01/15/16 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Alan Nye
President Bowen welcomed 57 members, 4 visiting Rotarians and 4 guests to the meeting last Friday. Kathy Grammer gave an inspiring invocation by evoking a recipe for the New Year filled with measurements of faith, courage, hope and love. Russ Burleigh led us in a rousing “God Bless America.”
Jan Chapman provided us with an interesting account of our Rotary history, focusing on the years 1947-49. She described these as years of prosperity after the war, with huge sales of cars, televisions and other consumer goods. But it was also a time of the Cold War, with fear of communism and the infamous Hollywood Black list the talk of the nation. McCarthy would be chastised by Senator Margaret Chase Smith in 1950. On a lighter note, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers; Columbia Records introduced a new 33 1/3 rpm vinyl record format; George Orwell wrote “1984” and gas cost 17 cents per gallon. In Rotary at that time, the club was led by President William Linnell who organized Maine Rotary Clubs to fill up a ship with 110 tons of food, clothing and supplies. The ship, called the St. Patrick, was built by Bath Iron Works and sent to Normandy as a good will gesture.
The staff at the Holiday Inn were acknowledged and thanked for all the hard work and dedication they put into making sure our food is hot and waiting, and our meeting room is set up and ready to go.(Photo: Ian Sprague (HIBTB), Prez Bowen and Bob Fetter (HIBTB)
Kris Rosado spoke about the 2016 Maine Outdoor Challenge which will occur on June 6-8, 2016. The first meeting of the committee will be on January 25th from 12 noon to 1:15 at the Boys & Girls Club in Portland. This is the 5th anniversary of our major fundraiser and volunteers are needed. Please attend and help out in any way you can.
The weekly raffle ($932) was conducted by Katie Brown with Paul T. Gore given the honor of trying to find the Queen of Hearts – but drew the 3 of spades.
Ellen Niewoehner asked us to save the date of February 26th for our Rotary Auction, where members can both “re-gift” items received or donate items directly. This is a fun event that benefits the Operating Account of the Club.
Past District Governor 2014-2015 Lawrence Furbish presented a banner to the PP Kris Rosado as last year's Club President for the club in recognition as being one in 1100 clubs worldwide to reach an average of +$100 per person (EREY: Every Rotarian Every Year) towards the Foundation giving. The club also received a certificate for the club’s extensive contributions to end polio and our support of a Rotary Peace Fellowship.
(Photo: IPP Kris Rosado and PDG Lawrence Furbish)
(Photo: IPP Kris Rosado and PDG Lawrence Furbish)
PDG Marty Helman expressed the importance of having International Service projects and being connected with third-world countries to support them with projects helping their needs. This was a perfect segway to introduce a visiting Rotarian, Jason Blanchard.
Jason Blanchard, originally from Maine, is the Chief Executive Officer of the
Malamulo Hospital and Clinic is now working in health care in Limbe, Africa hoping to form a partnership with our club and perhaps have our International Service Committee consider a project in Africa. He shared information about the Rotary Club of Limbe and exchanged banners with us.
Malamulo Hospital and Clinic is now working in health care in Limbe, Africa hoping to form a partnership with our club and perhaps have our International Service Committee consider a project in Africa. He shared information about the Rotary Club of Limbe and exchanged banners with us.
(Photo: Int'l Service Committee Chair, John Curran, and Jason Blanchard, RC Limbe, Africa)
President Bowen noted that Portland Rotary has increased membership by 10 members – unfortunately our friendly rival club in Portsmouth has increased by 12. Give the gift of Rotary to someone – invite them to a meeting!