Minutes of February 6

Minutes of February 6, 2017

 

With Prez. Bob Beaumont relaxing on a beach in Hawaii acting Prez. Ron McLaughlin called the meeting to order promptly at 07:15. After leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance he gave a nice invocation, calling us to serve others as well as highlighting our Music at the Museum major fundraiser coming up Friday, February 10.

 

Ron called upon Fred Burgess for Happy / Sad dollars. Russ Andrews had a happy dollar for his wife’s birthday and also for having the opportunity to take a FinBath, apparently a Finnish variation on a Swedish sauna, and fairly common in northern Maine. Bob Guerette had a happy dollar for the Patriots amazing victory the previous night and also told a FinBath story. Apparently the truly traditional FinBath includes hitting the skin lightly with branches to bring out some color and Bob’s recollection is that it hurt like hell. Joel also had a happy dollar for the Patriot’s win and for our upcoming event Friday. Bill Brillant had a happy dollar for long time Club supporter Charlie Ault’s help with planning the Music at the Museum event. Among other things Charlie helped with obtaining the big-ticket items for the live auction. Bob Davis had a happy dollar for our ttwo guests, Brian from Mechanics Savings Bank and guest speaker Nate Wyle from Flight Deck Brewing. Ron McLaughlin, a long time Giants fan (and Patriots hater) grudging acknowledged the Patriots as a great team (even if he will continue to root against them). Fred had a happy dollar for his wife enjoying her trip to the west coast (initially it was tough to tell if the happy dollar was because she was away or for her enjoying the trip). The other MAJOR happy dollar was for Fred announcing that Bob Guerette would be club president come July 1. Thanks Bob! Gordon had a happy dollar for our event on Friday then got roundly razzed for not having a presidential question. He promptly asked one – what president has also been President of Princeton University? Woodrow Wilson was the answer.

 

Under announcements Tom gave an update on the Club’s eligibility for the District Literacy award. Tom said we likely will qualify for requested member input.

 

Bob Davis gave a brief update on planning for Friday’s fundraiser, requesting a few members come early to assist with set up.

 

Russ Andrews and Bob Davis then introduced our speaker, Nate Wyle. Nate and his Fiancé’ Jamie have an entrepreneurial orientation, looking to start business that will fit well with the community, and particularly with the Brunswick Landing redevelopment. He explained how they were looking for a business opportunity when Wild Oats, who had a five year lease to develop and operate a branch of their very successful breakfast / lunch restaurant on the landing decided to close after 6 months, leaving essentially a fully equipped restaurant vacant. Nate and Jamie then developed New Beet Market, a non-profit restaurant using locally sourced food and employing young adults from “Seeds of Independence”, a non-profit with a mission of helping troubled youth / young adults transition to functioning adults. Jamie is the full time manager of New Beet Market. They are currently opening Flight Deck Brewery on the Landing, a micro-brewery, again using locally sourced materials for the beer and including a tasting room and serving snacks as a an informal gathering spot. Nate’s “real” job is with Live and Work In Maine, www.liveandworkinmaine.com, a private / public non-profit that markets Maine as a great place to come to have a career and make Maine a permanent home. Part of their mission is to dispel the notion that Maine is simply “Vacationland”, a place to visit and then leave. Maine has an aging population and needs to attract young professionals and skilled tradesmen for the successful companies in Maine to grow, and grow Maine’s economy. He discussed the many career opportunities that there are in Maine and the job marketing outreach Live and Work in Maine is doing, primarily out of state but also through the colleges and universities in Maine to encourage college graduates to make their careers in Maine.

 

An interesting, informative presentation.

 

Thanks Bob and Russ.

 

Submitted: Tom