Weekly Meeting News - 19 November 2012

            Guests at dinner meeting on 19 November 2012 included Jeff Frenette and speaker, Roberta Mudge Humble, of the Westerly Armory.

            Members present  =  12              Members absent  =  11

SPEAKER  -  Roberta Mudge Humble, Professor at Community College of Rhode Island, Director of Westerly Armory, Author of five books and four games about Rhode Island.  Roberta presented a very entertaining and informative video and talk about the special things about Little Rhody and the Other 49 - which is the title of her latest book.  Things like Rhode Island has the longest official name of all the states but the shortest motto - do you know what each is??  Also, did you know that the old Ann & Hope store was the first self service store in America and the idea was stolen and developed into Walmart  -  and so much more to tell  -  for those who weren't there, you missed a very enjoyable evening.

Roberta also brought Westerly Armory membership forms and current newsletter and spoke of the much needed Capital project soon to begin at the Armory.

 

3 December 2012   -   Board meeting begins at 4:00pm, followed by "Prospective Member Night" in the lower level dining room at 5:30pm.  As of Friday afternoon, President Cal has confirmed 11 guest attendees.  It is hoped that full membership will be in attendance - if just for a short while.

8 December 2012  -  RICAN Christmas.  Steve Salerno expects about 150 attendees for this event.  Reminder to Westerly Rotarians to bring Italian themed entree - about 5:30.  If you are bringing little ones, Santa will visit and pictures may be taken with the big man.

10 December 2012  -  The Annual meeting will take place to elect the 2013/2014 offiers and to vote on the Scholarship ByLaw changes.

Guests will be the Westerly WIN Team.  The 8 November issue of Rhode Island Catholic included an article about this great group of young adults.  WIN stands for Westerly Innovations Network and the team is all about recycling.  It was established by a group of fifth graders, "the state's only non profit entity that collects and donates used cooking oil to heat the homes of those in need."  They work with 117 restaurants that donate used cooking oil, which is collected by Newport Biodiesel and transported to their refinery and converted into biodiesel fuel.  The refined biodiesel fuel is known as bioheat and it is donated to charities.  So far, the team has donated 21,000 gallons of bioheat to help 210 families stay warm throughout the winter months.

17 December 2012  -  Holiday dinner for members.  Guests will include November and December students of the month, June 2012 Scholarship award winners Jena Piccolo and Kevin Conway.  Spouses, partners and friends are also invited - just be sure to let President Cal who will be attending.