PHI KAPPA PSI - RIBETA    

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Sep 17 2024
Pop Top Open 2024 Recap
This year’s Pop Top was once again played at the Pinecrest Golf Course in Richmond, RI on September 14. We played under blue sunny skies with the temp in the low 80’s. As usual, the course was in great playing condition. There was a moment of silence for deceased Brothers Bob Adams (#13), Brad Carlson (#517) and Marian Bowers, wife of Bill Bowers who ran the Pop Top for many years. We had 70 golfers who participated in the tournament and a few who came for dinner only. Prior to the tournament, there was a long putting contest with hotdogs for everyone and prizes. This was hosted by the course owner. For the 10th year in a row, we had a new winning team. There was a tie for first place between the team of Bailey, Cunha, DiSanto and the team of Rego, Stratton, Kinch and Nasser. The tie breaker was won by Bailey, Cunha and DiSanto. Third place went to Stapleton, Deegan, Farmer and Giardini. The winning teams received gift cards to Dick’s Golf Galaxy/Dick’s Sport Stores. The long drive went to Dave Rego and 2nd place to Jon Bailey. Closest to the pin on the 8th hole was won by Dillon Schultz and 2nd place to Dave Turnquist. After the tournament, we enjoyed an Italian Buffet dinner on the outdoor patio. Many thanks to Glenn Stratton who ran the Pop Top for the 3rd consecutive year! Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s golf tournament. Next year’s Pop Top Open will be played at this same course on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10am.
 
 
Feb 04 2024
Founder's Day 2024
Dear Phi Kappa Psi Rhode Island Beta Brothers! You are invited to attend the Rhode Island Beta Founders Dinner on Friday, April 12th, 2024 at 6pm, to be held at Maria’s Cucina at 477 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island. This year's Founder's Dinner is one for the books because we are thrilled to announce the completion of our new Chapter House located at 15 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI. We have matters to discuss and new brothers to meet, and we would appreciate your attendance. Dinner cost is $60.00 and can be paid at the door. All we ask is that you RSVP us by April 5th to Brother Ryan Rocha at ryan.f.rocha@gmail.com Dinner Menu • Salad / Rolls ……. Tortellini / w/ prosciutto • Chicken Parm …..Stuffed Sole Green Beans • Coffee Station ….Desert Station - cheesecake, cannolis, olive oil cake • w/ one Alcohol Beverage ticket We look forward to seeing you all! Vinny … Vinny Prattico Phi Kappa Psi Alumni House Corporation President Mobile number 518-209-1407 Email: vp3beer@gmail.com
 
 
Oct 18 2023
AHC Treasurer Update - October 2023
To all RI Betans: As some of you may know, I have been on the AHC since 1999 and Treasurer since 2007 when Bill Bowers took ill leaving a tremendous void in our AHC. During this time, we had our highs including a $1.2M renovation of 4 Fraternity Circle in 2007/2008 as well as our lows losing the chapter / charter in late 2008. Luckily, the AHC was strong in many ways; we picked up the pieces and ended up getting into a long lease with Zeta Tau Alpha, a powerful sorority from the south. We were able to recolonize in 2014 but in 2016, the decision was made to sell 4 Fraternity Circle to ZTA. With Chris Conti and myself, financially we stayed well ahead of the curve and kept a large warchest for the time when we decided to build again on URI's campus. With the help of Walt Augustyn, we went to URI, secured a lot at the entrance to Fraternity Circle and commenced our plans through a local architect. What we had originally planned and accepted by URI was a small club house style house with 4 bedrooms but a lot of room for gatherings and Phi Psi Rituals. Well COVID hit as we were about to break ground in 2020 and over the next year, URI completely changed their approval to a new requirement of a 2-story structure with 10 rooms and expandable to 20 rooms. The anticipated costs went from $1.2M, which we could have paid in full with cash in hand to a projected $2.8M. The board at the time, put the brakes on that project as we researched many options. In 2020, Vin Prattico came on as AHC President along with older brothers Mike Montle and Mike Douglas and younger brothers Steve Rodriguez, Ryan Rocha and Evan Miller. We then pursued the idea of a smaller property on or near campus. In the Spring of 2022, we found a house at 15 Upper College Rd right across from what used to be Theta Chi & Phi Sigma Kappa. The house was a rental in slight disrepair but the location was prime and it offered 6 bedrooms. We ended up purchasing the house for $581K and with Mike Montle who is in the construction business, the renovation process began! We still had about $470K in reserve and $350K was to be our anticipated budget. The house / land is owned free & clear by the RI Beta AHC and we are not locked into a URI land lease! Mike Montle is doing a tremendous job using his business contacts and while we will be above this budgeted amount, I have designated a $50K in reserve for the AHC. At our last meeting, the AHC Board decided to appeal to the nearly 1400 Phi Psi Alumni for a Furniture Campaign which we hope closes the gap for our furnishings. Our entire business plan since I have been on the board was to keep RI Beta as owners of 4 Fraternity Circle and never once did we seek assistance from National nor from Phi Psi Alum. We have always done it our way which allowed us to amass the funds we have once the dust settled after the sale of 4 Fraternity Circle. This is still our mantra but we are appealing to all Phi Psi Brothers; No gift is too large and no gift is too small. I hope you find it in your heart to assist with our endeavor and return Phi Kappa Psi to URI's campus. All donations will be kept in a secondary fund for our campaign which is being led by Brs. Lee Arnold, Mike Douglas and Ryan Rocha. All I ask is that you forward this to any and all Phi Psi's you may have contact with (your inner circles)! We also need to expand our database in www.ribeta.com (approx. 500 valid email members) as well as on Facebook; PHI KAPPA PSI - Rhode Island Beta Alumni (264 members). T/Y & Amici… Br Joe Hart #431 1 Narrows Rd Narragansett, RI 02882 jphartjr@gmail.com 401-500-1183 VENMO - available upon request
 
