06/24/16 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Tom Talbott
All hail, President Bowen called to order the last meeting of his 2015-2016 term, in our Club’s fabulous Centennial Year!
It was a beautiful summer day to toast the wonderful year it was, while at the same time remembering one of our esteemed and cherished members, Herb Carmichael, who passed away this week. Herb joined Portland Rotary in 1975, and was our club President 1985-1986. He will be missed. (Photo: Herb Carmichael, not so long ago.) His obituary in the Press Herald can be read here: http://bit.ly/292RVVH
One visiting Rotarian and three non-Rotarian guests joined the 57 club members in attendance, joined in chorus as Russ Burleigh led us on the keyboard. With Bowen waiting to make his parting remarks, our meeting moved from lunch to business in expedited fashion.
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First up, Howie Herodes gave us a 'History Moment,' circa 1991-1992, the year when Tom Saturley was at the helm of the Club. Highlights of that era included the aforementioned Herb Carmichael’s 14 years of perfect attendance, numerous invocations by Ed Nelson, Harry Sawyer introducing new member Russ Burleigh, John Houghton’s leadership in Salvation Army bell-ringing, all under the watchful eye of our very own Bob Patten as District Governor. On the world stage, G.W. Bush was President of the U.S., Gandhi was assassinated, 'Hurricane Bob' wreaked havoc in New England, and gas cost $1.12 per gallon. In addition to the interesting trivia, Howie urged us to find time to go through the club archives and relive some of the moments you may have forgotten. .JPG)
On cue, Jim Willey announced that we have had our club meeting minutes digitized. He echoed Howie’s sentiments on the nostalgic appeal, claiming they are “a hoot.” They still need to be categorized and catalogued, and will ultimately be available on DVD. Even better, Loretta Rowe has been given the challenge of posting the archives online for future reference – stay tuned.
On cue, Jim Willey announced that we have had our club meeting minutes digitized. He echoed Howie’s sentiments on the nostalgic appeal, claiming they are “a hoot.” They still need to be categorized and catalogued, and will ultimately be available on DVD. Even better, Loretta Rowe has been given the challenge of posting the archives online for future reference – stay tuned. We wish a speedy recovery to Kathy Grammer, who fell off her bike, broke her wrist, and needed surgery.
On other medical fronts, Bionic Bill Blount has one, soon to be two, titanium knees. Keep an eye on him, he may be getting his own TV series.
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Money, money, money! Or not. With Loretta employing advanced shuffling techniques, Julie L’Heureux's odds of drawing a winning raffle card were slim....she produced a non-bankable five of diamonds. The pot thickens. On July 8th, you could win….$441.
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Time for a toast! Noting that it had not been done at the Gala, President Bowen had a bottle of champagne on each table. With glasses filled, Bob Traill recounted the story of a conversation with the late Naj Lotfey at our Club’s 75th Gala, as they looked forward to the day when our Club would celebrate the next big date, 100 years. At the time, it was said, in Italian, “For 100 Years.” Now, here today, we raised our glasses as Bob updated the phrase to “For Another 100 years” - “Un altri cento anni!”
With that, President Bowen stepped to the mic for his last time as Club President, and recounted the incredible year that it was. His remarks are detailed in the Program review article above, but spoiler alert… it was truly a fantastic year on every level! Under his leadership, combined with stellar committee work and all-around club participation, the Centennial Year for the Rotary Club of Portland was a phenomenal success!