Welcome to the Rotary Club of Westerly
Celebrating Sixty-Three Years  June 28, 1958-2021
 

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:30 PM
Franklin Lodge #20 Masonic Hall
20 Elm Street
Westerly, RI 02891
United States of America
Phone:
(401) 315-5868
Email:
ra.russo@cox.net
Please call ahead if visiting. Dinners are ordered on Saturday and delivered just before meeting. Contact Rona at 401.539.7762 or Ted 401.742.2515
District Site
Venue Map
Home Page Stories
Ryan Saunders, Exe Dir Chorus of Westerly
It was a pleasure to have Ryan join us Monday evening.  Ryan said that he very much wanted to thank us personally, not only for our Pops donation, but also for just being there -as family.  He especially thanked Doug for being "his model", for always showing service above self over the forty years of Summer Pops concerts.  Ryan also brought us up to date on all the programs that have grown through the covid pandemic - free music classes in elementary schools in Westerly and soon in Stonington, foundations choir for adults, monthly speakeasy choir at the United.  Annual Christmas Pops will take place December 18 at 7:00pm and December 19 at 3:00pm.
Annual Stonington/Westerly HS Football Night
Monday evening, 22 November, 6:00pm, the Rotary Clubs of Stonington and Westerly will host the Football Coaches and Captains of Stonington and Westerly High Schools to celebrate the nation's oldest continuous Thanksgiving Day rivalry with the most overall games played.
 
Thanksgiving Series as of 25Nov2021 total wins:  Westerly 49, Stonington 44, Ties 9    (This past Thanksgiving game Westerly 28, Stonington 14)
All time Series:  Stonington 74, Westerly 70, Ties 17
Guest Speaker for the evening was Joe Kayata, award-winning sports anchor and reporter at NBC10.
       
Coach Massengale and Coach Dunbar speak to attendees above.  Joe Kayata speaks below
 
 
Kudos to Rona for all her work to bring Sam Read and Joe Kayata to Westerly and Westerly to WJAR TV News!
Other Notes
Frank Thacker's wife, Karen Hanson, is at home to continue her recovery - 38 Valley Drive
 
29 Nov:  Can do week
 
6 Dec:  Board meeting at 4:30; Annual meeting -election of 2022/23 officers
 
12 Dec:  Christmas Light Parade 6pm  Rain date 19 Dec
 
13 Dec:  November & December Student of the Month
 
20 Dec & 27 Dec:  NO meeting  but Can Do collection continues
 
3 Jan:  Scholarship Award Winners: Madison Lorello and Elena Murdock
 
10 Jan:  Movie Night, 5:30pm, Mystic Luxury Cinema at Old Mystic Village
 
17 Jan:  MLK Holiday - NO meeting
 
24 Jan:  Lee Eastbourne, Exe Dir of Jonnycake Center of Westerly; Holiday party
 
Club Home - It has been decided to remain at the Westerly Masonic Hall at 20 Elm Street with catering by various restaurants. Easiest to enter  via Central Baptist Church driveway, go down toward the back lot but turn right and you will find yourself at the back of the Masonic Hall and entrance.  Please bring your own beverage.   Dora will send the sandwich/salad menu on or about Wednesday for the next Monday meeting; respond to Dora (abndora@aol.com) with your food order by Saturday morning.
 
Covid Aid Goes On....
 March 18th marks one year that our Club "has been making food and health item deliveries to area residents who are elderly, infirm, or without transportation.  Although the pace as slowed a bit, the need is still great."  Rona reports that 202 deliveries have been made during the past year.
 
Pasta Dinner to Benefit Jonnycake Ctr
           
 
It was a very successful evening!!!  With just a little glitch here and there, our Club collected just over $3,600 Monday evening and the Lions Club collected about $2,600.  This is the best year ever for this event and it will be a great help to Jonnycake's Fuel Assistance Fund.  Our grateful thanks to the Calabrese Club, Lions and Rotary members who helped to package dinners, run packages outside, guide cars for pickup, and especially to Chris Cozzolino and Jamie Silvestri - our great chefs.  Sad face to Rose for forgetting Rotary aprons!!
           
 
Next year we hope this event will be inside complete with raffle and dessert!!!  Thank you to everyone who participated and donated - we are so very grateful for your support.
Rotary Foundation
Posted on Nov 15, 2021
Your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. We recognize donors to express our gratitude for your commitment, offering individual and club recognition as well as naming opportunities that enable you to honor a friend or family member with a named or endowed gift.

Every Rotarian, Every Year Club  (EREY)

For clubs that achieve a minimum Annual Fund contribution of $100 per capita during the Rotary year, and every dues-paying member must personally contribute at least $25 to the Annual Fund during the year.  John Hall suggested that members could offer $20 for dinner each week with the difference going toward EREY.  Example:  $20.00 minus $13.50 (dinner cost), leaves $6.50 to either split between Happy/Sad and EREY or apply entirely to EREY.  Great idea, John!!  Monthly the Treasurer will submit the funds to Rotary Foundation under the donor's name.  REMINDER:  if you make your contribution directly to Rotary Foundation, please let your Treasurer know that you have done so.

