10/28/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Dick Hall
 
President Laura welcomed 55 members, 2 visiting Rotarians and six guests to our meeting at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay.
Alan Nye presented us with a brief, yet timely invocation. Tiel Duncan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and we had a change-up on the song as we sang a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful.
 
Kirk Duffy was one of the guest Rotarians, on his last meeting before heading back down south to Savannah, GA. He says he is glad to leave this weather. Rafael Kabata, the second visitor has spent four years looking for a new club and likes what he sees in our club. 
 
President Laura thanked the regular meeting crew for each of their jobs, and then gave a special shout-out to the (8) Rotarians and (2) Interactors who served at the Preble Street soup kitchen this week.
 
 
Mike Reed was invited to share his experiences with Rotary. He first joined the Windham Rotary Club after a 1988 Rotary Fellowship. He was very interested in Rotary’s pursuit of doing good. Tom Sukley invited Mike to come to Portland Rotary when Mike moved his office to Portland. At his first meeting, Bill Blount and others made him feel very welcome. Mike enjoys the good table conversations, which are always respectful. Mike has developed good friends in Rotary and invited some Rotarians to his wedding in Quebec City. He enjoys the weekly fellowship and learning from the excellent speakers. He has good memories of freezing on the Christmas train at Winterfest, the 90th, and the 100th Anniversary. He is proud of the good work of Portland Rotary.
Our Youth Service Award recipient is Amy Umutom, from Portland High School. She is originally from Rwanda, and has participated several years in the 'Seeds of Peace Camp' in Maine. She came to Portland in the 9th grade and now has an impressive list of accomplishments, including Paradigm Shifter, 4H, Ronald MacDonald House, Partners for World Health, Opportunity Alliance, Voices for Students, Make It Happen, Tutor, Bright Futures, Youth Court Judge, Portland High Executive Board, while taking two college courses. She said that in her country there were few opportunities, and in the U.S. there are so many, including many opportunities to serve.

Charlie Frair reminded everyone to sign up for the Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, Nov 10th, at the Italian Heritage Center, encouraging everyone to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to be checked in. It will be a full program that will run from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Please register online: http://portlandrotary.org/event/celebration-lunch-for-veterans/ or call Elise at the Rotary office: 899-6342. Sign up deadline is by Friday Nov 4th.

Nine Rotarians were invited to remove their red dots that indicated they were new Rotarians in the club for their initial six months. 
 
Maxwell Chikuta was the lucky at getting his name pulled for the weekly raffle, but unlucky at the card draw. He pulled a red card, but not the Queen of Hearts to win the growing pot. Thanks Max for leaving the money for someone else.
Bruce Moore asked everyone to bring mobility devices, crutches, walkers, canes, wheel chairs etc. On Nov 19th, folks are invited go to Biddeford to help pack the container headed to Uganda. (See separate update article on this event below.) On Nov 18, Dave Talbot will be speaking to Portland Rotary about this program. For more information, contact Bruce at: brucevmoore@gmail.com
 
Past President Bowen Depke announced the nominating committee again, to ensure compliance with the date specified in our bylaws.
 
Past President Bill Blount (guitar), Amy Chipman (fiddle) and Ellen Niewoehner (mandolin) led us in the song 'Momma Tried.'
 
Amy Chipman announced we have (9) new circle of five members. We have renewed four full circles of five and need two members to join another one. Paul Tully and Matt Tassey volunteered. Bill Blount’s employer, Amica does a dollar-for-dollar match, which let Bill get another Paul Harris Fellow. Thanks Bill.
 
 
Reminder:
District 7780 Centennial Celebration - 100 for 100
Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks
Thursday, Nov 10th  6:00 -10:00 PM
Register at:  http://rotary7780.org/event/million-dollar-journey-dinner-kickoff/
  • Meet and be inspired by our 2018-19 R.I. President John Germ.
  • Because our Foundation is 100 years strong - Not many foundations can boast 100 years of success.
  • Share fellowship with Rotarians from around the district. 
  • Because our work to support peace and end conflict is making our world a better place, one person at a time. 
  • Celebrate the lives changed by humanitarian projects brought about by you and our club.          
  • Enjoy an Around-the-World station dinner - selections from Morocco, India, Thailand and our own New England.
  • Because Rotary's future is bright and your participation makes it even brighter!