Minutes of November 13, 2017
At 07:15 Bill Brillant, filling in for the vacationing Bob Guerette, welcomed guest Mike Antonellis from the Portland Seadogs to the meeting then called the meeting to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then called upon Bob Beaumont for the invocation. Bob reminded us all how fortunate we are to live in such a nice part of Maine, reminding us that there is good in the world, and called upon us to continue the efforts of Rotary to help those less fortunate here and around the world.
Bill than thanked those Rotarians who are Veterans for their service.
Under announcements we had the following:
Tuesday, November 14 – Help Mid Coast Hunger Prevention fill the backpacks at 5:30 – Bill Brillant, Bob Beaumont, Ron McLaughlin and Tom Connelie signed up to help. (We are becoming proficient at this, with another family volunteering we finished just after 6 PM).
Saturday, 9 December – Build day for Habitat for Humanity on Middle Street in Bath. Bob Beaumont to get the physical address of the site.
Help a needy family at Christmas. Ron McLaughlin to provide details
soon.
Ring the bells for Salvation Army – Ron gave an update. There is not a Saturday available but we could be scheduled for both doors at Wal-Mart on Friday evening, December 22. Shortly following our meeting I received an email from the Brunswick Rotary Club requesting the help of other local clubs filling the open slots for 5 locations, including both doors at Wal-Mart, they have been assigned for all day on Saturday, December 16. Bill, Bob B, Ron and I discussed this option Tuesday night at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention and agreed this seemed a good option. I will bring the updated sign up sheets from the Brunswick Club for Saturday, December 16 to Monday’s meeting for individual members to sign up for then I will send the consolidated info to the Brunswick Club coordinator following the meeting.
Under Happy/Sad dollars Bill Brillant had a happy dollar for the successful United Way campaign he had chaired this year. While the campaign fell slightly short of the goal raising over 1.6 million is very significant. Bob Davis had a happy dollar for having Mike as our speaker, kidding that it can’t be too long before Pitchers and Catchers need to report (actually not until February). Bob also had a happy dollar for Bill Brillants efforts as United Way chair. Joel echoed that sentiment and also had a happy dollar for the Celtics winning streak. Bob Beaumont chimed in with happy dollars for both Joel’s topics, great job by Bill B and sizzling Celtics. Sports enthusiast and Celtics fanatic also had happy dollars for the young players on the Celtics contributions to the winning streak. Gordon brought us back to today’s speaker and topic of Baseball with a happy dollar for the memories of playing sandlot baseball. His presidential question was which two presidents got arrested for riding in a carriage on Sunday. Turns out Jefferson and Madison got caught taking a carriage ride on a Sunday afternoon in puritanical Vermont.
Bob Davis then introduced our speaker Mike Antonellis, radio broadcaster and media relations expert for the Portland Seadogs. Mike said he has been with the Seadogs since 2005 and loves the job and the Seadog organization. He relayed how the Seadogs is an independent, family owned organization that is responsible for all aspects of the team except the on-field product provided by the Red Sox. He relayed how the success of the Seadogs stems from the leadership of the owners and their commitment to be actively involved in the community. Make relayed how the mascot Slugger, with Mike accompanying him, attends the charity functions of many other organizations in the city and makes bi-monthly visits to the children’s wards at Maine Med to visit with patients.
Mike said he enjoys getting to know the players, traveling with the team on road trips to broadcast games. Former Seadog, now Red Sox star Mookie Betts, wants to be a professional bowler after his baseball career and recently bowled a perfect game in the Pro Bowler Championship Tournament. Mike spent some time explaining how the increased role of analytics in baseball is impacting not just the on managerial decisions on the field but also the promotion of the game. As an example he said that some promotions such as Fireworks after the game, while attracting more folks to the park, they come much later to the game and sales of food and souvenirs are lower than for other night games. A fun and entertaining presentation.
Monday, November 20 is a Club Meeting with speakers set for the three meetings following that prior to the Holiday break. See you on Monday.
Submitted:
Tom