Posted by Julie L'Heureux

President John Curran welcomed 46 members and 5 guests to our Friday meeting. The invocation was presented by Juliana L’Heureux. In recognition of the President’s Day weekend and to acknowledge the guest speaker Jean Yarbrough, she read a short excerpt from President George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Speech. We made our Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and sang a patriotic song.

President John read the list of Rotarian February birthdays and anniversaries. Congratulations to all!


Rotarian Joe Reagan (photo at right) was invited to present a vocational talk about his work with Easter Seals, where he is the Senior Director of Development. He is one of 12 staff serving several thousand clients in Maine, with a focus of his work being with veterans. He networks with public policy leaders and veterans in helping to support programs that provide the well being of veterans and this often includes ways to meet their non-medical needs that will improve their quality of life. He thanked Tom Ranello for inviting him to learn about Rotary. 


(Photo L-R: President John Curran, Gregg Palmer, PP Laura Young and Elizabeth Sevigny.)

Rotary Youth Services Award (YSA) recipient Elizabeth Sevigny, daughter of Cynthia Sevigny of Portland, was introduced by Deering High School Principal Gregg Palmer. Elizabeth is a senior who has excelled in academics, music, sports and community service. She is President of the Deering High School Key Club. In addition to her academic classes, she is learning to speak Mandarin and studying about France and its culture. Elizabeth thanked the Rotarians for the recognition she received and requested that the $100 donation in her name be given to the Ocean Conservancy. 


Megan Peabody (photo at right) announced the beginning of the second semester Lyseth Elementary School reading program. The sign-up sheets were circulated. Last fall, the reading program was successful and the children who participated were given copies of the books that were read to them by Rotarians and volunteers from the University of Southern Maine School of Law.


President John announced the recognition of PP/DGN Dick Hall, who agreed to complete the District 7780 position of Assistant District Governor for our Club. Due to the unexpected illness of our current Area ADG’s wife, Mr. Anderson needs to devote his time to helping her get well.


PP Loretta Rowe (photo at left) announced the net proceeds from the February 8th Sweetheart Auction was $3,299! Congratulations and many thanks to all who volunteered, donated, bid, and worked for the success of this important club fund raiser.


The weekly raffle drawing was led by Stephanie Joyce (photo at right) and she asked the guest speaker Jean Yarbrough to pull a name/ticket out of the holding vessel; she drew Joe Reagan’s name (photo at right), but the $200 pot will continue to grow, because he did not find the Queen of Hearts.