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Russell Hampton
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Speakers
Jan 12, 2021 11:30 AM
Gorham Fire Dept and their COVID response
Jan 19, 2021 11:30 AM
Jan 26, 2021 11:30 AM
Westbrook Families Feeding Families
Mar 02, 2021 11:30 AM
Mar 16, 2021 11:30 AM
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
Jan 12, 2021
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Board Meeting
Feb 09, 2021
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Board Meeting
Mar 09, 2021
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
View entire list
 
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  •   Promoting peace
  •   Fighting disease
  •   Providing clean water,            sanitation & hygiene
  •   Saving mothers and children
  •   Supporting education
  •   Growing local economies
  •  Protecting the environment
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For New Members
 
Until further notice, all meetings will take place on Zoom.
We will use the same meeting link each week.
so feel free to save that link when you see it.
Our meeting link can be found in weekly emails
from our President
or contact
Kathi Perkins or Christine Johnson to resend.
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Next Board Meeting
January 12, 2021 10:15AM
via Zoom (at our regular meeting link)
All members are welcome at Board Meetings
Past Board Meeting Minutes available at:
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Milestones for December 2020 & January 2021
 
    Birthdays
      * Pat Plummer 1/16
      * Owens McCullough 12/8
      * Frank Emery 12/27
    
    Rotary Anniversaries
      * Heather Douglass 1/10/20 - 1 yr
      * Michael Fandell 1/31/20 - 1 yr
      * Owens McCullough 12/31/07 - 13 yrs
      * Scott Linscott 12/6/16 - 4 yrs
      * Steve Rand 12/1/92 - 28 yrs
      * Frank Emery 12/1/75 - 45 yrs
 
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WRVC is Going Strong
On Tuesday January 5, 2021, we welcomed Todd Fields WRVC Director to our Zoom meeting to share updates about WRVC.  Despite the pandemic, student retention year-to-year was high and funding has been secured and utilized for many updates and enhancements to the school’s facilities and programs.
 
 
WRVC applied for and received a $200K state grant that allowed the school to purchase several pieces of heavy equipment to enhance that program.  In addition, they were able to add three lifts in the automotive shop.  Previously budgeted funds were used to remodel the culinary arts dining room with new paint, chairs, tables and shades. The old fake fireplace is gone and we will likely see a change to audio and visual options in that room for programs and presentations. They are also in the process of replacing stoves and other equipment in the kitchen. 
 
Todd gave us a virtual tour of the dining room that is currently being used as the culinary arts classroom to support social distancing, and we had a chance to greet Chef Limoggio and some of his 2nd year students. We look forward to seeing the students and those changes first hand. Hopefully sometime later in 2021!!
 
The building trades students are building sheds this year. Each student is building their own structure which will offer the opportunity to learn a variety of construction techniques.
 
The former Marketing program area, including the former school store, is being renovated to support the new Cosmetology program.  This is exciting news for WRVC.  Cosmetology is one of the largest CITE programs in other New England states, but has not been available in Maine previously.  That career area has strong growth potential in Maine and is expected to be a draw for students starting in fall 2021.
 
Todd offered praise for the teachers and staff of WRVC.  With five sending schools, there have been scheduling challenges and intense negotiations to keep students on track.  The faculty and staff have worked hard to create a positive and effected learning environment for students with a combination of in-person and remote learning.   
 
Todd also let us know that Assistant Director Sandy Peabody retired at the end of the last school year.  The new Assistant Director is Gloria Noyes. Gloria was name 2009 Maine Teach of the Year while teaching at Congin and was Principal at Falmouth Elementary school prior to joining WRVC. She holds master’s degree in literacy education from USM.
Read more...
Annual Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale
 Thanks to everyone who assisted with this big annual fundraiser. Not knowing what demand would look like with our new location in Riverbank Park and during the pandemic, we ordered about 15% fewer trees than last year. In the end, we sold out on Friday December 11, a bit ahead of schedule.  339 trees - Great job!!
 
We greatly appreciate the support of our Interact Clubs and Rotary family members who helped with lot set up, delivery, filling sales shifts, and lot break down. We could not have done it without those extra hands. We also want to thank Heather Douglass for the beautiful design used for our online flyer and on signage placed at our old lot location (see story photo).
 
With a little help from Portsmouth, Scarborough and South Portland-Cape Elizabeth clubs, we had record sales of wreaths this year - 165 wreaths!!  We appreciate the support of our large volume buyers as well as those who bought a wreath or two for their home.
 
Stay tuned for final financials from our treasurer later this month as we confirm all invoices are accounted for and paid.
Christmas Party with Santa Claus
We were pleased to FINALLY welcome Santa Claus to our Christmas Party on the evening of December 15, 2020!!  John Wolcott, a Rotarian from East Greenwich RI, has been playing this part for about 40 years.  His son, Matt Wolcott is a Portland Rotarian and we first heard about John after he spoke to the Portland Rotary club in 2018.  He was scheduled to join us in December 2019, but bad weather cancelled his appearance.
 
