March 1, 2016 Newsletter

Opening Ceremonies: President Ashley Johnson called the meeting to order. The invocationwas given by Jim Vickers and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. The greeter was Carl Lusby and Newsletter notes were taken by Tracy Shaffer. St. at Arms was Chris Coleman assisted by Cindy Shoppe.

Visiting Rotarians: Dave and Betty Parsons

Guests: Don Cooper, Guest Speaker Barbara Royal

Make-Ups Reported: Iris Simon visited the Noontime Rotary.

Club Anniversaries: Larry Barnes (a Rotarian since 1984) and Michael Povich (a member since 1974) were recognized.

Door Prizes: Door prize winners included Marshall and Don.

50/50: Everybody Eats! (EE) A Free Community Meal was announced again as this quarter’s charity for 50/50 and Happy Dollars. Dave Parsons won the 50/50 and donated the $14 back 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 Carl, Laurie, Dom, Jim, Larry, Gail, Larry, Chris, Terri, Marshall. Thoughts tonight went to our team members in Belize and also to Dan recovering from surgery.

Rotary Business:

Carl reminded Rotarians that the Rotary Auction will be held on May 13. The auction will be held at the Big Cat’s Event Center in Trenton.

The 2nd Rotary Auction Planning Committee Meeting will be held at The Grand on Thursday, March 4 at 4 PM. All are welcome to attend. Committee meetings will be held bi-weekly. We will soon be assigning members businesses to contact for auction item donations. If you would like input into the businesses assigned to you, please let Carl know. Members will be expected to contact approximately 8 businesses each. (Next Auction Meeting will be on March 14th at St. Dunstan's Church at 4:00 p.m.)

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.

Ashley announced that the team arrived in Belize without incident and is getting settled in to deliver wheelchairs.

The 3/15 and 3/29 weekly Rotary meetings will be at Betty’s Hilltop.

Program:

Rotarians welcomed Barbara Royal, Executive Director of The Open Door Recovery Center. Barbara gave an overview of how the recovery center, treating drug addiction, came to exist in the Ellsworth area. From its 1980’s genesis located in the basement of St. Joseph’s Church offering outpatient services, it has grown over time to include its own building and a new resident women’s treatment facility, Hills House, which will open soon.

Hills House, named for founder Bill Hills, will house up to 8 women and their children initially. The residents will receive counseling and treatment, life skills training, child care, etc. to help overcome their addiction and prepare them to live on their own in a safe environment. After leaving Hills House, they will continue to be supported through a year of outpatient care through services at The Open Door.

Barbara’s presentation included slides showing various rooms in Hills House including various bedrooms that the Rotary equipped with bedding and accessories. Barbara expressed appreciation to our club for the donation and for all of the support received from Rotary.

President Ashley presented Barbara with a Rotary speaker’s mug and the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tracy Shaffer