04/22/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Alan Nye 
 
President Bowen welcomed 50 members, 3 visiting Rotarians and 5 guests to the meeting. Peggy Wescott gave an unapologetic invocation about blue skies when she was young, juxtaposed with her present reflection on the beauty of bright stars at night. If it sounds a little existential, it was.
Alan Nye and Kathy Grammer led us in a rousing “Star-Spangled Banner.” President Bowen then introduced visiting guests and Rotarians. 
 
 
District Governor Sheila Rollins spoke about the upcoming District Conference in Bridgton on June 10-12, 2016 at the Tarry-A-While Resort. There will be speakers, plenary sessions, indoor/outdoor activities, entertainment, music and awards. Everyone is urged to attend.
 
Amy Chipman gave us a 'History Moment' from the years 1963-64. This was the time frame where John F. Kennedy was assassinated and his killer (conspiracy theories aside), Lee Harvey Oswald, was killed by Jack Ruby. Lyndon B. Johnson then became President. This was the time of the Civil Rights Movement with Martin Luther King. President Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. Fur boots and towering hairdos (think Marge Simpson) were popular. It was arguably a unique time in music with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, the Supremes, Bob Dylan and many others all becoming popular. Beatlemania and the British Invasion had begun. A new house cost $13,000, gas was 30 cents a gallon and movies were $1.25. Portland Rotary had 226 active members and common topics for speakers centered on automation and technology.
 
 
The weekly raffle was conducted by Dick Giles, with Bill Blount graciously picking the wrong Queen – thus letting the pot of $1430 grow for the next lucky contestant.
 
 
Cyrus Hagge reminded us all that our biggest fundraiser, the Maine Outdoor Challenge (MOC), to be held on June 6-8, is approaching fast. He is seeking participation from Rotarians in the event, in selling tickets, in providing needed items for the silent auction – in short, in any capacity you wish. But the key is to participate!
 
 
President Bowen called on several members to remove their red dots from their name badges, signifying that they had been with the club for 6 months.
 
President Bowen welcomed Maxwell Chikuta back from his travels to Zambia. While there he visited three Rotary clubs and brought back two club banners that were given to him by the Rotary Clubs of Kwanzi and Nkana (Kitwe), respectively.