12/18/15 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Bob Martin
Russ Burleigh led our invocation with a tribute to Francis Pharcellus Church’s iconic letter to Virginia O’Halon acknowledging to existence of one Mr. S. Claus.
President Bowen welcomed 55 members, 4 guests and 1 visiting Rotarian and his wife to our holiday program at the Holiday Inn.
Bruce Moore gave us an account of our Rotary history during 1943-44 and what was happening in the world around us.
WWII was the backdrop to this Rotary year. These were some of the highlights internationally that year.
JUNE 1943: A Japanese destroyer rams and sinks a small U.S. Navy vessel, the PT-109, commanded by Lt. (and future president) John F. Kennedy. He and other survivors swim for five hours to reach a small island, where they are later rescued. The Royal Air Force and U.S. Eighth Air Force begin round-the-clock bombing of Germany.
JUNE 1944: U.S. Marines land on Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. Japan's last aircraft carrier forces are defeated as Japan loses 220 warplanes in one battle with U.S. carrier planes. U.S. troops enter Rome. On D-Day, June 6th, 155,000 allied troops land on the beaches of Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of Europe.
During WW2, more than 6 million women joined the American work force. Although most received equal pay in many industries, 20% of female workers received less than their male counterparts. In the September 1943 Rotarian magazine, 50 Rotarians argued for equal pay for women workers.
During WW2, more than 6 million women joined the American work force. Although most received equal pay in many industries, 20% of female workers received less than their male counterparts. In the September 1943 Rotarian magazine, 50 Rotarians argued for equal pay for women workers.
Sumner Johnson was the President of Portland Rotary that year. At nearly all meetings, members of the armed services attended as guests. The war was brought home to our club by many speakers. For example:
The speaker at the 1st meeting that year was the President of BIW, Wm. Newell, who said that BIW was delivering a destroyer to the Navy every 15-16 days; if that continued that year, they would gross $110-120 million. BIW had expanded their work force from 2000 to 12,000 men. He stated “BIW’s destroyers are the best in the world.” At another meeting, a young 27-year old wing commander from New Zealand in the RAF told stories of his 339 missions over enemy territory destroying or crippling 36 Nazi planes.
In the fall, Arthur Hauck, the president of the U of Maine, back from touring England, reported 2,750,000 homes and 1400 schools destroyed. Carlton Sturdy of the American Can Co spoke of the need for workers to process food to feed our fighters and starving people in Nazi occupied countries.
Other interesting speakers…
Wm. Brown of NE Airlines predicted that soon there would be a 12-hour flight from Boston to Europe at a cost of $100 per trip and they would carry up to 100 passengers. The District manager of GE from Boston told members that home TV sets for less than $200 were ready for mass production when the war ends.
Philip Lovejoy, Secretary of R.I. spoke of Rotary’s services to returning veterans: 2 servicemen are placed in jobs every minute of every day through the efforts of Rotary clubs in America. In England, Rotary clubs have sponsored 5 million refugees, quite an accomplishment considering the number of homes and schools lost. At the time there were 210,000 members of Rotary in 5203 clubs around the world. Today there are over 1,224,000 members of Rotary and over 35,000 clubs throughout the world.
The weekly raffle was ably conducted by Leonard Scott......Peggy Wescott's name was pulled from the vessel and she pondered for a few minutes before picking the wrong card in our $869 jackpot....much to the glee...er, dismay of the many people who also hoped their name would be picked.
Amy Chipman called up five 'Circles of Five' to choose a new Paul Harris Fellow from their ranks. Dick Giles, Peter Goffin, Roxane Cole, Ron Bennett, and Rusty Atwood were selected from their respective "Circles.' Congratulations to all!
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Peggy Wescott received a blue sticker for her badge from President Bowen for bringing in a new member to the club.
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George Crockett displayed a solar-powered light that the International Service Committee, by way of the 3-H Project in the Dominican Republic, wants to transport to that area to provide the people with much-needed sources of light. The lights cost $15 each and George was looking for supporters to donate the cost of one light. Many, many hands went up (you know who you are), with Jan Chapman and Loretta Rowe listing everyone's name who made the commitment.PAYMENT OPTIONS: If you have not submitted your payment, you have two options:
1. Please send your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104-1755 and put in the memo line: 3-H Solar-powered light.
2. By credit card. We have a "Donate Now" button on our club website home page (upper right). You may pay for your support by credit card by clicking this button. After completing your information, near the bottom, be sure to click on the "drop down" menu option: CLUB DONATION and put in the comments box: 3-H Solar-powered light.
For more information about how you can join in on the support effort, please contact: Loretta at lrowe@maine.rr.com.
PP Kris Rosado, this year's nominating committee chair, re-announced the nominees for the slate of 2016-17 Club officers, as follows:
President: Laura Young
1st Vice President: Don Zillman
2nd Vice President: John Curran
Club Secretary: Kathy Grammer
Club Treasurer: Scott Blakeslee
Sergeant-at-Arms: Peter Ingram
Club Protection Officer: Nan Heald
Director - term ending 2018: Amy Chipman
Director - term ending 2018: Justin Lamontagne
Service & Memorial Fund Trustee - term ending 2019:
Service & Memorial Fund Trustee - term ending 2019: Ellen Niewoehner
The members present voted unanimously by a show of hands to approve the slate of officers for 2016-17, as submitted and it was requested to be recorded by the current Club Secretary, Loretta Rowe.
Russ Burleigh acknowledged his wife Joan’s gift of transforming yarn (donated by members) into mittens over the last seven years. In keeping with our Club's focus of CHE, the mittens are scheduled to be donated to the Lyseth School for children in need. That’s a lot of wool-gathering. Thank you, Joan!