banner
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
 
2018-2019 Rotary Year Theme
Speakers
Jan 29, 2019 11:30 AM
What's happening now in our fight against polio
Feb 05, 2019 11:30 AM
Feb 12, 2019 11:30 AM
755 Main St Westbrook
Feb 19, 2019
See you at Rotary Night Out at Mister Bagel
Feb 19, 2019 5:30 PM
Rotaract Project in Puerto Rico
Feb 26, 2019 11:30 AM
Mar 05, 2019 11:30 AM
Read Across America
Mar 19, 2019
Night Out at WRVC
Apr 02, 2019 11:30 AM
Apr 16, 2019
See you at the Road Race April 15
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
Board Meeting
WRVC Board Room
Feb 05, 2019
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Board Meeting
WRVC Board Room
Mar 05, 2019
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Winter Dinner at WRVC
WRVC
Mar 19, 2019
6:00 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
 
++++++++++++++++++++
 
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?
 
++++++++++++++++++++
Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
Rotary Global Rewards
Joining Rotary
Rotary History
Rotary Foundation
For New Members
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Next Board Meeting 
February 5, 2019 10:15AM at WRVC
 
All members are welcome at Board Meetings
Past Board Meeting Minutes available at:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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: , Jan 23 & 30,   Feb 13 & 27, Mar 13 & 27, Apr 10 & 24, May 8 & 22 and June 12. Any date changes will be announced in the Scribbler.  Time: arrive by 1 PM depart by 2:15 PM, unless otherwise noted.
 
Update Rotary Night Out - Our next Rotary Night out will be February 19 starting at 5:30 PM. Mister Bagel 609 Main St, Westbrook.  Prime Rib Dinner!!  Members $10.  Cash bar. Program PDG Sheila Rollins - Rotaract Project in Puerto Rico.  On March 19, we'll have our annual dinner at WRVC (see below).
 
Update Rotary Field Trip - Tuesday February 12, 2019. 11:30AM.  My Place Teen Center, 755 Main St.  Due to preparations for the American Heart Association Luncheon, we will not be able to meet at WRVC on this date. We'll be upstairs at MPTC.  Enter through front door. On-street parking Main and Foster Streets.
 
Update 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/
 
Current & Upcoming Opportunities
Recognizing and Responding to an Opiate/Heroin Overdose - This Week!!  RSVP ASAP. Thursday January 24 6-7:30PM.  Maine Medical Center Dana Auditorium, 22 Bramhall St, Portland. Training sponsored by Portland Rotary Club.  Learn about the Opiate Epidemic and Substance Use Disorder,  lean how to recognize the signs of an overdose, learn to perform first-aid, including administering Naloxone (the drug that reverses the effects of opioids),  and help reduce the stigma of Substance Use Disorder.  To RSVP, please email Chief Bob MacKenzie, Kennebunk Police Department at rmackenzie@kennebunkmaine.us  or call 207 604-1339.
 
WinterKids Games 2019: Reading & Nutrition - This Week!! Wednesday January 23, 9:15AM at Canal School. Read Stone Soup, and then help the kids make the vegetable soup in the classroom. Five volunteers needed and we have only 3 so far. To volunteer, please contact Kathi Perkins kperkins1@myfairpoint.net 
 
 
Food Drive Competition at Blazes Burgers –  This Week!! January 20 through Feb 3, 2019. Blazes Burgers is partnering with Westbrook High School and Middle School for a food drive. Bring a food item for either school and receive 10% off your order. The schools receive points for items donated and the winning school will receive an extra $50 donation from Blazes.  Suggested donations include: Cheese crackers, granola bars, Ramen noodles (both block and cups), mac & cheese cups (microwave), easy microwave meals, breakfast cereal or mini cereal boxes, applesauce (small containers), cans/cups of ravioli or other pasta, fruit cups, pudding, cereal bars, goldfish, canned soup, pasta, sauce (no glass jars), tuna snack packs, and trail mix.
 
South Portland WinterFest 2019This Week!! Friday January 25, 6-8PM Mill Creek Park: skating, music, games. Saturday January 26, 8-10:30AM SoPo Community Center: pancake breakfast; 11:30AM-7:30PM Wainwright Recreational Complex: games, contests, rides; 6:30PM Fireworks. Project of the Rotary Club of South Portland Cape Elizabeth. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/SouthPortlandWinterFest
 
 
New Benefit Dinner for Federal Workers & their immediate families - This Week!! Saturday January 26, 3-5 PM. Sponsor Portland Rotary Club in cooperation with the Italian Heritage Center at 40 Westland Avenue, Portland. Volunteers needed to attend the dinner and host families. Contact michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com or 415-9762. If you would like to make a monetary donation to help with costs and provide food gift cards to the attending families, please make your check payable and mail to: Portland Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104-1755.
 
Westbrook Baseball Fundraiser at Blazes Burgers – Wednesday January 30, 2019 4-7PM. WHS Baseball team is heading to Myrtle Beach in April for Spring Training with other teams from around the country. Each player is required to raise funds to pay for the trip and Blazes will be helping. 10% of sales during the evening will be donated. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.
 
