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Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
 
2018-2019 Rotary Year Theme
Speakers
Mar 19, 2019
Night Out at WRVC
Mar 26, 2019 11:30 AM
Through These Doors
Apr 02, 2019 11:30 AM
Apr 09, 2019 11:30 AM
Rotaract Projects in Puerto Rico
Apr 16, 2019
See you at the Road Race April 15
Apr 30, 2019 11:30 AM
Gorham High School
May 21, 2019
See you at Rotary Night Out
Jun 04, 2019 11:30 AM
Jun 18, 2019
See you at Rotary Night Out
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Winter Dinner at WRVC - Youth Services
WRVC
Mar 19, 2019
5:45 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Board Meeting
WRVC Board Room
Apr 02, 2019
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Patriot's Day Road Race 2019
Riverbank Park
Apr 15, 2019
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 
Board Meeting
WRVC Board Room
May 07, 2019
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Board Meeting
WRVC Board Room
Jun 04, 2019
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
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The Four Way Test
 
Of the things we think, say, or do:
  First, Is it the truth?
  Second, Is it fair to all concerned?
  Third, Will it build goodwill & better friendships?   
  Fourth, Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
 
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Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
Rotary Global Rewards
Joining Rotary
Rotary History
Rotary Foundation
For New Members
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Next Board Meeting 
April 2, 2019 10:15AM at WRVC
 
All members are welcome at Board Meetings
Past Board Meeting Minutes available at:
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New Member Application 
Aaron Paiton is an Underwriter at MEMIC. He grew up in Minot and attended Hebron Academy. He graduated from USM in 2015 with a degree in business. Aaron was hired by MEMIC right out of college, where he started in a support role for underwriters. He was later promoted to Underwriter. He works with local insurance agencies to write workers comp insurance.
 
Aaron volunteers with Junior Achievement helping to teach financial literacy in local schools. His hobbies include going to camp, exercising, hunting, fishing, family and real estate. He is sponsored by Ethan Johnson
Save these dates!
Locker Project Fresh Food Distribution – In this school year, produce distributions at Westbrook High School will take place the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month with additional days as needed:  Mar 13 & 27, Apr 10 & 24, May 8 & 22 and June 12. Any date changes will be announced in the Scribbler.  Arrive around 12:45 PM depart by 2:15 PM, unless otherwise noted.
 
Register Today!! Winter Dinner at WRVC - Tuesday March 19, 2019. 6PM.  Each year we have a special evening meal at the WRVC Dining Room.  This  year, this dinner will become our March Rotary Night Out.  Register now at:  https://westbrookgorhamrotary.org/event/winter-dinner-at-wrvc/
 
22nd Annual Gorham Business Exchange Marketplace – Saturday March 30, 2019, 10AM-3PM. Visit and support local businesses. Admission is free. There will be about 80 booths representing all kinds of businesses who provide products and services to the people and businesses of Gorham. Lots of entertainment including bounce houses and games for the kids. Food court supplied by local businesses. If you’d like to register your business as a vendor, go to: Gorham Biz Exchange 22nd Annual Marketplace
 
Rotary Night Out - Our next Rotary Night out will be May 21 starting at 5:30 PM. Mister Bagel 609 Main St, Westbrook Members $10.  Cash bar. Program TBD.  Note: March 19 is Winter Dinner. Week of April 15 is our annual Road Race so no meeting that week.
 
WRVC Awards Ceremony - Thursday May 23, 2019. 7PM Westbrook HIgh School Auditorium
 

RYLA Registration – Sunday June 23 starting at 8:30AM. Camp Hinds, Raymond. Volunteers needed to help with registration and collecting forms as students arrive. For more information contact: Phil Giordano at Philtastic7780@gmail.com

Westbrook Strong 5K and Matt's Mile Kid's Fun Run - Saturday July  13, 2019. Riverbank Park. Run, sponsor or donate. This race is in memory of Matthew Rairdon who's life was tragically taken in November 2013. Proceeds benefit nursing scholarships.  For more information: https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Westbrook/2ndAnnualWestbrookStrong5KandMattsMileKidsFunRun 

Current & Upcoming Opportunities
Vision for the Village - This Week!! Monday March 11, 2919, 6-8PM, at Gorham Middle School, 106 Weeks Rd, Gorham. The Gorham Village Alliance invites you to a community workshop where you will have a chance to help shape the future of Gorham's Village. All are welcome to attend this interactive discussion. Food will be provided. For more information call or text the Gorham Village Alliance at 207-233-2373.
 
Westbrook Cultural Plan - Community Conversation - This Week!! Wednesday March 13, 2019 ,11:30-1 Walker Library or 5:30-7PM at Westbrook-Warren Church. Join Discover Downtown Westbrook and Westbrook Arts & Culture, with help from Reinholt Consulting, for an open space convening of residents, artists, cultural organizations, business owners, local officials, and community leaders focused on exploring the future of creativity and culture in our community.  RSVP by Monday March 11 5PM to info@downtownwestbrook.com
 
UNO Doughraiser for Altrusa - This Week!! Thursday March 14, 2019.  11AM-11:30PM.  Uno Pizzeria and Grill, 280 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland. If you missed the February event, you have one more chance!  Just tell your server that you are eating for Altrusa and up to 20% of your bill will be donated to help Altrusa with their philanthropic work.
 
