Welcome to the Rotary Club of Westerly
Celebrating Sixty Years   June 28, 1958-2018
Mailing Address:  PO Box 407  Westerly RI 02891


 

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet Mondays at 5:30 PM
Venice Restaurant
165 Shore Road
Westerly, RI  02891
United States of America

Phone:
(401) 315-5868
Email:
ra.russo@cox.net
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District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
 
Home Page Stories
Harmony Trail Instruments
 
Saturday was the inaugural celebration of Westerly/Pawcatuck's Harmony Trail - a collection of 13 instruments throughout the downtown area (Donahue Park, Washington Trust Community Skating Rink, Westerly Land Trust Community Garden, PACE RI, Westerly Train Station, James Hall Building, Grey Sail Brewing Company and at Rotary Park.
 
They are made in the USA by Freenotes Harmony Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and they have been placed all over the world.  Not effected by climate, they enhance the environment with the sweet sounds evoked when played.  Built in various sizes, the sounds go from basso to soprano.  Some of the newer instruments have been shaped into trees or colorful flowers.  The instruments will be maintained by members of the Bricks & Murals organization.
 
We have selected the following two for Rotary Park:
Griffin         Merry
 
And the third one which is sponsored by the Celico Family and dedicated in memory of Mario Celico.  A memorial dedication of Piper will take place on Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 11:00am at Rotary Park.  All Rotarians are invited to attend.  There will be a reception/lunch from Noon to 2:00pm at The Margin Street Inn at 4 Margin Street, Westerly.
Piper
Chorus of Westerly Summer Pops 2019
Posted on Jun 22, 2019
  
Cal Lord & Bob Lane                                              Dan Alvino & Steve Cofone
    
  President Kathryn Taylor
 
 
 
Guatemala Water & Sanitation Projects
Posted on Jun 10, 2019
Above is the list of villages that have benefited by Rotary Global Grants under the leadership of District 7890 Chair for Water & Sanitation Projects Rick Lawrence.  He is in the process of completing two global grants for the coming year.  The grants will provide materials and supplies for sustainable clean water and sanitation facilities in the Mayan villages of Chajalajya, Simajulehu and Xetonox.  All labor will be provided by the men and women in those communities. 
Rick said that similar work has been completed in 22 villages, bringing potable water into homes, building and installation of 3 part sink, vented latrines, safe stoves with insulated flue pipes and firebox which uses 70% less wood than previous cook stoves.
   
Each household contributes $100.  One person in each village tests water and maintains chlorination.  They have started to install solar panels to help power the generators; otherwise they use diesel-powered generators.  After the installation of these systems, there has been 60% reduction in intestinal diseases, close to 60% reduction in eye infections, 10% reduction in child malnutrition.  The sign above is attached to each system showing the names of the Rotary Clubs participating in this project.
 
Elin & Rick bring many beautiful Guatemalan handmade items - beaded necklaces, bracelets, cloth bags, cloth purses, scarves - to sell here in the U. S.  With the funds collected they purchase school supplies to bring back to Guatemala.  Rick said they usually fill 4 suitcases.
President Kathryn with Elin and Rick above.  It was a real pleasure to host them Monday evening at our meeting.  We are pleased to be one of the Clubs participating in this wonderful project.  The Board has approved a $500 donation for the coming year.
 
Sinagua, no hay vida     --      Without water, there is no life
 
 
Coming Up
Posted by Rosemarie Russo on Jun 10, 2019
June 19:  Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce 62 Annual Membership Banquet.  Citizen of the Year Award -Michael Spellman.  Key Award Recipients are Vinny Bartucca, Nico DiMaggio and Bill Ferguson.  Venice Restaurant - Auction 5:30/7:00, Dinner 7:00.  $75 per person.  Entree choices are Chicken Francaise or Pan Seared Salmon
 
June 19:  Chorus of Westerly Summer Pops Reception at The Cooked Goose from 4:30 to 6:00.  Rotarians are invited - RSVP by June 14 the Chorus at 401.596.8663 or email genvieve@chorusofwesterly.org
 
June 22:  Chorus of Westerly Summer Pops  - sign up sheet will be available at June 17 meeting
 
July 1:  Installation Night with Past District Governor Valerie Perry - Great night to bring a guest.  Please RSVP Rose by June 27
 
Aug 24:  350th Westerly Anniversary Celebration - Olde Time Faire in Wilcox Park from 11:00 to 4:00. 
 
