10/02/15 BITS & PIECES

Posted by Bill Blount

President Bowen called the meeting to order at the Italian Heritage Center where 50 Rotarians with 5 guests were in attendance for the Club Assembly. Bruce Jones researched his invocation reading a poem, possibly a song written by John Calvin Stevens, a charter member of our club. His circa 1917 poem “October Toast” had a pertinent refrain “True service profits most.” We pledged to our country flag, then Russ Burleigh led us in the patriotic song.

President Bowen reconvened the meeting after lunch and we celebrated October birthdays by singing 'Happy Birthday,' with no fear of copyright infringement, to 14 of our club’s members.

Bowen called upon Bob Traill, who delighted us with a slice of Rotary history covering 1932-34: Prohibition was abolished and President Roosevelt’s 'New Deal' was in full swing. Bob was age 11 during those years and told a personal story of a fondly-remembered neighbor, Mr. McElroy, who lost his car and his home in Bob’s home state of Rhode Island during the Great Depression. The members back then were not depressed, forming a loving bond with their club, noting in May of 1934 that they had their first month of perfect attendance in the club’s less-than-20-year existence. One member did seek improvement over his perception of the “hackneyed programs” for which he sought a “New Deal.”

Katie Brown conducted the raffle, with Loretta Rowe's name being drawn to try and find the Queen of Hearts in the ever-dwindling deck of cards, but she drew the 2 of Diamonds. The pot thickens for next week.

Don Lowry announced the mentoring at the Long Creek Youth Center, where several members provided support to 14 youths at the facility.

Two new members were introduced to the members of Portland Rotary Club:

John Marr introduced Ben Delcourt, Underwriter at Maine Employers Mutual.

President Bowen introduced us to Linda Varrell of Broad Reach Public Relations.

Team Harry

Don Lowry told us of "Team Harry" (photo above)....the 20-30 friends and family who walked to raise money for Alzheimer's Disease in Harry Sawyer's name. There were about 1000 walkers at the event and a sum of close to $300,000 was raised.