04/07/17 Bits & Pieces

President Laura Young welcomed all on a day of the-hint-of-oncoming-Spring-weather to the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay with 72 members, 2 visiting Rotarians and 6 guests.

Our invocation was an original poem dedication to Rotary written by Alan Nye:

"The snow is melting, Spring may finally be here;
We're almost finished Laura's Rotary year; 
Much has been accomplished by our Rotary Club, 
But much work still remains – that's always the rub.
 
We should each be proud when we do a good deed,
Never forgetting that service to others is part of our creed. 
Let's give thanks at this meeting for our friends and this food,
And be glad for the Spring weather to brighten our mood!"

We pledged Allegiance to our Flag and sang our patriotic song, accompanied on the keyboard by Russ Burleigh.
President Laura then thanked all of the committee members responsible for making our weekly meeting possible.

We had fun singing “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover,” led by "The Four-Leaf Clovers" – Gracie Johnston, Amy Chipman, Kathy Grammer and Alan Nye – with Russ Burleigh tickling the keyboard ivories. 
 

The typical Irish luck of Paul Gore did not bring out the Queen of Hearts in the dwindling number of cards (10) for the $1,784 raffle pot. Some lucky winner is expected anytime! 

We sang “Happy Birthday!” for all April-born Rotarians! And wished "Congratulations!" to all members who joined Rotary during the month of April throughout the years. (See separate article in this edition.)

Jim Willey thanked Portland Rotarians who serve with him on the Salvation Army Advisory Board: Janet Butland, Leonard Scott, Bill Blount, Bob Traill, and Austin Harris. Jim beamed when telling us of the “Champions for Kids” annual fund-raising event – this year’s event being “Beatlemania Magic” at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay on April 26, 2017. It’s the seventh annual event to support programs and services that create a positive impact on children and their families. Tickets are available by contacting Jim: jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com or online at: eventbrite.com/e/beatlemania-magic-an-evening-of-favorite-beatles-music-to-benefit-children-tickets-31358210251?aff=eac2. For more information, check website: nne.salvationarmy.org/portland-me/champions-for-kids-benefit-evening.

Liz Fagan gave a report about the Hearing, Hands and H2O (3-H) project in the Dominican Republic (DR). This year’s International Service Committee volunteers will leave on April 30th and be in the DR during the first week of May. Donations to the program were received from the Rotary Clubs of Brunswick and South Portland-Cape Elizabeth. A donation may also be forthcoming from a Rotary club in Florida. The hearing project part of the "3-H" uses a lot of supplies that were purchased in the past with grant money. Dr. Roger Fagan is working with a second hearing aid manufacturer to obtain a more sustainable supply of hearing aids and this manufacturer is going to donate NEW hearing aids. The manufacturer who repairs and refurbishes the donated used hearing aids is helping to maintain a steady supply. A company that has been used for purchasing additional supplies (for testing and fitting equipment) recently sent a note that said, "In honor of your 20th year of doing this good deed, we are donating everything on your list. Thanks and Good Luck!" WOW!

Joining our project leaders, Dr. Roger & Liz Fagan, will be Portland Rotarians Jan Chapman, Bruce Moore, Dick Hall & his daughter Katherine Hall, Bill Blount, David Small, Dick Giles and our summer-time adopted member, Kirk Duffy.....along with two Rotarians from Brunswick: Carolyn Bulliner and Claudia Frost. This year, four other states are joining the Maine DR contingency.....from Oregon (Rotarian Donna Sheedy), Georgia (Rotarian Kirk Duffy) and Florida (Rotarian Ricardo Boehm)....and four NON-Rotarians: 3 from Alaska and 1 from Florida. For a total team of 18 people heading to the DR! Fantastic group!

Andrew Cook, who joined Portland Rotary in September 2016, presented us with a "“Rotary Moment." He thanked his parents for teaching him about the value of supporting the community. He became involved in his high school Interact Club. His major interest is helping youth. “Rotarians gather throughout the world and wherever we happen to be, there are opportunities to help others in our communities,” he said.

Past President Kris Rosado gave an impressive update about the “Maine Outdoor Challenge” that will be held June 5-7, 2017 at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School in Freeport. There are 23 teams signed up so far – we are about half-way through the goal of recruiting participating companies. Teams include Bath Savings, Team Fidelity, IDEXX and others. Volunteers to help at the event are needed. Sponsors for participants who may not necessarily be associated with a particular company are encouraged to sign up, because donations to the event allow for some individuals to participate on sponsored teams. For more information, contact Kris: kris.rosado@morganstanley.com.

Amy Chipman announced the new Paul Harris Fellow recipients from seven “Circles of Five” donors, meaning each person in the circle donates $200 a year for 5 years, allowing each circle to contribute $1,000 a year. An eighth “Circle of Five” has recently been formed, meaning all 8 circles of members and Portland Rotary contribute $8,000 a year to the Rotary Foundation.

Recent winners of the drawing:
Circle 1:  Julie L'Heureux
Circle 2:  Jon Young
Circle 3:  David Smith
Circle 4:  Justin Lamontagne
Circle 5:  Erik Greven
Circle 6:  Mark Millar
Circle 7:  Russell Voss

Congratulations to our recent PHFs! (See 'Photo Corner' for photos of PHFs present.)

Eighth "Circle of 5": Ellen Niewoehner, Mike Fortunato, Tom Ranello, Bruce JONES, and Kathy Grammer. (Ed: correction from last WJ and apologies to Bruce Jones for not getting his name correct.)

If you would like additional information, please contact Amy: amy.chipman@rbc.com