Jim Gilcreast recently attended the RI Special Olympics Games and was inspired by their oath - “ Let me win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt “.
Installation
President Holly installed our two newest members C. Evan Smith and Margaret Rizzuto as a family membership. Margaret and Evan came to Providence from the Hudson Valley in New York. Margaret is a professional photographer and has a practice in Empowerment Coaching for mid-life women. Evan is a management consultant.
Announcements
President Holly Applegate advised that last week’s meeting with Senator Jack Reed speaking had a very good attendance and thanked Don Saracen for arranging for Senator Reed to speak. She also thanked members for bringing the stuffed animals, which were sent to the Rotary Club of Uvalde, Texas for distribution to the children surviving the school massacre.
President Holly advised that Marion Avarista (Honorary Rotarian) is quite ill and is scheduled for surgery. Cards are on the tables for members to sign.
Wendy Marcus announced June birthdays for John Buffum, Avram Cohen and Marco Marinelli. Wendy announced that this is her last meeting with us, as she is moving to Charleston, South Carolina.
President Holly thanked Wendy for her long service to the Club and advised that Wendy was being given 2 awards - the “Avenue Of Service” award from the District and the “Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Award“ from the Club. Among the many Club activities noted in which Wendy was involved were the Group Study Trip to India, Dominican Republic Water Project, Club Literacy Project, Little Library installation, tree plantings and neighborhood cleanups.
Past President Barry Fain spoke by Zoom congratulating Wendy and advising that he and Elaine were making a donation to Rotary Charities Foundation to honor her service.
President Holly announced a Service Longevity Award was being given to Reverend Ralph Barlow for 51 years of Club Service.
Happy Bucks
- Liz Messier for a great cruise to Bermuda and a negative Covid test.
- Steve Hug for his son JJ having no major injury in an accident he had on Route I-495 in Massachusetts when his car collided with a deer.
- Jim Gilcreast for Wendy’s long service to the Club.
- Mary Brewster for the inspiration to Club service given to her by that of Wendy and Reverend Barlow.
- Wendy Marcus giving best wishes to the Club members who will take over her member birthdays and Environmental Committee duties.
- Don Saracen for recent awards given his son Scott for his recent film productions including a Gold Telly and 2 New England Emmys.
- Herb Altman to welcome new members C. Evan Smith and Margaret Rizzuto to the Club.
- Cap Willey for his granddaughter’s team winning recent lacrosse championship.
- Anthony Hollingshead in honor of Wendy Marcus' wonderful Club service.
- Steve Hug for receiving on behalf of the Club a signed photo from Senator Jack Reed showing him and Club officers at last week’s speech.
Speaker
C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Rhode Island Historical Society, spoke on the history of the Society and its current activities. The Society was founded in 1822 and is the fourth oldest in the US. It was founded by a group consisting of mainly lawyers and journalists with the goal of preserving items related to the Revolutionary War but over the years the scope of the Society has been greatly expanded to include all aspects of activities in Rhode Island and includes not only artifacts but documents, photographs and films.
The Society collaborates with other RI Historical Societies and has projects to assist teachers in preparing classes in addition to partnering with the Providence Public Library to arrange presentations. The holdings of the Society are contained at 4 locations - the Nelson Aldrich House in Providence (Society Headquarters), the Library on Hope St. in Providence, The John Brown House in Providence, and The Museum Of Work and Culture in Woonsocket.
The presentation was concluded by Sarah Carr, Director Of Advancement and Public Engagement, who spoke on the 200th Anniversary Jubilee of the Society, which will be conducted in quarterly segments over 2022. Each segment will concentrate on the 50 year periods beginning with 1822 at the John Brown House. 1872 will be at Roger Williams Park Zoo, and 1922 will be held at the Squantum Club in East Providence. The last segment has not been fully arranged but will involve a Providence Scavenger Hunt.
