Opening Ceremonies: President Carl Lusby called the meeting to order, the invocation was given by Scott Kimball, and we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
The Greeter was Marshall Smith, and we thanked the Sargent at Arms, Cindy Shoppe.
 
Visiting Rotarians: George Graves, visiting from the North Keys, Fla., club.
 
 
Club Anniversaries: Debbie Ehrlenbach and Gene Pellerano joined May 3, 2016.
 
Foundation Minute: Foundation stickers for EREY were distributed to all who had participated with a minimum $100 donation to the Foundation. Total giving to date is $ 6,664, or an average of $107 per member.
 
Vocational Minute: Will begin next week on May 9, 2017.
 
Rotary Minute: Jo Cooper discussed Service Above Self in our Rotary Auction activities.
 
Door Prizes: Tracy Shaffer won daffodils, Julie Clark won hair care products, Micki Sumpter won nail files, Peter Farragher won a mug and hat, and Irv Hodgkins won a flashlight.
 
50/50: $17 was won by Dave Wells, who gave it back, happy about the recent Costa Rica w/c project and the progress with the next one to Dominican Republic, with 4 clubs committed for $5,250 each, for a total of 125 wheelchairs.
 
Happy Dollars: Given by Jack Frost, Rod Fox, Laurie Fogleman, Cindy Shoppe, Dan Hurley, Jo Cooper, Lincoln Ehrlenbach, Jane Langely, Iris Simon, Scott KImball, Larry Johnston, Heidi Omler, Peter Farragher, Julie Clark and Carl Lusby.
 
Program: Presentation given by our own Peter Farragher, CEO of the YMCA since 1998. The East Central District YMCA was first organized in 1961, and 18 men and women comprised the first Ellsworth YMCA Committee. On January 1, 1986, the YMCA separated from the Maine State YMCA and became autonomous with the new name of Down East Family YMCA.
 
In 1990 the YMCA, moved into a newly constructed facility at its current location, and it has had several modifications since then. Multiple new programs have been initiated under Peter’s leadership, including development of a community center, after-school and infants - Grade 5 care programs, and a summer camp.
 
The General Bryant E Moore School (the location of the community center) underwent major modifications and reopened in 2015 with Friends in Action operating a Senior Center, while the YMCA Early Learning Center provides child care services. The YMCA is now partnering with the Blue Hill YMCA and the Bucksport YMCA, and its newest venture is a partnership with the Jackson Lab to establish a child care center on Beechland Rd for 70+ children, to prepare for the expansion of the Lab into Ellsworth. This will add 20 new full-time positions for the YMCA.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20pm.
 
Respectfully submitted by Marian Wells
 
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