Posted by Bill Blount

President Don Zillman began our meeting by greeting 51 Rotarians, 1 Visiting Rotarian and 3 guests at the Bayside Bowl in downtown Portland. Dave Small provided the invocation with excerpts from Mother Teresa’s “Life is Life,” extolling the joys, trials and tribulations of our journey. Erik Jorgensen led us in the pledge and Past President Bill Blount led us in singing the Star Spangled Banner.


President Don thanked the Rotarians whose efforts made the meeting possible.
He welcomed visiting Rotarian Jim Graham and his wife, who hopped off a cruise ship in Portland harbor from his Kernersville, North Carolina Rotary club and exchanged club banners with us. 


Dick Hall, Club Foundation Chair, discussed the Rotary Foundation and a District 7780 raffle, asking: “Do you want to win a trip to Seattle for World Polio Day the first week of October?” District Governor Dave Underhill sent out an email to all clubs explaining the details: Donate $25 by September 30 to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus and you are entered into the District drawing. You may donate online: endpolio.org/donate. Any questions, contact Dick Hall at: dickhall@maine.rr.com.
Thank you for helping Rotary to end Polio.


2nd Vice President Amy Chipman announced the "Circle of Five" involvement by our club members in support of the Rotary Foundation. As "Circle" participants, Julie L’Heureux was feted garnering her sixth Paul Harris Fellow and Mark Millar was recognized for his third. 


 

Andy Stone led us in our acapella rendition of singing, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

 

 


Handling the raffle this week, Patty Erickson asked our speaker, Erik Jorgensen, to draw a name from the holding vessel...and Mike Fortunato got to try his luck at this week’s $850 raffle pot. Unfortunately for Mike, he chose the wrong queen....finding the Queen of Clubs and leaving the elusive Queen of Hearts safely embedded until next week.

 


Past President Russ Burleigh requested our continued support for his wife, Joan Steinberg’s ninth year making woolen mittens to be given to needy local children for the winter months. Contact Russ with donations of wool or money in support of Joan’s worthy endeavor at: primeribgraphics@icloud.com or 838-6129.


Nan Heald announced two events in support of her organization Pine Tree Legal Assistance. A silent Art Auction to be held on Friday and Saturday September 29-30. For more information, contact Nan at: nheald@ptla.org. Nan also suggested we put the following in our calendars: Senator Angus King will be speaking at USM’s Hannaford Hall, Friday, October 6, 5-7PM. For more information and to RSVP, go to: ptla.org/Celebrate50.

 



Past President John Marr gave the club an update on our involvement in support of the youth at the Long Creek Youth Development Center. Contact John (marrjf@gmail.com), Past President Jim Willey (jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com) or Dave Putnam (david.f.putnam@mercer.com), if you would like to participate in this volunteer opportunity at Long Creek.


Charlie Frair reminded us of our Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Veterans’ Appreciation Lunch to be held at the Italian Heritage Center. US House Rep. Shellie Pingree will be the keynote speaker. Registration is now open. Please go to Portland Rotary's website (portlandrotary.org) to register and be sure to invite local Veterans to join us.....their meal is on us! Please be sure to register any guests and veterans you want to bring. (See flyer below and on our club website: portlandrotary.org