We are sorry to report that Jason Beever’s dad, John S. “Mike” Beever, passed away on Saturday December 5. Note that a planned spring service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine or Gorham Health Council. See Portland Press Herald full obituary for details: John S. “Mike” Beever
The tree sale continues into next week. We are well past the halfway mark now, so all sales going forward feed to our bottom line. Please contact Steve Rand if you can help fill any shift that remains open. We expect to be selling trees up to next weekend, so need volunteers lined up for the following dates:
Thursday 4-6PM – one person
Friday 4-6PM – one person
Saturday all shifts – two people per shift
Sunday all shifts – two people per shift
If we sell out early, all volunteers will be notified.
This year’s District Conference will be held June 10 – 12, at the beautiful Tarry-A-While Resort on Highland Lake in Bridgton, Maine. Early bird rate is $180 for Friday- Sunday. Early Bird registration ends January 1, 2016. After January 1, the price will be $225. Other rates are available for Sat-Sun only attendance.
If you are interested in attending, let President Christine know by our December 22 meeting. Lodging will be self-pay, but the club will help with registration costs for a limited number of attendees.
If you have never been to a District Conference before, please consider attending this year. Always great speakers and always inspirational!
Thanks to those who attended the Tips for Charity Luncheon on Friday December 11. It was a great community event with “waiters” including Mayor Colleen Hilton, Councilor Mike Sanphy, Asst City Administrator Bill Baker, Fire Chief Andrew Turcotte, and Sargent Tim Morrell. Also represented were several area businesses like State Farm and Disability RMS, along with our own Rotary Club.
Ray Richardson was the capable MC who thanked the crowd for coming. He also took the time to recognize two WWII vets in the crowd: George Morrill and Jim Born.
Proceeds from the Festival and luncheon benefit the Good Samaritan Fund and the Westbrook Food Pantry. This event raises between $8,000-$10,000 each year and Rotary was proud to participate this year.
In addition to a delicious lunch prepared by church members, attendees had a chance to enjoy the 52 trees decorate by a wide variety of local groups and business. WHS Interact club was well represented with a Blue and White themed tree.
Thanks to Judith and Ed Reidman for opening their home to us again this year. The event was well attended by about 43 club members and their families. As usual, there was a whole lot of great food and drink, with some recipe sharing. The Yankee swap provided great (and somewhat competitive) entertainment with nearly 40 participants. Popular items that changed hands several times included Kahlua, a tool kit, and a set of Christmas bowls.
Also, thanks to all who brought Toys for Tots and Teens. These items, along with other donations to date, will be given to the Marines this coming Tuesday morning.
We are all looking forward to next year's Christmas party when Steve and Patty Rand will be our hosts.
On December 3, the Portland Alumnae Club of the University of Maine held their annual Christmas luncheon. Each year, this group chooses a service project or charity of interest to the members, and then brings items to donate to that cause. This year, they agreed to donate children’s books to our club for distribution as part of the District 7780 Literacy Project.
District Governor Elect Marge Barker was the guest speaker. She spoke about her passion for books, especially seeing children reading and enjoying books. She also spoke about her involvement with Rotary projects in several countries, like the District’s Guatemalan literacy project.
Thank you to Marge for being a wonderful speaker. Also, a huge thank you to the Portland Alumnae members for helping us with our Literacy Project.
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