 
Bill DiBiasio for his trip to southern Chile where there’s lot of snow.
 
Maury Ryan for the success of the Great American Beer Festival last weekend 
 
Walter Adamowicz thanks to Bryan Cook for the Amica donation of Philharmonic tickets for San Miguel and Sophia Academy students
 
Jim Gilcreast appreciates the Club’s recognition of his 42 years of perfect Rotary meeting attendance and for the ability to attend a Rotary meeting on line in a half hour – maybe other members would like to try it.
 
George Burman for sailing on Narragansett Bay
 
Jim Williams for his visit at the Providence Rotary and for his grandson’s service on the USS Rolf
 
Nondas Voll for speaker Charlie Hall’s generous donation of time and talent to the Fund for Community Progress fundraising events
 
Richard Kaplan for two weeks in beautiful Key West
 
Jerry Cannon is happy to be back for a Club meeting
Rotary Club of Providence, 27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904
www.ProvidenceRotary.org