We met at Gateway Community Services this week on Forest Ave in Portland. We were treated to a lunch prepared with a different ethnic flair. Although many of us looked into the serving dishes and were not sure what we were getting, many comments were made during lunch about how good the food was.
The meeting was opened with a warm welcome by Abdullahi Ali, the Manager of the Gateway Community Services center, who is also a Portland Rotarian. There were 50 Rotarians present, including two non-Rotarian guests.
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Past President Peggy Wescott provided her version of an “Earth, Wind and Fire” invocation. Kathy Grammer led us in the pledge to the two mini flags held aloft by President Don Zillman. Kathy then led us all in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
President Don talked about recently deceased honorary member Harry Sawyer’s memorial service. Many Rotarians attended and Past President Don Lowry spoke for us all. President Don said it was a wonderful experience to honor Harry, as Rotary meant so much to him.
President Don also told us that due to poor health, Austin Harris cannot attend meetings anymore. Past Presidents Bob Trail and Jim Willey visited Austin and presented him with a club-sponsored Paul Harris Fellow, which was much appreciated.
Charlie Frair reminded us all to register for the Veterans Appreciation Lunch on November 10th and be sure to contact Past President Loretta Rowe, if you are a veteran (lrowe@maine.rr.com). Even volunteers need to register, or you will not get a meal. Volunteer training will be at 10:30 a.m., and the lunch/program runs from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Registrations will be cut off at the 300 count, so you need to register NOW (go online at portlandrotary.org or click HERE). 25 more volunteers are needed....please contact Charlie (cfrair47@yahoo.com) or Paul Tully (ptully@maine.rr.com).
The Lyseth Reading program will start 10/23/17. It includes reading for a ½ hour to a child. The kids are hungry for the reading, and they are presented with their own copy of the book being read to them after the session. Books are supported by the District Rotary Foundation Grant. Signup sheets are on the table at lunch, or contact Lili Brown (lilinbrown@gmail.com) to signup.
Eric Greven announced that we need volunteers for the Preble Street Soup Kitchen volunteer night on October 25th, which will be the last one we will do for this year. Please contact Gracie Johnson at gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com to volunteer.
President Don asked all Rotarians to look through their closets for good, usable athletic shoes (sneakers) to donate to the Preble Street Resource Center. He will let us know what week to start bringing them in soon.
A big “shout out and thank you” to Jerry Angier. He heard that Swiss Time was looking for a worthwhile charity. Jerry suggested the Portland Rotary Charitable fund and we received a $1400 donation. Way to go Jerry!
President Don told us he is hoping the US disasters end soon. We have donated to two hurricane relief funds and the club is now collecting monies to help Puerto Rico. If you can and want to help, please make your check out to Portland Rotary Charitable Fund and send to the Portland Rotary address at P.O. P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104 or give the check to Elise Hodgkin at a Rotary meeting. We will send one check from the club.
Past President Bill Blount announced that there are vacancies in the tennis league for the spring season starting in January. There are four levels of players from A to D, where D is beginner. Bill claims that when you join the Rotary tennis league, you stay in Rotary for a very long time. Please contact Bill (wblount1@gmail.com) or Erik Jorgensen (erik.c.jorgensen@gmail.com), if you have interest.
President Don mentioned the Celebration of Life ceremony for Gloria Tewhey, the wife of former Portland Rotary President John Tewhey. It is scheduled for Sunday Oct 15th at noon at their home, 3 Valley View Drive, Gorham.
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Bob Martin led the weekly raffle, where the pot has grown to $957, and Jennifer Frederick’s name was picked to try and find that elusive Queen of Hearts in the dwindling deck of cards, but she did not find the right card, to the sigh of relief from members in the audience who are hoping they might get their chance next week.
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Past President Don Lowry led us in singing, “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.”