President Amy Chipman opened the meeting by welcoming 45 members and 7 guests. She introduced Paul Tully who presented an invocation titled "The Dash." "The Dash represents all of the time that we spend alive on earth,” by Linda Ellis.
Several guests were introduced, including David Burleigh, visiting from Cleveland, Ohio, who attended with his father, PP Russ Burleigh. Two guests were from Windham & Portland and three who were with the Baxter Academy Charter School for Technology and Science, Portland, including their educational specialist. October birthdays and anniversaries were announced.
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Mike Fortunato advised us that we can look forward to a fun evening on October 26th, at the Harvest Moon Square Dance to be held at the Sprague Grange Hall at Ram Island Farm in Cape Elizabeth, beginning at 7:00 pm, but hoping all attendees will arrive by 6:45 pm to prepare for the program. Kip Morris will be the square dance caller. He participates with a square dance group in Scarborough. No need to know how to square dance because the caller provides all the instructions. Dress is casual, so feel free to wear jeans, cowboy boots and hats. Please bring a potluck hors d'oeuvres dish.....beer will be available. Feel free to bring other beverages, if desired. There are two small kitchens in the Sprague Grange Hall to warm up hors d'oeuvres. Sprague Hall is an authentic meetinghouse, with all the features you would expect of a classic grange. Cost is $20 per person to cover the rental of the hall, the caller and the beer. Please RSVP to Mike at: michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com.
President Amy presented an Interact Charter Certificate to Brian Olson, Educational Specialist at the Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, who introduced the student leaders Norah Tafuri and Isaha L'Heureux.(Photo L-R: President Amy Chipman, Rotarian John Thompson, Isaha L'Heureux, Norah Tafuri and Brian Olson, Baxter Academy Education Specialist.)
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Paul Tully updated the plans for the November 8, 2019 Veterans’ Appreciation Lunch program. Please register ASAP on the Rotary website or click HERE. This year's program will be held at the Seasons Event & Conference Center at the Ramada Plaza, 155 Riverside Street, Portland. (NOTE new venue) A complimentary lunch will be served to all veterans who pre-register. A $25 lunch and program cost for all non-veteran attendees can be paid at the door with a check or cash. The program begins at 12 noon SHARP. Doors open at 11 AM. The program will include military dignitaries, community leaders and professional guest performers.
(Photo at right L-R: PP Bill Blount, Matt Tassey, President Amy Chipman and PP Paul Gore.)Portland Rotary Foundation Chair PP Bill Blount recognized four Paul Harris Fellows - Matt Tassey, PP Paul T. Gore, PP Tom Talbott and President Amy Chipman. Matt, Paul and Amy briefly spoke about why they support the Paul Harris Foundation. President Amy spoke of how "the Foundation helps to fund humanitarian projects all around the world and half of the donations contributed by the District are eventually donated back to help fund local worthy projects." A Foundation Committee meeting is scheduled for 11:30 am on Friday October 11th, prior to the Rotary lunch.
President Amy announced a service day project for Friday, October 25th, in lieu of a regular club meeting. Rotarians are asked to volunteer to help close up the Boyd Street Garden, hosted by the Cultivating Community, at 12 noon. Up to 30 volunteers are requested to participate. A lunch of Empanadas will be available at the Cultivating Community Center. The social media page for the Boyd Street Garden is here.
PP Kris Rosado presented an on-line "Portland Rotary Swap Shop" fund raising opportunity. Rotarians can make a query or someone may want to offer to provide an item to swap or sell; when an offer for purchase is accepted, the transaction, or a large portion of the sale, can become a club cash donation. For example, Kris is looking for a slightly worn sofa to use in his camp. Perhaps someone wants to give away or donate a sofa to ‘Swap Shop.’ The transaction cost then becomes a club donation. (See separate flyer this issue.)
PP Dick Hall invited Rotarians to register and attend the terrific RotaryRocks! District Conference on Saturday, October 5, at the University of Southern Maine Abromson Center. Rotary International Board of Director Jeffry Cadorette will be the key note speaker. An exhibit table sponsored by Portland Rotary will feature the volunteers who lead the Hearing, Hands, H2O, and solar lamps humanitarian international program for the Dominican Republic and to help Haitian sugar cane workers who live in the Bateys. )
Mike Anderson (photo at right on the right side) led the weekly raffle drawing for a possible $984, if the winner drew the Queen of Hearts from the dwindling number of cards in the deck. Jerry Angier's (photo at right on the left side) name was drawn but he did not select the Queen of Hearts, so the next drawing will grow the jackpot.