02/17/17 Bits & Pieces
Posted by John Marr
Each club president is offered advice during their year to take some time off and allow their successor time at the podium to prepare for their upcoming year. President Laura heeded this advice and headed to Florida for a week of leisure time, turning the podium over to Vice President Don Zillman. Don welcomed 55 members, 2 honorary members and 6 guests to our meeting. He also thanked all who were part of putting the meeting day together.
When it comes to offering up an invocation, you can be certain that Russ Burleigh will be on point and provide arcane bits which few knew. We pledged our Allegiance to the Flag and sang our patriotic song.
Every Rotarian has a story to tell when it comes to how they became part of the fold. Our minute this week was offered up by long-time, but still young, Past President Peter Goffin. Peter was enticed to join the Portland Rotary Club in the early eighties when the club was just starting to come into the light. He found himself surrounded by a cluster of “old men” and began to wonder if he had made a poor choice. In the ever-amazing fashion of Rotary fellowship, Cuddy Cohen, reached out to him and invited Peter to join them on the tennis court and the love affair began. Peter's minute proved the importance of our new effort to befriend our newbies and make sure they feel welcome, part of and involved in the acts of humanity that define Rotary.
Vice-President Don Zillman, recognized the members that are reaching out to the multi-national children at Lyseth School. The program is well subscribed by Rotary and additional support is found among Don’s students at the School of Law. Don had two students from China assisting him as he read to the third-grade class that he visits monthly.
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Our weekly raffle to date has grown better than some 401k plans! With a pot that has increased to more than $1,370 and an ever-diminishing deck of cards (16), you’d think we’d be moving on. Loretta Rowe conducted the raffle this week, requesting that our speaker pull a member's name from the bucket. Embarrassing as it was, Mr. Botana pulled her name, but VP Don jumped in to assist in fanning out the cards, allowing her to honestly participate. She pulled the right suit-wrong card and was no more luckier than those before her. So the growth of money continues to go up, as the number of cards go down.
Charlie Frair certainly has many faithful friends. Despite the winter storm last Sunday, Charlie's friends attended a fabulous birthday bash, which he designed to provide fellowship. In lieu of gifts, he requested that guests make a donation to the Rotary Club of Portland. Charlie, who is only 70-years young was flanked by his younger sister and his father, Paul, also a Rotarian. More than $2,000 was raised for Portland Rotary. Nice job, Charlie!
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Ben Millick reminded us of 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! This is a good chance to introduce guests 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. You may register online at: http://portlandrotary.org/event/rotary-club-social-event-at-ox-box-brewing/For questions or more information, contact Ben at: bmillick@clarkinsurance.com.