05/06/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Tom Talbott 
 
On Kentucky Derby Eve, President Bowen called post time at the ordained time of 12:15, welcoming 64 members and 7 guests to the starting gate. Duly noted – Bowen reminded everyone that there is plenty of road construction currently in the downtown area, so you should plan on a few extra minutes of travel time in the upcoming weeks.
 
One of our special guests who joined us, K. C. Lamontagne (accompanied by dad Justin), is being primed to be a future Rotarian.
 
With Mother’s Day falling on Sunday, Invocator Rusty Atwood graced us with a poem written by Elizabeth Chase Akers Allen, titled “Rock Me To Sleep.” Born in Strong, ME in 1832, she would become best known for this passage:
 
Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again just for tonight!
Mother, come back from the echoless shore,
Take me again to your heart as of yore;
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—      
Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!
 
 
Erik Jorgensen led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Russ Burleigh piano’d a rousing 'God Bless America.' 
 
Jim Willey gave us our weekly history lesson, circa ’73-’74. With OPEC interrupting the flow of crude, oil prices leaped 200%. Inflation hit as high as 11.3%, settling at 8.1% increase – very costly! The World Trade Towers briefly held the honor of the tallest buildings, until the Sears Tower in Chicago inched past. Portland Rotarian Howard C. Reiche, former principal of Portland High, had the new West End elementary school named in his honor. Minutes from a meeting that year quoted Howard speaking about Rotarian singing, where he often played the piano. “I played the white keys, I played the black keys, and the Rotary sings in the cracks.” Jim also noted a number of our current Rotarians were showing up in the minutes of the ’73-’74 era. Austin Harris was recognized for 11 years of perfect attendance! Mark Stimson, Don Lowry, John Houghton, and Ralph Tully (Paul Tully’s father) were all mentioned. Guest speakers included the 2nd in Command – world wide - of the Salvation Army, and Democratic National Committee Chairman – George Mitchell. If you want more details on that lively year, pull Jim aside!
 
On to the music with Gracie Johnston taking us “Out to the Ballgame,” and "Happy Birthday" to our May crop.   Gracie tried to stoke the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, but didn’t know that this week’s editor is a Yankees fan, and thus her comments were not recorded. 
Rusty Atwood proudly announced the birth of his first grandson last Wednesday!
 
Card Draw! Matt Tassey showed his slight of hand by attempting to have the card drawn first and then pulling a name. Very clever! When that was straightened out, Ben Lowry had the honor of pulling the Jack of Hearts, which did not win, place, or show. The pot continues to grow for next week.
 
Our Youth Service Award announcement was handled by Katie Brown, who welcomed our recipient, Casco Bay High School student Maggie Ruff. Principal Derek Pierce gave us a litany of accomplishments Maggie has earned or undertaken, starting off by saying that she is most definitely a “hands on” person. Duly noted, it seems that Maggie is the person that her peers look to for both guidance and motivation on a wide range of projects. Graduating Cum Laude, she’ll be heading to Connecticut College with a double major in Arts and Communication. Principal Pierce added that Maggie was a “terrific embodiment of Rotarian values,” with a “love of arts, and a love of helping people.”  In recognition of her many accolades, Portland Rotary was proud to provide a check for $1000 towards her college education and an additional donation of $100 to the charity of her choice.
 
Great to see new members this year, Andreea Paine and Alex St. Hilaire up at the podium talking about the Maine Outdoor Challenge! Tickets are on sale now for the Lobster Bake (June 8th), the Raffle, and of course teams for the event. On the tables were flyers with Raffle info – only 300 tix at $20 will be sold. You could win a $1500 Hunting Package or a $1500 Fly Fishing Package.
For a Fly Fishing Raffle ticket: <http://www.bgcmaine.org/fishing>
For a Hunting Raffle ticket: <http://www.bgcmaine.org/hunting>
We need more items for the auction, so please seek out area businesses and ask for their participation. From the floor, gauntlets were being thrown down left and right. Bruce Moore and Dick Hall separately issued challenges to anyone who dared think they could be beaten.  Never underestimate realtors, surveyors, and engineers. They know the lay of the land. 
 
 
Rob “He-Needs-No-Microphone” Chatfield reminded one and all that our “BBQ Crawl and Poker Run” will be held on Sat. May 21. Register as soon as you can online, so we can give the restaurants a heads up on numbers. http://portlandrotary.org/event/bbq-crawl-and-poker-run-raffle/ (See separate article.)
 
Amy Chipman’s Foundation Update! Our centennial year goal is $23k. We set the goal high, but we can do it!  Currently at $13,376, but we have another $2500 assured, so we’re at just under $16k. Have you become a sustaining member? Let’s make this Centennial Year goal!
 
Say good bye to “bits and pieces” of Bill Blount, as he readies himself to have both knees replaced next month. One first, then the second a month later. Like any athlete, Bill timed his surgery for the off-season, as he announced this Spring’s Rotary Tennis League champs -  Jim Barns, Dick Hall, Erik Jorgensen, and Laura Young. (See separate article.)