Rotary Newsletter for March 17th, 2010: Lisa Tompson - Rotarian Reflections on Arthur Staples of the Lewiston Journal in Maine
In attendance for the meeting were Lambert Brandes, Lois Brandes, Janice Brown, Candace Cramer, Walter Heller, Bart Nuboer, Jeannie O'Donoghue, Joan Powers, Bob Schipul, Sandi Schipul, Janet Schmitz, Ben Summers, Lisa Tompson, Diane Waterfield, Bernie Westerveld.
Guests included Lisa's husband, David; Bernie's wife, Beverley; Jack Stebe, our proposed new member from Arizona, and Donna Green.
Candace welcomed everyone to the meeting. Joan led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob said the blessing.
Dare Graduation is on April 7th at the Scituate High School. All members are invited. Please contact Officer Dom if you plan on attending.
Cape Codder weekend is May 14th to 16th. Please contact Diane if you are interested in the details.
Bernie spoke about attending the PETS meeting. Bernie found the seminar quite informative. Some of the topics discussed were keeping up attendance and promoting women members. Looking around in the Dining Room of the Radisson, seeing the 450 President Elects for New England, the size, vibrance and power of Rotary International is clearly visible.
Donna Green spoke about the Magical moon Foundation. The fund raiser for the foundation, last month, raised $20,000. The children will be in a new play with the "velveteen rabbit". Each child will wear real armour. A new program has been instituted: Each child is urged to find a mission/ cause. Donna is looking for adult volunteers to work with each child. The spring clean-up is scheduled for March 27th so everything will be ready for the Easter Egg Hunt. All members are encouraged participate. If you can't do clean-up, any food donations for the people helping is appreciated.
The date for the Trunk Sale will be May 22nd in the parking lot of the Scituate High School. There will be a $25 charge to participate. $5 will be refunded if the person's spot is cleaned up properly.
The Red Lion Event raised $10,000 for Professor John Malkewciez for production costs for his Berlin Wall Movie. In the fall , there was a $5,000 donation for the film. The Tracey Foundation has offered a matching grant so total funds to John will be $30,000. John will be coming to our meeting next week so the club can present him with the $10,000.
Lisa gave an outstanding and informative presentation about her family member, Arthur Gray Staples. Mr Staples was born in 1861 in Boudoinham, Maine and died in 1940 in Ashburn, Maine. He was the editor of the Lewiston Journal from 1919 to 1940 Mr Staples gave the valedictory to Lewiston Rotary Club on Friday, November 21, 1924. There had been a month of classes at the Rotary Club. Mr Staples speech was the culmination of the month's meetings. He spoke of Rotary's mission being "the unselfish service for our fellow man". He felt we should all follow the golden rule. A most poignant quote :service is the rent we pay to live on this planet".Lisa brought a copy of the complete speech, many other articles he had written, and a wonderful collection of photos.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Brown, Secretary
