07/29/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Dick Hall
 
Our Rotary meeting was convened welcoming 47 members, 3 guests and 3 visiting Rotarians.
 
Tom Nickerson’s invocation quoted Henry David Thoreau's “Everything in it's season” and “…born to the greatest place in the very nick of time…” Ellen Niewoehner led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Russ Burleigh played the keyboard for the patriotic song. President Laura thanked all those who worked on the meeting today.
 
It was a very pleasant surprise to have former member, Fred Van Brunt, back for a visit. He claims to have been gone for 16 years, as he left Portland to work in Boston for 7 years, and then has been retired for 9 years. This can’t be right!
 
Don Lowry was sporting a sling after recent shoulder surgery. Don also thanked the Club for the cards and well wishes. A "get well" card was out for Megan Devlin, who broke her arm in a biking accident. We wish you a full recovery, Megan!
 
Thanks came from Eric Grevin, through Laura, for the outstanding volunteer turnout for Preble Street Soup Kitchen on July 27th. The Club really came through.
 
Laura read a "Thank You" note from Full Plates-Full Potential for the Club's $250,000 gift. After much audience astonishment, Laura corrected the number to $250. Whew!
 
 
 
Rob Chatfield gave us a 'Rotary Minute.' Why join? - To meet people.  Why stay?- Rob stays for the people. He can't turn people down.  (Really - He kept it to less than 3 minutes - Amazing for Rob!
 

 
 
 
Richard Burbank led us in singing 'Home on the Range,' an old favorite.
 
 
 
Charlie Frair led the raffle, where visiting Rotarian Kirk Duffy pulled the 10 of diamonds - No winner.
 
 
 
 
PP Kris Rosado was looking for 12-14 volunteers for the Boy & Girls Club "Steak and Burger" dinner on Thursday. Aug 18, 5:30-6:30 pm. More than that volunteered, so Kris will advise the team on who will participate.
 

Bob Flynn, of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club told us they will still not allow the Portland Headlight to be moved to Portland. Bob announced a 5K Run/Walk on August 21, to benefit Girls-on-the-Run. The is the 4th year.  Bob would love to have some volunteers from our club. For more information, go to:  www.sp-ce-rotary.org
 
 
 
Linda Varrell will be assuming the chair position of the External Public Relations Committee to lighten Loretta Rowe's load a bit.
 
 
Rusty Atwood, Program Chair, advised that the first quarter program schedule has been filled and thanked all the committee members and sub-chairs for the hard work for bringing us some fine speakers.