Our April 17, 2019 meeting, or as President Joe calls it, week 43 started like most of Joe’s meeting with Joe leaving us guessing about the meeting agenda. I liken him to a boxer who has been hit one too many times and he is staggering to the bell, though Joe has seemingly staggered most of the year. Oh, now I get it.
When we did get back on track Heather Gendron led us in a rousing version of the 4 Way Test and Joe Bassett inspired us with prayer.
Our visitors for the week included Tyler Simmons. Apparently it is not penance enough that your Dad is Matt Simmons but you also get dragged to Rotary during your vacation when Mr. Mom is in charge. We were also visited by Kathy Shea’s sister, Madeline (I think), Bob Lester ( a retired credit union guy) and our past President, Dick Lagarde who was part of the presentation.
Joe announced he had to leave early so he would leave the meeting in the capable hands of Conrad Welzel (week 1 for him).
REMEMBER NEXT WEEK’S MEETING IS AT THE MY PLACE TEEN CENTER LOCATED AT 755 MAIN STREET, WESTBROOK. THE MEETING WILL START AT 12:15 AND IT WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CLUB TO SEE WHAT COULD BE REPLICATED IN BIDDEFORD.
Joe also reminded us for the 43rd time that on May 11 (that’s a Saturday) we will helping with Rise Against Hunger which is a hands on event during which we will help to put together 10,000 meals. The event will be at the Saco Elks Club on the Ocean Park Road starting at 9:00.
Joe also announced the Don Pilon was holding a meeting right after our meeting to discuss plans for a miniature golf tournament fund raiser. If you want to help out see Don. Otherwise dust off your rubber headed putters (that’s a type of golf club with a rubber coating on it), press your knickers and get ready for some golf.
Finally Joe reminded us that the Scholarship committee is meeting on April 30 to review applications. For more details about the meeting and how you can help please contact Heather Gendron.
President Joe then thanked Conrad for his great work on programs, informed everyone that Roland now has a Romanian Rotary badge for his trip to Romania, and encouraged everyone to pull their Rotarian Magazine out of their recycling bins and look at the District 7780 article on the Opioid Crisis with pictures of Chief MacKenzie from Kennebunk and a picture of John Bouchard from the Saco Bay Club. The article also references our Red Ribbon Committee and its efforts. Steve Morin claims he has the Rotarian Magazine in his lobby because his customers read it, fall asleep and don’t realize how long they have been waiting to pick up their car. Joe circulated his copy of the Rotarian Magazine which had his Chinese takeout order and a little Duck Sauce on the back of it.
It was announced that we might try to do a Seadogs day again. Visiting Rotarian Bob Lester mentioned that the District is trying to put a Seadogs day together with details to follow.
Tyler Simmons drew the winning 50/50 ticket which was won by Kathy Shea who seemingly wins every time she attends a meeting. It also happened to be her birthday.
Matt Simmons then did is sergeant at arms thing. He asked his son to collect the fines and he declined. Smart kid. Matt then solicited happy $:
- Carl Goodwin was happy that Earl is home and doing better with limited residual effects from his falls.
- Ken Farley was happy he attended the Bruins game and they won and his son his a shipping internship this summer in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Bill Paterson was happy about the article in the Rotarian.
- Joe B just got back from Charlotte, N.C. and he will never fly again. I guess they still fly Boeing Max’s out of Charlotte.
- Kathy Shea was happy to have her sister at the meeting and her sister was happy to be there which was about the time I got a little nauseous.
- Julie V. begged us to drink more to fill Clynk bags. Oh all right if you insist.
- Paul Deschambault and his wife Carol went for a walk in the woods and despite the best efforts of Carol and their two dogs Paul made it out of the woods.
- Matt was happy his son was at the meeting which was clearly punishment for something.
- Sue G. adopted a rescue pointer/Dalmatian mix which is really just a Dalmatian with one spot.
Matt then demonstrated his weekly level of preparation to his son by fining President Joe for still not having it down after 43 weeks (he initially forgot the 4 way test) and for his pink shirt and hospital slippers. Now I understand why President Joe had to leave early, he was due back at the hospital. And that was really it for fines.
