09/16/16 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Ben Lowry
60 Portland Rotarians met on a beautiful autumn day at the Clarion Hotel last Friday. Joining us were 2 non-Rotarian guests and two visiting Rotarians; one of whom, Chris Clemons, brought us a banner from his home club in Santa Monica, California.
Peggy Wescott, with her usual style, offered a humorous invocation and Kathy Grammar, who we welcomed back after a short absence, led us in the pledge to the flag, with President Laura following up in leading us in a pleasantly competent rendition of our national anthem.
Don Lowry, just back from a sales convention in Austin, Texas, shared a banner he picked up at an intimate gathering of 36 “guys” at a Rotary meeting in The Lone Star State’s capitol. Judy Cavalero laughingly wondered aloud about the old school slip of "guys" by Don, or perhaps it was indeed an all-men’s meeting. Don also led us in our a capella song of the week.
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Tom Talbott shared a very warm “Rotary Moment” in looking back at his presidency and the year just prior, 1999, when then-District Governor Elias Thomas undertook a sociological experiment just prior to speaking with our club. As folks entered the Portland Club for our noon meeting, they had to walk by a homeless man, apparently passed out on the sidewalk, just outside the front door. There were many offers of help and calls to the police and the man was obtaining assistance when our program began. As it came time for our keynote speaker, Governor Thomas walked up to the podium, removed his disguise as the homeless man and began his talk on helping others. Inspired by the message, when Tom became president a few months later, he took a chance and asked a local homeless man to speak to our club. The results were astounding and eye-opening. The spirit of helping the homeless lives on today in our club, as we gather to feed the homeless at the Preble Street shelter next Wednesday, Sep. 28th. Our own Erik Greven is spearheading the effort and needs volunteers. Please think about all of the blessings that you have in your life…..and think about giving up just a few hours to help those who have so little and then contact Erik at : egrev95@aol.com
Paul Tully reminded us that our second annual Veteran’s Day luncheon is less than 8 weeks away, on Thursday, November 10th at noon at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. This meeting will replace our Friday meeting that week and we are hoping for a huge turnout to honor many of our local veterans. There is no charge for veterans and others can pay $20 to help defray the costs of the event. Any excess monies raised will go directly to veterans' services.
With Ellen Niewoehner handling the weekly raffle, Loretta Rowe's name was called to pull a card from the deck…and she drew a red queen, but not the correct red queen! The pot thickens!
Peggy Wescott, with her usual style, offered a humorous invocation and Kathy Grammar, who we welcomed back after a short absence, led us in the pledge to the flag, with President Laura following up in leading us in a pleasantly competent rendition of our national anthem.
Don Lowry, just back from a sales convention in Austin, Texas, shared a banner he picked up at an intimate gathering of 36 “guys” at a Rotary meeting in The Lone Star State’s capitol. Judy Cavalero laughingly wondered aloud about the old school slip of "guys" by Don, or perhaps it was indeed an all-men’s meeting. Don also led us in our a capella song of the week.
Tom Talbott shared a very warm “Rotary Moment” in looking back at his presidency and the year just prior, 1999, when then-District Governor Elias Thomas undertook a sociological experiment just prior to speaking with our club. As folks entered the Portland Club for our noon meeting, they had to walk by a homeless man, apparently passed out on the sidewalk, just outside the front door. There were many offers of help and calls to the police and the man was obtaining assistance when our program began. As it came time for our keynote speaker, Governor Thomas walked up to the podium, removed his disguise as the homeless man and began his talk on helping others. Inspired by the message, when Tom became president a few months later, he took a chance and asked a local homeless man to speak to our club. The results were astounding and eye-opening. The spirit of helping the homeless lives on today in our club, as we gather to feed the homeless at the Preble Street shelter next Wednesday, Sep. 28th. Our own Erik Greven is spearheading the effort and needs volunteers. Please think about all of the blessings that you have in your life…..and think about giving up just a few hours to help those who have so little and then contact Erik at : egrev95@aol.com Paul Tully reminded us that our second annual Veteran’s Day luncheon is less than 8 weeks away, on Thursday, November 10th at noon at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. This meeting will replace our Friday meeting that week and we are hoping for a huge turnout to honor many of our local veterans. There is no charge for veterans and others can pay $20 to help defray the costs of the event. Any excess monies raised will go directly to veterans' services.
With Ellen Niewoehner handling the weekly raffle, Loretta Rowe's name was called to pull a card from the deck…and she drew a red queen, but not the correct red queen! The pot thickens!
Two Portland Rotarians were in the news this past week: Dean Danielle Conway was featured on the cover of the Maine Law Magazine.
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Larry Gross and the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) received a business innovation award.
(Photo: Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Assn of Agencies on Aging, Rani Snyder, the Hartford Foundation and Kathy Greenlee, U.S. Asst Secretary on Aging receiving the first John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award.)
(Photo: Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Assn of Agencies on Aging, Rani Snyder, the Hartford Foundation and Kathy Greenlee, U.S. Asst Secretary on Aging receiving the first John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award.)
Congrats to you both!