Minutes of April 7, 2014

Topsham Expresso Rotary Club

Monday, April 7, 2014

President Tom, with smiles galore, tapped the bell on this beautiful April Day and brought the group together for the pledge to the flag and an opening prayer by yours truly.  Smiling Tom no doubt was greatly influenced by another smiling presence, Charlie Ault, our program for the morning.  After introducing Charlie, Tom called on Bill Gillespie for happy/sad dollars.  As Bill dropped his buck into the pot he asked if everyone was aware that the anniversary date of the Topsham Expresso Rotary was coming up on April 19.  (Do you know what year we were incorporated?)  Tom Connelie threw in his Washing ton One to celebrate his newborn grandson in NYC.  His name: Duncan Boaz.  Bob Davis celebrated his CT roots by a proud dollar for the CT men’s and women’s basketball teams who were heading to the NCAA finals.  Doug Stone had a fabulous day, “best April skiing ever”, at Saddleback Mtn over the weekend.  Charlie Ault declared as he put in his dollar, “I am just HAPPY.”   Bill Brillant had a good weekend visiting family in NJ.  Joel Merry was happy that his mother was in good health.  Yours truly put in a CT Husky celebration dollar.  Ron McLaughlin declared, “Go UConn”.  Fred Burgess reminded us that the Bruins are ending the season as Number One Seed for the NHL.  New member Cliff Hodges was grateful for the good weather to start up the motorcycle and the chain saw.  He also participated in the Big Brother Big Sister Bowl A Thon.  Gordon Donley, the third member present with CT roots, put in a proud dollar for the state and for his 21 YO granddaughter who has been a good help for them recently. 

Tom reported that two members had attended the District Grant Seminar qualifying us for a grant application.   All grants are due on June 1.  We will discuss grant possibilities at our April 21 open meeting. 

Bob Davis introduced Charlie Ault, a guest, but no stranger to the Topsham club.  Bob said he knew no one who had more personal acquaintance with top brass in the Red Sox, Sea Dogs and Celtic’s teams.  Bob was grateful because the tickets and items he manages to get bring top dollar at our auction.   Charlie Ault was invited to come and share one of his passions, refereeing basketball.   Charlie began by complementing on the great connect he shared with us in supporting Success by Six of the United Way and Family Focus with our annual Music at the Museum.  He began by quoting one of Yogi Berra’s lines, “I am 100% dedicated to refereeing, 50% of the time.”  He stated there were a million kids in high school basketball across our country.  In ME there were 565 boys and 436 girls playing high school basketball for a number of years Charlie has been a basketball referee in Maine, each year committing to about 20 games a year.  He is passionate about the sport and committed to helping kids enjoy the sport.  Most of the time the referees get “the stare” from both teams for the questionable calls that make.  But once in awhile a team, like a team recently from Lisbon Falls, will actually come up to them and thank them for their service.  The monetary reward is minimal, around $50.  The emotional reward is what keeps him attached to the sport. 

Thanks Charlie, for your work you do in our community for us and for HS basketball.

Meeting on April 14:

Seth Levy on Estates and Wills

Scribe du jour,

Bob Beaumont