Welcome to the Rotary Club of Westerly
Celebrating Sixty-Seven Years  June 28, 1958-2025
 

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
The Frank Olean Center
93 Airport Road
Westerly, RI 02891
United States of America
Phone:
(401) 315-5868
Email:
ra.russo@cox.net
Please call ahead if visiting. Dinners are ordered by Saturday and delivered just before meeting. Contact Derin at 401.787.5575 or Suzanne at 401.374.4359.
District Site
Venue Map
Home Page Stories
Jonnycake Pasta Dinner to benefit Fuel Assistance
Lions and Rotarians at work together on 10 November to raise funds for the Jonnycake Center's Fuel Assistance Fund.  Huge thanks to our Chefs and all their helpers either packing take out containers or serving our in-house diners.  It was a very busy night with great attendance.  Not all funds have been turned in yet so more to come.
      
 
         
New Proposed Member
Please be advised that Ron Kenyon has submitted his application for membership in our Club.  His mentor is John Hall.  Ron is a former teacher and currently is a commercial fisherman.  He has attended several meetings so it is hoped that all members have had a chance to speak with Ron.  If there is any objection to his membership, please advise President Suzanne at earliest convenience.
Susannah Snowden-Smith
      
Susannah is an award-winning professional photographer specializing in underwater photography and photojournalism.  She has lived in the Grand Caymans, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  She is also a former photographer/journalist for the Westerly Sun.  Susannah presented a slide show of many of her fantastic photos.  Go to her website to see more - www.susannahphotography.com
Dr. Linda Stillman
Our very own Rotarian, Dr. Linda Stillman, spoke to our Club on Monday about Rotary's participation in the United Nations and told us also of her background leading to her becoming an NGO Representative to the UN.  Dr. Linda was previously a member of the Rotary Club in NY City.  
Dr. Linda earned her "Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts from Cornell University, earned her Master of Arts in Teaching at Webster University in Iceland, acquired her Internatioal Affairs Certification at New York University and her Negotiation and Mediation Certification through Pace University, earned her International PhD from Bonn University in Germany, writing her dissertation in two languages on: The Impact of Culture on Communication and Women Leadership at the United Nations.  She then created university courses and seminars on the United Nations and the Women's World."
Dr. Linda is "the founder/chair of the Young Global Leadership Foundation", which "promotes effective, efficient and ethical leadership through the human dimension for young aspiring leaders."  She was "granted the United Nations ECOSOC Special Consultative status in July 2018 and serves as the Main Representative."  She "is also a member of the UN NGO Commission on the Status of Women Committee, United Nations Academic Impact focused on higher education and NGO Committee on Education: Learning and Literacy."
Last Wednesday, 22 October, Dr. Linda presented a program at the Westerly Library to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations.   Rotary and the UN have a "long-standing partnership focused on peace and humanitarian issues, which began when Rotarians served as consultants at the UN's 1945 charter conference.  Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status granted to a non-governmental organization by UNESCO and a global network of Rotary representatives work with UN bodies to foster collaboration on shared goals."
Dr. Linda has written and published Through Unknown Doors, memoir of a global journey.
Sep & Oct Students of the Month
Since 2011 The Rotary Club of Westerly has recognized 112 Westerly High School students for their academic and sports achievements and especially their excellence in serving their community.  So we begin this school year with Principal Moulin's picks for September and October:  
September  
Kaizhen Lei, picture above with his loving sisters, was selected to be our September Student of the Month.  
He has the distinction of being in the top 15,000 National Merit Scholars, has a 4.0 gpa, is in Marching and All Star Bands playing Souzaphone, plays soccer, participated in several school projects, volunteers at Pantry on the Lane and Summer Pops, hopes to attend Cornell University in Chemical Engineering.
 
October
Brady Gilman, pictured above with President Suzanne and Principal Moulin, was selected for October. 
He currently has a 4.35gpa, is active in several school clubs, is a member of the National Honor Society, mentors at Westerly Middle School, is learning Korean, works at McQuade's and Dunns Corner Markets.  Brady hopes to attend the URI in Business.
Bulldog Fall Festival 
   
The Club was a sponsor for this event and was present with our new Rotary Tent.  Rotarians who helped with this project included Ted, Steve, Jeff, Suzanne, Dr. Linda, Cal, Jen and Rose.  We had two major posters of our Scholarship winners and Students of the Month over the years along with flyers for the Brick Walk, Lock Box Program, RYLA and Interact.     
International Day of Peace
Rotary Park Peace Pole Sep2025
 
