01/29/16 Bits & Pieces

Posted by Erik Jorgensen

President Bowen opened the meeting by welcoming 53 members, 3 Honorary members, 3 visiting Rotarians, and 1 visiting guest.

For this week’s history moment, Don Zillman provided a riveting legal analysis of Rotary International’s losing argument to keep women from joining Rotary. The US Supreme Court did not buy it, noting that “Admitting Women to Rotary does not in any significant way harm club activities” as they handed down a 7-0 decision knocking out the “males-only policy.” Currently 22% of Portland Rotary members are women, a statistic that prompted several at our table to add that this percentage would be far higher if one were measuring effectiveness! The Club recognized Judy Cavalero, as the second woman brought into our club and Loretta Rowe as the third.

In the raffle, aptly run by Larry Gross, Ron Bennett won the drawing, but he narrowly missed the jackpot, picking the King of Hearts. Larry wryly noted how Ron also narrowly missed the tax implications of the $900+ prize.

From the podium, Amy Chipman told the club about her colonoscopy. We are glad she came through it, and thank her for both this prime 'Bits and Pieces' item, with the implicit public service message it sends about the importance of these important preventive procedures. Don’t be squeamish – they are important.

Amy then went on to perform a Paul Harris Fellow roundup, following up on a number of recent PHS awards which had not previously been formally recognized. A couple of members were being honored for their first PHF; others for multiples. They were:

Bill Blount – PHF +4

Ron Bennett – PHF +3

Rusty Atwood – 1st time PHF

Steve Stromsky – PHF +1

Roxanne Cole – PHF +5

Emily McEntee – PHF +1

Julie L’Heureux PHF +5

Russ Burleigh – PHF +1

Mike Fortunato – PHF +2

Peggy Wescott – PHF +4

John Marr – PHF +4

Cy Hagge – PHF +6

Bruce Jones – 1st time PHF

Our neighbor from SoPo Rotary and Assistant Governor John LoBosco announced that several Portland Rotarians are assuming new district roles: Bowen Depke will be responsible for the District Public Relations and Kris Rosado will be joining as our new Area 6 AG, which covers our club, South Portland/Cape Elizabeth, Freeport and Portland Sunrise.

President Bowen noted that the PROPEL event on Thursday evening at Rising Tide brewery raised $500 for our club. 75 people, including several potential members, were in attendance to enjoy hoppy beer and happy fellowship.

Jim Willey told us about how the 'Friends of Long Creek' and many of our members recently threw a banana split party for residents of the Cedar Unit (the toughest kids in the place). Then, the kids made Valentines Day cards for senior citizens receiving 'Meals on Wheels,' an activity that Jim described as a huge and surprising success.

Mike Murray – Portland’s Assistant City Manager received thanks for the city’s role, in partnership with Rotary, in the restoration of the Andrews Memorial for Veterans Day. He was presented with a check for $700.

Ellen Niewoehner announced that a ski day is coming up on Feb. 4th – Sunday River trip will be leaving the Gray Park and Ride that morning. Contact Ellen if you are interested in joining them: 329-1465 or ellen.niewoehner@td.com.

Ellen also said that items are needed for the upcoming auction on Feb. 26th. (Details in separate article below.) You may recall its past iterations as the “regifting auction” or the “Valentines auction.” This year in keeping with leap year, it has been dubbed "Leap Into Auction." Please bring new and very lightly used items that can be auctioned. This reporter has purchased a pressure cooker and some fabulous cufflinks in years past. What will YOU bring? Contact Ellen (ellen.niewoehner@td.com), or Emily (emcentee@amica.com) or Loretta (lrowe@maine.rr.com) BEFORE the day of the auction, so we can get the items recorded.

Finally, on March 2^nd a delegation of Portland Rotarians will be heading to visit the Boston Rotary Club – our parent club. Justin Lamontagne has organized this visit, and is hoping for a robust turnout. Contact him (justin@dunham-group.com) or President Bowen (bowen.depke@spireexpress.com) if you’d like to go.