President Don Zillman welcomed 58 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, and 1 guest to our meeting on Friday. President Don asked Joe Reagan to give the invocation on Friday. In honor of Memorial Day and our veterans, Joe told us a heartfelt story about an exemplary soldier and father who put service and his life above self. Glenn Nerbak led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Past President Russ Burleigh led us in 'God Bless America.'
President Don thanked those that helped run the weekly meeting.
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Gracie Johnston (left) discussed our club's volunteer day at Preble Street in which some Rotarians helped prepare and serve food at the soup kitchen for those in need. The volunteers during the recent event included over nine (9) Portland Rotarians. A fairly new member (John Thompson at right) brought his 17-year old daughter. John asked her about the experience, and she said that she was interested in the variety of people that attended and how hard the volunteers worked. Gracie also discussed the opioid task grant application that she and some other Rotarians are working on.
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Jake Bourdeau, with the help of Matt Wolcott, held the raffle this week, and the speaker Bill Caron picked PTG’s ticket out of the can. Paul T. Gore selected a red 7 which lets the Queen of Hearts rest for another week. The pot is getting bigger, so join us next week for a chance at over $550.
Glenn Nerbak introduced two students from Portland High School who presented their Capstone projects to the club. They presented about a “Welcome Wall” initiative, which tries to bring fellow students closer together in their school community. The Welcome Wall topics include immigrants and other newcomers to the school. The Welcome Wall process was described largely as a student-on-student interview process including multiple languages and translations of the interviews. You could tell from the students’ enthusiasm and their smiles that the goal of the Welcome Wall was being achieved.
Glenn also let us know that he is leaving Maine and its cold winters, and moving to southern Arizona to start a position teaching English. Best wishes, Glenn, in your new endeavors, and we appreciate your service.
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Past President Jim Willey let us know that there are opportunities to volunteer at the Salvation Army’s Playroom which is reading and playing with the toddlers of adult education participants while the adults are taking classes. Jim noted that one positive plus to the program is that the diapers are still changed by their parents.
Past President Kris Rosado spoke about the status of the upcoming Maine Outdoor Challenge (MOC), and he let us know that there is still enough room to add a few more teams. Kris also was even able to hook up an interested Rotarian with a team during the meeting.
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Patty Erickson (right) talked about some of the MOC logistics and about the donated items that are being auctioned off at the dinner Patty asked for some help describing the gifts to support an email blast, and Linda Varrell raised her hand offering to help.
In honor of our military and veterans, Past President Russ Burleigh of the Music Committee led us in an Armed Forces medley, and as each song was played, members who had served in the branch of the service that the song represented were asked to stand up and be recognized.
President-elect John Curran presented some highlights from his trip to Kosovo, and also talked about his visits to five Rotary Clubs while there. John indicated that other clubs there are on board with the Hands and Hearing initiatives that are being proposed. John also exchanged club banners with one of the clubs.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ROTARIANS IN THE NEWS
Bob Trail attended his 75th reunion at Brown University.
Joe Reagan was in the news recently alongside Senator Angus King regarding a Goodwill story.