Opening Ceremonies: President Ashley Johnson called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Nancy Mayo and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. The greeter was David
Wheaton. Newsletter notes were taken by Tracy Shaffer and St. at Arms was Chris Coleman
assisted by Cindy Shoppe.
 
Guests:  Guest Speaker Naomi Graychase, Michael Reisman, Debra Ehrlenbach
 
Make-Ups Reported: The following people earned make ups last week by attending other meetings and/or the pre President Elect Training (PET) session:  Lincoln Ehrlenbach (2
earned), Jack Frost, Charlene Churchill, Carl Lusby.
 
 
Birthdays: Andrea Mason
 
Rotary Minute: The Rotary Minute was offered by Doug Orville who gave the group an overview of a study done that demonstrated doing giving altruistic acts, even when done by children, evidence measurable feelings of calm and safety in return.
 
Door Prizes: Iris won the bottle of wine donated by Laura Pellerano.

50/50: Everybody Eats! (EE) A Free Community Meal was announced again as this quarter’s charity for 50/50 and Happy Dollars.  Our guest speaker, Naomi won the $16 prize and was happy to donate the full amount back to the cause.
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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 Jo, Tracy, Carl, Terri, Rod, Iris, Linda, Dan, Iris, Charlene, Marshall, Irv, Dug, Jane,
Michael, Laura.  The group was reminded by several Rotarians who are also chorus members of the upcoming Gilbert and Sullivan production to attend upcoming performances this weekend at The Grand.
 
Queen of Hearts:  Not Played 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! A schedule for March shift sign up was circulated a final time.  All shifts are now full.  Thanks to all the Rotarians who have signed up.
 
Charlene noted the winner(s) of the snow day contest benefiting THAW will be announced next week since Ellsworth City Schools had a snow day last Friday.
 
Cheryl reminded people again to let her know if anyone had an interest in serving as a host
family for an exchange student.  The school term requiring coverage is August 2016 through July 2017 and we need one or two individuals or families to serve in this capacity.  People do not have to be Rotarians to express an interest in getting involved in the program.
 
Ashley advised the group that the board is officially considering moving our meeting location to Betty’s Hilltop.  Although discussions are still taking place, she wanted to announce this at the meeting so that the membership could think about it and provide her or any of the board with any feedback.
 
Recognition Moment for Foundation Giving:
 
Doug Kell was awarded his second Paul Harris award.  President Ashley spoke briefly of the
Contribution required for a Paul Harris and awarded him his pin.
 
New Member Induction:
 
Membership Chair Nancy Mayo and members of Rotary were pleased to present Terri Stephens as our newest member.  President Ashley inducted Terri and presented the Rotary International membership pin to her.  As part of the program, Rotarians were reminded of the object of Rotary and were refreshed on The 4-Way Test.
 
Terri is the wife of member Marshall Smith and was a teacher for over 15 years as well as a church administrator.  After living in several states during her career, she was delighted to relocate again to Maine and make this her permanent home.
 
Program:
 
Rotarians were delighted to welcome yoga teacher Naomi Graychase as our guest speaker.
Naomi, a graduate of Smith College, has been a yoga instructor for 6 years offering classes to cancer patients, children and the general public in the area.
 
Naomi spoke of the history and spirit of yoga, stressing the benefits of the gentle, relaxation yoga she teaches.  She followed up her introductory material with a meditative exercise that all Rotarians could participate in.  To close her presentation, she took several questions and expressed “Namaste” to everyone meaning, “the light in me sees the love in you.”  She shared
that this is a traditional expression used often in yoga to express acceptance and peace.
 
President Ashley thanked Naomi for taking us through the exercise and presented her with a  
Rotary speaker’s mug. Naomi can be contacted for further information by emailing her at
graychase@gmail.com or via Facebook at yogawithnaomi.
 
The meeting concluded at 7:15 PM
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Tracy Shaffer
 
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