Posted by Julie L'Heureux

President Don Zillman opened the last of our official summer Friday’s meeting days by welcoming 51 members and 4 guests. 

Charlie Frair offered an invocation prayer dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the damage caused by flooding. With our thoughts on the storm that brought devastating floods to Houston and the Gulf Coast, President Don reported on Rotary plans to support relief through donations to a special Rotary Foundation fund, as presented in a communication by District 7780 Governor Dave Underhill (FMI, go to: www.rotary.org/en/rotary-districts-collect-emergency-funds-hurricane-harvey-victims) or by donating to the American Red Cross at: www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey.

We pledged our allegiance to the American flag and sang our patriotic song, accompanied by Past President Russ Burleigh on the keyboard.


Portland Rotary was awarded the Service Club Cup for the sponsorship of a boat in the 36th Multiple Sclerosis Harborfest Regatta 2017 held on August 19th on Casco Bay. It was a perfectly beautiful day for the regatta. Gus Karlsen thanked everyone who helped him to raise $2,000 for this year’s regatta’s two entries in the evente.


Happy Birthday” was extended and sung to September-born Rotarians, followed by recognition of Rotary-anniversary members who joined our club during the month of September over the years. Special recognition was noted for Austin Harris, who joined Rotary 55 years ago!


President Don announced the opportunity for Rotarians to donate blood on Wednesday, September 6th at Back Cove Financial, 56 Depot Road, Falmouth from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Blood supply is at a dangerous low. Please help! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Portland Sunrise.


Past President Don Lowry led us in our weekly sing-along with "You Are My Sunshine," as PP Russ Burleigh tickled the ivories to keep us in tune with the melody.

 


Jerry Angier led the weekly raffle drawing for the $752 prize. Although Past President Loretta Rowe won the chance to draw the Queen of Hearts, she missed picking the right queen and drew the Queen of Spades. Nevertheless, thanks to the guest speaker Michael Smith, Development Director of Camp Sunshine, she received a consolation prize of two tickets to the Camp’s “Maine Suitcase Party” on September 22nd from 7-11 p.m. at the MAC Air Group (private hangar), 100 Aviation Drive, So. Portland. If Loretta wins the drawing at the party, she will be packed and ready to fly to New York City for the weekend!


Past President Loretta was back up at the podium (hard to keep past presidents away from the microphone) had the honor of introducing John Thompson as our club’s newest member. John is joining Rotary as a way to be more involved in the local community. John is the CFO of ICON LNG (Liquified Natural Gas). He has over 20 years of experience in finance, investments and management throughout the US and Latin America. He holds a BA degree from Stanford University, and an MA degree in Real Estate Finance and Investment from Cornell University. John enjoys sailing, tennis, hiking and practicing his Spanish language. Join us in welcoming John to Portland Rotary!