Aug 26:  District Governor Albright visitation and Million Dollar Meal at Rotary Park
 
Sep 14:  Walk to End Alzheimer's in Westerly  So far -Kathryn, Rona, Rose...
 
Oct 7:  Golf Tournament at Shelter Harbor Golf Club.  Chair Kathryn Taylor, Lead sponsor Frank Celico.  
 
Board Notes etc
Posted on Jun 03, 2019
Community Giving to date includes $500 to Westerly Pee Wee Football and $500 to the Columbus Day Parade Committee.
A $600 check to sponsor a child of Chikumbuso for one year, as well as $100 check to A Walk to End Alzheimers for walkers Rona and Rose, $60 check to Stand Up for Animals for Trivia Night event and $300 check to Central Baptist Church for First Responders Service, $40 to Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Fund (to help Rona reach her goal for the half marathon walk last weekend), $200 to Westminster Youth String Ensemble, $250 to Literacy Volunteers of Washington County, $500 to WARM Shelter, $200 to Haitian Health, $500 to 2019 Mexico Project with Dan Alvino's participation, $250 to Central Baptist Church for Puerto Rico Mission trip, $5400 for Harmony Trail instruments at Rotary Park, $3500 to Reforest the Tropics at completion of 2018/2019 School Climate Change Program, $150 to Gateway Healthcare -South County Center
 
Past President Bob Elmer is the Rotarian representative to work the Westerly High School's Interact Program.
With the assistance of Principal Michael Hobin and his staff, Abi Turano was selected to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp; however, an illness prevented her from attending.
 
EREY: Twelve members have contributed to the Rotary Foundation; so, 67.0% participation since July.  If anyone makes a donation directly at Rotary Foundation website, please let Secretary Rose know - or bring a check payable to Rotary Foundation.   I respectfully remind the following that any amount from $10 to $100 will have our Club at 100% participation:  Frank Celico, Kristina Dimova, Chris DiPaola, Vinnie Gaccione, Bob Lane, Suzanne Lane, Caroline Maynard - you have until June 30, 2019 to make your contribution for this fiscal year.
POLIO PLUS:  $500 through our Million Dollar Meal at Rotary Park.
 
Membership Committee:  Chair Cal Lord with Dan Alvino and Frank Celico
Cal, Frank and Dan have either corresponded or met in person to follow up on potential member candidates.
 
July 1 - Installation Night.  Past District Governor Valerie Perry will install 2019/2019 Officers.  Cal Lord will emcee once again.  Please RSVP to Rose at 401.315.5868 or ra.russo@cox.net your plan to attend and number of guests.
Rotary Foundation
          
This flyer above says it all.  Donating to Rotary means clean water and sanitation.  Health and Hope in areas that were once ravaged by diseases like polio.  Economic Development and new opportunities.  Your financial help makes all this happen, and more.  With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.  EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR provides funds to Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund, specifically, and 50% of this donation comes back to the District.  Typically, Rotarians contribute $100 annually to this fund.  Westerly Rotarians who have made their 2018/2019 contribution are: Cal, Dan, Doug, Joe N, Joe P, Kathryn, Mario, Rona, Rose, Steve, Ted, Walter.   Those who have not yet made a contribution can either bring a check, payable to Rotary Foundation, or go directly to Rotary Foundation - by June 30, 2019.  If you do go online to RF, please let Rose know that you did so.
Westerly's Lockbox Program
Posted on Apr 09, 2019
Following up on Sgt Mourato's Bristol Lockbox program, our Club Board has voted to extend his program here in Westerly.  With the cooperation and support of McQuade's Ace Hardware, eight MasterLock 5400D lockboxes were purchased and delivered today to the Westerly Police Station. 
Officer Howard Mills, the Community Police Officer, met with President Kathryn.  Officer Mills works with the "At Risk Resident Program".  This program includes a database for "at risk residents" who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, other forms of dementia, or medical conditions that may cause an individual to wander or put themselves at risk.  If individuals are currently registered with any other organizations, it would still be beneficial to have them entered locally with the Westerly Police Dept to help that individual, should they need assistance.
 