Monthly Community Meal at FBC Westbrook - This Week!! Saturday March 16, 2019, 4:30-6PM, 733 Main St, Westbrook.  Corned Beef Dinner.  Free, but donations appreciated. Come enjoy good company and a great meal.
 
Rolling Thunder Fundraising Dinner for Veterans – Saturday March 23, 2019 5-6:30PM, WRVC Dining Room - $5.00 per person $3.00 under 12. Home cooked food. 
 
Community Celebration & Fundraiser - Benefit Kenny Reed, a 3rd grade student at Narragansett School who is fighting a rare form of childhood cancer. Sunday March 31, 1:30-3:30, Gorham Sports Center, 215 Narragansett Ave, Gorham. Auctions, Raffles, Face Paint, Bounce house, and more.
 
Bob Marley Fundraiser for Altrusa - Wednesday May 8, 2019, 7PM at Keeley’s Banquet Center, Warren Ave, Portland. $25 General Admission.  Purchase at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bob-marley-performs-to-benefit-altrusa-tickets-58293228616 
RYLA Selection Process Underway
The RYLA applications are coming in! Are you interested in helping to interview the applicants? Please let Kathi Perkins know if you would like to be involved with either Gorham or Westbrook interviews.  Or both!  She can be reached at kperkins1@myfairpoint.net or 207-253-1778
Focus on Foundation – Sustaining Member & EREY
Rotary encourages all members to donate to our Foundation every year.  A Rotarian becomes a Sustaining Member by donating at least $100 each Rotary year to the Annual Fund (July 1-June 30). A club becomes an EREY Club (Every Rotarian Every Year) when every dues-paying member personally contributes at least $25 to the Annual Fund and the club as a whole achieves a giving level of at least $100 per capita during the Rotary year.
 
In addition, there is the 100% Foundation Giving Club.  This designation is for clubs that achieve an average of $100 in per capita giving and 100 percent participation, with every dues-paying member contributing at least $25 to any or all of the following during the Rotary year: Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, approved global grants, or Endowment Fund.
 
Using Rotary Direct is the easiest way to give. For more information on how to set that up, see the Presumpscot Scribbler from February 25, 2019 or contact our Foundation Chair Steve Rand.
Read Across America
On March 5, 2019, we celebrated Dr Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America week with a meal inspired by children’s books and a special speaker.  The meal included baked ham (Green Eggs & Ham), apple sauce (The Giving Tree), rice pilaf (Everybody Cooks Rice), roasted broccoli (Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli), green salad, homemade bread (Tony’s Bread), and chocolate cake (Thundercake).
 
We donated copies of these seven classic books to both Walker and Baxter libraries.  A huge thanks to Chef Limoggio, his staff and students for “cooking up” such a wonderful and imaginative meal!
Illustrator & Author Shares Her Story
Cathyrn Falwell, a Gorham-based children’s books author and illustrator was our speaker on March 5, 2019. When Cathryn was young, she loved to draw.  In fact, she illustrated her first book in kindergarten and she had it with her to show us!   Cathryn has a degree in Printmaking and worked as a graphic designer for a number of years. She showed us several examples of her work which made it clear that she was destined to illustrate children’s books.
 
In 1991, she took a train from her home in Hartford, Connecticut to meet a publisher in New York. Based on her portfolio, she was signed to a series of Little Nicky baby books, the first of which was Where’s Nicky. She has now published 27 books, with a 28th on the way.  Several of her books were written for the Libra Foundation’s Raising Readers program. These are books which healthcare providers can give to children at each wellness appointment up to age 5. She often meets children during talks she gives in schools who have received her books through the Raising Readers program.
 
Artwork for another author
 
Cathryn’s favorite medium to illustrate her books is paper.  She cuts or tears paper, tissue and other paper-like substances (like a hornet’s nest!), and fabrics, then uses them to make collages.  She showed us several examples of her original artwork that she has used in her own books and also for other authors. She told us that sometimes the words come first, but she quickly moves to drawing to advance the story in her mind. However, she often starts with the pictures first.  She’ll get an idea and begin sketching and making notes.
 
Story Board
 
We learned that most children’s picture books are about 32 pages long.  She lays out the plan for her story to fit that size.  She sometimes does her sketches several times over to get them just right for the spacing in books (center staple, margins).  Once her work is complete, the original artwork is carefully photographed then printed using a four-color process (yellow, red/magenta, blue/cyan, and black).
 
She finds if very rewarding to visit schools to talk about her books, the artwork and the writing process.  She does workshops with kids where they get sticky and messy playing with the paper and glue to create their own pictures to tell a story.
 
