02/03/17 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Bill Blount
President Laura opened the meeting at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay, with 67 members and 5 guests.
Paul Tully presented our invocation with facts and figures about the enormous consumption of food and beverage when the country celebrates the last football event of the season, the Super Bowl. (This year our own New England Patriots are in the biggest game of the year.....and with the game on Sunday, we can report that they pulled off the Super Bowl win in fantastic fashion...forcing a first-in-history overtime game!)
John Marr was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and we sang "America."
After lunch, President Laura reconvened the meeting, thanking the members who contributed to the smooth operation of our meeting day duties. She issued a warm, "Welcome back!" to Steve Stromsky....and asked us to keep Justin Lamontagne, Max Chikuta and Michel Kanyambo in our thoughts and prayers, as they are experiencing personal challenges.
Jan Chapman shared her personal 'Rotary Moment.' Jan was born into a Rotary family. Her 95-year old father had 55 years of perfect attendance in Rotary. Her brother and his wife are Rotarians, as of course is Jan’s husband and sponsor, Bruce Moore. Jan held off joining the club until she went with Bruce on the club’s International Service 3-H mission to the Dominican Republic. After that, she was convinced. Jan concluded by pointing out that the 4-Way Test is a great filter for the barrage of information we are all subjected to in our daily lives.
Russ Burleigh led us in singing "Happy Birthday" to our members celebrating February birthdays and then, in tune with our speaker's subject (Abraham Lincoln), led us in a rendition of "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory."
.JPG)
Past President Kris Rosado gave us a call to action for the Maine Outdoor Challenge, our largest annual fund raiser, to be held in June. He recognized the major sponsors and new teams forming to join the fun. Kris called upon the membership for raffle donations, like stays at vacation homes, cruises on yachts, sports packages, etc. For more information, contact Kris at: krisrosado67@gmail.com.
Kris also reminded us that the 2017 District 7780 Conference is coming up on May 19-21 at the luxurious Samoset Resort in Rockland. All Rotarians are invited/encouraged to register and attend. For more information, go to the District website at: rotary7780.org
Jan Chapman shared her personal 'Rotary Moment.' Jan was born into a Rotary family. Her 95-year old father had 55 years of perfect attendance in Rotary. Her brother and his wife are Rotarians, as of course is Jan’s husband and sponsor, Bruce Moore. Jan held off joining the club until she went with Bruce on the club’s International Service 3-H mission to the Dominican Republic. After that, she was convinced. Jan concluded by pointing out that the 4-Way Test is a great filter for the barrage of information we are all subjected to in our daily lives.
Russ Burleigh led us in singing "Happy Birthday" to our members celebrating February birthdays and then, in tune with our speaker's subject (Abraham Lincoln), led us in a rendition of "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory."
Matt Tassey led the raffle asking our speaker to pull a name to try for the $1305 pot. Ironically, our speaker, Erin Bishop Cadigan, drew her own name, but saved face by drawing the 9 of Clubs......so the pot grows.
President Laura briefly discussed the March 30 Rotary Alzheimers action group coming up. (See separate article in this issue.)
President Laura briefly discussed the March 30 Rotary Alzheimers action group coming up. (See separate article in this issue.)
Past President Kris Rosado gave us a call to action for the Maine Outdoor Challenge, our largest annual fund raiser, to be held in June. He recognized the major sponsors and new teams forming to join the fun. Kris called upon the membership for raffle donations, like stays at vacation homes, cruises on yachts, sports packages, etc. For more information, contact Kris at: krisrosado67@gmail.com.
Kris also reminded us that the 2017 District 7780 Conference is coming up on May 19-21 at the luxurious Samoset Resort in Rockland. All Rotarians are invited/encouraged to register and attend. For more information, go to the District website at: rotary7780.org
Ben Millick announced a fellowship opportunity. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Portland Rotary Club will host a "Happy Hour" gathering. These events will be open for all Rotarians and is an opportunity for us to get together and have fun. The event will switch each month to a different location in Portland. Please feel free to bring guests! There are a number of people in this city who have the time and willingness to volunteer, but due to work constraints, don't have the flexibility to make the weekly lunch meetings that are required of Rotarians. This is a good chance to introduce them to the members and explain ways they can assist us in our efforts to better the community. We will be hosting our first event at the Oxbow Brewing Company, 49 Washington Ave., Portland, on Wednesday, March 1st, at 5:30 pm. For questions or more information, contact Ben at: bmillick@clarkinsurance.com.