Minutes of Monday, March 9

Minutes of Monday, March 9

Prez. Ron McLaughlin started the meeting off promptly at 07:15 leading us into a more rousing Pledge of Allegiance than usual followed by an Invocation calling us to service others in the Community and World with particular thanks for those Rotarians who had helped dig out fellow Club Rotarian Steve Troutman’s house on Saturday.

Club Sheriff Bill Gillespie than called for Happy / Sad dollars, leading it off himself with a Happy dollar for the Cards – Red Sox spring training game later in the day. Bob Davis gave a Happy dollar for seeing very loyal Down East Energy Company employee Bill Brilliant enthusiastically digging out the propane tanks of Down East’s biggest competitor, Dead River Energy, on Saturday at Steve’s house. Joel Merry had a sad dollar for not being able to help out on Saturday as he was unexpectedly feeling under the weather that day but had a Happy dollar for the signs of spring on Sunday. Bill Brilliant had a Happy dollar for the progress Steve is making, including watching the short video of Steve learning to walk again during his physical therapy session. Bob Beaumont had a Sad dollar relaying the story of the number of flights cancelled due to weather in the mid-west as his wife, Lennie, tried to fly to Sacramento to visit her daughter over the weekend. Cliff Hodges had a Happy dollar for having his family return form a visit to Florida and for being able to help out with snow shoveling on Saturday. Fred Burgess had a few Happy dollars, for his wife returning from a visit to Sacramento and for his 85 year old Uncle still actively Lobstering Downeast. Gordon Donley had a Sad dollar for not being able to help out on Saturday but also one for us Club members having to listen to his presentation – not so, It was a joy.

Under Announcements Bill Brilliant reminded us that he will be attending President Elect Training over the weekend. Expect him to come back all fired up.

Fred reminded us of the District Conference in April at Wentworth by the Sea in NH.

Club member Gordon Donley was our speaker. While most of us knew he had been an avid sailor he started off showing us the trophy he won at the World Cup Sabre Class Championship in 1994 and than proceeded to tell us the story of all the misfortunes that occurred as he tried to sail (under power) from his home berth down the Connecticut Sound to the location of the race. Despite fog and several mechanical problems, requiring stopping while he made repairs he and his crew arrived just prior to the start of the race, missing the Instructions to Captains meeting.

A fellow Skipper gave Gordon a copy of the Race Instructions, failing to point out a typing error regarding the start procedures (that had been covered at the meeting he missed) and following the printed Instructions (incorrect) he started the race two minutes early and had to then maneuver back behind the start line, starting last. He relayed that due to his extensive experience sailing dinghies in various wind conditions he correctly judged that given the wind conditions that day moving his crew forward would give him the best balance for speed and his boat zipped past the completion, wining that first heat with enough margin that even though failing to win the second heat (his competitors copied his tactics in balancing their crews in the second heat) that he had the best overall time and won the World Cup that year.

A really fun story. Thanks Gordon!

Next Meeting – Monday, March 16 Irene and Fred – All Things Bruins!

Submitted:

Tom