03/31/17 Bits & Pieces

President Laura Young began the meeting at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay welcoming 54 Rotarians and 2 guests. Tom Nickerson offered us the invocation with the ‘Serenity Prayer.’ Andy Stone led us in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance,’  and Kathy Grammer played the keyboard as we sang ‘America the Beautiful.’

President Laura thanked all whose efforts made our meeting possible. Laura mentioned the get well card for Elise Hodgkin, who was off her feet, as one of those feet had foot surgery. Elise is doing fine and will be back with us as soon as she can. 

2017-18 Rotary year: Laura reminded us to complete and return the previously emailed “Committee Preference Sheets” to Loretta Rowe by this coming Saturday (4/8) to let the leadership of the Club know where you would like to help out for the coming year. 

Laura mentioned that Ben Lowry is in the news as an inductee to Maine’s Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Terri St. Angelo conducted the raffle and our speaker drew Bill Blount’s name for a chance to win $1700. Bill drew the eight of diamonds, so the pot will continue to grow until the lucky card drawer finds the elusive Queen of Hearts. Only 10 cards to go!  

Gracie Johnston led us in song and seeing that the opening day of major league baseball is upon us, we sang the old standby, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” where Gracie donned a Sea Dogs hat, then switched to a Boston Red Sox hat on the second chorus.

Kathy Grammer accompanied us on the keyboard, wearing a NY Yankees hat. 

Ogy Nikolic provided an interesting ‘Rotary Moment,’ focusing on four topics: 

1. How he heard about Rotary....in Serbia he thought it was a scam, too good to be true.  

2. How he first got involved....as a Rotary Exchange student to Saco, Maine in 1997.

3. Benefits of Rotary....it helped him distinguish himself to college recruiters and enhanced his leadership skills.

4. What he hopes to accomplish....give back and help others.

Standing in for Amy Chipman, Dick Hall announced that an eighth ‘Circle-of-Five’ is forming in our Club for making contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Making up four of the five circle members are Ellen Niewoehner, Bruce Moore, Mike Fortunato and Tom Ranello, with ONE opening remaining to round out the circle. Contact Amy Chipman if you would like to participate or would like additional information: amy.chipman@rbc.com. Excitement for this Friday: a drawing will be made for one member each of the existing seven "Circles of Five" to win a Paul Harris Fellow!

Laura mentioned the District Conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport on May 19-21, 2017. For more information and/or to register, go to: rotary7780.org/event/e781cb82-1eb8-4188-afc0-0e183a54ce28/

Laura pointed out that we need your help......lately we have not been making our 50-person minimum lunch guarantee at our meetings, despite the fact that attendance has surpassed 50 on many occasions. She appealed to the non-diners to help defer the club’s expenses, as we have to pay the difference and the funds could be better used in our service projects.