President Joe promptly started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. In case anyone was wondering or counting the weeks under Joe’s leadership, he announced that it was the 39th week in this Rotarian year. He called upon Conrad Welzel to flawlessly lead the group in the 4 Way Test. Joe Bassett was on deck with the invocation. President-Elect Fausto was present prior to the meeting but went MIA when it was time to introduce visiting Rotarians and Guests. Vice President, Don Pilon stepped up to the plate to introduce the visiting Rotarian with the best attendance in this club, Dr. Joe Boyle and also Paul Deschambault’s better half, Carole. Jim Audiffred was pleased to introduce Pauline Van Haynes from South Africa. Pauline was a Rotary Exchange Student many years ago and one of her host families was Jim and Margo Audiffred. Pauline is married and has two girls. She went onto to medical school and is an OBGYN. Jim and his family went to Australia to visit with Pauline and her family. Pauline was at a conference nearby and took the opportunity to step away from the conference to visit with us.
Rise Against Hunger Community Project: Jackson Brown informed the members that on May 11, 2019, we will be joining forces with the local Kiwanis club at the Elks Lodge in Saco from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. to put together 10,000 meals to be delivered to the local food pantries. This is a wonderful project to bring families and friends together for a great cause. Our club made a donation of $1,250.00 to this project.
AD-HOC Committee for Major Giving: Paul Deschambault and Don Pilon have agreed to co-chair this new committee. President Joe asked that they meet soon to discuss whether or not the club should get involved. More information to come.
The 50/50 pot of $27 was won by Jackson Brown. I heard Jackson say that he wanted to give some to the SAA Matt Simmons but I’m not sure what happened to the rest. Like so many others, it probably went to the Red Ribbon effort, another very worthy cause.
Sabine McElrath recently returned from a trip to Guadeloupe. She was able to make arrangements to visit their local Rotary club and exchange the “Rotary Flag”. This was her third time visiting Guadeloupe but only the first time she was able to attend. She said that they meet every two weeks in person and that they skype the rest of the time. She said they had the most beautiful table setting that she has ever seen. The menu that was presented cost about 35 Euros ($40 US approx.) but she said the Rum Punch was well worth it! She explained some of the projects that our club has been involved with. She was amazed at how impressed their club was with the work we have done and continue to do. They have two major efforts. The first is “The Sea for Everyone”. Sabine mentioned that they have people with handicaps that actually like to go into the water & not just look from the sideline. One of their fundraisers is a race from France to Guadeloupe each year. They will get some info over to us so we can see about sending some funding their way to help with this cause. Their second initiative is to change snacks from baguettes and salty items to fruit.
It was time for SAA Matt Simmons to take center stage in hopes of boosting his budget with happy dollars and fines. Jackson was one of the first members to raise his happy dollar. He is very happy that our Treasurer Susan will be heading back from her winter travels. Jim Audiffred was happy to have Pauline visiting for a few days. Bill Paterson was happy for his 13 year old grandson whose Dad happens to be a paramedic. Dr. Joe was happy that he was able to make the meeting on time after thinking he would be late. Not only was he on time but he was able to secure a premiere parking spot in the front of the building. President Joe was happy that Dr. Pierre Giroux was the best vet in town because he just expanded his family to include a new German Shepheard puppy named Phil. Roland Gagne gave a dollar and announced that Ron Drouin wasn’t feeling well . Julie was happy to not only see Heather MacLean in the Saco & Biddeford Savings newest commercial, but also Mark Nahorney. Conrad was happy that he was able to spend some time with his two ailing parents. Roland Gagne was also impressed with the Mark Nahorney’s use of the “Italian” language in his recent performance at City Theater. Matt was feeling the love today so he didn’t impose too many fines. Of course, President Joe wasn’t so lucky and was fined $3 for picking fights. Matt then charged the following Rotarians for money owed for either meals or dues: President Joe, Sherry Norton, Alicia Girard and Peggy Bean.
