January 3, 2017 Newsletter

Opening Ceremonies: President Carl Lusby called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Bruce Fischer and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. The greeter was Nancy Mayo.

 
Visiting Rotarians: None.

Guests: Joanne Brown, Eric Cooper, Moira O’Neill, Fred Beyer, Mike Fisher, Julie Bouchard, and OHI personnel Rich Romero, Brenda Leavitt, and Virginia Oakes.  

 

Club Anniversaries: Alan Baker – January 6, 1985; Ashley Johnson and Arlyn Whitelaw – January 6, 2009; Becky Sargent – January 6, 2009, rejoined; and Cindy Shoppe – January 7, 2003.

 

Birthdays: Tony Bouchard – January 5 and Gene Pellerano – January 9.

 

Wedding Anniversaries: Marian and Dave Wells – January 10, 1981.

 

Door Prizes: Tin of cookies went to Mike Fisher, Dan Hurley took home a TD Bank mug and a lint roller, a bag of dark chocolate and a notepad for lists were won by Dave Wells. Some toffee cookies and a Dead River calendar went to Nancy Mayo, and a carton of assorted beer went to Larry Fernald.

50/50: $ 15 was won by Rod Fox who initially gave back $10 but later added the rest!

Happy Dollars: This quarter’s Happy Dollars are going to going to the Friends In Action Financial Fund. This assists those who qualify with meal subsidies and fitness room use.

Jack Frost, Mike, Fisher, Moira O’Neill, Irv Hodgkin were among these donating. Jo Cooper was happy to note that this financial fund helps about 1/3 of the 700 people who have used these services of FIA. Terri Stephens Smith was happy that she and Marshall had just celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Lincoln Ehrlenbach thanked everyone for the prayers and support for Aaron and Ashley and noted they will need more assistance as time goes along. Carl Lusby gave $26.50 and reminded us about the 100^th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation. He asked all members to give what they can this year.

 

Rotary Business: Carl Lusby asked the membership to review the club’s budget in our handbook. He noted that the Board of Directors will be discussing how to close the $4,000 budget shortfall for next year created by the meeting room and kitchen rental charges we now have. These are covered for this year by the funds raised at the Darlings concert. Members who have suggestions should write to or speak with a Board member.

Carl noted that President Elect Scott Kimball will preside at next week’s meeting while Carl is away.

Carl provided an update on Aaron Johnson. He noted that he will send out an email with the link to the Meal Train that Downeast Horizons has set up and said that help will be needed with wood and shoveling and plowing. There will also be a fundraiser for the Johnson family in the future and that information will be sent to the membership when it is available.

Carl presented Paul Harris pins to Marian Wells (Paul Harris +1) and Lincoln Ehrlenbach (Paul Harris +4) with assistance from spouses, Dave Wells and Debbie Ehrlenbach.

A signup sheet for newsletter notes for January, February, and March was passed around.

Clyde Cushing noted that Rotarians has 118.5 volunteer hours and others had 35 volunteer hours at Loaves and Fishes during the month of December.

Carl reminded people of the program on Tuesday, January 17 with Kevin Mannix and Linda Roda which is open to the public. They will talk about their experiences with depression. Carl thanked Maine Coast Memorial Hospital for sponsoring the program. Refreshments will be served and the speakers will have their book available for sale and signing. We will have our regular meal and brief meeting downstairs before going upstairs for the public program at 7 pm. Please help publicize this event and invite any guests you feel would be interested.

 

Program: Our speaker was Rich Romero who is the Resource Developer for OHI. OHI is a non-profit organization which assists those with mental illnesses to assume more productive life. Rich told us about OHI’s efforts to open a Clubhouse in Ellsworth to help those suffering with mental illnesses to receive the support they need to work productively within the sheltered Clubhouse environment and ultimately in a regular employment situation.

He asked for any one present who would be willing to assist with this effort to leave their name and contact information. He noted that they have some initial funding for this project and that Clubhouse is an international organization that is experienced with this model of treatment. One of the Clubhouse members who has been helped by the Clubhouse in Brewer spoke to us about her experience.