This Friday, we have the pleasure of welcoming Herb Adams who will paint for us a picture of Portland a century ago.
Herb’s interest and love of Maine history began in a one-room school house in Norway, Maine, and was nurtured by his father, a lumberman and his mother, a schoolteacher. On a visit to the big city of Portland as a 10-year old, Herb and his mother met with Governor Percival Baxter in his penthouse office on the top floor of the Trelawney Building, in Longfellow Square. It was “a most critical experience” and Herb knew that from then on he would devote his life to the study of history, and that he would dedicate himself to a career of public service.
Since settling in Portland many years ago, Herb has fed his appetite for public service with terms on the Portland School Committee, Portland Friends of the Parks Commission, Parkside Neighborhood Association and eight terms as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from Portland’s District 119.
A noted historian, particularly of his adopted hometown but also of the entire state of Maine, Herb remains an active member of the Maine Historical Society and much sought-after speaker at many public occasions, no doubt inspiring other young budding historians to study and to appreciate the “City by the Sea” and the greater landscapes of Maine. He has written about the history of the Portland Park System and contributed to numerous other publications focusing on Maine history.
We are pleased to have Herb Adams speak to us about 1915, the birth-year of Rotary in Portland, Maine.
President Bowen Depke welcomed everyone to the 100th year of the Rotary Club of Portland. He presented a Rotary “State of the Union” report, using a series of slides to describe how the Centennial year will unfold.
(Photo: President Bowen Depke)
Among the President’s goals is to grow the club membership to 150 members. He described many opportunities for Rotarians to work on several projects and club activities. Be sure to check the club website at portlandrotary.org and the club’s Facebook page for updates at facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Portland-Maine-USA.
A membership challenge has been raised with the Rotary Club of Portsmouth, NH, the largest club in District 7780. One of the best ways to recruit members is to ask people to attend a club service project. Also, wear a Rotary pin every day! In fact, President Bowen said if anyone finds him without wearing his Rotary pin, but the discoverer happens to be wearing theirs, then he’ll give a $100 donation to the Portland Rotary.
Centennial Sub-Committee Chairs for 2015-16 are:
Centennial Committee – Kathy Grammar
Gala Committee- Mike Fortunato and Christine Force
History Committee- Jim Willey
A composite of the Rotary membership satisfaction survey was discussed. A report of 78 Portland Rotarians who responded to the District 7780 survey showed how our club compared favorably with other club members that responded to the survey questions.
Portland Rotary exceeded district responses for overall club satisfaction, club welcoming of all non-members and for caring about its members.
Especially high responses on the questions “I feel welcome in my club” (88% agree, 9.33% somewhat agree, 0.0% disagree) and “I am proud of my Rotary Club (84% agree, 12% somewhat agree, 0.0% disagree). One question received attention about how our club membership does not reflect the demographics of the Greater Portland community (30% agree, 28.75% somewhat agree, 17.5% neither agree nor disagree, 13.75% somewhat disagree, 10% disagree).
In preparing for the spirit of the Centennial, President Bowen distributed tent cards on the lunch tables that explained the Roaring 20’s slang. He encouraged us to use some of the slang over the next year, just to feel what it might have been like when our club first started.
Some changes in club operations are planned. On-line payments are now in place on the website. Holiday Inn By-the-Bay has blocked out our meeting day 18 times this coming year; therefore, the club meeting locations will change and may not always be on Fridays. In fact, the Jewell Island cruise was an example of how we can meet on days other than on Friday.
Our Gala celebration will be a time to enjoy a period costume party in the theme of 'The Great Gatsby.' WCSH6 News Anchor Lee Nelson agreed to host as the Master of Ceremonies. Senator Angus King will be the keynote speaker. The band will be 'The Carbines,' a swing dance band. Ticket costs are $100 per person or $2,500 for a Table Sponsor. Recruiting event sponsors are ongoing, see Christine Force for information. Money raised by the Gala will be contributed to the Charitable Fund projects, especially Childhood Hunger and Education (CHE).
Save the date Saturday, September 12th at Holiday Inn By-the-Bay and spread the Gala news!
President Bowen conducted his first formal meeting of our almost-100-year-old club at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay with 49 Rotarians, 1 visiting Rotarian and 5 guests in attendance. Russ Burleigh presented the invocation, Peggy "Queenie" Westcott led us in the Pledge, then Russ played as we sang our patriotic song “God Bless America.” President Bowen wished us a happy repast as we enjoyed our meal and fellowship.
President Bowen reconvened announcing our guests, with a banner exchange from visiting Rotarian, Bob Donahue, of the Cayman Islands.
(Photo: President Bowen and visiting Rotarian Bob Donahue)
Our musical tradition as a singing club continues as President Bowen called on Bill Blount to lead us in song as Russ Burleigh accompanied on the keyboard. Since fellowship is such an integral component of our Rotary experience, we sang “The More we Get Together.” And the happier were we.
Perhaps Peggy "Queenie" Westcott would have been a tad happier IF she had pulled the Queen of Hearts, as she was called to draw the raffle card by Jim Willey. Instead, Peggy drew the 5 of Clubs.
(Photo: Peggy "Queenie" Wescott and Jim Willey)
President Bowen next resurrected a piece some of you may recall Past President John Tewhey doing, "Rotarians in the News." Newsworthy is Ben Lowry, whose Derek Jeter-like celebratory last season of baseball included a fundraiser at Hadlock Field for cancer patient Hailey DesJardins on Saturday night, July 18th.
(Photo: Ben Lowry)
Rusty Atwood was called to give us the first of many insightful offerings of our club's history that we will hear over the course of the coming year.
(Photo: Rusty Atwood)
President Bowen read a letter from the Long Creek Youth Center thanking us for our Club’s donation towards their music education program. The funds will be used to help restore donated musical instruments.
For better or worse, President Bowen said in humility as he introduced the program, it was his combination of a General Assembly, state-of-the-club report and his vision for our upcoming Centennial year - stay tuned and invite a friend to our meetings and events this year.
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact the Club Secretary (Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com). Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS SPONSOR Megan Devlin Italian Heritage Center Charlie Frair
The meeting minutes of the Portland Rotary Club's Board of Directors are posted on our website the month following their approval. From the "Home Page," click on the "Board Meeting Minutes" in the listing at the left.
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President Bowen Depke welcomed everyone to the 100th year of the Rotary Club of Portland. He presented a Rotary “State of the Union” report, using a series of slides to describe how the Centennial year will unfold.
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