EREY 2021/22 Donors:  7 to go for full participation by 30June2022.
 
For the 13th consecutive year, the Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating - FOUR STARS - from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U. S.
 
Ted and Rose attended District 7950's Foundation Night at Rosebrook Event Center in Wareham, MA, 12 Nov.  Keynote Speaker was Mr. Kevin Andrews, who has "taught at every level in education from early childhood to post-graduate studies."  He is a polio survivor and spoke about how the disease has continued to present challenges.  Past District Governor Charlene Jarest announced the awards for 2020/2021 and District Governor Billy Roberts announced the awards for 2021/2022.  Rotary Club of Westerly was recognized with the Every Rotarian Every Year Giving award for participation of every member contributing at least $25.
Read more...
Veterans Day Parade
We proudly honor all our veterans everywhere but especially those from Pawcatuck and Westerly.  November 11th is the historic date when an armistice was signed in Europe to end World War I, which at the time was called "The War to End all Wars."  In 1926 Congress designated that this day should be celebrated in the following way, "Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations."
 
"Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you today for all of the men and women who have served in our armed forces.  We are grateful for their dedication, discipline, faithfulness and courage.  From them may we learn the virtues of selfless service, unswerving loyalty to country, the discipline of teamwork for the good of all, obedience to authority and perseverance in difficult and challenging situations."
 
         
Thank you Doug and Rona   -  Doug served in the Air Force and Rona's Dave served in WWII with the Army.
 
Taps 
    Day is done, gone the sun
    From the lake, from the hill
    From the sky, all is well
    Safely rest, God is nigh.
(author unknown)
 
 
First Responders' Event
  
  
A very special thank you to all our First Responders who protect us every day.  This celebration included Central Baptist Church, Christ Church, the Westerly Band, the St. Edmund's Pipe & Drum, many of our local clergy and Rotary members - but our honored guests were the Police, Fire and Ambulance Departments.
Westerly's Lockbox Program
Posted on May 17, 2021
The lockbox above was installed on John Street -  it's location will be easy to find and close to the front door for quick access if needed.  Sadly we were not available to take a picture of Officer Mills installing it.
 
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 and have delivered 50 lockboxes to Officer Mills for distribution.
October Student of the Month
WHS Assistant Principal Kevin Cronin, who knew our October Student Sienna Fusaro at Westerly Middle School, happily introduced her to our membership.  Mr. Cronin described Sienna as a person who would make a difference, talented, scholarly and kind.   An honor roll student and involved in many activities as well as putting in over 67 hours of community service assisting the Ocean Community Chamber's various activities.
Again we gratefully thank Nigrelli's Jewelry for donating and making the plaque.
September Student of the Month
Pres Ted, Asst Princ Donna Sweet, Jacob Serra, Mom Courtney Serra
 
Our first student of the 2021/2022 school year  represents the exemplary spirit of Rotary.  Introduced by Assistant Principal Sweet as a "natural born leader", Jacob has been involved in school sports and other activities earning MVPs and other awards.  Somehow he also holds down a part-time job.  When asked how he handles it all, he said "you just figure it out".  Kind and considerate are other adjectives used by Assistant Principal Sweet.  As President of the National Honor Society, Jacob lead its members to assist Chorus of Westerly Summer Pops Chair Doug Rayner with many duties.  Doug was impressed with his willingness to pitch in and do anything asked.  Jacob is still in the process of applying to colleges around the country but his goal is Pre-Med.  We know that this young man will be very successful wherever he goes.
 
Greetings

Ted Avedesian

member photo
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President Elect
Steve Cofone
President
Ted Avedesian
Treasurer
Rosemarie Russo
Secretary
Julie Lord
Rotary Foundation Chair
Bob Elmer
Membership
Cal Lord
Vice President & Public Image Chair
Derin Temel
Director-at-Large
Suzanne Lane
Site Pages
Photo Albums
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Francis Thacker
    December 9
  • Derin Temel
    December 22
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
  • Carol
    December 16
  • Florence Alvino
    December 21
Anniversaries:
  • Walter Kimball
    Gloria Kimball
    December 25
Join Date:
  • Danny Alvino
    December 1, 1976
    45 years
  • Alan Brinton
    December 2, 2019
    2 years
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Speakers
Nov & Dec Students of the Month
Dec 13, 2021
Scholarship Award Winners
Jan 03, 2022
Madison Lorello & Elena Murdock
Lee Eastbourne
Jan 24, 2022
Jonnycake Center of Westerly
View entire list...
December 2021
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Mailing Address:  Rotary Club of Westerly, PO Box 407, Westerly RI 02891