Newsletter Date: August 20
Meeting Date: August 7
Reporter: Bryan Cook
INSPIRATION - Ron Hoak
Even people with modest means can experience the sophisticated lifestyle. They simply save up some of their soda money or a bottle of fine wine. They skip going to the movies and attend the theater. By saving up their money all year, they have enough for a trip to Europe or a fine work of art. Don’t spend all your money a quarter at a time. Save up and buy something special, something fine, something of lasting value or something that will give you rich memories for a lifetime.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
Mike Kelly gave an update on Cy Wyche who has assimilated well to his new living arrangements in Nashua, NH and is very happy. Cards and well wishes are being gathered and will be sent to Cy. George Burman recommended we all give a buck in honor of Cy’s famous happy buck salute “I’ve got a buck and I’m happy!”
Rotary night at the PawSox will be Tuesday, 8/22. See Avram Cohen or Richard Applebaum for tix or more information.
Kris David noted the Street Painting Festival will be on Saturday, 10/14/17. Anthony Landi is coordinating volunteers and sponsorship information will be sent in a couple of weeks. New this year, we are looking for live music. Forms for signup are available from Kris.
Art Norwalk gave a preview of upcoming speakers:
8/21 Dan McGowan – WPRI.com Providence Political reporter
8/28 Saul Kaplan—Business Innovation Factory
9/5 Chuck Wilson—sports talk
Speakers are booked into September but Art asked all members to send him ideas for future programs.
Health and Wellness: Ken Conde is recovering nicely from his knee replacement and enjoyed the process so much he is having his other knee done shortly.
Former member John Connors passed away last week in Spartanburg, SC.
HAPPY BUCKS
Numerous bucks in honor of Cy
Pete Brock--$$ for his granddaughter Ellie’s 1st trip to Fenway and to announce that Pete will be the new voice of UMass football.
Wendy –happy for Pete
Walter Adamowicz—granddaughter is visiting from France
George Burman—happy to be in a great Rotary club
Marc Harris—happy his daughter had a great trip to Europe and is home safely
Mike Kelly—happy to be flying again.
Priya Bannerjee—has lost 75lbs since last year! Way to go Priya!!
PP Anthony—for President Don’s recent radio appearance.
Jim Gilcreast—Make-up meeting at St. Louis, MO Rotary (club # 11) and a swap of club flags.
Cap Willey—recent op-ed article in the ProJo
Richard Applebaum—attended the Newport Jazz Festival
Pres. Don—for his granddaughter, Rachel.
FORTY YEARS OF SUCCESS
PROTECTING NARRAGANSETT BAY
Our speaker this week was Johnathan Stone, executive director of Save The Bay (STB). The mission of STB is to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and adjacent coastal waters. The bay is the largest estuary in New England and its watershed extends well beyond RI borders, with 60% of it located in MA. STB was founded in 1970 and is the 3rd oldest organization of its kind. They are entirely privately funded.
STB focuses on several important areas: water quality, habitat and wildlife, government oversight, public access, as well as education and stewardship. They have a large volunteer base of 4,200 people and run an aquarium in Newport, give lighthouse tours, and have seal watching trips.
The organization has worked in partnership with local government to solve such problems as preventing raw sewage overflows from storm/sewer systems during heavy rains. Providence built a 3 mile long tunnel to capture overflow and hold it until sewage could be properly treated, resulting in a 50% drop in beach closures and shellfish bans. They oversee the RI International Coastal Cleanup which ran 82 cleanups in one weekend with 8-10 tons of trach collected. STB also works on river connectivity to allow fish migration and navigation.
Narragansett Bay has been an impressive success story over the past 40 years but threats of regression, climate change, urbanization, and lack of financial resources keep STB vigilant.
If you would like to help STB consider becoming a member, sponsoring a school program, volunteering for a beach cleanup, sending/sponsoring a kid to camp, or simply visiting the aquarium.
