Please update your calendars and note that we will not have at meeting on Monday, July 2.

 

Happy Fourth of July!

Shelley Murray and Salem 5 Bank have graciously offered to  host our July Social Meeting.  It will be different time than our usual schedule.  Take note.

 

It will be Thurs., July 19 from 2-5 pm.  And it will be part of Small Biz Day at Salem 5 and she is inviting the Chamber and others.  It will be a good opportunity to mix with other non-Rotarians.  

 

Thanks for hosting, Shelley.

 

Thanks to all who came to our Club Installation Dinner on June 19.  Our featured speaker was Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan who spoke on the opioid crisis.  She has been on the forefront of innovative initiatives to respond to this growing problem.  Pictured here is District Governor Dave Gardner who presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow for her work in this field.  David has made this a priority and has developed a Rotary program.  He presented at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto this past week.

 

Installed were our new slate of Officers and Directors:  President Tim Kelley, President Elect Mike Collins, Past President Brian Snell, Treasurer Ed Sartell, Secretary David Traniello, Board Members, Mark Beckley, Michael Bonsey, Bobbie Botticelli, John Douglass, Gregg Johnson and KC Latham.

 

Among those also honored at the event with Paul Harris Fellow Awards were:  Ron Winslow, Troy DiNapoli, Chris and Laura Wilson (presented on behalf of Chris' father Philip WIlson).

 

A highlight was having Linda and Tricia Snell attend on behalf of Brian, who was in the hospital.  The great news on this front is that Brian has been released and is now home.  Congratulations, Brian.  

 

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely and heartily thank all our Club Members, family and friends who have been so wonderful during this transition, including Brian's health scare.  I feel very supported by this Club and am looking forward to a fun-filled and productive year.

 

Greg Ryan and Mike Collins visited the Ipswich Rotary Club on June 14 to present a check for $3,150 for District 7930 Global Grant in Zambia, Healthy Kids/Brighter Future.  The Global Grant was initiated in our District by the Ipswich Club and partners with a Rotary District in Maine.  The grant supports a school-based healthcare system for vulnerable children in Zambia’s capital city of Lusaka. The grant trains teachers as community health workers and connects children to the free and available Zambian national health care system, so that basic medical care and health education are more effectively and efficiently provided.  Under a Global Grant the our donation is matched one and a half times.  We have matched Ipswich's donation amount.  Ipswich is looking for additional Clubs to support his important project.

 

I had so much fun at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto.  I highly recommend attending one if you never have.  Here, I'm pictured with Bob Gravino of Ipswich Rotary and Jerome from Nkwazi Rotary in Zambia.  Nkwazi Rotary is the local Rotary Club partner for the Global Grant Healthy Kids/Brighter Future.  It was enlightening to meet several members from Zambia.  

 

There were Rotarians from all over the world.  In addition to fellow Rotarians from our District, I had the opportunity to meet Rotarians from Canada, South Africa, Austrailia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Brazil, various US States and others I can't remember.  It was inspiring to hear about so much going on in the name of Rotary all over the world.

 

Speakers at the general sessions included Justin Trudeau, Laura Bush, directors/presidents of the WHO, UNICEF, many RI VIPs.

 

Toronto is a beautiful city and was very accommodating.

 

Next year's convention is in Hamburg, Germany.  Who wants to go?

 

Candidate for State Representative Darryn Remillard was our Speaker at our lunch meeting on June 25.  Darryn is seeking to fill Jim Dwyer's seat.  Darryn is a Veterinarian and a Veteran.

 

Thanks for speaking, Darryn.

As most of you know by now, our President Brian has has a medical emergency and is currently in the hospital.  Please keep Brian and the Snells in your prayers as he faces his recovery.

 

The RMHS Interact Club ran their Dunk Tank at Friends and Family Day on Saturday.  They did a great job and raised funds for their projects.  TJ Kelley and Pat Freeman deserve hazard pay for being the only two dunkees.  They were great sports.  Also, staffing their booth were Kathryn, Jess and Ava.

 

Interact is the high school age Rotary club.  Reading Rotary sponsors Interact Clubs at both RMHS and Austin Prep.  RMHS's club is in its 8th year.  Austin Prep is starting their 2nd year. 

 

We had a great day at the Lion's Friends and Family Day (a/k/a Town Day) this past Saturday.  Our cotton candy was a big hit.  There was a steady line for it all day long.  Thanks to all the Rotarians who came out and family members, too.  Special kudos to Owen Collins and Maxwell and Harrison Clarke who made and distributed cotton candy.  Cotton candy making is a sticky business and they were great sports and great help.  Rotarians who came to enjoy the day and help out were:  Gregg, Mike B., Mike C., Dick, Dave T., Kathi, Brian T., Don W., Lisa and Tim.  We also distributed Rotary tote bags and literature about the Club.

 

The weather was perfect.  It was a super community event, a great opportunity to come together for our Reading community.  Great job to our friends at the Lions Club!