At a “Brown Bag” luncheon held at the home of Michael Razza and Suzanne Comer, Suzanne was installed as the President of the Rotary Club of Westwood for the year 2012-2013.  Rebecca Schofield was installed as President Elect and will be the President for the year 2013-2014.  Robert Eiben was installed as the Club Secretary and Laura Macs as the Club’s Treasurer.

Outgoing President Joseph D. Federico was thanked for his effort and commitment for the year 2011-2012.  Under his leadership, the Club held two Recycling Events, held a free Holiday concert, donated gifts to those in need during the holiday season, held a Pancake Breakfast, and assisted with the Annual Rabies Clinic.  The Club also gave a scholarship to a graduating Westwood High School student, sent four students to the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) program to learn leadership skills, recognized four students through the Club’s RAY (Recognize A Youth) program in conjunction with the Westwood Youth and Family Services for their commitment to community service, and donated dictionaries to all the third graders in the Westwood Public School system.  Internationally, the Club supported a water project in Brazil and a computer program in Zambia.

The club chose to have the installation as a “Brown Bag” luncheon with the members donating the normal fee paid for lunch donated to the club’s Polio Plus campaign.  Funds donated through the Polio Plus campaign will be matched with funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates fund to eradicate polio around the world.  Polio is still prevalent in three countries, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The Rotary Club of Westwood is a group of local business men and women that meet weekly at the Holiday Inn in Dedham every Tuesday at 12:15 for lunch and to listen to guest speakers.  If you are interested in learning more about Rotary or would like to attend a luncheon meeting, please contact Michael Razza at stxx@aol.com.

On May 1, 2012, the Rotary Club of Westwood recently honored John Markarian, former Music Director for the Westwood Schools on his ninetieth birthday.  John was joined by his wife, Helen, his son and daughter, his daughter-in-law, and his grandson for a special celebration luncheon followed by a cake adorned with a piano.  The Rotary Club also presented John with a bronze plaque that will be attached to the gazebo that is located in front of the Westwood Senior Center.  The plaque reads,

In Honor of

John Markarian

Westwood Schools Music Director

1948 -1984

Proud Rotarian

The gazebo was given to the Town of Westwood to celebrate 100 years of Rotary.  John has been a very active member of Rotary since 1984.  He and his wife, Helen, volunteered and supported many Rotary events.  Helen was presented with a bouquet of flowers and was made an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Westwood.

On April 28, 2012, the Rotary Club of Westwood emptied 87 cars and trucks of their worldly treasures to be recycled by Northeast Recycling.  Washing machines to lawnmowers, computers to bicycles to children’s play yard furniture were collected filling two large containers all at $30.00 per vehicle.  Everything is broken down and recycled.  Televisions were also collected at .50 per pound as televisions are recycled at a cost to the company.

The Rotary Club of Westwood is a group of business men and women that meet weekly at the Holiday Inn in Dedham on Tuesdays for lunch at 12:15.  The Rotary Club offers scholarships and leadership programs locally and works with other Rotary Clubs including some internationally on water projects in various countries.  The main task on Rotary is to eradicate polio worldwide and is currently working the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to reach that goal.  Polio only remains in three countries.

To find out more about Rotary or to attend a meeting, please contact Michael Razza at stxx@aol.com.

The Rotary Club of Westwood will be holding its fourth Annual Family Holiday Celebration, showcasing the Charles River Chorale of Millis and the Snug Harbor Community Chorus of Duxbury.  The program will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at the Westwood High School Auditorium and will be free to all.  Donations will be accepted for Rotary's Polio Plus campaign.

 You will also have an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets at $25.00 per ticket for a pair of tickets to the Patriots vs Miami Dolphins game December 24th at 1:00.  Ticket sales will be limited to 200 tickets.