04/01/16 Bits & Pieces

President Bowen welcomed 46 members and 7 guests to our meeting last Friday. Russ Burleigh provided an invocation regarding numerous quotes about "Fools and April Fool’s day." For instance, “Believe everything that is on the internet - by Abraham Lincoln.” 

 

Rob Chatfield led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kathy Grammer kept us in tune singing, "God Bless America."

President Bowen discussed our fund raising goals towards $100k this Rotary year and has put forth an idea for a calendar, whereby some people in the club could be photographed in compromising positions. The discussion was passed as April Fool's trickery.  

 

Alex St. Hilaire presented a history moment from the July 1960-June 1961 era. That year was a time of change and international strife in world history: from the cold war, to civil rights, to technology and rock and roll. JFK won the election, and the Cuban Bay of Pigs and Missile Crisis were discussed. Of possible interest to some, Alex noted that the chimp sent into space lived for 17 more years after returning to earth. At the time, Rotary meetings were held at the Lafayette Hotel and the Scarborough Club was started that year. Alex found that there were several notable speakers that year, including Clint Rose, FBI Director, who had a whopping draw of 133 Rotarians and 87 Guests. Mr. Rose spoke about criminals and spies, a naval officer spoke about our cruise missiles, and another spoke about the use of trucking and railroads during the cold war.

 

 

 

Never having the chance to sing it on the appropriate day, the St. Patrick’s Day song, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" was led by a group that included Amy Chipman,Russ Burleigh, Kathy Grammer, and Bill Blount. Before the song, Bill honored Emily McEntee for her 34-year career at Amica Insurance, as she was retiring that very day from the company.

 

 

 

 

Jake Bourdeau shook the can for at least 20 minutes, then asked our speaker to pick a raffle ticket from the can for a potential shot at +$1,300. Loretta Rowe's name was selected, but unfortunately we will all have to wait at least another week, as the Queen of Hearts remained in the deck.  

 

 

1st Vice President Laura Youngcommented on the President Elect Training Session (PETS) she had attended and discussed the differences between some of the local clubs. She found out that the Portland Rotary Club is one of the largest clubs in the district: being 2nd only to the Portsmouth, NH Club. At the training, she had to learn all the new Rotary acronyms, and her humor was shining during those descriptions. Laura indicated that Portland Rotary is considered among some in the District to be the "Big and Rich Club." This is in part to the efforts of Amy Chipman who helps our club raise funds for the Rotary Foundation of $15-$20k per year. Laura found it interesting to learn that the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary club members have played a large role in Rotary leadership above the club level over the years. This year is also the Centennial of Rotary Foundation which is another to reason to celebrate. More on this subject will follow in the upcoming months.

 

 

(Photo: Deering High School Principal, Ira Waltz and YSA student, Maryan Isack) 

 

Principal of Deering High School, Ira Waltz, presented Maryan Isack as the student selected to receive the Portland Rotary Club's Youth Service Award (YSA). Maryan is an active humanitarian and an honor roll student. She is involved in our community, including helping groups such as 'Seeds of Peace,' 'Rippleffect,' the University of Maine's SMART program 'Cultivating Community' and by being a moderator. Maryan wants to pursue international relations and health sciences and plans to put her awarded $1,000 scholarship towards this effort. She also designated the $100 donation given in her name to the American Diabetes Foundation. 

 

(Photo: Rob Chatfield, Patty Erickson, and Jennifer Frederick.)

 

Two new Rotary members were brought into the club byRob Chatfield. Rob introduced Jennifer Frederick and Patty Erickson. Jennifer is a Branch Bank Manager of Bath Savings Institution, has an accounting degree, helps at Wayside, and enjoys spending time with her family. Rob Chatfield introduced Patty Erickson and told us a story about how he introduced Patty to a client at a business meeting, and how her banking prowess at Bath Savings Bank, helped her “seal the deal” later, as the client became her husband. Please welcome Jennifer and Patty to the club.