President's Message
“Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.” – Doug Larson
On April 1, 1957, BBC’s broadcasting network aired a three-minute video segment, which showed farmers “harvesting” a rare delicacy from a grove of trees: spaghetti. Remarkably, the segment was so believable that hundreds of viewers called in demanding to know how to grow their own “spaghetti trees.”
“The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” – Mark Twain
Keep Belfast 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 Beautiful program will fulfill the District's Earth Day requirement that each club do something in support of the environment.
In March, we received a Certificate of Appreciation for Rotary International for our contribution to End Polio Now. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
On March 2, Alice Seeger gave us a Zoom tour of Belfast FiberArts. She explained that there are 30 artists who provide product for Belfast FiberArts. Belfast FiberArts offers instruction in working with fiber, be it stitching, weaving or spinning yarn. Alice also works with the Penobscot Marine Museum on how fabric was stitched in the 1800’s.
On March 9 Mike Hurley spoke to us about the future of Belfast. Everyone is moving to Maine. Real Estate sales are up 26%. The average real estate sale in Belfast is $300,000. Unfortunately this means that people of lesser means cannot afford to live in Belfast. The city is working to rezone multifamily units to make housing more affordable. Mike asked for our support for the city’s efforts.
On March 16, we had a moment of silence to mark the passing of Honorary Member Patti Ann Lord. Patti Ann was one of the first six women to join the Belfast Rotary club in 1987. She served as president in 1998-1999. She served as a song leader, chaired the pancake breakfast twice, and was instrumental in starting our focus on helping the local food pantries.
Our speaker on March 16 was Peter Garrett. Peter, a fellow Rotarian from Waterville spoke to us about applying the Four Way Test to election funding. He gave several examples of special interests influencing politicians. In Maine’s recent Senate race, 90% of contributions to both candidates came from outside the state.
Chris Gardner of CG Bikes spoke to us regarding Off-Road or Mountain Biking on March 23. He described how the St. George Land Trust built the Thomaston Forest Bike Trail and how Belfast is putting a Bike Trail in at the Four Seasons Recreational Area.
If you haven’t heard the news, we’re back at the Shrine Club. Starting March 30, the club returned to hybrid meetings so you can join us for lunch at the Shrine Club or on Zoom.
Speaking of March 30, Dorothy Havey gave us an update on the Chamber of Commerce activities. Did you know . . . that there are job postings on the Chamber website? That there is a weekly newsletter to over 1,000 people? Staffed by only two full time employees plus a bunch of volunteers? There are 414 members in Waldo, Hancock, Lincoln, Knox, Cumberland and Penobscot counties.
Mary Mortier gave us an update on the Penobscot McCrum fire and the Keep the Faith Fund supporting the McCrum workers.
Yours in Service,
John
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