01/22/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Julie L'Heureux 
 
50 members, 1 visiting Rotary and 5 guests were welcomed by President Bowen Depke. He introduced the invocation, given by Russ Burleigh, who read the poem “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. It was read as a tribute to the victims of the 'Space Shuttle Challenger' disaster, by President Ronald Reagan. This month is the thirty-year anniversary of the Challenger loss, in January 1986, when Christa Corrigan McAuliffe, and six of her colleague astronauts, were also killed in the explosion. "High Flight" by John Gillespi Magee link (Portions of this poem appear on the headstones of many interred in Arlington National Cemetery, particularly, aviators and astronauts.)
 
President Bowen reminded Rotarians to wear our Rotary pins! Any one of us can fine him $100, personally, if he’s found not to be wearing his pin, but only as long as we’re also wearing ours.
 
A visit to the Portland Rotary’s parent club in Boston is tentatively planned for March 2nd. President Bowen asked for the names of any who are interesting in joining the trip.
 
Reminder! Sign up to attend the PROPEL networking event, as Rotary is being spotlighted. Click HERE for information and to register. The event will be held at Rising Tide Brewery on January 28th! Donations will be matched and given to the Portland Rotary Club!
 
 
Mark Stimson and Austin Harris were both recognized for being two of the longest-term members in our Rotary Club! Congratulations to both gentlemen!
 
 
 
Bill Blount made a Good Cheer visit to Jon Young at New England Rehab; it’s likely Jon is home now, so members are encouraged to send him messages or to contact Jon's wife, Susan, to see if he is feeling well enough for visitors.
 
 
 
 
Bill Blount gave us a Rotary history report describing activities from the minutes of 1950-52. During that time in the club’s history, Ed Nelson read the invocation at almost every meeting.
 
 
 
Maxwell Chikuta conducted the weekly raffle drawing for a chance to win $960, with Dave Putnam's name being pulled, but he drew the wrong color card,,,,a black spade.
 
 
 
 
Welcome new Portland Rotary Club member Courtney Bell! She is a pharmacist with HCA Healthcare and lives in Windham. She‘s new member #11 inducted into Portland Rotary during this Rotarian year.
 
 
 
Rusty Atwood introduced Cheverus High School student leader Catherine “Catie” Sinclair, who lives in South Portland. She is the recipient of a Rotary Youth Services Award. Cheverus High School Principal John Mullen, acknowledged the outstanding, and numerous achievements of Catie and complimented her supportive family. Catie is a senior at Cheverus High School and the Key Club president. Additionally, she played high school JV and Varsity sports and managed the high school basketball teams. Her volunteer achievements include participating with 'Home Front' to assist Veterans, assisting in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program; volunteer work at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital’s Halloween event and for the Special Olympics. In fact, Catie requested that the charitable donation made in her name from the Rotary Club, be awarded to the Special Olympics. Congratulations to Catie!