First Vice President Don Zillman was at the helm on Friday, adroitly steering the Rotary Ship for our meeting, as President Laura was on business in Aroostook County.

In an invocation cum remembrance on the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Russ Burleigh told the touching story of Welles Crowther,  who escaped the burning South tower and then made several trips back into the structure to guide others to safety, before perishing in its collapse.  Nobody knows for certain how many lives he saved, but estimates suggest it could have been upwards of twenty. Identified for the red bandana he always carried with him and which he used as a dust mask during the disaster, his heroism has become the subject of a book.

(Photo: Matt Tassey and Erik Jorgensen.)

The weekly raffle was led by Matt Tassey, who became embarrassed when the speaker drew his name from the pot to try and pull the right card from the remaining cards in the deck. Erik Jorgensen came to his rescue to fan out the cards, so he could try to find that Queen of Hearts. Much to the joy of the audience (investors), he did not find the right one.....and so, the pot continues to grow larger.


The singing was led by Gracie Johnston, with Russ Burleigh accompanying on the keyboard. We may need some practice, but we have a good time singing.

 

 
September birthdays include Austin Harris, Joe Gray, Don Mackenzie, Liz Fagan, Gus Karlsen, Kris Rosado, and Meredith Small.  Almost all of them were, apparently, out celebrating their big days and not at the meeting: only Meredith was among us.


Jim Willey reported on the development of a much-needed Long Creek Youth Center transition center being formed with help from Portland Rotary, to provide critical work experience and other transition services for former Long Creek residents. It will likely be in Westbrook.
 

We were happy to hear that Justin Lamontagne has been made a partner at his firm, NAI, the Dunham Group. Congratulations!


John Marr
provided a Rotary Minute on his own origins as a Rotarian – how, in the absence of an invitation to join Rotary, “talked himself into the club,” which for him has been about inspiration. John said that Rotary’s purpose for its members is “to give, to know how to give, and to have friends to do it with.”

 

Charlie Frair spoke about the Veterans’ lunch, which he is spearheading along with Paul Tully and an active committee. Coming up in 9 weeks, the lunch has been conceived as a long-term program to annually honor Veterans on the day before Veterans’ Day.  The first and last purpose of the event is to “honor, appreciate, acknowledge and thank veterans for their service.” The committee team has established ambitious goals for the program over the coming five years, which were outlined on a handout. The hope is to make this a premiere event in the city, and Charlie asked all members to help recruit veterans, who are invited to attend the lunch as our guests.
 


Sylvie Montello of the Portland School Department spoke briefly about the “Starting Strong Reading Partners” program, to get kids “reading to learn, rather than learning to read.”. The school department is looking for volunteers who wish to work with kids at one of Portland’s elementary schools. Last year the program was piloted at Ocean Avenue with great results. Four or five volunteers are needed each day, and “the only thing you need to bring is a smile, positive attitude, and patience.”   If you think you might be interested, contact her at montes@portlandschools.org or at 874-8175.

 



Last, though certainly not least, Russell Voss introduced new member Andrew Cook, a Westbrook-based lender with Peoples’ United bank. Welcome, Andrew!
 
(Photo: Andrew Cook, 1st VP Don Zillman and Russell Voss.)
 

 
 
Oh wait...one more thing....you never know WHAT you will find on the floor at a Rotary meeting. Babies....they just make you want to get down and crawl with them! Was this game "Follow the (future) Leader"? You go, Luca!
 
(Photo: Future leader - Luca LoSciuto-Bates and Past President Bowen Depke.)