Representative Moffitt and family, cherished members of the Pawtuxet Valley Preservation and Historical Society and invited guests. As your outgoing president I feel somewhat obligated to provide you with at least a condensed “State of Affairs” address utilizing the show and tell method. First the “tell.” Yes, there were a number of accomplishments these past two years and I certainly won't attempt to list them all. Suffice to say those major projects such as the exterior painting of our building, the acquisition of a new sign and flag, the ongoing preservation of the Gleaner, the purchase of the archival storage system, the revision of the lending and loan policy, and the short-lived life of the PVPHS Follies, are all worthy of mention.
But perhaps what has been the most gratifying for me, is the privilege of having assisted by such dedicated and caring individuals. This is indeed a golden opportunity for me to express my gratitude to them all.
I would like to begin by saying thanks to our past vice-president, Cecilia St. Jean, who I previously described as an indefatigable volunteer, a person who has made a contribution through a lifetime of effort. Those were some of my words when I submitted her name for consideration to the 2006 Antoinette F. Downing Volunteer Award. She has faithfully served as Editor-in-Chief of our monthly newsletter and has submitted numerous grant proposals with great success. Even through she has been my right hand person in every way, I don’t want you to get the impression she’s another Hillary Clinton and I appreciated the fact that she didn’t want to be either. Cecilia, I thank you for your tremendous support and to your husband, Normand, for his “behind the scenes” assistance as well.
When I first heard the name Frank Ford and was told he would serve as my secretary, I had no idea what to expect. For those of you who regularly attend our monthly meetings, you know what to expect- a through recapitulation of what took place previously. Board meetings were no exception either. Frank maintained an uncanny retention of what was said and I chuckle to this day, his own words ringing in my ears, “If you don’t want me to write it, then don’t say it!” He has been one of the most remarkable scribes I have ever met. Denis is surely blessed to have him continue in this capacity. And thanks to Yvette Heroux for filling in when Frank was incapacitated.
To Romeo… the outgoing Treasurer thanks for keeping us in the black and out of the dark. Your vigilance in keeping the books, especially when you discovered a major discrepancy in billing is commendable. You kept the society solvent by maintaining impeccable records and your assistance to the Society in various other capacities is praiseworthy. You were always there whenever I requested your help and yes, you have truly been your brother’s keeper.
To our outgoing Corresponding Secretary Jackie… thank you for always responding in a prompt and courteous manner, whether it be sending out Thank You or Sympathy cards, checking out miscellaneous correspondence, re-drafting the by-laws, or handling other related issues. You did justice to the word “Secretary” and I might add that you’re a great sister-in-law too. I’m sure that your replacement, Lorraine Costa, will be as equally assiduous.
Edye… thank you for fulfilling your duties as Office Manager as well as serving on various other committees, such as the one tonight. Good Luck as you take on the added position of Board Member. You’ll probably be grateful that I won’t be walking into the office anymore with my tape measure in my hand asking you if anyone had called to be sized up for a casket. (Note: Lou is a bearer for a local funeral home.)
Judy Roch has assisted in bringing our membership to a total of 195, including 21 single Life Members, and 13 Life Member Couples, for a total of 47 Life Members. She will now take on a new position as Treasurer. Thank you Judy.
Denis…thanks for revitalizing the Plaque Committee. I know you spent long hours drafting the guidelines, reviewing proposals and encouraging participation. Kudos to both you and Henry Brousseau for your time and effort.
To Gerry Heroux…chairperson of the Archives Committee. Thanks for everything you’ve done and continue to do, not only on Saturdays but during the course of each week. You saved us some big bucks on the purchase of our flag. You and our future Vice-President Chris Motta, are doing a fabulous job rearranging and storing our priceless possessions.
Diane Plante…thanks for all your work as chair of the Calendar Committee and for all those other little projects you do in between.
To Sue…our Web-mistress, thanks for maintaining our website and responding to the numerous inquiries sent to us, passing them along to the appropriate person, usually your Dad! We are now immersed in the modern electronic technology.
To my fellow Board of Directors, past and present, namely Normand Plante, originator of the Ghost Tour, Donald Carpenter, our unofficial Historian, Denis Roch, our incoming president, and Normand Goulet, our in-house artist…thanks for your active participation and support to me as well.
For those unfamiliar with Board meeting procedures, I pretty much follow the same order as they appeared on the agenda but I would be remiss I not mentioning Linda Yates, my personal Administrative Secretary, who each month typed those agendas and adorned them with caricatures indicating that month’s theme. She also handled much of my outside correspondence. Thanks, sweetheart, for your ongoing encouragement as well.
I would also like to acknowledge the regulars of our Saturday business hours crew and ask them to rise for a nice round of applause – you all know who you are, but if you should need prodding – Dick Hughes, Lorraine Costa, Normand and Diane, Bob and Marie, Romy, Gerry and Yvette, Cecilia, Edye, Normand Goulet, Chris Motta and Normand Pelletier.
Lastly thanks to the committee responsible for tonight’s installation banquet and I ask them all to stand and be recognized.
Now comes the “show” part and I am truly indebted to Al DeStefano for his creative and artistic talent in putting this all together. I approached Al about three weeks ago, asking him if he thought a visual presentation might be feasible, a pictorial summary that might supplement, entertain and enlighten. I provided him with a list of a few ideas and within a matter of just two days he had completed the finished product.
Thanks Al, not only for this Power-Point presentation, worth a thousand words, but serving as Emcee this evening. It is evident that you continue to support the Society with the same zeal you had when you were President. I am now honored to join you in the ranks of Past Presidents – as President Emeritus.
Thank you all for a rewarding term of office!
Here is the Show!