Sunday, 21 September 2025, is the 8th Annual United National International Day of Peace Celebration in Wilcox Park at 6pm.  "World Peace Day" was established in 1981 by a United Nations unanimous resolution.  Peace brings stronger nations, brighter futures.  Let us reaffirm our commitment to harmony and unity.
Other Notes
Meetings will be in person but spaced appropriately
17 Nov:     Amazing Women Veterans Mary Goff and Dora Vasquez-Hellner
19 Nov:     Ocean Chamber 50 over 50 Celebration at Chorus Hall 5 - 7pm, $25
per ticket.  Among the honored ones are Jen Brinton, Bob Elmer, Suzanne Lane
and Rona Mann
24 Nov:     Football Night @ Westerly Yacht Club with dinner by WHS
Culinary Students
1 Dec:       Board meeting 4:30, Dinner - ANNUAL meeting 5:30 (important to attend this meeting)
8 Dec:       Christmas party dinner at Shelter Harbor Inn
14 Dec:     Chamber Christmas Light Parade 6pm -need driver and vehicle - appl must be submitted BEFORE 10 Dec
15 Dec:     November & December Students of the Month AND two scholarship award recipients
22 & 29 Dec:  NO Meetings
2026
5 Jan:       Board Meeting 4:30, Regular meeting 5:30 
12 Jan:     Robin Wildman, Exec Dir of Non-Violent Schools RI
19 Jan:     MLK Holiday - NO meeting
26 Jan:     Jessica Mowry, Exec Dir of WARM Center, & one Scholarship Award Recipient
16 Mar:    Luis Viquez, Director of Orchestral Studies & Asst Prof of Conducting at URI
Steve, John and Bob leading us in The Rotary Welcome Song written by Rotarian Ed Smalley
 
Food Collection Program
Remember those in need and bring canned goods either to meeting or to Avie's Ski/Sport by month's end.   These items will be distributed to The Jonnycake Center of Westerly and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.
 
Club Home -   We are meeting at The Frank Olean Center next to Rotary Park, Monday, 5:30pm.  Gina & Angie will send the sandwich/salad menu on or about Wednesday for the next Monday meeting; respond to them at gbrancato@navigantcu.org and aswain@navigantcu.org by Sunday Noon.  If you don't receive a reply within 24 hours, please contact them again.  Please respond whether ordering or not as it will help us to know how many will be attending meeting.
 
Covid Aid Goes On....
18 Mar 2025 marked five years that our Club "had been making food and health item deliveries to area residents who are elderly, infirm, or without transportation.  Although the pace has slowed a bit, the need is still great."  Rona reports that 353 deliveries, as of 20 Oct 2025, have been made since the program began in 2020. 
 
Wishing Well at McQuade's Marketplace
Latest trip to empty the wishing well on 4/7/25 garnered a total of $995.64, bringing total registered since 2009 $15,100.59.
 
Creative Opportunity
Take responsibility for website and newsletter.  Excellent tutorials in Clubrunner. Contact Rose at ra.russo@cox.net or 401.315.5868
 
New Projects
Also in process is the Brick Walk at Rotary Park.  We have partnered with an organization called Bricks R Us.  The committee met 15 January to outline a plan - a brick walk pathway from parking lot to entrance of Children's Garden - about 900 bricks.  Website to purchase:  bricksrus.com/donorsite/rotaryclubofwesterly and brochures and flyers are available from Club members and at member stores.  The flyer is also available on our website - see "Download files".  Installation will be delayed until Spring 2026.
D7950 Foundation Luncheon
District wide event celebrating the Rotary Foundation and Paul Harris Fellows.
15 November 2025 from 11:30 to 2:30, $50 per person
Savini Pomodoro, 476 Rathbun Street  Woonsocket, RI
 
Guest Speaker is Ramesh Ferris.  He is a polio survivor and Rotarian who resides in Whitehorse, Yukon Canada.  He has a bachelor's degree in social work, and is the past president of the Rotary Club of Whitehorse Rendesvous.  In 2008 Ramesh hand-cycled 7140 kms over six months from Victoria, BC to Cape Spear, NL in a program called Cycle to Walk to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication, education and rehabilitation.  "Over the past 18 years Ramesh has volunteered in partnership with Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Global Citizens, United Nations Foundation and the World Health Organization to promote our shared global goal of ending polio."  He "has provided the polio vaccine to children in Karachi Pakistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, and in his birth country of India."  He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award and the Yukon Commissioner's award for volunteer public service.
 
Please let Rose know if you wish to attend.  The Club will make reservations for all attendees and you can make your check payable to the Club.  Or, make your own reservation and payment online - D7950Foundation Luncheon.
Food Collection Program
      
We began our Food Collection Program during the covid crisis in 2020.  Our purpose was to help to keep the Jonnycake Center of Westerly and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center stocked with canned goods and other non-perishable food products during that difficult time.  We even made deliveries to homes when necessary.  But, we didn't stop when the crisis was over because there are still folks who need our help.  When you are shopping, please keep our neighbors in mind.  Watch for sale items and set some aside for the food collection.  Bring them down to Avie's Ski/Sport Shop and Ted will get the goods collected to the centers monthly.
 
