Don read an Inspiration given by Gian Paolo Lang, of Livorano, Italy who as International president in 1957 addressed Rotary Convention, in Lucerne, Switzerland:

 

"The spirit of Rotary is not exclusive; it expands. It is not local, it is universal. It is the wish to understand and be understood, to see virtues rather than faults in others, to find what we have in common rather than what divides us. That is the true spirit of being a Rotarian.”

 

Pres. Bryan announced that this Tuesday, Dec. 15, will be our last meeting of the year. No meetings in the holiday weeks Dec. 22 and 29.

 

Get Well: Walter Adamowicz reported: Maury Ryan recently had a procedure and will have a biopsy on his kidney. We wish him well.

 

Kris David reminded members that we still need donations for the girls at Family Services. Contact Kris at kd7950@gmail.com

 

President Bryan reminded us of the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation and the Rotary International Foundation. Keep those in mind for your yearend giving.

 

Next week’s speaker Ijeoma Pearl Okoro will be on Rotary “End Polio Now” effort.

 

Pete mentioned Mark Cruise Partner of the Virtus Group purchased 600 books to support Malcolm Mitchell foundation who was our gala keynote speaker. Mark   gave them to his clients as a Thanksgiving gift. The feedback was outstanding.

 

Margret $10 for the soon to be released vaccine.

 

Jim, $1 He’s Happy

 

Anthony, $10 Nice to see Pete, Kim, Karen. He attended the Foundation dinner via Zoom where Richard Applebaum was honored being a major donor to the foundation. He also missed getting together at the Venus de Milo.

 

Richard $10 For Anthony mentioning he was honored and visiting his significant other in Rochester NY. He also found a rapid test site for Covid.

 

Karen, Happy to attend as couldn’t the past two meetings.

 

Bryan, $10 For enjoying his time with his youngest son Josh home from college since Thanksgiving break. Watching the Pat’s game his son predicted the blocked punt and ran it in for a TD.  And Happy to hear the Steelers lost.

 

Wendy Good wishes and homemade soup delivered while her and Allen are recovering from Covid.

 

Santa (AKA Jim) Spoke of the clubs spirit of generosity locally and Internationally. He then auctioned off the book RI Memories Volume III. High bidding his age was Art $75.Santa, Wished everyone a Happy Holiday Season.

 

Holly recognized Kim Dumpson for coming up with the idea of Mimosas as an acronym “Members Interested in Meaningful Opportunities for Service Above Self”. This highlights all the great things Rotary stands for. Bill Applegate demonstrated how to make a 2 to 1 Mimosa.

 

Holly then gave us a tour of her wonderful colonial home built by Nathanial Smith in 1798. Her home is located on Benefit St. known as Providence mile of history.

She began the tour on the outside of the house. Volunteers decorated all the lamppost with garland. Her historic door is decorated with three large boxwood Christmas wreaths. The doorway is framed decorated with holly berries and fresh greens.

 

Inside the dining room table had place settings with china and silverware for a holiday dinner. The home has three fireplace mantels. One is decorated with a family heirloom Porcelain Zebra called Silky who had a hat and mask.

Over another mantel is a 20x20 Boxwood decorated a mirror. Below is located the Roman man with hat and mask. Holly showed us a Boxwood Christmas tree decorated with family ornaments and porcelain dolls located in the living room.