09/18/15 BITS & PIECES

Posted by Tom Talbott 
on Sep 22, 2015
 
President Bowen opened the meeting by greeting 57 members and 5 guests. Russ Burleigh provided the invocation.
 
With a nod to our centennial celebration, Russ noted that none of us would be around for the next centennial, so we’ll just look 50 years into the future. Combining a mix of research and prognostication, the future….is dire! Overcrowding, food shortages, new diseases...and he was just getting started. The line was drawn where it was suggested that climate change will affect wine production. Enough! Bowen declared the meeting was to be adjourned, and to go enjoy the beautiful day… while you still can!
 
1st VP Laura Young provided a reflection of the years 1931-1932 for our weekly history lesson. “Plop Plop Fizz Fizz” – Alka Seltzer was introduced; the Star Spangled Banner became the National Anthem;  the Lindburgh baby was kidnapped and later found deceased; President Hoover declared a five-day work week; Amelia Earhardt’s transatlantic solo flight took place; Goofy and Donald Duck hit the silver screen;  and of course….the Yankees won another World Serie, behind Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, defeating the Cubs. Laura also shared a number of pictures from that time period, including a 1931 photo of the Tate House and the Kotzschmar Organ (misspelled at the time to Kotzschman). There was also a photo of Mary Thompson, a President of the YWCA at the time, married to Dr. John Thompson, who was great-grandfather to one of our Past Presidents, Fred Thompson. In addition, Mary was the adoptive mother of Rusty Atwood’s wife’s grandmother. Give Laura Young a research project, and she goes to town!
 
John Curran stepped up to tell us about a young man from the Dominican Republic who is in intensive care at Maine Med, suffering from sickle cell anemia. This is a devastating disease, that has taken the lives of several of his siblings. His twin brother is also ill. His mother traveled here from the Dominican with just the clothes on her back. Maine Med has assisted with food and lodging, but those limited funds only lasted a few days. Our International Service Committee will be helping, but we are asking if anyone else can provide additional support, please contact John: curraj1@mmc.org
 
 
 
Peter Goffin announced that one of the next centennial projects will be to repair and rededicate the flagpole and plaque located at Andrews Square. (Junction of West Street, Clark Street, and Pine Street in downtown Portland.) The square was named to honor Harold Andrews, the first soldier from Maine to lose his life in WWI. The original dedication was in 1921. Peter added that there will be a free breakfast for Veterans at the Holiday Inn on Veterans Day (7-9 a.m.), and they are looking for businesses to help underwrite the cost of the breakfast. If you can help, contact Pete: peter.goffin@ubs.com.
 
Amy Chipman gave us great news on our club’s Rotary Foundation annual giving. Our goal last year was $15,500. We buzzed right by that amount to the tune of $25,150!  Nice!  Kudos to Amy who has done an outstanding job leading the charge. We went from 59 to 69 Sustaining Members. Our goal this year is $23,000. Let’s make it happen!
 
Speaking of which, our respect and appreciation to our immediate Past President, Kris Rosado, who became a Paul Harris Fellow for the third time.  Well done Kris......a standing ovation indeed!
 
 
Bowen will have a lot more to say about the Gala, but wanted to give a special thanks to Kathy Grammer, Mike Fortunato, Christine Force, Loretta Rowe and Elise Hodgkin for all the planning, organization, and implementation they did to make it one of the greatest nights in our club’s history.  George Crockett chimed in from the audience that he cannot recall a more well-planned, thorough execution of an event......extremely well-done. A spontaneous standing ovation ensued, as the sentiment was shared by one and all. It was a great team effort spearheaded by superb leadership, and the result was outstanding!
 
 
Music for the day was led by Bill Blount, with Kathleen Grammer on the keys. A rousing rendition of “Grand State of Maine” ensued. New members were reminded that the official state song was written by the late Roger Snow, who is former member Dave Snow’s grandfather, as well as, former member and Past President Rick Snow’s great-grandfather.
 
 
 
Ellen Niewoehner conducted the raffle, and as fate may have it, the name drawn at random from the audience was HERS!  Alas, Ellen was unable to connect on pulling the elusive Queen of Hearts from the deck, and thus missed out on the cash prize of $558. Pursuit of earnings continue.
 
 
 
Congrats to Janelle LoSciuto and Dillon Bates, and their new baby boy!  Everyone is doing fine.