Newsletter Date: October 29
Meeting Date: October 23
Reporter: Nondas Voll

INSPIRATION
“Take advice, but not orders,” Abraham Lincoln once said, “since I will be no one’s slave, I will be no one’s master.” Ron Hoak continued saying you must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Don thanked Richard Applebaum and Rob Black for handling registration and Walter Cotter for serving as greeter.

Because World Polio Day is the next day, the proceeds from Happy Bucks and the Gold Bowls will be donated to the Foundation for that cause.

PP Paul Segal, chair of the Providence Rotary Foundation Board, announced that its annual appeal letter is being sent to raise funds for the relief of polio and the hurricane in Puerto Rico as well as the annual grant program.

Assistant Governor Ed McDonough reported that Rotarians in District 7950 donated 2,000 items of clothing for the devastated residents of Puerto Rico and Texas.

Members were reminded of the following upcoming dates:

Monday, October 30, lunch meeting - the Great Pumpkin will offer prizes to those wearing costumes

Thursday, November 9 - Paul Harris Fellows’ dinner, Sharon Garland coordinating

Saturday, December 2 - Providence Bruins game organized by Anthony Landi

Thursday, December 7 - Geoff Gaunt reported that Paint Off will be held that evening

 

Kris David presented a blue Rotary shirt to Pete Brock. She spoke about her weekend in Hartford, CT where she attended a Zone Institute with the President of Rotary International Ian H.S. Riseley and others.

Members and significant others enjoyed Haloween at the Squantum party last Thursday.

 

HAPPY BUCKS
Margaret Kane for the Patriots.

Pete Brock for broadcasting UMass football games.

Jim Gilcreast celebrating the Yankees loss.

Jane Kratsch for polio relief and for 10 weeks of being happy.

Ron Hoak for enjoying a visit to Lancaster, Pa with his wife.

David Hunter for Jimmy Piersall.

Barbara Harris for Bill and Kris David’s outstanding leadership of Street Painting Festival.

PP Anthony Hollingshead congratulated the Davids, too.

Bill David for five days without adult supervision.

Kris David for the same.

And several members pitched in for PolioPlus.
 

JIM DONALDSON ON SPORTS AND MORE
Sportswriter Jim Donaldson retired after 40 years, including 38 years at the Providence Journal. Having graduated from Notre Dame as a Naval officer from a military family, he first addressed the issue of Taking a Knee versus the First Amendment. He said that NFL players represent a business, as did he at the Providence Journal, but they do not have a right to be a Patriot.

Discussing how one finds a story, Jim said that they find you. In earlier days writers had more relationships with the players. What he admires most about Tom Brady is that every time he plays, he wants to win. Not everybody has that Monday through Sunday dedication and determination. You see the character of people, see people in high stress situations. That’s why you play the game. You want the responsibility. The greatest athlete he ever met was Arthur Ashe for the courage of his convictions.

When asked about the feasibility of the PawSox remaining in the state, Jim said under the ownership of Ben Mondor they were the best organization he ever dealt with. He agreed that the numbers watching the NFL are down and attributed the decline to many more choices being offered. He cautioned about newspapers losing circulation and warned that there will be fewer points of view. Jim closed by saying, “To watch professionals play is like reading the best authors.”