INSPIRATION
Ron Hoak provided a lesson on happiness. “Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want. Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design. Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Art announced that Steve Hug and Steve Stoops are updating the club’s presence on Facebook and will be training all of us on how to use it to attract new members.
Art urged people to attend the upcoming PawSox game on August 17 where District-wide members will be recognized on the field before enjoying the game. Richard Applebaum and Anthony Landi are handling ticket sales at $12 per person. Anthony encouraged members unable to attend to purchase tickets to be given to disadvantaged youngsters.
Front desk crew Rob Black and
Richard Applebaum enjoy a break.
HAPPY BUCKS
Peter Loescher said he was the day’s “backup to backups”
Nondas Voll honored Roger Williams University President Donald Farish who died suddenly.
Bob Murphy thanked Mike Kelly for flying him and Rob Black to Martha’s Vineyard for breakfast.
Trish Cirelli for her niece who earned her driver’s license.
Randy Dittmar to make his friend Peter happy.
Christy Clausen for weeks missed and 6,000 meals served at city recreation centers and parks.
Bill DiBiasio for speaking about Shelter Boxes at the Lincoln Rotary where he first became a Rotarian 43 years ago.
Jim Gilcreast reminded members to make up at Rotary Clubs when visiting other locations as he’s doing in Baltimore and Bermuda.
George Burman for witnessing RedSox Mookie Betts’ grand slam.
MEMBER TALKS
Bryan Cook described his family: wife Amy and four children. He grew up in Ohio, Pennsylvania and southeastern Georgia and remembers life in the deep south during the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Bryan graduated from Colby College and has been with Amica for 29 years. He served as the Office Manager for 4 years in Buffalo where he joined Rotary. Next he grew Amica’s program in Indianapolis while experiencing a Rotary Club that served 200 members each week. Then 18 years ago he came east to Boston and later to Providence.
He has served on both Providence Rotary’s Board and the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation Board.
Patricia Ogera, a relatively new Rotarian, is from New York City. Her parents immigrated from Kenya. Though she is disappointed that she never learned Swahili, she was taught to gain as much education as possible. She studied medicine at City College and took advantage of opportunities for graduate school. After 9/11 she and many New Yorkers escaped the city. She accepted a residency in Florida and next in San Diego.
When Patricia was invited to move to Rhode Island, she asked where it was as she had never heard of the state. But now that she’s experienced WaterFire and PPAC, she’s decided to stay. She learned about Rotary when attending a dinner at Sprague Mansion raising funds to build a park for children. She hopes to learn through Rotary how she might give back, too.
Steve Hug recalled growing up in Cincinnati. At age 14 he moved to Boston and attended Boston College High School (Class of 1978). He claims to have “never accomplished anything,” but because he had successful classmates he says he is “riding on their coattails.” He was an employee of the RedSox, worked for the Mayor of Fall River, and was on the radio for 17 years.
Steve has been with Family Service of Rhode Island for 22 years, and a Rotarian for 12. He is a grant writer and handles their social media. Of late he has been acting with Barker Playhouse and other theaters. Steve ended by presenting a Family Service T-Shirt to President Art.