01/08/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Bill Blount

57 Portland Rotarians, 1 visiting Rotarian and 4 guests joined us as President Bowen welcomed everyone to the first weekly meeting of 2016 at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay. Presenting us with our invocation, Tom Nickerson asked us to use our strengths to seek the strengths in others for opportunities to take action. In the absence of a regular-size American flag, Kathy Grammer raised the mini flags on the keyboard and we pledged to our country. Russ Burleigh led us with the patriotic song, "America the Beautiful," sung to a different arrangement.

As we dined, some of the table-talk topics were about the mild weather, the biggest Power Ball drawing in US history and the different ways we celebrated the holidays. President Bowen reconvened our meeting by introducing our guests.

Past President John Marr gave us our history moment of 1944, 1945 and 1946, which John called the "Wah Yeahs." Mussolini was captured at the Swiss border.....Hitler committed suicide.....FDR passed away, succeeded by Harry Truman. The atomic bombs brought a hastened conclusion to the conflict with Japan; the country wisely enhanced the skills of our returning soldiers with the GI Bill; Clement Robinson served as one of our Rotary Presidents; youth, race and religion were Rotary and national concerns, not unlike the present day, John observed.

President Bowen called Amy Chipman to lead us in song. Amy asked Bill Blount to assist. Bill took a moment to reflect on 2015, where we lost Rotarians Bob Patten, Charlie McKee and Gene Story.

Amy and Bill both also lost their mothers, but the circle of life and hope was exemplified in no small part by Janelle LoSciuto accompanied by her very-well-behaved newborn son, Luca.

January birthdays were also announced and celebrated with our singing "Happy Birthday" to a number of our members.

Loretta Rowe conducted the weekly raffle, with George Crockett’s name drawn by our speaker, who in turn drew the five of diamonds in his failed bid to win $889.

Immediate Past President Kris Rosado came to the podium to give some "Happy Dollars" – one reason was that he was proud to say his son had been accepted at West Point; second reason....because a few Rotarians had recently done something nice for him. As a way to 'Pay it Forward,' he was donating the funds to make someone who was not already one, a sustaining Paul Harris Fellow. As he pulled name after name out of the pot of members who were already sustaining members, this action showed that we have many with that designation in our club. The winning member's name pulled was Jean Murachanian, making her our newest sustaining PHF.

Justin Lamontagne announced an event brought to us by PROPEL, the young professional organization that is an off-shoot of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, bringing together professionals to network. They have named the Portland Rotary Club as its honoree for 'Service to the Community.' A celebration at the Rising Tide Brewery will occur on Thursday, January 28, 2016. The admission is free, but a donation of $5-$10 is suggested and will be matched by PROPEL to benefit Portland Rotary. Old duffers and young duffers.....get your tickets on line at: http://www.propelportland.org/focus-spotlight-portland-rotary-club/#more-3483

President Bowen brought it to the club’s attention that Jon Young is in New England Rehab with a serious, but treatable condition. Of course, cards are welcome. Please call his wife, Susan, for recommendations on visiting Jon.

President Bowen gave us his own history moment, reflecting on the state of affairs in 1916. The city speed limit was 10 mph. Legislators were asked to consider how to deal with cars that can be expected to go 70 mph. Male life expectancy was 47 years of age. 95% of births occurred at home. The minimum wage was 22 cents per hour. Nationally there were 230 murders.

Erik Greven announced that the Portland Rotarian bell ringers for the Salvation Army during the season added $1181 to the Portland Corp’s $192,000 holiday donations. A record for the Corps and testament to the generosity of the Portland Maine community.