Minutes of Monday, May 5

Notes of Topsham Expresso Rotary Meeting

May 5, 2014

Tom Connelie, “The Prez”  tapped the bronze bell calling the faithful to order.  With the pledge and the prayer completed we moved quickly into Happy/Sad dollars solicited by the solicitor himself, “judge” Bill Gillispie.  Tom began by stating he had to run back to the Inn after the meeting to tend to guests.  Bill Brilliant put in $5 for the Rotary Foundation to celebrate his birthday.  Joel Merry celebrated Spring by announcing he has mowed his lawn.  Ron McLaughlin threw in a one to tell of a wedding of a young man, just out of the Navy, he performed on Saturday.  Cliff Hodges took his camper to Lake St. George with his family.  He also announced sadly that he has lost his Aunt Bonnie in the recent days.  Fred Burgess was glad to announce the Bruins were 1 and 1 in the playoffs with the Caniadiens. 

President Tom asked members to remain after the meeting next week to discuss any grant proposals we may have for our club.  He also announced the District Conference will be at the Westin Hotel.  Tom then called up Fred Burgess to give him a Rotary pin noting the recruitment of Cliff Hodges to our club. 

Fred then introduced our speaker, Judy Lloyd, who oversees the Orion Center at Mt. Ararat Middle School.    The Center is a 900 seat venue built in 2001 and is the largest in our area.  Tom Connelie was an engineer advisor to the project.  Tom stated, “it was built with acoustics in mind.”    It also has largest Ladies Rest Room of any arts venue in the area. 

On Mother’s Day the Midcoast Symphony will perform at the Orion Center.  Many groups, many plays, many musicals, find their place at the Center.  On November 1 there will be a Beatles Fundraiser.

Currently the stage floor needs to be replaced.  The cost of $20,000 seems steep but it will be state of the art (no pun intended) when it is finished. $10,000 has already been raised.  It was suggested Topsham Rotary might want to make a contribution.

Next week Dr. Deb Hagler will be our speaker.  She was the recipient of the January Fund Raiser award for her significant contributions to early childhood development.

Submitted,

Bob Beaumont,

Secretary, du jour