Solumn News

Liz delivered the sad news that Bill DiBiasio and Jan Feyler have passed. There are no services for Bill but will let us know about Jan’s funeral arrangements. Liz asked for a moment of silence for Bill and Jan.  Also, P.J. Fox has been suffering from health issues. Please keep him in our thoughts and prayers. 

Liz asked if anyone would like to be our “wellness” person for our club to send cards to our members. 

Pledge

Mike Kelly led us in The Pledge of Allegiance.

Guests

Jen Smith from Books are Wings

On zoom

Cap Willey, Lew Hassell, and Paul Pimental

Inspiration

Charles Donnelly gave the inspiration with the reading of Desiderata written by Max Ehrmann in 1927.  Things That Are Desired or Things Longed For.  (Please see the sidebar for the full text. Click on View Entire Message if clipped.)

Announcements

Liz reminded everyone: “Don’t forget the Gold Bowls for funds contributing to Rotary Charities Foundation.” 

She thanked Mary and Rob Brewster for all their coordination of school supplies for children at the Harry Kizirian School.

Our next Rotary after Dark meeting is a District 7950 (Area 10) Dinner meeting on Wednesday, September 30 from 5 to 7:45 pm at Cranston Portuguese Club, 20 Second Avenue, Cranston.

Bill Applegate to give an update about the Legends for Literacy Gala on October 29. Everything is going well. Anthony Landi reported that we already have over $60,000 in sponsorships. 

The $3000 district grant for the Shower on the Move project was approved. At the conclusion of the project, we will receive $1500 back from the district.  Please keep bringing in t-shirts and sneakers for Men and Women.

There is also a need for volunteers to put labels in books at Kizirian and West Schools on September 22.  Contact Art Norwalk.

We have the volunteers for this month’s Ronald MacDonald House dinner on Friday, September 25^th. Please contact Simone if you would like to help in the future.

There will be another family outing planned!

Liz thanked everyone who filled out the recent survey about our lunches. Most members preferred plated meals.

There is a Wednesday, September 16^th Gala event honoring Barry and Elaine Fain at the Waterfire event space. You can order tickets on line!! There are several Rotarians who will be attending and supporting them!

Happy Bucks 

• Pete Brock is $20 Happy to be at the meeting. Going to Boulder, Co to celebrate “Living Legends”.
• Anthony Landi announced that his daughter has moved into an apartment in New York and son has started a new job and living in Dorchester.
• Don Saracen gave a couple Happy Bucks for sad news about Bill and Jan. Sherie turned 80 and a surprise party was planned for her with an amazing collection of videos from family as a documentary produced by his son, Scott.
• Art Norwalk gave 20 Happy Bucks for International Literacy Day.
• Sharon Garland gave a happy buck for her wonderful trip to Nova Scotia.
• Richard Applebaum gave a Happy Buck for a fun trip to North Myrtle Beach and for attending a great Rhythm and Roots Festival.
• Liz gave a happy Buck for her wonderful Mother/Daughter Disney Cruise to the Caribbean.
• Bill Applegate gave 5 kappy bucks because he is finally allowed to drive after his minor stroke.
• Anthony Hollinghead gave happy buck to share memories of Jan Feyler who was fluent in Italian.
• Charlie Donnelly gave 5 happy bucks for his older sister’s 80^th Birthday.
• Bill Efthimiades gave 10 happy bucks for the donated auction items for the Gala.

Speaker

Anthony Hollinhshead introduced our speaker, Don Wright.

Don’s hometown was Suburban Maryland. He graduated from Brown University in 1979 with AB in Psychology. He worked at a private psychiatric hospital in Maryland from 1979 to 1983. He returned to Rhode Island in 1984. He had a sales career at IBM in Providence for 8 years, was a golf professional for 3 years then pursued a sales career in finance at Citizens Bank (Trust Company), Fidelity, State Street. He was Executive Director of Button Hole (pre-opening 2000 thru 2002) He pursued entrepreneurial experience from 2002 to 2014 in Mechanology. He returned to Button Hole as Executive Director in 2015 to the present.

Don talked about the founding of Button Hole by Ed Mauro who had a vision to look at an inner city abandoned gravel pit and envision an instructional gold course in 1997. He created an urban oasis that opens doors and creates opportunities for the community’s youth. As an avid golfer, Mauro believed in the power of the game and its life lessons to help guide young people as they grow into adults and he recognized the particular benefit for inner city youth. 

More than 25,000 disadvantaged children live within three miles of the gravel pit that Mauro together with a Board of committed supporters worked tirelessly to turn into the Button Hole Short Course and teaching center. When it opened in 2000, Button Hole’s Mission was simply enriching the lives of young people by providing facilities and programs that develop strong character, teach life values, and champion success through the game of golf. Youngsters who become “Button Hole Kids” use the facility for $1. PGA Tour stars, Brad Faxon, Billy Andrade and Tiger Woods became active supporters. RIGA moved its office to the site. 

From Mauro’s vision and drive, Button Hole has become one of the region’s most successful community resources, nationally recognized for its programs and facility exposing over a thousand kids each year to the game of golf and its values.