Original Artwork for Pond Babies
 
She told us that book store sales are currently on the rise again, with independent books sellers doing quite well.  Her books can be found at Bookworm on Main St in Gorham, where they keep several of her books in stock.  Since she lives only about 1.5 miles from the store, she will drop by and sign them.
 
We were also pleased that children’s librarians Kara Reiman from Walker Library and Dani Grady from Baxter Library were able to join us for lunch.   They each received a copy of one of Cathryn’s books for their collection.
 
Dani Grady, Cathryn Falwell, Kara Reiman
Read more...
District Activities
Grants Management Seminars 2019 – Monday March 18, 6-7:30PM, Southern Maine Community College, 29 Sewall St Room 102, Brunswick.
 

Next Generation Interact Conference 2019- Saturday March 23, 2019 - Oxford Hills High School.  Interested Rotarians are welcome to attend.  More details to follow. Snow Day March 30, 2019.  Sign up: https://rotary7780.org/event/interact-conference/

District Training Assembly - Saturday April 6, 2019. 8AM-1PM. York County Community College. Join your club members and form a car pool to attend this annual opportunity to learn with Rotarians from across District 7780.

Rotary Leadership Institute – Saturday April 20, 8Am-3:30PM, York County Community College, 112 College Dr, Wells. Parts I, II, III and Graduate available. Recommended for all Rotarians, but especially for those considering leadership positions. If you 'd like to attend, the club may pay the registration fee. Talk to club President. For more information and to register: www.rlinea.org

Rotary Fest (AKA District Conference) - Friday-Saturday June 21-22, 2019 - Fort Williams, Park Cape Elizabeth. Friday service project and cook out for volunteers. Saturday packed with fun and educational events for adults and kids, and another service project opportunity.  DG John and the Planning Committee are working hard to make this a free event for all.  Watch for more details.

District Changeover - Tuesday June 25. Camp Hinds.  More details to come.

For listing of all District-wide events, visit: https://rotary7780.org/events/calendar 

Ongoing Opportunities
The Locker Project -  Fresh food and baked goods distribution in Westbrook.  In this school year, produce distributions at Westbrook High School will take place the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.  Next opportunity March 13 arrive by 12:45 for set up.   Help lay out food on tables and interact with the kids to encourage them to take items. You will be a welcoming presence, making sure people know they are invited to take food. Everyone is invited to bring food home with them.  If you can help on any of these dates, please contact Christine Johnson.  For more information, or to donate, visit their website: mainelockerproject.org 
 
Children's Books for Pantries - We continue to supply new and gently used children's books to food pantries about every two weeks. We have been fortunate to obtain a regular supply of used books from Goodwill Buy the Pound.  We also periodically obtain new books from a couple of sources at little cost. However, the need is always greater than the supply.  If you, a family member, friend or colleague have children or grandchildren who have outgrown their books, we'd love to have them to share with children who will love them.   All ages from babies to young teens. We can also always use large print books for older readers. Bring to any club meeting or contact Christine Johnson for pick up. 
 
Can Tabs for Ronald MacDonald House - Thank you for continuing to collect can tabs. It's and easy way to help a wonderful organization! Just keep a small plastic bag or small jar in your kitchen, on the counter or in a drawer.  As you go to toss your returnable can into your CLYNK bag, simply twist off the tab first. 
 
CLYNK for Literacy - Ongoing -  Don't forget to keep filling those bags to help fund the children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings.  If you have been working on filling a bag for a very long time (6 months or more), please consider returning it and starting a new one.  Thank you for your ongoing support of this fundraiser!
 
Donate to our Club's Charity through Amazon Smile – Ongoing - If you order items from Amazon.com, even if not very often, you can help Westbrook Gorham Rotary Club Charities.  Go to http://smile.amazon.com/. Search for our Charity and select it. You may need to login to your Amazon account before being able to finalize your selection.   Then, when you shop Amazon.com (always starting from http://smile.amazon.com/) a portion of every purchase will be donated to our charity.
Upcoming Speaker List Details
 
If you have an idea for a  speaker or program, please contact Christine Johnson at cejinmaine@gmail.com or Phil Spiller at pdsflynavy@gmail.com .  We are also interested in ideas for periodic evening meetings, service projects in lieu of meetings, or in-meeting service projects
 
We are now scheduling programs for March, April and May.
 
 
Here is the list of upcoming speakers and programs:
 
* 3/12 - Bill Chadwick - Guatemala Projects
* 3/19 - Evening at WRVC - Youth Services
* 3/26 - Rebecca Hobbs Exec Director - Through These Doors
* 4/2 - Club Assembly
* 4/9 - Sheila Rollins - Rotaract in Puerto Rico
* 4/16 - No lunch meeting.  See you at the Road Race on 4/15
* 4/23 - TBD
* 4/30 - Eliza Kenigsberg - Community Career Coordinator GHS
* 5/7 - TBD