President’s Message March 2022
“In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four-and-twenty hours. It was I that made the fame and fortune of that man that had that marvelous collection of weather on exhibition at the Centennial, that so astounded the foreigners. He was going to travel all over the world and get specimens from all the climes. I said, ‘Don't you do it; you come to New England on a favorable spring day.’ I told him what we could do in the way of style, variety, and quantity. Well, he came and he made his collection in four days. As to variety, why, he confessed that he got hundreds of kinds of weather that he had never heard of before. And as to quantity -- well, after he had picked out and discarded all that was blemished in any way, he not only had weather enough, but weather to spare; weather to hire out; weather to sell; to deposit; weather to invest; weather to give to the poor.”
-Mark Twain .
February certainly gave us many variations on weather. Hopefully, March will come in like a lamb and also leave like a lamb, but somehow, I doubt it.
Keep Belfast Maine Beautiful is scheduled for May 7 (Rain Date: May 8) according to Beverly O'Malia. The Board of Directors moved that our participation in the Keep Belfast Maine Beautiful program will fulfill the District's Earth Day requirement that each club do something in support of the environment.
We began February with a talk from Mary Sargent of the Penobscot Shores retirement community. Penobscot Shores has 54 units or shares situated on 20 acres right here in Belfast. They have 75 residents. The community offers common areas, dining rooms, van service, fitness programs and yoga. There is a Healthcare consultant on site. They even have bee hives! If you are interested, Mary indicated that there is a 18-24 month waiting period for units.
On February 9, Scott Boucher spoke to us about Rotary's ongoing battle against polio. 2.5 billion children have been immunized against polio. Afghanistan and Pakistan are still lagging, but some progress is being made. The Taliban now are allowing women on the campaign and they support the vaccine program. Our club was No. 3 in the district in Polio Giving, 102 dollars less that Waterville then increased our donation with the football pool money so we're Number Two! Scott mentioned a Pints for Polio program where local breweries donate one dollar for every pint sold. I've have spoken with the manager of Marshall Wharf Brewing about this – stay tuned.
On February 16 we inducted Deidre Good into our club – Welcome Deidre! Jeff O'Roak and Brenna Pinkham Webb spoke to us about Edward Jones Workplace Diversity program.
On February 23 we heard from Ray and Patricia Estabrook, the Executive Co-Directors of the Game Loft. I introduced them as the owners of The Game Loft but was corrected as Ray stated all the youngsters and staff of The Game Loft are the owners. The Game Loft opened on February 2, 1998, 24 years ago. Their goal is positive youth development – young people can do better with assets and resources in their lives. The Game Loft accomplishes this through a mentoring program and their “I Know Me” program. The Game Loft provides Food, Friends and Safety for 250 young people. They are countering the effects of pandemic isolation by providing an online presence, delivering food and organizing field trips etc. to re-engage with their “owners”.
ATTENTION GOLFERS! OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT CHAIRPERSON, ROB FLOOD, HAS RESIGNED FROM THE CLUB. WE NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE EVENT PLUS FUND RAISING. CONTACT ME AT
jpgolden@roadrunner.com OR AT 207-323-1608.
Yours in Service,
John
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