 
John shared a bit of history about Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey.  Orphaned by cholera and raised by an uncle, he was Bishop of Myra by age 30.  He died on December 6, now called St Nicholas Day. Today, Nicholas is considered the patron saint of sailors, children, wolves, prostitutes, and pawnbrokers, among others.
 
John shared some drawings of Santa Claus, Father Christmas (English), Pierre Noel (France) and Sinterklaas (Dutch & German) over the years. In 1823, Clement C Moore published “A Visit from St Nicholas” which added a lot to the lore – reindeer, chimney, December 24, jolly elf.  While earlier versions of Santa showed him in tan, green, and red suits, finally settling on red, it is pretty clear that Coca-Cola advertising in 1931 played a big role in shaping the jolly character that we know today.  
 
 
We thanked John and Matt for joining us.  A children’s book was donated to both Baxter and Warren libraries in John’s honor.
 
Since we could not hold our usual Yankee Swap this year, after Santa’s presentation, we played Christmas Bingo.  Unique cards were purchased by several party attendees and included Christmas-themed answers like Christmas Tree, Wreaths, Silver Bells, Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, Ornaments, Mistletoe, Toys for Tots, among many others.  Thanks to all who played we raised $235. Congratulations to Pat Plummer on her win!  Since this was a 50/50 fundraiser, Pat chose for her half of the funds to be donated to FBC Westbrook for their current Guatemala project. The other half of the funds are earmarked to be donated for Polio Eradication.
Read more...
Upcoming District Events
All events are via Zoom unless otherwise noted. To register for any of these events or to learn more about them, visit the Calendar on the District Website:
 
ROTARY RECOVERY INITIATIVE: ACEs FORUM - Thursday January 14, 2021 6:30-8PM - Governor Peggy Belanger and the Rotary District 7780 Recovery Committee welcome all district Rotarians to learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Positive Community Responses to address substance abuse disorders. 
 
International Cafe - Saturday January 16, 2021 9-10:30AM -  See  1-11-21email from Emma Bodwell  District 7780 International Service Committee Chair for link. 
 
GrowRotary! Open Discussion -  Saturday January 23, 2021 10AM-11AM - Expect email from Andy Glazier with the Zoom link prior to this event.
 
Leadership Opens Opportunities Forum - Monday January 25, 2021 6:30-8PM- Hosted by DGN Claudia Frost in place of annual mid-year leadership dinner.  All Rotarians are welcome.
Current & Upcoming Opportunities
The Locker Project - With no school, social distancing and cold weather, there are few volunteer opportunities right now.  However, TLP staff is continuing to provide food through pre-packed bags distributed at schools in the area, including Westbrook, during school meal pick-up times.   Fresh food continues to be donated by Hannaford, Shaw's, Rosemont Market, Standard Baking, and many others. Staples are being purchased from Good Shepherd Foodbank to fill out the bags. You can help support this work to keep kids fed with your cash donation at: http://mainelockerproject.org/  OR mail a check made out to Locker Project to P.O. Box 3134, Portland, ME 04104
 
Donate Blood - If you are healthy and able, please consider donating blood. Supplies remain tight so all donations are very welcome. To schedule an appointment go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/  or call 1-800-RED-CROSS
 
 
Meals On Wheels - Many of their regular volunteers are older and self-quarantining. If you are healthy and interested in this low contact option, please email volunteer@smaa.org or leave a message at 207-396-6595. A background check may be required before starting. Or consider making a donation to this program https://www.smaaa.org/wellness/meals.html
 
Matching Gift Rotary Year 2020-2021 - Don't forget the matching gift opportunity to secure a match for $50 donated to your favorite charity in this Rotary year.  If you donate $100 to the charity, you will receive a check for $50 to cover our half. If you recently made a donation to a charity that you would like to have matched, and have not already taken advantage of the matching opportunity, please send a note to our Treasurer Aaron Paiton.  Please include a receipt or copy of your check.  Special Note: why not take advantage of this opportunity today and donate to one of the organizations noted above or another organization supporting folks in need during this crisis?
 
Matching Gift up to $100 to The Rotary Foundation Rotary Year 2020-2021- Just a reminder that you can double your progress towards your next (or first!) Paul Harris Fellow. Make a donation up to $100 and the club will match that donation in your name.  Go online to https://www.rotary.org/en/donate  or mail your check to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693  Note club name and ID #6319 in the memo section.
 
Ongoing Opportunities
Children's Books for Pantries - During this time, we will still continue to collect books for our food pantries and other organizations that can get books into the hands of children. Since the need is always greater than the supply, we will distribute them now, when the opportunity arises and will return to regular distribution when we can.  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. Contact Christine Johnson for pick up. 
 
Can Tabs for Ronald McDonald 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 new children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings. While we are not meeting, Christine is willing to drop a bag on your doorstep.  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.