05/20/16 Bits & Pieces
Posted by Jake Bourdeau
President Bowen called the meeting to order, welcoming 62 members and 2 guests.
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Tom Nickerson (at left) prepared a fitting invocation regarding Rotary fellowship and business relationships. He wished that everyone attending our meetings would leave as a better person due in part to our fellowship and the speaker’s thoughts. Tom wished us safe travels back to our families from the meetings. Bill Blount led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Russ Burleigh kept us in tune when we sang our patriotic song. Our two guests at the meeting were Bob Stein from USM and Donna Yellen from Preble Street.Jim Willey presented a history moment from the Club's 75th anniversary (1990). Two presidents (Jim Willey and Bob Traill) hosted the gala, which was held in Bob’s year. Bob gave the history to Jim from memory. The entire ball room was filled and the past RI President was the speaker. $18,000 was raised and donated to the Maine Children’s Cancer Foundation.
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In 1990, in the midst of the Cold War, we sent about a dozen Portland-area students with tons of Rotary bags, pens, sweatshirts, etc. to Archangel, Soviet Union, as partners in the Portland-Archangel Sister Cities Project. Then, in a return visit, 45 Soviet citizens and their Sister City sponsors attended a meeting of Portland Rotary. The Club President, Jim Willey, was petrified that when the Club sang the Communist National 
Anthem, half of our stalwart Republican members would walk out in protest! Luckily, the members were well-behaved hosts to the visiting guests, who presented the Club with a Russian stringed musical instrument called a "balalaika," which Bill Blount played for us as we sang "If I Had a Hammer." The first time in 25 years that it had been played! (Pictured)
Anthem, half of our stalwart Republican members would walk out in protest! Luckily, the members were well-behaved hosts to the visiting guests, who presented the Club with a Russian stringed musical instrument called a "balalaika," which Bill Blount played for us as we sang "If I Had a Hammer." The first time in 25 years that it had been played! (Pictured)
Jan Chapman shook the raffle can to mix the tickets and then asked our speaker to select a ticket for a potential shot at $200. (Yes, a winner was picked last week). Tom Talbott was selected after Loretta bought him the ticket, but (un)fortunately we'll all have to wait at least another week, as the Queen of Hearts remained in the deck (1 down....51 to go).
Erik Greven, Chair of Community Service, gave an introduction about Preble Street. They have over 250 employees across Maine. The Community Service Committee had multiple meetings to discuss the Maine Locker and Preble Street efforts for Children. Donna Yellen, the chief program director from Preble Street spoke a little about it. The $5,000 grant given to them by the Club will help with school breakfast programs to help over 2,000 children. Donna noted that the school program showed that test scores were raised over 15% when kids participate in a school breakfast program. Kids with a full stomach learn better. They are already seeing changes. The school nurse is also noticing a difference in the kids, since starting breakfast in the classroom. (Photo: Erik Greven and Donna Yellen.)
Member Katie Brown, of 'The Locker Project,' was introduced by Erik Greven. Katie said she was honored to be a Rotarian and to be working on the hunger initiative. 'The Locker Project' has 14 pantries in 14 schools in the area, and 7 more in Saco. With the $3,000 grant awarded them by the Club, they will buy produce and restock for next fall. Katie is also honored to call Portland Rotary a Partner and thanked the Club for putting the BBQ Crawl together, which will also benefit the Locker Project. (Photo: President Bowen, Katie Brown and Erik Greven.)
Mike Fortunato and Megan Devlin discussed the 'Maine Outdoor Challenge' (MOC) and the two available major raffles: the fly-fishing package and the hunting package. (See separate article in this issue.) We are still looking for 5-man teams for the event, raffle items to be used at the lobster bake/awards banquet on Wednesday, June 8th and volunteers to work the three days at the events. A show of hands for volunteers was instrumental in helping in these areas and Mike Fortunato will be in touch with details.
President Bowen reminded us that the Club group photo session is going to be on June 3rd at Portland City Hall, on the front steps (weather permitting). 52 out of 127 club members have signed up in advance. We need EVERYONE to make an effort to be there....this is history in the making. Please click HERE or go to the Club's website, on the home page, click on the "Club Photo Session" under "Club Events" and register to attend (or decline) attendance. If you have issues getting online, contact Loretta Rowe or just send her an email that you want to register. We need a head count by May 27th to give to the caterers who will be providing our meals.
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Rob Chatfield re-announced that the BBQ Crawl-Poker Run was to be held on Saturday May 21st. If you did not have enough fun at today's Rotary meeting, then the BBQ crawl will be just as fun, or better, and with beer!