Pledge
George Babcock led the pledge after a trivia quiz.
Which ship responded to the sinking of the Titanic? The Carpathia
Inspiration
New Rotarian and today’s greeter Diane Riccitelli gave this inspiration.
I think we can all agree that Tom Brady didn’t become the G.O.A.T. overnight. In fact, he put in the work, time, and effort required to become the best quarterback of his time. He attributes his mindset to a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that was hanging in the weight room when he first got to Michigan and saw every day for five years.
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Tom also understood the importance of being a productive member of a team; to work not as individuals, but together to get results. Tom explains, “it’s about the team. And we ran out as a team, and we celebrated in the end zone as a team. Because a team is a culmination of talent. And what can you add on a daily or weekly basis to get your team to win?”
As Rotarians, you are in the arena. You don't just talk the talk; you walk the walk. Live the club’s motto service above self. You work together, capitalizing on the strengths and talents of your members to accomplish great things and inspiring those around you.
I leave you with another Brady quote: “Believe in yourself. Believe in what you’re doing. Believe in your process. Believe in your teammates. These are the things that are important. These are the things that matter.”
Announcements
Since we are not meeting next week, President Pete shared a Thanksgiving joke in honor of Margaret Kane:
Margaret’s Turkey cooking recipe
Here is a turkey receipt that also includes the use of popcorn as a stuffing – imagine that! When I found this recipe, I thought it was perfect for people like me, who are just not sure how to tell when poultry is thoroughly cooked, but not dried out. Give this a try:
- 8-15 lb. turkey
- 1 cup melted butter
- 1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is good)
- 1 cup uncooked popcorn (Orville Redenbacher’s… low fat preferred)
- Salt/Pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush turkey well with melted butter, salt, and pepper. Fill the cavity with stuffing and popcorn. Place in a baking pan with the neck end toward the back of the oven.
Listen for popping sounds. When the turkey’s ass blows the oven door open and the bird flies across the room, it’s done!
New Sports Venture in RI
Travis Watkins, the Vice President of sales at the Rhode Island FC made an announcement. The new soccer team in Rhode Island is a member of the US Soccer League. The inaugural team played this year at Bryant stadium and made it to the championships in Colorado! However, a new stadium in Pawtucket is being built now to house the team in the future. The stadium will be soccer-centric, but will also be able to host lacrosse, rugby, college football as well as concerts and community events.
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, the Rhode Island FC lost in Colorado 0-3 to the Colorado Switchbacks.
President Pete Brock reported the Gala Numbers as of today:
- $94,000 revenue
- $29,000 in expenses
- $65,000 net
After club operations expenses $52,000 can be spent to support our education and literacy initiatives.
New Member Induction
President Pete with sponsor Peter Loescher inducted new member Simone Fragiorgio. Simone is looking forward to making a difference in the city of Providence!
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate $5 for a good ENT report, and is prepping for a diet
- Don Saracen $1 for his granddaughter Rachel, who received her degree. Another $1 because he confirmed that his friend will return as a Legend for next year’s gala.
- Anthony Hollingshead $5 from Wendy to honor our speaker today, $5 for the Providence Fire Department who has been very helpful in the last few weeks with wildfires in the Swan Point Cemetery
- Cap Willey $5 because his kitchen is finally finished
- Art Norwalk Happy because the funds raised at the Gala are going to make a huge difference in the lives of children in Providence, and anyone interested in joining the committee
- Barbara Harris Just returned from Puglia, Italy, and will be heading to Miami Beach next week
- Mary Brewster Her daughter got a job in Seattle and is no longer doing helicopter rescues! She is also doing open studios at her art studio
- Liz Messier $1 happy buck because her son Dennis was just promoted at Vineyard Vines
- Emily Bernstein $2 happy because she got funding to hire 2 new employees for her business
- Pete Brock $10 happy because he travelled to Portland, ME to see his granddaughter performing in a production of Annie
Speaker
Kelly Perry, Horticulturalist at Swan Point Cemetery
Kelly holds the position of Director of Horticulture, Greenhouse Operations and Educational Outreach at Swan Point Cemetery, a 200-acre active, nonsectarian garden cemetery located at 595 Blackstone Blvd. In this capacity, she is responsible for producing the greenhouse’s annual ornamental plant material: implementing the seasonal decoration programs, caring for the arboretum and ornamental gardens, developing landscape projects, leading grounds and garden tours, workshops and lectures, and coordinating floral and plant decorations for Swan Point’s grounds and facilities, which are 175 years young.
Kelly shares a commitment to all the living things that families enjoy while they come to inter their loved ones. Purchased in 1847, the grounds originally included extensive land that was originally family farmland and extended all the way to what Hope St. is now. The property, roads, monuments and gardens are all designed in the Victorian style, meant to be beautiful and comforting.
While beautiful, there are many challenges to maintaining the grounds, including storm damage to the trees, wildlife damaging landscaped areas… also chasing the children!
Our Providence Rotary Club will hold a Holiday Party
