09/11/15 BITS & PIECES

Posted by Erik Jorgensen 
 
As President Bowen opened the Rotary meeting with a full house (59 members, 6 guests and 2 visiting Rotarians) on the 14th anniversary of the tragic 911 events, a somber prayer was offered by Paul Tully, followed by President Bowen recalling his time in New York in the actual World Trade Center on September 10th. Everyone seemed to be chatting about where they were during that day.                  
 

Tom Nickerson led the raffle draw with our speaker drawing a guest's name, Ben Delcourt, to try his hand at finding the Queen of Hearts to win the +$520 pot at stake; alas, he drew the wrong queen. So the pot continues to grow.
 
Tom should henceforth be referred to as “Professor Nickerson,” as he is teaching a class this fall at SMCC. He joins other Rotary educational luminaries like Rob Chatfield, Don Tuski and Don Zillman in the world of higher education. 

 
Gracie Johnston led us in a rendition of "If I Had a Hammer," a song that she noted she’d selected as a tribute to 911.......she wished we’d had a hammer of warning before that event.  Notably, most of the members knew the words by heart.
 

The tennis league reports that, with (at least among some of us) a grinding of artificial knees and the cracking of Advil bottles, it is starting out the 2015-16 season, this year without the oversight of tennis commissioner, Bill Blount, who is on disability leave (DL).
 
 
The Alzheimer’s Association is having its annual walk on Saturday the 26th. You are invited to join Rotary’s team, walking in honor of our own Harry Sawyer, who is suffering from this disease. Those interested in participating should contact Don Lowry: ospreydon@gmail.com.
 
(Photo above: Don Lowry [left] and Harry Sawyer [right]. Howie Herodes [center])

 
George Crockett introduced Andreea Paine, our newest member – who is from Romania, speaks six languages, and currently works with Goodwill Industries as a Business Service Rep. She lives in Gray. Welcome, Andreea!!
 
 
 
 
 
(Photo at right: George Crockett, Andreea Paine and President Bowen)
 
 
 
President Bowen reminded us that Andreea will be joining other new members in wearing a red dot on their name badge for six months, which signifies that they are new members. Be sure to reach out to all our new members.
 
 
Mike Fortunato announced that an upcoming project would be the refurbishment of the monument in Andrews Square, in honor of Harry Andrews, the first Portlander killed in WW1. Andrews Square, located at Pine and Clark Streets (near Aurora’s) will be the focal center for a special Veterans’ Day program that Mike and Peter Goffin are spearheading for November 11th. Rotary will be having a pre-event breakfast at the Holiday Inn that day. Watch your emails for further details!