INSPIRATION
Rob Brewster was inspired by his recent experience reading to a group of fourth graders at Harry Kizirian Elementary School. “It was a treat being with them and I felt it was really helpful in their work to learn English as a Second Language. I hope other club members will consider taking part in this very worthwhile service activity.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
Pres. Kris reminded us of the Vernal Equinox taking place tonight, marking the start of Spring, and announced that the Global Grant for Ghana has been approved by Rotary International. Proceeds from our “Tent Suppers” will meet our commitment to support the international project.
Guests/Prospective members
Jonathan Olivera – Mighty Dog Roofing
Bill Efthimiades – Director of Finance, Swan Point Cemetery
Pete Peterson – CEO of Merit Solutions. Rotarian, Lawrence MA
Visiting Rotarian
Tammy DeBarros – New Bedford Rotarian and VP of Sales for Merit Solutions
Upcoming events include:
- March 25 New member orientation
- April 5 San Miguel Gala
- April 6 District Assembly
- May 3-5 District Conference
- May 18 Day of Service – We will collaborate with the Metro and Cranston clubs on projects.
Liz Messier announced March birthdays with appropriate context:
- March 5 - Maxine Cohen on the date of the Boston Massacre in 1770
- March 6 – Anthony Landi shares a birthday with Michelangelo
- March 15 – Barry Fain was born on the Ides of March, the date when Julius Caesar was stabbed in the Forum
- March 25 – Laraine Beck shares her birthday with feminist Gloria Steinem
- March 30 – Bill Applegate was born the same date as Vincent van Gogh
HAPPY BUCKS
Pete Brock was happy for the arrival of Spring and the opportunity to take his dog out to visit some birds.
Michael Durand was happy to have added another year.
Cap Willey enjoyed taking his granddaughter to the only traffic light in the country where the green light was on top and red on the bottom (once a year for St. Patrick’s Day).
Sharon Garland gave a buck in memory of Jim Gilcreast and the Irish stories he told every year at this time.
Mike Kelly was happy about his month-long stay in Florida, with a side trip to his granddaughter’s wedding in Georgia.
Don Saracen was proud to report that his son will be speaking at a medical industry meeting in Stockholm
HAPPY KIDS
Students at Kizirian Elementary School select books from one of the vending machines that our Literacy Initiative purchased. They "pay" for their books with tokens awarded for accomplishments in the classroom. "Our students love the machines," reports Kizirian literacy coach Natalie Hartley.
LITERACY AT THE COMMUNITY LIBRARIES
The Community Libraries of Providence are much more than nine buildings filled with books. Together, and with a multitude of partners, they are an active force for literacy among the city’s children, as we learned from our guest speaker, library director Cheryl Space.
How do the Community Libraries support literacy? Cheryl gave us a sampling of the efforts and collaborations they’re involved with:
- Spanish language programs, including sewing, theater and dance, for parents & grandparents along with kids
- Reading to very young children, continuing the acclaimed Providence Talks program
- Story Times in English and Spanish plus sensory-based sessions for children with autism
- Maker Spaces where kids build anything from board games to robots
- After school meals in collaboration with the city Parks Department
- Summer reading programs targeting children “hanging” in the parks
- A new partnership linking the Community Libraries with PPSD school libraries.
“Much of what we do is aimed at helping the city’s public school students achieve the critical goal of literacy,” she said.