If you know of someone who is "at risk" and can benefit from having a lockbox installed at their home, please contact the Westerly Police Department or Officer Mills at the non-emergency Phone Number 401.596.2022.  Our lockboxes are provided to residents in need free of charge.  Also, if other groups wish to donate lockboxes to the Westerly Police Department, please purchase them from McQuade's Ace Hardware.  We are being awarded special pricing.
 
2019 Westerly STEM Expo
Posted on May 23, 2019
   
On May 23, 2019, Westerly Public Schools presented its 2019 WPS STEM Expo which included presentations by organizations -Mystic Aquarium, Reforest the Tropics and several others - and students from Westerly High School, Westerly Middle School and State Street School.  Reforest the Tropics, led by Executive Director Greg Powell and Westerly Middle School Science Teacher Desiree Derix, demonstrated the education program offered to Westerly's students by sharing lesson materials and a PowerPoint Presentation of the carbon-capturing forests planted in Costa Rica.  A live video presentation was also planned - Westerly to Costa Rica.
 
Westerly Rotarians who played a role in this event included President Kathryn Taylor, Dan Alvino, Bob Elmer, Rona Mann, Doug Rayner, Rose Russo and WHS Teacher Dora Vasquez.  We supplied pizza, cookies and water for all volunteers and other presenters of the event.
 
 
Golf Tournament  7 Oct 2019
Posted on May 13, 2019
Fifth Annual Golf Tournament at Shelter Harbor Golf Club
7 October 2019    10:30 Register/check in    Noon Shot Gun Format
Player registration fee  $300.00
Chair:  Kathryn Taylor  (kathryn.taylor42@gmail.com)
Event Chair:  Frank Celico  (frankcelico@thewinestoreri.com
 
Player registration form and Tee Sponsor form are available on our website - see "download" section.
Email blast was sent out early in March.  26 players have registered.
 
                                Tee Sponsors
                          Steve & Evie Cofone
          DMR Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Inc.
                   Dunn's Corners Chiropractic
                 Hoyt, Filipetti & Malaghan LLC
                         Doug & Jean Rayner
A Child of Chikumbuso
Posted on Sep 26, 2018
To the members of Westerly Rotary - from Linda Wilkinson:
"Thank you so much for your sponsorship check received in the mail.  You are brilliant!  Both Sabrina and I are so pleased.
 
Thank you so much for choosing to sponsor a child!  There are so many children in need here, and sponsorship makes such a huge impact on the lives of the student and their family.  Your donation allows the child to receive a bag of mealie-meal, sugar, cooking oil, soap and most importantly an education.
 
I have chosen a first grader for you by the name of Whyness Phiri.  Whyness is nine years old, and she and her 3 brothers live with their grandmother here in Ng'ombe.  Her grandmother sells tomatoes on the street in an attempt to provide for the children, but it just isn't enough.  She was so grateful to learn that you will now be providing food for them!
 
Whyness will be writing you a letter telling you a little bit more about herself and her interests.  I've also attached a photo so you can see just how adorable she is!
 
Thanks again for being such a blessing to this young girl and her family!"
 
Linda
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Bob Elmer
    June 18
  • Cal Lord
    June 18
  • Joe Nigrelli
    June 22
Anniversaries:
  • Doug Rayner
    Jean Rayner
    June 6
  • Rona Mann
    Dave Mann
    June 7
  • Chris DiPaola
    Lana Weidner
    June 15
Join Date:
  • Frank Celico
    June 1, 1985
    34 years
 
Greetings

Kathryn Taylor

member photo
 
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Kathryn Taylor
President Elect
Rona Mann
Vice President
Ted Avedesian
Treasurer
Rosemarie Russo
Secretary
Rosemarie Russo
Rotary Foundation
Bob Elmer
Membership Chair
Cal Lord
Member-at-Large
Kristina Dimova
Member-at-Large
Steve Cofone
Immediate Past President
Chris DiPaola
 
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Photo Albums
 
Website Sponsors
 
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Speakers
Mark A Furcolo, Director
Jul 08, 2019
RI Department of Revenue
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