07/24/15 BITS & PIECES
Posted by Julie L'Heureux
on Jul 27, 2015
President Bowen Depke opened the meeting with a tribute to William Leavitt, 87, who was our club’s longest serving Rotarian, who died on July 20, 2015 in Portland. He was an alumni of Maine Maritime Academy and was a U.S. Navy veteran having served as an officer aboard the USS Eldorado for two years in California, during the Korean Conflict. He had been a member of Portland Rotary since 1955, and was recently awarded the status of "Honorary" member. The gathering to celebrate Bill's life will be held at Ocean View, 20 Blueberry Road, Falmouth, on August 12, from 2-4 pm. Please advise Alison Leavitt, if you plan to attend at: aleavitt@wssa.com
When Bill joined the Rotary Club of Portland in 1955, it was the same year that Rosa Parks made American history beginning the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Another development in 1955 was the introduction of Coca-Cola sold in a can, because the drink was previously only available for purchase in bottles.
President Bowen announced how Nigeria marked its first full year with no new polio cases, with many International Rotarians involved in this achievement.
Mark Stimson helped to lead a sing-a-long of a 1915 Irving Belin classic, “Let Me Play a Simple Melody,” from a 1914 musical “Watch Your Step.” Although Rotarians were somewhat unfamiliar with the song’s tune and lyrics, the chorus responded to the spirit of the tribute to our club’s Centennial history.
July Birthdays were announced with song!
Mike Fortunato presented a bit of our club history with a review of club minutes written in 1917-18. At that time, the interests of the club members were focused on the growing European “Great War” and America’s involvement. Also, the Portland Rotary members in 1917-18 were impacted by the Great Influenza pandemic, even taking a leave of meetings for a month while the epidemic peaked.Justin Lamontagne won the chance to draw the Queen of Hearts in our weekly raffle, but he came away with a torn card, rather than the jackpot.
President Bowen asked service volunteers to stand and be recognized. He thanked those who participated in feeding minds and bodies, volunteered at Preble Street Soup Kitchen, worked at Long Creek Youth Center, and those who volunteered to donate books for kids.(Photo: Janelle LoSciuto and Julie L'Heureux - books for kids)
A service opportunity coming up is for volunteers to help on August 20, at the Boys and Girls Club Steak and Burgers Dinner, on Thursday, August 20th from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at USM’s Sullivan Gym Complex. Check with Past President Kris Rosado for more information: kris.rosado@morganstanley.com
(Photo: Jenni Nguyen and Joliet Morrill)Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) scholars Jenni Nguyen and Joliet Morrill spoke to the club about their experience at the June program held at Camp William Hinds, in Raymond. RYLA is Rotary's youth leadership training program. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, personal growth and service. Jenni is a Portland High School student. She said her four days at RYLA taught her about leadership. She made life-long friends and was honored to have had the privilege of participating. Two-thirds of the students who attended RYLA this year were from Portland. “It was an amazing experience”, said Joliet.