Welcome to the March 17 meeting of the Rotary Club of Ellsworth! Tonight we are thinking of all of our families and friends and hope all are healthy and safe.
 
Tonight's Invocation (an Irish blessing, in honor of St. Patrick's Day:
 May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
 
A cool Rotary thing: https://youtu.be/tTH6gxXgo2I about fighting polio
 
Tonight's speaker was going to talk about the Hancock County Food Drive. We will get you information on where you can leave food donations next week.
 
I hope all of you are staying healthy and safe at home. It is a time for reflection and for connecting in new and creative ways. And I hope each of you will remember to have a laugh every day! It is good for your health. This is when we need Bill Casale and his JOKES! 
 
Tonight we had an informal Zoom (phone and video conferencing app) meeting of the Board. We discussed changing event dates, and cancelling the Honors Banquet and the final HCTC night. Instead we will give our scholarships to the individual students at the Awards Night at the High School. We are changing the Rotary Auction date to the fall. Laura Pellerano will have that information next week, but we discussed possibly moving it to Sept. 18. It will be difficult to be asking businesses for support as they are coming out of a tough time. 
 
There are many volunteer opportunities in the community right now in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Some include:
  • helping Everybody Eats to deliver meals to those who cannot come pick up a take-out meal or to those who need a hot meal. Everybody Eats is also working with The Welcome Table at the First Congregational Church in Ellsworth to do the same thing. 
  • delivering groceries, food pantry food boxes or medicines through Friends in Action
  • making phone calls to people who are alone and more isolated than usual right now. Friends in Action is partnering with the Ellsworth Public Library and the Age-Friendly communities in the Blue Hill peninsula and in Surry. 
If you know of someone who is eager to do something to help the community, please tell them about Rotary and invite them to join us! WE ARE PEOPLE OF ACTION! 
Next week we are going to try meeting via Zoom. Here is the information. You can call in or participate via your computer or iPhone with video. 
 
Have a GREAT ROTARY WEEK. And don't forget your donation to Rotary International - it is more important than ever. 
 
Yours in service, 
Jo Cooper, Club President
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