Our speaker last Friday, William “Bro” Adams, recently finished his terms as the tenth chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and spoke about his 4 years at the helm of this important and long-standing agency which, along with the National Endowment for the Arts, annually oversaw $300M in grant monies. Begun in September of 1965 by President Johnson, the NEH works with over 7000 agencies, museums, colleges, media outlets and even filmmakers to advance cultural knowledge and appreciation. Within the 50+ years of its existence, NEH has provided over 5.3 billion dollars of support in an effort to enrich our society and create a bridge between the government and the arts. In some cases, as we have seen in Maine, introducing a cultural economy can help ease the pain of losing an industrial economy, with Waterville as a clear example of how the arts can help transform a city and region after the loss of industry has left a city searching for an identity. 

When President Trump’s budget came out recently, many were stunned to find the previous level of funding for the NEH and the NEA, which had stood at a modest $150M apiece, suddenly slashed to zero. Congressional pressure, including firm support from three of Maine’s four member delegation, should allow for ongoing funding in 2018, but the waves were felt throughout the nation as the arts seemed to take a back burner. Mr. Adams suggests that no democracy can survive without an acquaintance with our history, our theories in democracy, and in an understanding of the cultural complexities of our nation and our world.  While The United States is certainly at a crossroads, with a swift increase in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) funding and this sudden shot across the bow of our cultural heritage, there is still hope and optimism that the arts and the humanities can survive and even flourish despite the seemingly myopic vision of the current administration. Only time will tell, but it was certainly fascinating to gain the perspective of Mr. Adams, who has devoted his career to higher education and a higher understanding of the arts and culture of our nation.

(Photo L-R: President Don Zillman, Abdullahi Ali, Bro Adams and Rusty Atwood.)

We met at Gateway Community Services this week on Forest Ave in Portland. We were treated to a lunch prepared with a different ethnic flair. Although many of us looked into the serving dishes and were not sure what we were getting, many comments were made during lunch about how good the food was.

The meeting was opened with a warm welcome by Abdullahi Ali, the Manager of the Gateway Community Services center, who is also a Portland Rotarian. There were 50 Rotarians present, including two non-Rotarian guests.

Past President Peggy Wescott provided her version of an “Earth, Wind and Fire” invocation. Kathy Grammer led us in the pledge to the two mini flags held aloft by President Don Zillman. Kathy then led us all in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”

President Don talked about recently deceased honorary member Harry Sawyer’s memorial service. Many Rotarians attended and Past President Don Lowry spoke for us all. President Don said it was a wonderful experience to honor Harry, as Rotary meant so much to him.

President Don also told us that due to poor health, Austin Harris cannot attend meetings anymore. Past Presidents Bob Trail and Jim Willey visited Austin and presented him with a club-sponsored Paul Harris Fellow, which was much appreciated.

Charlie Frair reminded us all to register for the Veterans Appreciation Lunch on November 10th and be sure to contact Past President Loretta Rowe, if you are a veteran (lrowe@maine.rr.com). Even volunteers need to register, or you will not get a meal. Volunteer training will be at 10:30 a.m., and the lunch/program runs from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Registrations will be cut off at the 300 count, so you need to register NOW (go online at portlandrotary.org or click HERE). 25 more volunteers are needed....please contact Charlie (cfrair47@yahoo.com) or Paul Tully (ptully@maine.rr.com).

The Lyseth Reading program will start 10/23/17. It includes reading for a ½ hour to a child. The kids are hungry for the reading, and they are presented with their own copy of the book being read to them after the session. Books are supported by the District Rotary Foundation Grant. Signup sheets are on the table at lunch, or contact Lili Brown (lilinbrown@gmail.com) to signup.

Eric Greven announced that we need volunteers for the Preble Street Soup Kitchen volunteer night on October 25th, which will be the last one we will do for this year. Please contact Gracie Johnson at gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com to volunteer.

President Don asked all Rotarians to look through their closets for good, usable athletic shoes (sneakers) to donate to the Preble Street Resource Center. He will let us know what week to start bringing them in soon.

A big “shout out and thank you” to Jerry Angier. He heard that Swiss Time was looking for a worthwhile charity. Jerry suggested the Portland Rotary Charitable fund and we received a $1400 donation. Way to go Jerry!

President Don told us he is hoping the US disasters end soon. We have donated to two hurricane relief funds and the club is now collecting monies to help Puerto Rico. If you can and want to help, please make your check out to Portland Rotary Charitable Fund and send to the Portland Rotary address at P.O. P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104 or give the check to Elise Hodgkin at a Rotary meeting. We will send one check from the club.

Past President Bill Blount announced that there are vacancies in the tennis league for the spring season starting in January. There are four levels of players from A to D, where D is beginner. Bill claims that when you join the Rotary tennis league, you stay in Rotary for a very long time. Please contact Bill (wblount1@gmail.com) or Erik Jorgensen (erik.c.jorgensen@gmail.com), if you have interest.

President Don mentioned the Celebration of Life ceremony for Gloria Tewhey, the wife of former Portland Rotary President John Tewhey. It is scheduled for Sunday Oct 15th at noon at their home, 3 Valley View Drive, Gorham.

Bob Martin led the weekly raffle, where the pot has grown to $957, and Jennifer Frederick’s name was picked to try and find that elusive Queen of Hearts in the dwindling deck of cards, but she did not find the right card, to the sigh of relief from members in the audience who are hoping they might get their chance next week.

Past President Don Lowry led us in singing, “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.” 

                          When
Project              Who to Contact

Preble Street        4th Wednesday ea month
Resource Ctr        4-6:30 pm
Soup Kitchen        Gracie Johnston
                           gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com

Game Night         3rd Tuesday ea month
Long Creek          Mike Fortunato
Youth Center        michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com
                           or Jim Willey
                           jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com