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
Prospective New Members
Posted on Feb 12, 2019
Three New Members Proposed by Membership Committee and approved by the Board
 
Corporate membership of Gray Goose Cookery for Suzanne and Bob Lane.  Gray Goose Cookery was previously located in Mystic but now calls Watch Hill its home, a stone's throw across from The Cooked Goose.  The Gray Goose Cookery's website describes the store as a "one of a kind, independent, regional kitchen store" with over 4,000 square feet of cookware, gadgets and gourmet foods.   Suzanne and Bob have attended two dinner meetings - Feb 4 and Feb 11.
 
Individual membership of Caroline Maynard.  Caroline is publisher of Hill, Pond, and Preserve, a monthly newsletter for residents of the Watch Hill area.  She is a marketing professional, previously worked and resided in Boston for over 12 years spending summers here.  Now they are full-time residents of the greater Watch Hill area.  Caroline has attended two dinner meetings - Jan 28 and Feb 4.
 
If there are any objections, please contact President Kathryn at kathryn.taylor42@gmail.com or 240.722.9658 as soon as possible.
15th Annual Chowder CookOff
Posted on Feb 09, 2019
 
The 15th Annual Chowder CookOff  - 9 February 2019  at the Venice Restaurant Ballroom from 12:00 to 3:00pm - Attendees all left saying that they enjoyed themselves with great chowder tasting.  We had visiting Rotarians from Chariho, Wakefield and East Greenwich.  I noted at least 20 attendees who were at their first tasting.  We are so grateful to the restaurants and School Chefs and Students for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in this event.  The success of this event is due to the great chowders they provide.  Thank you all very much - participants and attendees.  More pictures can be seen in Photos section "CookOff 2019".
 
     Restaurant Division:
          1st Place     Sunnyside Up
          2nd Place    Wilcox Tavern
          3rd Place     Casa della Luce
 
     Culinary School Division:
          1st Place     Westerly High School's Highland Grille
          2nd Place    Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center
          3rd Place     Newport AC&TC's Colonial Dining Room
 
Special thanks to our Non-Rotarian volunteers:  William Maynard, Dawn Paxton, Jacey Qureschi and Amina Quereschi
 
Participating Restaurants
          Boneyard Barbeque
          Casa della Luce
          Sunnyside Up
          The Brazen Hen
          The Cooked Goose
          The Sea Goose
          Venice Restaurant
          Wilcox Tavern
 
Participating Schools
          Newport AC&TC's Colonial Dining Room
          Westerly High School's Highland Grille 
          Woonsocket AC&TC
 
Sponsors
          Andrea Beach Bar
          Avie's Ski/Sport
          Savings Institute Bank & Trust
          Valenti Subaru
          Yale/New Haven Health
 
Donated Services 
          Nigrelli's Jewelry
          Venice Restaurant
          WBLQ
 
Coming Up
Posted by Rosemarie Russo on Feb 11, 2019
Feb 18:  President's Holiday - No dinner meeting.  While it is NOT a legal Rhode Island holiday, all state offices will be closed and it is a Federal holiday.
 
Feb 27:  Gaits of Harmony Hydraulic Lift Benefit at Boneyard BBQ from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.  20% of all sales (food and beverages) will go to  Gaits of Harmony.  Event sponsor is Rotary Club of Chariho.   There is no ticket to purchase for this event - just show up to have dinner and beverages.
 
Mar 4:  Noel Bacon, Eagle Scout who built a ramp for Dave Mann, and Alex Conway from the Narragansett Council of Boy Scouts  
 
Apr 16:  John Nanni, Rotary District 7630 PolioPlus Chair, polio survivor, team member for World's Greatest Meal to Help End Polio Group & Board, member of Polio Network of NJ Support Group, will be speaking at Chariho Rotary's April 16 meeting.  They are inviting other Clubs to join them for this event at the Richmond Country Club on Sandy Pond Road in Richmond at 6:30pm.  It has been suggested that we move our Apr 15 meeting to Apr 16 to attend this event.  Please advise President Kathryn.
 
Apr 20:  Chikumbuso Widows & Orphans Project Annual 10K/5K run or walk at the North Stonington Grange, 21 Wyassup Road, North Stonington CT. From 11:00 - 2:50  -  registration is $25 adults and $10 children under 17.  Any Westerly Rotarians interested in participating, please let Rose know so we can register as a group.  So far - Kathryn, Rose...
 
May 3:  Scituate Rotary Club's 11th Annual Wine Tasting & Beer Sampling, from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Imperial Room, 1 Rhodes Place, Cranston.  From 3/1 to 5/2 tickets are $30 per person, $35 at the door.  Early Bird - until 2/28 - get 4 tickets for $100.
 
May 11:  Annual Charitable/Scholarship dinner at The Cooked Goose
 
June 10:  Elin & Rick Lawrence - Guatemala Water/Sanitation Projects
 
June 22:  Chorus of Westerly Summer Pops
 
Sep 14:  Walk to End Alzheimer's in Westerly  So far -Rona, Rose...
 
Oct 7:  Golf Tournament at Shelter Harbor Golf Club
 
Board Notes etc
Posted on Feb 11, 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.
 
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 next year.
 