18 Mar 2025 marked five years that our Club "had been making food and health item deliveries to area residents who are elderly, infirm, or without transportation.  Although the pace has slowed a bit, the need is still great."  Rona reports that 353 deliveries, as of October, have been made since the program began in 2020. 
Peace & Justice
      Peace & Justice Committee of Rotary Club of Westerly     
Our Vision:  We seek to create, locally and globally, a culture of peace in which the inherent worth and dignity of every living being is honored and respected and conflicts are resolved nonviolently.
                                                                                                                             
Our Mission:  To create activities, programs and projects focused on creating a culture of peace as well as working with other community groups and organizations engaged in similar endeavors.
Link to Frank Thacker's Daily Peacemaker:  www.DailyPeacemaker.com - https://www.facebook.com/share/165z5cmF4a/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 
Peace Pole dedication 22Oct2018
 
   2025
 
"Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are and Something you give away."
Rotary Foundation
Posted on Oct 05, 2025
Your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. Consider making your Every Rotarian, Every Year contribution of $25, $100 or more as early as possible. If you send your contribution directly to Rotary Foundation, please let Rose know.  The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating - FOUR STARS - from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. - ranked #4 in the top ten best charities list. 
 
The Polio Plus Society of District 7950
Pledge to help Rotary make history by continuing to contribute $100 or more each year until the World Health Organization certifies that polio has been fully eradicated because Until the world is polio-free, every child is at risk.  Society members will received a PolioPlus Society membership pin and certificate.  Your contribution qualifies for Paul Harris Recognition and Major Donor Credit.  To make your tax-deductible donation go to my.rotary.org/donate and click on "Polio Fund".  Payment should be made payable to Rotary Foundation and give to Rose for proper handling.      
 
Ten Rotarians have already contributed to EREY and/or Polio Plus this current year.         
 
Annual Foundation Luncheon will take place 15 November at Savini Pomodoro, 476 Rathbun St, Woonsocket.  $50 per person.  Guest speaker is Ramesh Ferris:

Guest Speaker is Ramesh Ferris. Ramesh is a polio survivor and Rotarian who resides in Whitehorse, Yukon Canada. He has a bachelor’s degree in social work, and is the past president of the Rotary Club of Whitehorse Rendezvous.

Ramesh is a major donor of the Rotary Foundation, and is the Rotary 5370 District Governor for 2025-2026. He is a past Rotary End Polio Now Coordinator for Zone 28.

In 2008 Ramesh hand-cycled 7140kms over 6 months from Victoria, BC to Cape Spear, NL in program called Cycle to Walk to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication, education, and rehabilitation.

Over the past 18 years Ramesh has volunteered in partnership with Rotary International, The Gates Foundation, Global Citizen, United Nations Foundation, and the World Health Organization to promote our shared global goal of ending polio. He has shared Rotary’s End Polio message with countless heads of state, many world leaders, and celebrities around the world. He has spoken to delegates at the United Nations in New York City and to many Rotarians at various Rotary International Conventions, Zone Institutes and District Conferences around the world.

Ramesh has also provided the polio vaccine to children in Karachi Pakistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, and in his birth country of India. He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award and the Yukon Commissioner’s award for volunteer public service. 

                                                                                                                    
Read more...
Westerly's Lockbox Program
Posted on Jul 21, 2025
   
The lockbox above was installed on John Street -  it's location must be easy to find and close to the front door for quick access by First Responders.  Happily I was working in my garden last week when two officers stopped by to check on my lockbox.  All was well there.  They told me that they have "rescued" a few lockboxes that were no longer needed so they could be reused at another residence.  How very efficient!!!
 
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 at the non-emergency Phone Number 401.596.2022.  Our lockboxes are provided to residents, as needed, 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 63 lockboxes.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Rotary strives to create and maintain an experience for members and participants that reflects our fundamental values, empowers people to contribute at their fullest potential, and celebrates people as they are.  Our core values - service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership - align with our commitment to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all.
Greetings

Suzanne Lane

member photo
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Suzanne Lane
President Elect
Jeffrey Wendth
Vice President
Joseph Lorello
Secretary
Kathryn Taylor
Treasurer
Rosemarie Russo
Immediate Past President
Alan Brinton
Other
Dora Vasquez-Hellner
Site Pages
Photo Albums
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Join Date:
  • John Hall
    November 1, 1986
    39 years
  • Brandon Gidicsin
    November 4, 2024
    1 year
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Mailing Address:  Rotary Club of Westerly, PO Box 407, Westerly RI 02891