Opening Ceremonies: President Gene Pellerano called the meeting to order.
 
Invocation read by Cindy Shoppe and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Visiting Rotarians: Dave and Betty Parsons of South Portland
 
Guests: Grace Robinson and Leisa Tucker
 
Birthdays: Rhonda Parker on 1/20. Happy Birthday!
 
Club Anniversaries: Ray Williams 44 Years on January 17th and Zanny Stwertka 3 Years on January 22nd. Congratulations!
 
Door Prizes:  This week’s lucky winners were Jodie Cushing, Tony Bouchard and Cindy Shoppe.
 
50/50: $6 to Pam Cushing
 
3rd Quarter Happy Dollars: This quarter all happy dollars will go towards the Rotary Scholarship Fund for students at Ellsworth High School and Hancock County Technical Center.    
 
The following Rotarians gave Happy Dollars: Pam Cushing, Grace Robinson, Rebecca Greenlaw, Rhonda Parker, Bob Thomas and Gene Pellerano.
 
Rotary Business:
 
Reminder to pay your dues: You can send in a check or pay online using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ASTE82C8NAFK8
 
Make-Ups and Community Service Hours: Please let Jodie Cushing and Marian Wells know if you do any community service or makeups throughout the week.
 
Be Our Guest Cards: Cards are available to be given out to invite someone to Rotary as your guest. Dinner is provided by the club!
 
Greeter Sign-Up List: We are looking for Greeters for our weekly meeting. Please sign-up to help. A sign-up sheet is going around at the meeting.
 
Rotary Apparel on Sale: Contact Dave Wells to order any Rotary Hats, Shirts and Sweatshirts!
 
Rotary Each One Bring One: For each potential member you bring to a Rotary meeting (whether in person or via zoom) or a Rotary community service project in the month of January, you will be entered to win an amazing prize. We are also going to present a Rotary magnet to potential members who attend a meeting.
 
This month, Laura Pellerano will be making and donating a dozen home-made bagels for the prize! Also, Gene Pellerano will add to the prize some fresh coffee from Rooster Brother. Dave and Marian Wells will be contributing a bottle of wine.
 
Let JoAnn Brown know the name and email of any interested members prior to them attending a meeting, she can forward them some information on joining Rotary. Also, remember you can always invite potential members to a Rotary Club meeting and their meal will be paid for by the club. Prize will be drawn at Feb. 1 meeting.
 
Rotary Facebook Spotlight: Contact JoAnn Brown to sign up for the Rotary Spotlight on our Social Media pages. You send her a picture of yourself with information on why you join Rotary and it will be posted online.
 
“I AM ROTARY” signs and bumper stickers are available: Please display the sign at your office, when you’re out volunteering or at home! Please place the Bumper Sticker on your vehicle. We are hoping to see these in our community to get the word out about Rotary!
 
Valentine's day Cookie Exchange: For our February 15th meeting, members are encouraged to do a cookie exchange or would like to bring in a homemade treat to share to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  Also, any members who would like contribute to 86 care packages being delivered to Meadowview residences on Feb. 14th. Suggestions bring in candy, diabetic candy, some type of treat; a collection box at Rotary meetings on Feb. 1 and 8th. JoAnn Brown can pick up other donations or they could be dropped off at the hospital to JoAnn.
 
Upcoming Community Service Events:
 
Blood Drive: The Blood Drive is the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Max Dietshe thanks everyone for their continued help. Please sign up for January and February!
 
Guest Speaker: These week’s guest speakers were Cathy Flesh and Amy Kurman of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center.
 
They updated the membership on the programs offered by the Center as well as introducing a new program - Home Cooked Healing.  To help with their recovery, participating cancer patients are given home cooked meals prepared by volunteers.  The meals are prepared based on the patient's preferences and medical needs. 
 
Do you love to cook? Would you like to share your healthy specialty dishes with others in need? If you do, there is a perfect opportunity for you. The center is currently looking for new volunteer cooks for their Home Cooked Healing Program to help us carry out the programs mission.
 
For several years, home cooks have generously given their time and talents to prepare healthy meals for cancer patients and their families on MDI and the Ellsworth area. Recipients receive meals at no charge for an eight-week period while the patient is undergoing treatment or recovering.  Home-cooked meals are prepared according to individual dietary needs and preferences with complete confidentiality.  Meals are delivered directly to the client’s door or can be available for pick-up at the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center (BCWCRC.)
 
The center is also looking for drivers to help deliver the meals to the clients as well!
 
If you would like more information or to sign up to support people in our community with nutritious food that are living with a cancer diagnosis, please contact the Beth C. Wright Center by February 25, 2022 by calling 207-664-0339 or email: akurman@bethwrightcancercenter.org.
 
Gene reminded everyone about Polio Plus and EREY! Please consider making a donation.
 
Respectfully submitted by Ashley Johnson
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