0529/17 Bits & Pieces

President Laura opened the meeting welcoming 55 members, 1 visiting Rotarian and 4 guests.

Russ Burleigh shared poems for our invocation, and Amy Chipman led our Pledge of Allegiance. President Laura welcomed Robert Duquette, a visiting Rotarian, and we greeted our summer resident Kirk Duffy, from Georgia.

President Laura extended thanks to the day’s support team, the Preble Street volunteers, and the Deering Locker Project volunteers.

She then noted that Dick Hall’s father was honored with the first District 7910 "Ed Hall Foundation Award" for his Rotary service, especially in Haiti. She also asked us to keep new member Andy Stone in our thoughts, as he recovers at Maine Med from a heart attack.

David Small shared a 'Rotary Moment' with a reminiscence of his memories since joining in 1981 at the suggestion of Harold Nelson who told him that Rotary was a “place to do good, while doing well.” He said he was delighted to have been in Rotary for “half my life.” “Thank you for wonderful opportunities to grow, break bread, and getting to know you.”

We welcomed a new member, Deborah Lavoie, introduced to us by Loretta Rowe. She is currently Executive Director of Gary’s House, a respite provided by Mercy Hospital to assist families whose loved ones are undergoing treatment at Mercy. Be sure to introduce yourself to Deb at the next Rotary meeting and welcome her as our newest member.

(Photo L-R: Dave Putnam, Kevin Stilphen (PATH Director), Kevin Siegel, and President Laura Young.)

Dave Putnam introduced Kevin Stilphen, Director of the Portland Area Technical High School (PATH), who shared the school’s selection of Kevin Siegel as the recipient of the Rotary Youth Service Award. Stilphen commented that “every year I look forward to this day more than any other” and thanked the club for the Youth Service Award program. He shared that Kevin Siegel had demonstrated superior citizenship and commitment to the idea of "Service Above Self" by volunteering to be the student representative on the Portland School Board for two years, representing the interests of students in 19 schools. Siegel will be attending the University of Vermont next year.

Amy Chipman brought us up-to-date on our Rotary Foundation goal: we have contributed $14,200 of our $15,000 objective. She introduced Bruce Moore who presented a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) award to his wife and fellow Rotarian, Jan Chapman, her first PHF. Amy acknowledged Bruce’s gift with his second PHF. Congratulations to both Jan and Bruce!

Amy should have stuck to the Rotary Foundation, but no, she led us, or attempted to lead us, in the singing of “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here,” proving, once again, that we have no penchant, or ability, for songs. We continue to demonstrate our capacity to sing as no one has sung before.

Conducting the weekly raffle, Nick Lotfey asked our speaker pull a name out of the holding vessel and he pulled President Laura’s name for a chance to play in our new raffle for $320. She found the Ace of Hearts in the 52 cards. Paul Gore had better odds last week, and a much bigger pot. So once more....the pot starts to grow. 

(Photo left: PP Kris Rosado.)

(Photo right: Alex St. Hilaire.)

Alex St. Hilaire and Past President Kris Rosado brought us up to date on the progress of the Maine Outdoor Challenge (MOC) planning. We are on track for a record year with close to $60,000 in commitments so far. We need Silent Auction contributions from local businesses. Connect with Alex to get involved at: alexander.st.hilaire@bangor.com 

Contact Loretta Rowe (lrowe@maine.rr.com  or 883-5432) to reserve your ticket(s) and register for the Lobster Bake on June 7th starting at 5:00 p.m. with social hour:

AmVets
148 North Rd, Yarmouth, ME 04096

Directions from Portland:
Take I-295 heading North....Take exit 17 onto US Rte 1 South to North Road on right
Follow this road until you see AmVets Hall.