02/26/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Jake Bourdeau 
 
President Bowen welcomed 51 members and guests; then asked Paul Tully to give the invocation. Paul discussed the overwhelming support he received from his many friendships and the club members following the recent passing of his wife, Barbara. Paul noted that the support was beyond expectation, valuing his many Rotary friendships that helped him through the difficult time.
    
First Vice President Laura Young led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Bill Blount led us in the patriotic song.  
 
 
Jan Chapman asked our speaker, Bill Williamson, to pick a name from the raffle can for a shot at the pot of $1,189.  PTG was selected again (Paul T. Gore, yes again), but unfortunately he will have to wait at least another week, as the Queen of Hearts remained in the deck.
 
 
 
(Photo: Justin Lamontagne, Quincy Hentzel, Prez. Bowen, George Carr, and Laura Young)
 
Two new Rotary members were introduced into the club on Friday. Justin Lamontagne introduced Quincy Hentzel, who was co-sponsored by Justin and President Bowen. Quincy works in public affairs and is active in the community, such as Ripple Effect and The Center for Grieving Children.
 
Laura Young introduced and sponsored George Carr who works in finance, went to Bates College, (one connection to Laura), and is a former teacher.
   
Please welcome Quincy and George. Based upon their introductions and philanthropy, they will offer much to the club, so don't be shy in getting to know them.
(Photo: Katherine Barr, Principal of Catherine McAuley High School, Jan Chapman and Mai Mangin)
 
Jan Chapman introduced the Youth Service Award recipient this month, which went to Mai Mangin from Catherine McAuley High School. Mai was voted by her classmates to receive the award and scholarship. Amongst many of her achievements, Mai is a Presidential Scholar finalist and was instrumental in helping her community fill a shipping container full of goods to benefit the kids at an orphanage in Tanzania, which she and her classmates visited on a class trip.
 
Her father, Patrick, and brother, Josh, were at the meeting to support her receiving her award. Mai has chosen the orphanage in Tanzania to receive the $100 donation from our club in her name. CONGRATULATIONS MAI!
Jim Willey and Dave Small provided an extended Rotary history moment on the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding the membership of Jewish people in the Portland Rotary Club and other local clubs. Their dual, and truly informative discussion, could fill numerous pages, and touched on many historical facets of various club membership considerations from the 1800’s to more recent times. According to our records review, the first recognized Jewish member of the club joined in 1950, and he was a Portland rabbi who was very active in the community. Of interest, the club records noted the occupation of the rabbi was Judaism, rather than rabbi.
 
 

Our annual re-gifting silent auction was taking place during our meeting, with many fine items donated. Special thanks go to those that made the donations and to those winners with the highest bids. (Someone I know went home with at least 5 items.)
 
Results will be announced at the next Rotary meeting.