 
Oct 18 2023
New Phi Kappa Psi Residence
Dear Brother! I hope this letter finds you in great spirits and good health. I am writing to you on behalf of the Phi Kappa Psi Alumni House Corporation, to update you on the house we purchased at 15 Upper College Road, Kingston, Rhode Island, which is adjacent to the University of Rhode Island campus. The Phi Psi AHC purchased this home last summer for $581,000 and have spent another $400,000 renovating the house. We did this to create a place where 6 Rhode Island Beta Brothers attending URI can live as well as create an environment for the brotherhood that fosters camaraderie as they await classes, study, have meals or enjoy a social setting as they are watching sporting events on TV or playing games. Our goal is to have the home ready for occupancy, Spring of 2024. However, to do this, we need to buy new furniture and appliances to allow the Phi Psi brothers who will be living in the house a true home away from home. It will also provide comfortable and functional furniture, to create an environment that promotes healthy brotherhood relationships, personal wellbeing, and a positive fraternity experience for all members. This is where we kindly request your assistance to donate to the Phi Kappa Psi Alumni House Corporation to help us purchase the new furniture and appliances. Your donation will enable us to acquire the essential pieces such as beds, mattresses, desks, chairs, sofas, dining room furniture, etc. Additionally, we are planning to create dedicated areas within our house for a social lounge, study atrium, which will greatly enhance our members academic performance and a sense of community. We understand that times are uncertain, and everyone faces their unique challenges. However, any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. We have a goal to raise $50,000, and with over 1,000 alumni members we feel confident that we can achieve if not exceed our goal. This can only be achieved by humbly inviting you to support our cause to our furniture campaign. Your generosity will be acknowledged and sincerely appreciated by our fraternity, its members, and the wider community. To donate, please send a check payable to Phi Kappa Psi RI Beta Fraternity with notation “Furniture Campaign” and mail the check to Joe Hart our AHC Treasurer. His address is: Joe Hart 1 Narrows Road Narragansett, RI 02882 Saturday, October 14, is Homecoming at URI and we will be having an open house from 8 am to 11am, for anyone who wishes to visit the house and see firsthand what we are trying to accomplish. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me or anyone who is in the Alumni House Corporation listed below. We will be more than happy to address any inquiries you may have. Alumni House Corporation Members and Advisors: Lee Arnold, Jake Cannon, Chad Chelo, Mike Douglas, Joe Hart, Andrew Marshall, Evan Miller, Mike Montle, Vinny Prattico, Ryan Rocha, Steve Rodriguez, Pat Rossonni, John Spagnolo, Glenn Stratton, Sean Sutherland. Thank you once again for your support! Together, we can create a warm and inviting house that will positively impact the lives of our brothers. With your help, the RI Beta Phi Kappa Psi fraternity will continue to flourish for years to come. High! High! High! Phi Kappa Psi! Live ever! Die Never! Phi Kappa Psi! Warmest Regards, PHI KAPPA PSI ALUMNI HOUSE CORPORATION Vinny Prattico Phi Kappa Psi Alumni House Corporation President Mobile number 518-209-1407 Email: vprattico@aol.com
 
 
Sep 19 2023
Pop Top Open 2023
The Pop Top Open was played at the Pinecrest Golf Course in Richmond, RI on Saturday, September 16. Once again, we were thankful that we dodged Hurricane Lee whose path came close to cancelling our golf tournament. This is the 2nd time that hurricanes have tried to overtake our tournament in the last 4 years. As it turned out, we had fall like conditions with temperatures in the upper 60’s with no rain or wind. We broke our record for attendance by having 73 golfers that included 24 undergrads! We had a moment of silence for Gary Yeadon who passed away in April of this year. There was also a prayer moment for Dave Curran’s 5 year old grandson, Landon, who was recently diagnosed with a rare syndrome and has required blood transfusions amongst other treatments. For the 2nd consecutive year, Glenn Stratton organized this year’s Pop Top Open and did a nice job getting everyone there early to register and to tee off on time. A big thank you to Glenn for his tireless work on this event. It was decided to use white tees on the front and back nine. For the 9th year in a row, we had a new winning team. The winning team consisted of Ben Geraghty, Ed Potter, Ryan Dennis and Anthony Taddei. Second place went to Mike Slattery, Don Coyne and Pat Clays. Closest to pin on the 5th hole went to Mike Slattery (7ft, 1 in) and 2nd place to Paul Shawver. Longest drive on the 3rd hole went to Cam Farmer with 2nd place going to Ben Geraghty. Glenn thought the tournament went well as did the course owner. After golfing, everyone gathered on the back patio for drinks and a great Italian Buffet. By a straw vote, it was decided to keep the Pop Top as an 18 hole event. The 2024 Pop Top will be held at Pinecrest on September 14 at 10am. Thank you, once again, to all the Phi Psi brothers and friends who made this year's Pop Top Open a successful event! We hope to see everyone next year.