05/27/16 Bits & Pieces

President Bowen opened the meeting by welcoming 60 members and 6 guests in the Casco Bay Hall of the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay.

Juliana L’Heureux presented our invocation, quoting from President Dwight Eisenhower’s  speech designating May 30, 1954 as  a U.S. holiday: A proclamation for peace and a call for amity between nations.

Dave Putnam led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, then we sang the National Anthem with Kathy Grammer playing the piano.

Jim Willey promised that the history moment being presented at today's meeting was to share the good and bad. Jim reminded us that from Portland Rotary’s beginning in 1915 to 1987, membership was restricted to only males. Even in this day and age, some Rotary clubs on this earth still restrict their members to males only. Jim apologized for his several years of biased membership before 1987, when the first woman to be admitted to our club was Jane Schurz.

Then the second and third women to join our club, Judy Cavalero ('87) and Loretta Rowe ('88) followed shortly after. As women were allowed to join, two Rotarians actually quit. It is undeniable that our club is immeasurably blessed with the contributions of our diverse female members. Loretta Rowe, who was our first woman president of Portland Rotary (1998-99), gave a warm presentation and admitted that Rotary has been a positive turning point in her life and the members became like a second family.

The weekly raffle, which was up to $285, was led by Jim Willey. Katie Brown was chosen, but she picked the three of diamonds. Her charity did better (The Locker Project) receiving a $500 donation from Rotary’s Charitable Fund.

(Photo: Jennifer Burns and member, Lili Brown)

The giving continued as Jennifer Burns, Director of Education accepted a $5000 check for the United Way of Greater Portland, to be used in making a video to help teach parents how to actively read to their children and offer encouragement for them to continue reading on their own. Another $877 check was presented to Feeding Bodies and Minds, an initiative of our CHE program. Long Creek Youth Center was not left out and Jim Willey accepted a $5000 check on their behalf of the former Long Creek residents to assist with their transition back into the communities.

Mike Fortunato encouraged members to register online by Friday afternoon (5/27), as to whether they will attend our Club's group photograph session next Friday, June 3, 2015 on the steps of City Hall. Mike also made an appeal for members to attend the lobster bake on Wednesday, June 8, which concludes the Maine Outdoor Challenge. You can contact Loretta Rowe to signup for this event: lrowe@maine.rr.com  or  883-5432.  

Our Foundation Chairperson-extraordinnaire, Amy Chipman came up to the podium requesting that Dick Giles join her. Dick awarded George Crockett with a Paul Harris Fellow and in turn, Amy awarded Dick with his fifth PHF. 

(Photo: Kevin Stilphen, Caleb Southwick and Dave Putnam.)

Dave Putnam introduced PATHS Student Director, Kevin Stilphen, who introduced the Club to our newest Youth Service Award recipient, Caleb Southwick. Caleb received a scholarship award to further his education and a check to go to his charity of choice - West Buxton Baptist Church.