11/06/15 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Bill Blount
Our Rotary meeting rotated to the Long Creek Youth Development Center, where President Bowen called the meeting to order. 39 Rotarians and 3 guests enjoyed a fine lunch provided by the culinary arts students. John Marr led us in the Pledge to our flag and Bill Blount set the tone for the patriotic song. Juliana L’Heureux gave the invocation, remembering Armistice Day and Mainer Napoleon Morin, who gave the last full measure of his devoted young life in France in 1918.
After lunch, President Bowen reconvened the meeting by introducing visiting Rotarians and guests, then called upon Dave Smith, who recounted highlights from our Club during the years 1938-1939. Those years were marked by growing turbulence in Europe and in the East, and in the States, there was a deadly 1938 hurricane that took the lives of 300 New Yorkers. Torpor inducing might be a description of the meeting programs as Dave explained that, while our Club’s membership was increasing, attendance suffered from the perceived lack of interesting topics.
After lunch, President Bowen reconvened the meeting by introducing visiting Rotarians and guests, then called upon Dave Smith, who recounted highlights from our Club during the years 1938-1939. Those years were marked by growing turbulence in Europe and in the East, and in the States, there was a deadly 1938 hurricane that took the lives of 300 New Yorkers. Torpor inducing might be a description of the meeting programs as Dave explained that, while our Club’s membership was increasing, attendance suffered from the perceived lack of interesting topics.
We then took a moment to enjoy a delicious seasonal dessert of pumpkin whoopie pies and apple crisp, again prepared by the students of the culinary arts department of LCYDC.
Jean Murachanian ran the raffle and Greg Hansel’s name was pulled to draw a card for the chance to win $733, but alas the elusive Queen of Hearts escaped Greg’s grasp.
President Bowen reported that our member, Gene Story, has lung cancer. Jim Willey informed us that he has visited with him, stating that Gene is grateful for visitations by close friends, but tires easily. Please call his wife, Ruth to see if Gene is up for a visit before stopping by.
President Bowen recognized Bruce Moore, Jan Chapman and John Marr for bringing in new members. Bowen also told us that the Portsmouth Club exceeds us in new members, for the moment (we hope). Our attention remained on Jan Chapman, who announced that volunteers are needed on the November 21st date in Biddeford for packing a container headed to the "Crutches4Africa" project. For more details, please contact Jan at: chapmoore@myfairpoint.net.
President Bowen told us of our Deering High School Interact Club's plans to send a delegation to the UN. President Bowen also reported that the Club Visioning Workshop II held on November 5th was well attended. The results are being compiled and will be presented at the Club Assembly in January. We are also looking for everyone's input as to where you see the Club going in the next five years.
November being Rotary's Foundation Month, Amy Chipman announced that we have two new sustaining members and five 'Circles of Five.' Amy encouraged us to make this a banner year for our Club’s support of the Foundation. With Amy’s cheerleading leadership style, we are already the envy of District 7780.
Erik Greven, Chair of our Community Service Committee, announced he is seeking volunteers for our annual Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving provision of dinner at St. Vincent DePaul’s Soup Kitchen on Nov. 25th, pointing out the sign-up sheets on the tables. For further information and to sign up directly with Erik for the different times volunteers are needed, contact him at: egrev95@aol.com.
Peter Goffin announced our next regular weekly meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay for breakfast, 7:00 a.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 11th, Veterans' Day. We will be hosting Veterans who want to dine with us and then walk (or drive) up to Andrews Square to re-dedicate the monument in honor of the first Mainer who died in World War I, Harold Andrews.