New Community Conversation & Naloxone Training - Wednesday January 30, 2019 6-8PM. St. Anthony's Church on Brown Street. Hosted by the Westbrook Police Dept. An opportunity to learn what you can do in the event of an overdose, and obtain more information on what the Police Department is doing to respond to the drug epidemic.  Serving pizza and salad.  For more information: http://www.westbrookmaine.com/calendar.aspx?EID=450
 
Living the Word War
Elizabeth Elsbach and Pof Don Zillman had the pleasure of writing 1200 pages in two volumes titled Living the World War: A Weekly Exploration of the American Experience in WWI.  Their goal was to recreate each week between October 1, 1916 and March 5, 1919 from the records of the New York Times and the Congressional Record (the debates on the floors of the US Senate and the House of Representatives).  Their mission was to ask readers to imagine how they would have reacted "if they didn't know what was coming next."  The week of January 12-18, 1919 (two months after the Armistice) included the start of the Versailles Peace Conference, continuing riots in Germany, the passage of the Prohibition Amendment, and further follow up after the unexpected death (at age 61) of Teddy Roosevelt on January 6.
 
Prof Don Zillman speaks to W-G Rotary
during Rotary Night Out at Mister Bagel
on January 15, 2018
 
They then considered how the entire war experience directly affected almost every American (by contrast with our last 18 years of war in the Middle East).  World War I saw:  1) the military draft used to build an Army of 4 million  2) the first major use of the federal income tax  3) government regulation of such essential matters as food, energy, and transportation  4)  the worst flu epidemic of the century (Spanish Flu) with impact on both military and civilian life  5) restrictions on speech and publications that were critical of conduct of the War and 6) other important matters like the prohibition of liquor and the granting of the vote to women ("suffrage").
Don finally looked briefly at 2019 contrasted with 1919 in such matters as America's emergence as a world leader, America's attitude to the military, and the workings of Congress and the executive branch.  We closed with the sobering reminder that in addition to over 50,000 American combat deaths (a very small number compared to France, Russia, Britain, and Germany), 26 members of the 65th Congress died during their two-year term.  Don is persuaded that overwork and stress played a considerable role.
 
The book(s) should be in most Libraries and can be purchased (often at discount prices) thru Amazon and other online outlets.
 
  
Steve Rand, Jack Kivus, Christine Johnson, Carlo Giraualo,
Bruce Saundes, Deb Shangraw, Kathi Perkins,
and Donald Zillman
Read more...
Ongoing Opportunities
The Locker Project -  THIS WEEK!! 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 Jan 23 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.
District Activities
 

Mid Year Leadership Dinner - THIS WEEK!! Monday January 28, 2019 5-9PM Fireside Inn, Portland. District 7780's annual Mid Year Dinner brings together Club Presidents, Presidents-Elect, Vice Presidents, Assistant Governors, current, past District Governors and other interested Rotarians. To sign up: https://rotary7780.org/event/midyear-dinner/

District Interact Assembly - Saturday March 23, 2019 - Oxford Hills High School.  Interested Rotarians are welcome to attend.  More details to follow. Snow Day March 30, 2019.

District Training Assembly - Saturday April 6, 2019. 8AM-1PM. York County Community College

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.

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 February and March.
 
Here is the list of upcoming speakers and programs:
 
*  1/22 - Nicole Avery - Big Brothers/Big Sisters
* 1/29 - Mike McGovern - Polio Plus update
* 2/5 - Club Assembly
* 2/12 - Field Trip - MPTC 755 Main St Westbrook
* 2/19 - Rotary Night Out - Sheila Rollins - Rotaract Project in Puerto Rico
* 2/26 - TBD
* 3/5  - Read Across America
* 3/12 - TBD
* 3/19 - Evening at WRVC
******************************************************
Can't make our meeting but still want to enjoy the fellowship of Rotary this week? 
 
Why not attend one of these other local clubs in our area:
 
Falmouth 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 5:00 PM 
Dockside Grill 215 Foreside Rd Route 88
Falmouth, ME  04105
 
Scarborough - Tuesdays 5:45PM
Cabela's 100 Cabela's Blvd Scarborough
 
South Portland-Cape Elizabeth - Wednesdays 6:15PM
Purpoodock Club 300 Spurwink Rd Cape Elizabeth
 
Portland Sunrise - Thursdays 7:15AM
Cumberland Club 116 High St Portland
 
Sebago Lake Rotary Club - Thursdays 12:15PM 
Pat's Pizza 844 Roosevelt Trail, Windham, ME 04062
 
Portland - Fridays 12:15PM at Holiday Inn by the Bay or Clarion
check website for current week's venue
 
Or Attend a meeting online at Rotary E-Club One
 
Rotary is about fellowship, as well as service to our community. Even if you must miss a meeting, you can remain engaged by attending Rotary-sponsored events of our club or other clubs like fundraisers, by selling Christmas Trees, by volunteering at our Golf Tournament or our Road Race, or by attending District events or training. Just let our Secretary know when you have participated in any of these activities at info@westbrookgorhamrotary.org
 
******************************************************