District Governor Official Club Visit - Tuesday August 20, 2019, 11:30AM. We encourage all members to come hear from our 2019-2020 District Governor Andrew Glazier of the Kittery Rotary Club.
25th Annual Golf Classic - Tuesday September 17, 2019. Noon. Gorham Country Club. 93 McLellan Rd, Gorham.
Rotary Rocks! - Saturday October 5, 2019, 9AM-4PM. Abromson Community Center at USM, 88 Bedford St, Portland. A one day Rotary experience featuring projects of the Rotary clubs of our District. Open to the public, all current and future Rotarians. This event will serve as the 2019-2020 District Conference. For updates go to: www.rotaryrocks.info
The Locker Project Summer Food Distribution - Every Wednesday during the summer from June 19 through August 21. Starting on June 19 at FBC 733 Main St Westbrook 4:00-5:30PM. FBC will alternate weeks with other locations: July 10 & Aug 21 at Avesta 2 Walker St, 4:00-5:30PM; July 24 River St River Event, 5:00-6:30PM; August 7, Community Policing Center, 192 Brown St, time 4:00-5:30PM. If you can help on any of these dates, please contact Christine Johnson.
This week!! 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
FBC Yard Sale – Benefit Guatemala 2020, Saturday August 3, 2019. Donations accepted. Contact Scott Linscott linscottphoto@gmail.com
3rd Annual Rotary-Kiwanis Food Drive – Saturday August 17, 2019, 10AM-2PM. Hannford Dr at Saco Biddeford Savings. Food drive to restock High School and Middle School pantries for the new school year. To volunteer to help that day, contact Sarah Hutchins <shutchins@egcu.org>
Westbrook-Gorham Night at the Seadogs - Monday August 19, 2019, 5:30-10PM. Game time 7PM. The Portland Sea Dogs, AA Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will host Westbrook/Gorham Community Night at the ballpark as they take on the Reading Fightin' Phils, AA Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket purchased through this link will be donated to Rotary to benefit "Just Love" and "The Westbrook Recovery Liaison Program: Westbrook-Gorham Night at the Seadogs - W-G Rotary Fundraising Link
Feast at the Falls: Fundraiser for Discover Downtown Westbrook - Thursday August 22, 2019 - $75. Celebrate local food and drink on Westbrook's amazing riverfront. You'll be treated to a 5-course farm-to-table meal by the chefs at Frog & Turtle, 33 Elmwood, Casa Novello, Lenny's, and Black Dinah Chocolatiers, perfectly paired with local beers. Only 72 seats available and all proceeds support Discover Downtown Westbrook's mission to make the downtown a walkable, livable, thriving destination. Sign up at: Feast-at-the-falls-tickets on Eventbrite
On Saturday July 6, 2019, a few Rotarians joined friends and family of Woody Beach to celebrate his 90th Birthday. While his actual birthday was April 4, the celebration was scheduled for a beautiful Saturday in July at his summer home on Raymond Pond. The timing was perfect as thunderstorms didn’t roll through until well after the party had ended.
Family traveled from around the country, including California, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. A few took advantage of the water, while the rest of us stayed on shore or waded in only up to our ankles. We were amazed to see just how far Woody swims on those morning laps he tells us about during Happy Dollars. Out to the buoys and back! An impressive distance at any age!!
Congratulations Woody and thank you for your hospitality. We look forward to the next one. Maybe at 95???
On Tuesday June 25, 2019, we recognized the end of the current Rotary year and the start of the new. We thanked outgoing President Deb Shangraw by making a donation of $100 to Veterans Housing Service in her name. Deb has been a long-time advocate in this area. In addition, incoming President Mike Foley presented presented her Past President name badge.
After unveiling the theme banner for the 2019-202 Rotary year, Mike provided an overview of the new Board and Committees. He is still seeking a Community Service Chair, as well as a Membership Chair. Carlo Giraulo will remain our Sergeant-at-Arms.
Board Meetings will be held bi-monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, although we may hold brief ad-hoc meetings as needed. The first board meeting of the new year will be August 13, 2019 at 10AM in the WRVC Conference Room. Club Assemblies will be held each month on the 3rd Tuesday, with the exception of Aug (moved to Aug 27 due to DG visit), Sept (no meeting due to Golf Tournament), February, and April (no meetings due to school vacations). This will provide more opportunities for the various committees to meet. We will still have a few Rotary Night’s out for Lobster Bake, Christmas Party and for those months where there are 5 Tuesdays in a month. Watch the Scribbler or visit our website for the schedule.
Mike noted the need to increase our annual dues from $190 to $220 to help cover increased dues to RI and to our District, as well cover rising club expenses. He has also proposed that dues for new members be $120 annually for the first two years of membership. The hope is to encourage new members and reduce any financial barrier to joining our club. In addition, we will be considering how to structure and offer Corporate Memberships. This is a concept taking hold across Rotary and may provide an opportunity to attract and retain new members as well as sponsorships.
A new an exciting opportunity is the Member Donation Matching Program. During the current Rotary year, the club will match a single donation of $50 to a charity of a member’s choosing. For a new member, the club will match $100 after 6 months of membership. Proof of donation must be provided.
The final budget for the year will be approved at the August Board meeting. Look for details at the August 27th Club Assembly.
The annual Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club lobster bake will be held on Tuesday evening July 16 at 15 Long Point Rd, Standish, ME. 5-6PM Social, 6-7PM Dinner, 7PM sing-along with pianist Eric Peppe. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged.
Price is $25 per person includes lobster or steak, boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw and water. Feel free to bring an appetizer, dessert, beverage or other side dish to share. Sign up with Nelson either at our meeting on July 9 or email him attnelsonharmon@gmail.com
Thanks to Henry Saunders for hosting us again this year. Also, thanks to Nelson Harmon, Dan Willett and everyone else who make this a successful event each year.
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 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 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.
New Volunteer at Preble St – Register as a volunteer then select as few or as many volunteer shifts as you want. These can be working in the Receiving Center accepting, sorting and stocking donations; helping prepare and/or serve breakfast, lunch or dinner; sorting or distributing food pantry items; or other activities listed on the volunteer page. For more information and to learn how to register as a volunteer: https://www.preblestreet.org/you-can-help/volunteer/
If you have an idea for a speaker or program,look for a sign-up sheet and an upcoming meeting or contact Christine Johnson at cejinmaine@gmail.com or Phil Spiller at pdsflynavy@gmail.com .
We are also interested in ideas for service projects in lieu of meetings, or in-meeting service projects.
The following lunch dates are available for your program:
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg?_=636982492316294226)