Kicking off the meeting, President John Curran welcomed 52 members, 1 guest and 1 visiting Rotarian. Gracie Johnston gave an impromptu invocation that was spot on. Mike Fortunato led the Pledge of Allegiance, and 1st VP Amy Chipman led us in the patriotic song, “America.”
President John presented the Rotarian Birthdays and Anniversaries: one highlight called out was a Rotarian who has been a member for 52 years, Mark Stimson. Congratulations!!
Visiting PDG Carolyn Johnson (photo at left) presented information on Learning Works, which is a non-profit group that helps new Mainers with learning the English language and other helpful life skills. President John and Gracie Johnston recently visited Learning Works, and learned how Rotarians can volunteer to help as tutors, offering 1.5 hours per week. Learning Works holds formal English language classes several time per week, and volunteers can provide short presentations on topics such as finding jobs, signing up for health insurance, figuring out how to enroll a child in school, etc. PDG Carolyn said that people with expertise on specific subjects could really help the people learn about various life skills while learning how to better communicate in English. If you are interested in these volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Gracie Johnston at: gracie.johnston@newscentermaine.com.
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PP Loretta Rowe (photo at right) presented information on the upcoming “Sweetheart Auction,” which will be held on February 8th at the Italian Heritage Center. Loretta asks that you donate gift-worthy items, or useful services, and that you submit the DONATION FORMS in advance of the Auction/meeting, as this will help make the Auction run more smoothly. Please bring items and/or a completed donation form to a Rotary meeting before the event, and/or email Loretta with the information. (See separate article in this issue for ideas.) Please do not hesitate to contact Loretta with the donations at 883-5432 or lrowe@maine.rr.com.
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Charlie Frair (photo at left) noted that one of the fun parts of being part of the Veterans' Committee is the Veterans’ luncheon. This year the luncheon’s fund raising efforts doubled the previous annual fundraising effort. Charlie is looking to streamline the donation recipient process, and is requesting members submit a brief write-up of what an eligible veteran-based group does to support veteran services to be considered as a recipient for some of the proceeds from the luncheon. Club members will read the write-ups and vote on them at an upcoming meeting. Ballots will be available in mid-February with the selection occurring in March. If you are interested in providing information on a particular group for the ballot, please contact Charlie Frair: cfrair47@yahoo.com.
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Joe Reagan noted that volunteers may be needed for a Point in Time survey, which is completed to survey homeless people identified in our community. Gracie let us know that more information on this topic will be provided on the Rotary website.
Gracie also reminded us of an important training event “Recognizing and Responding to an Opiate/Heroin Overdose” for All District 7780 Rotarians and guests about recognizing and responding to an Opiate/Heroin Overdose. It will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2019 (snow date on February 21, 2019) from 6-7:30 pm in the Maine Medical Center Dana Auditorium, 22 Bramhall Street, in Portland. (Parking is available on Bramhall Street or in the Maine Medical parking lot on Chadwick Street.) Space is limited to the first 100 people who register....Please RSVP by email to portlandrotary@maine.rr.com FMI contact Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie: rmackenzie@kennebunkmaine.us or call 207-604-1339.
2nd VP Ellen Niewoehner shared information that on Thursday, January 24th, the Rotary ski group is planning to meet at the Gray Park and Ride at 9:00 am, and carpool to the South Ridge at Sunday River. Anyone interested, please contact Ellen at: eniewoehner@banksis.com.
Ellen then requested our speaker to pick a raffle ticket from the can for the weekly drawing. Bruce Nelson's name was selected, who picked the 4 of clubs out of the deck. The pot continues to grow, as the Queen of Hearts continues to hide in the remaining cards.
(Photo above at left: Bruce Nelson and 2nd VP Ellen Niewoehner.)
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1st VP Amy Chipman, PP Bill Blount and Gracie Johnston from the Music Committee led us in song. It was a bright and cheerful Rotary moment.
(Photo at right above – L-R: 1st VP Amy Chipman, PP Bill Blount and Gracie Johnston.)