Louise Bishop, President & CEO of the South County Tourism Council was our guest speaker at our regular meeting on Monday, August 17th. The mission of the Council is to plan, promote and market tourism beyond our eleven town region. The South County Tourism Council is a non-profit organization. It is dedicated to promoting the towns of Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, West Greenwich, and Westerly as a leisure travel destination.  The SCTC’s promotional efforts include publication of Float, a digital vacation guide; a year-long advertising campaign directed at the leisure tourism market; targeted sales efforts; public relations strategy; participation in numerous trade shows; and a comprehensive website. 

 

Louise spoke about a few off the current attractions that are drawing people from all over the country, but especially from up and down the East Coast of the United States and in recent years, from the Pittsburgh, PA area. For example, the Thomas Dambo Troll Trail has garnered wide spread attention for its unique presentation of two very large wood creations. Erik Rock and Greta Grant have been the talk of Ninigret Park in Charlestown for the last three years.  The next major project that they are in the midst of bringing to Ninigret is the "Wild Race Against Time" exhibit. In November 2026 we will welcome this monumental public art exhibition by world-renowned artists Gillie and Marc. Featuring large-scale bronze sculptures of endangered animals, the installation invites visitors to experience wildlife up close while raising awareness for global conservation efforts. 

 

Louise noted that the Council is funded through the taxes that the Hotel Association pays the state each year. It is currently about 13% of which 5% comes back to the region. They use their funds to promote the region through advertising and promotional opportunities. The Council also provides grants for non-profits that will enhance tourism in the area.

 

 

   

Joseph Nigrelli, owner and founder of Nigrelli's Jewelry here in Westerly, passed away 12 August.  His son Billy said "we were so lucky to have had him for 101 years" and yes, indeed we were.  I remember meeting him for the first time back in 2008 and listening as he held court with one of his stories.  He was a World War II veteran - one of the "greatest generation".  He became a Rotarian on 1 April 1969 and was one of our most generous supporters as well.  As the Student of the Month program continued year after year, Joe made sure that the plaques were provided at no cost to the Club.  He gave of his time and abilities with no hesitation.

Mass will be at St Pius Church at 10:00am on 18 August, followed by celebration of life at Westerly Yacht Club after cemetery.

 

 

On Monday night we welcomed Megan Toscano as our guest speaker.  Megan is the Director of Development for the Ocean Community YMCA going back to 1928.  It was meeting a need back then and it began to expand in 1948 with the opening of Camp Watchaug in 1948.  In 2000, the Y opened the Arcadia Branch in Wyoming.  In 2003, the Mystic YMCA opened in conjunction with the Mystic Community Center.  In 2018, a major renovation took place in the center and it was renamed the Naik Family YMCA after a major benefactor to the renovation.  

 

Megan noted that there are over 20,000 members at the current time with over 700,000 annual visits made to their facilities.  When you consider the fact that during Covid they lost 46% of their membership.  This is an amazing testimony to the value of what they offer to the community.  What people may not know is that over 5,000 people received some financial assistance with their membership.  20 percent of the campers at both Watchaug (300 a day) and the Camp Cove in Mystic (250 a day) receive some financial assistance.  Every year they give out over $800,000 in scholarships.

 

As to programming, you name it.  They had 9,500 individuals participating in programs last year, that doesn't count the people who simply used the fitness rooms and other areas of access.  There were almost 1,200 swim lessons provided with 230 young athletes joining swim teams.  Computer classes, pickleball and a slew of other activities make the YMCA one of our community's most valuable assets.

 

Megan closed by saying that they are always looking for financial partners and volunteers and she'd love to meet with us.

Since 2018 this Club and its Foundation have donated over $300,000 to local organizations, such as The Jonnycake Center and to organizations that work all over the world helping people in need, such as ShelterBox.  It is through our fundraising events that this has been possible.  Join us on 5 October, the Player registration form is available on this website as well as Sponsor forms.

 

On Monday, June 29th the Westerly Rotary Club hosted its annual Change of Command/Installation Dinner. It was a beautiful evening and the site was the Grey Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island. Our hosts were Alan & Jen Brinton. After visiting for a bit, President Suzanne called the meeting to order and then dinner was served. In the formal part of the meeting our Assistant District Governor, Nancy Kleniewski, presented the club with District Awards for Public Image, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and being a Vibrant Club. President Suzanne presented Frank Thacker with the Unsung Hero Award.  Certificates were presented to Joe Nigrelli (57 years), Doug Raynor (53 years), and Steve Cofone (43 years) for their length of service in Rotary. Finally, President Suzanne shared her appreciation for members of the club who made the past year one to remember and then went on to present Doug Rayner and Ted Avedesian with Service Above Self Awards from the Club.

 

Ted's Award read, "For always willing to lend a hand; for allowing Avie's to be the meeting place; holder of food items for our monthly food collection; holder of items for our annual auction, golf tournament or other events. We are eternally grateful for all you do. You are an example to us all to be the very best we can be."

 

Doug's award read, "To recognize the many years of "Service Above Self" through your volunteerism to the Community and especially our Club; to recognizer appreciation for the many wonderful handcrafted furniture pieces made for our auctions; to recognize our grateful thank you for the Rotarian example you are for all of us."

 

Immediate Past President Alan Brinton invited incoming President Jeff Wendth forward for the Service of Installation as the new President. He followed that up by installing the members of officers and members of the Rotary Board of directors for the year 2026-2027.

 

President Jeff invited Suzanne to come forward to be recognized for her work as our President and to offer her a gift to show our appreciation for her service to the club. Suzanne symbolically passed the gavel to Jeff and he took a few minutes to share his thoughts about the future of our work together. 

 

(Check out the rotary Web site with more photos from the event.)

      

On Monday, June 8, 2026 we had the pleasure of hearing from Wendy Flanagan and Kayleigh Riccio at the weekly meeting. They shared the story of the URI Surf Therapy program. It began with the vision of Dr. Emily Clapham back in 2010 and has evolved into a recognized and respected program across the country. The program provides a unique and inclusive opportunity of surf and ocean therapy for children with disabilities to engage in new activities, to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles and habits, enhance physical fitness ability, and to build a community amongst their peers. this is the only program of its kind in Rhode Island. Program staff, surf instructors and parents report observing positive outcomes from surf therapy interventions for children who have participated in this program. As a result of their participation the children have benefited from increased self-confidence, gains in social development and decreased anxiety. The program pairs URI students with children in one on one settings. Most of these students have various disabilities including Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy and developmental delays.

 

Wendy Flanagan helps run the summer and fall programs. She is collecting data on the program as part of her Master's degree program this fall.  Kayleigh in involved with the summer program. As with most great programs, funding is always needed. They are looking for grants and donations totaling around $5,000 for the fall program.

   

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.