Opening Ceremonies: President Ashley Johnson called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Rob Hemenway and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. The greeter was Larry
Fernald. Newsletter notes were taken by Tracy Shaffer and St. at Arms was Chris Coleman assisted by Cindy Shoppe.
 
 
Guests:  We welcomed Guest Speaker Dr. Meaghan Brown and her mother Gail Brown and Member
Clyde Cushing’s daughter.
 
Club Anniversaries: Chris Coleman – 1st Anniversary.
 
Birthdays: Pam Cushing, Micki Sumpter.
 
Door Prizes: Door prize winners included Larry Fernald (NCSI hat donated by Chris Coleman), Carl Lusby (bath soaps), Arlyn Efter (chocolates), Rob Hemenway (NCSI sweatshirt donated by Chris Coleman), Gail Brown (Bic candle lighter and dishcloth set).

50/50: Everybody Eats! (EE) A Free Community Meal was announced again as this quarter’s charity for 50/50 and Happy Dollars.  Terri Stephens won the 50/50 and donated the proceeds to the cause.
 
Happy Dollars:  Many people gave happy dollars for EE and used the time for thoughts, thank you’s, notices and good wishes.  Happy Dollar donations included contributions given by Jack, Charlene, Dom, Carl, Rodney, Jim, David, Tracy, Chris, Irv.  Announcements shared during Happy Dollars included notice that the new Ellsworth Chief of Police has been hired, the T-Shirts for the wheelchair project participants can be picked up from David Wells and that over $1000 has been raised toward school supplies for the wheelchair project.
 
Queen of Hearts:  The drawing held resulted in no winner for this week.
 
Rotary Business:
Carl advised again that the Rotary Auction would be held on May 13. The auction will be held at the Big Cat’s Event Center in Trenton.
 
The first Rotary Auction Planning Committee Meeting will be held at The Grand on Thursday, February 18th at 4 PM.  All are welcome to attend. Committee meetings will be held bi-weekly.
 
Ashley announced again that our March service program is volunteering on Monday’s at Everybody Eats!  Tracy Shaffer will be sending out a reminder email to those who signed up.
 
David Wells advised that the Snow Day 50/50 Contest benefiting THAW has come to a close.  David Wells picked the winning snow day date (2/4) and donated all proceeds to THAW.
 
Charlene referenced handouts available during the meeting to help members register on the Rotary International website.  She noted she would be available for questions and assistance and that it is very important all members enroll.  This is a district request. An email will be sent out as a reminder.
 
David Wells reported that the wheelchair project is on schedule with 126 wheelchairs ordered and in shipment.  Members can continue to donate money toward school supplies or school supplies through next week.
 
Carl advised that next week’s meeting would spotlight our third HCTC Student Recognition and Vocational Speakers Event for the year.  Please plan to come and help recognize the two students selected for this quarter.
 
Ashley noted that there would be a brief board meeting after the general meeting this evening.
 
Jack and Ashley mentioned that nominations for Paul Harris awards would begin shortly and to please start thinking about community leader candidates.
 
To close the business portion of our meeting, a Classification Talk was given by Marian Wells.  Marian spoke about her education and career in physical therapy.  Before relocating to Maine, Marian served as a Director of Physical Therapy in several hospital facilities.  She also touched on her experience practicing in home health care and visiting nurse programs.
She noted that the field allowed for a great deal of flexibility and that certification and education requirements continue to expand.  Today, a Physical Therapist must have 3 years of graduate training after they achieve their bachelor’s degree.  She closed her comments noting that their daughter would be following in her footsteps in the fall by going to Columbia University to begin her graduate work.
 
Program:
 
Rotarians were pleased to welcome Dr. Meaghan Brown. A practicing chiropractor, Meaghan currently treats patients in the Bangor and Ellsworth areas.  Unique to the field, Meagan also has studied acupuncture and offers both chiropractic and acupuncture treatment, blending the science of both eastern and western medicine.  She discussed the benefits of this two-pronged approach to the patient’s overall wellness and noted that her focus was not only to treat the presenting injury or problem, but to teach patients how to further avoid injury in the future through skills training.  A video and question and answer session followed. 
 
President Ashley presented Dr. Brown with a Rotary Speaker’s Mug to conclude the program.
 
The meeting concluded at 7:15 PM
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Tracy Shaffer
 
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