EREY: Eight members have contributed to the Rotary Foundation as of December 31 - so, 50% participation since July.  If anyone makes a donation directly at Rotary Foundation website, please let Secretary Rose know.
POLIO PLUS:  $500 through our Million Dollar Meal at Rotary Park.
 
Membership Committee:  Cal Lord, Chair, with Dan Alvino and Frank Celico
The membership committee presented two applications to the Board Monday evening - please see separate article.
 
February 11 - The Board will meet after the regular dinner meeting.  The Board approved the two applications to move forward with publishing the names - see separate article. 
A policy was discussed related to "membership drive" as to who is responsible for potential member dinners.  Majority of the Board approved that the Club should pay for the first three dinners of a potential member during a membership drive period.
Rona Mann has agreed to take on the position of Public Image Chair.  The other open position is Foundation Chair.
Rona proposed that the Club donate $250 to the Central Baptist Church Puerto Rico Mission Trip this spring and this was approved.
 
Feb 18  - NO dinner meeting due to President's Day holiday.
 
Feb 20  - Golf Tournament meeting at Steve Cofone's home - 9 am
 
Mar 4  -  Board meeting after regular dinner meeting
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peace Building
Posted on Jan 28, 2019
 
 
Five Rotary Clubs have joined hands to become Cities of Peace in Serbia.
 
Recently heard from Bill Vangel.  He said that he shared our Tattler issue about our Peace Pole with the Scituate Club.  They loved it and have ordered one for their playground.  It only takes a village.......
Greetings from Mexico
Posted on Jan 28, 2019
On January 27, Danny attended the Rotary Club of La Penita Annual Dinner Dance in Jaltemba Bay, Mexico.  During this event, which hosted over 480 attendees, Danny presented our 2019 $500 donation to the La Penita Club's Educational projects.
February 4th Meeting
Posted on Feb 04, 2019
Monday evening the membership was invited to have dinner at the Highland Grille, Westerly High School's Cafe, which is run by the Culinary students.  Our very delicious dinner was prepared primarily by Jenna DuBois, as part of her Senior Project.  She is pictured here with the fabulous Chef Jamie.  The students will also be participating in the Chowder CookOff on Saturday, competing against Newport AC&TC's Colonial Dining Room and Woonsocket AC&TC Students.  We all were delighted with the professionalism, as good as any Westerly restaurant.
 
Guest Speaker Michael Whitehouse is pictured here with President Kathryn as she presents him with a book for the Westerly Children's Library.  Michael comes from the Groton, CT Rotary Club in District 7980.  He specializes in Networking with his Four Way Plan to bring business, people and Rotary together in a manner similar to Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours events, while including Speakers and Mentorship roundtables.
 
 
January Student of the Month
Posted on Jan 28, 2019
January Student of the Month, Samuel Luzzi, was introduced by Principal Hobin at Monday evening's dinner.  Sam has been a member of the RI and National Honor Societies.  He has served as Class President, Captain of the Soccer Team.  He received the Excellence in Physical Education Award and National Scholar Athlete Award .  For his community service, Sam has been a Special Olympics Unified Partner, Summer Pops volunteer, Altar Server/Master of Ceremonies at Immaculate Conception Church, and he was very aggressive in fundraising for Senior events so that everyone would be able to participate without worrying about the cost.  Sam has applied to West Point but his other choice is University of Rhode Island and he plans to pursue an Engineering degree.
 
In Memoriam
Former Rotarian and Past President (1974-1975) Francis E Ruisi passed away Monday evening, January 28, 2019.  Frank, brother-in-law to Joe Nigrelli, was a Korean War Veteran, owned Allied Electric.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2nd, at 10am at St. Clare Church on Crandall Avenue.
Gaits of Harmony
Above - Liz and Billy Santilli with President Kathryn.  Liz founded Gaits of Harmony in 2014 to provide equine assisted activities and therapies under the standards and guidelines of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.  The organization's mission is to provide "all people with opportunities to educate, enrich and empower themselves in order to cope with the challenges of their daily lives through interaction with horses.  Liz began with three horses and now has twelve - six for riding and six for training.  Gaits of Harmony is located at the former Ram Rod Farm in Ashaway.  Also living at the farm are goats, pigs, turkeys.  With the assistance of Billy and four certified instructors and several volunteers, Gaits of Harmony is currently serving about 45 clients from mostly the Chariho and Westerly area and Warwick.  In her video presentation, Liz pointed out that the fees are based on a reasonable, affordable rate for the clients but doesn't cover the actual cost.  The organization's budget includes fundraisers, grants and donations.  For more information go to gaitsofharmony.web.com or www.facebook.com/gaitsofharmony.
 
The organization was brought to our attention by Frank Hopkins from the Rotary Club of Chariho.  He is seeking support from the local Clubs for a fundraiser planned in February at the Boneyard BBQ in Ashaway.  The purpose of this fundraiser is to help Gaits purchase a lift, which will assist the staff to get clients onto horses in a safe manner.  More to come on this.
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
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
  • Marti Boughner
    February 13
  • Lana Weidner
    February 21
Anniversaries:
  • Steve Cofone
    Evelyn Cofone
    February 23
Join Date:
  • Bob Elmer
    February 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
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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