April 3 Newsletter

Meeting Date:  March 29, 2022

Reporter:  Michaela Herman

Today’s meeting is dedicated to Ukraine

Inspiration – Cap Willey

Cap shared some of Samuel Clemens, A.K.A as Mark Twain, Inspirations.
Cap said “Although some intellectuals look down on the writings and thoughts of Samuel Clemens better known as Mark Twain, he has always been one of my favorite American authors and thinkers. Not always politically correct and a writer of his time, not to be judged by our times.”  Cap shared this compilation of some of his inspirational thoughts:
  • Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life.
  • The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
  • Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bow lines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the Trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
  • Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
  • To Pete Brock and Yeager: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
  • Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
  • And Cap’s favorite for all his friends who like to golf. Golf is a good walk spoiled.

Guests

Miosotis Alsina to our ranks.  Miosotis is the co-director of the Manton Avenue Project.
 
Vincent Buonanno, President of the Mile of History Association.
 

New Member Installation

Holly Applegate and Anthony Hollingshead welcomed Miosotis Alsina as a new member of the Rotary.  Miosotis is  the Co-director of the Manton Avenue Project.  The Manton Avenue Project’s is an organization that has been helping nurture the unique potential of young people in Olneyville by unleashing their creative voices and uniting them with professional artists to create original theatre since 2004.  They believe that regardless of economic status, children deserve the opportunity to imagine strong futures.  Through playmaking, the Manton Avenue Project (MAP) sparks an expanding sense of possibility for their members by building each child’s capacity for personal and academic success and offers opportunities for positive youth development.
Miosotis expressed that she feels honored to a member of Rotary team and she feels that the Providence Rotary has made an immense and great difference in our community.  She feels that the Rotary has made a huge difference in the community that she also represents. 

Announcements:

Mary Brewster announced Tent suppers for Ukraine sign up will happen after the meeting today.  The tent supper will make difference to support refuges from Ukraine.  The dinners will also be an opportunity for club members to socialize with one another and boost our club.   
 
Art Norwalk shared some good news.  The Kizarian school will take the 300 remaining dictionaries.  They will delivered to the school on Friday.
 
Art also announced that Rotary members have an opportunity to be part the Kazarian Reading Week.  During the April 11-14 we can sign up for 45 minute blocks during the times 9:30-11 and 1-3 to read to children.  Please contact Art if you are interested. 
Upcoming Rotary After Dark Events
April 14th Game Night at Rob Black’s.  Cost $10  Sign up online.
May 19th - An Evening at The Barker Player House.

Happy Bucks 

  • Margaret Kane - to welcome Miosotis Alsina as a new Rotarian
  • Kris Davis - is thankful that Alex, her son, was able to join her on the grant seminar on Thursday, as well as the RotarAct Club, to apply for a grant next year and also that her alma mater, Hope College, are winners in the women’s division 3 in basketball, and also for today’s meeting because Ukraine is dear to her heart.
  • Cap Willey - gave some so so bucks-a recent survey was done about  the most boring job-accountants were on the list.  Cap doesn’t agree about that but he wanted to share that his wife would always introduce him to her friends like this “Well you know Cap is an accountant.  He’s not really a dull guy.  He just gets excited about dull things.”
  • Bill Applegate - happy to living his last day in his 60’s today.
  • Anthony Hollingshead - happy to see Yulia again and to our new member, Miosotis, who made his life easier during the membership process because she responded in a uplifting, kind, and quick way that made the whole process go so well.
  • Wendy Markus - saving time for Holly and that she still has perfect attendance.  She also has her South Carolina flag today.  She also happy for her pen-pal, Sophia, who’s mom has started a house cleaning business.  Wendy has used services and highly recommends her.  Wendy is also happy to have her friend Vinny here today.
  • Rob Black - happy for his brother who had major surgery last week and is doing just fine.
  • Don Saracen - happy for his grandson, Jack (SAG actor), who has gotten a strong scholarship to Hofstra University.  He also won an award last year for being the co-writer for a film called “Zoom Dating”, and also welcome to our new member, Miosotis.
  • Vincent Buonanno - happy to be able to attend the meeting and thank you to have these two wonderful neighbors-Yulia Yelle and Wendy Markus.
  • Mike Kelly - more of a concern than a happy buck but there is a member, Pete Brock, at his table that is spending more time with a male friend than his wife - he asked Pete if everything is alright with his marriage - which everything is and Pete clarified that it is not a man that he is spending time with but his pup - Yeager.
  • Holly Applegate - happy for her dear husband, Bill, who is turning 70 tomorrow.

Speaker

Wendy Markus did a wonderful introduction for her dear friend long time neighbor, traveling companion, medical advisor, former Rotarian and valued founding member of the Mile of History Association Yulia Yelle.  
 
Yulia express her gratitude of having the opportunity to share what is going on in Ukraine today to help raise the awareness of what is happening in her home country.  Yulia was born and raised in Ukraine. She immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine in 1995.  Here she went to nursing school, got married, and became a U.S. citizen in 2007.  She is very proud of that.  She still has many family members and friends in Ukraine.  When the conflict broke out she was been in touch with them, hearing their stories and devastation that is happening in her home country, and it just breaks her heart.
 
Yulia took some time to orient everyone to Ukraine’s geography, demographic information and where the invasion and conflict is happening.  The country is split with the East speaking mainly Russian and the West mainly Ukrainian, yet Ukraine is the official language.  Yulia showed a map that depicted that there are many Russian living in Ukraine. 
 
Yulia is from the second largest city, Kharkiv, which has a rich culture.  She showed some pictures of past and present pictures of some important buildings and how they have been damaged.  Over 1,400 building have been destroyed.  There is no heat or water.  People in the city  are helping each other out when they can.  She said that the reports she has gotten from people still there is that seeing the city bombed has been one of the hardest things in their lives.
 
Yulia went on to describe her text conversations with a friend still living in Kharkiv.  Her friend sent Yulia updates from the beginning of the conflict to last week.  She wants the world to know what is going on.  They have felt desperation.   There are missile strikes, bombings, and so much destruction.  
 
Her friend was able to evacuate with a group of women and children.  It was a two day journey to Slovakia where they found some refuge.  They are in a hotel that is closed for the season.  The group, with help from humanitarians working in Slovakia, have set up school for the children and some work the women.  The groups is growing as more refugees make it there.  Yulia is trying to help with emotional and financial support.  
 
Yulia was thankful for the opportunity to share what is going on in Ukraine and asked members to donate to the Ukraine and Slovakia Rotary which will directly help Ukrainians.
Club Information
Tuesdays at 11:45 AM
Providence Marriott
1 Orms Street
Providence, RI 02904
United States of America
Lunch is served at 11:45 AM; meeting begins at noon.
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Upcoming Speakers
Apr 05, 2022 11:45 AM
Targeted by Hate Groups/Fighting Back
Apr 12, 2022 11:45 AM
Youth Pride
Apr 19, 2022 11:45 AM
New Member Talk
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Literacy

April 11-14 is Reading Week at Harry Kizirian Elementary School, and they're looking for Rotary volunteers to spend about 45 minutes reading to a class.
 
You can bring your own book or the Literacy Coach will give you one from her collection. Best times are 9:30-11 am or 1-3 pm. Contact Art Norwalk artnorwalk@gmail.comwith the day and time you'd like to fill.
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