Our guest speakers were Ben Layman, Director of Education and Rachel Bechtel, Artistic Administrator of the Penobscot Theater Company.
President Jo Cooper called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Larry Fernald and we then said the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Jo thanked our Greeter: Marian Wells, Well Wisher: Jackie Sinclair, Sargent at Arms: Julie and Tony Bouchard
Visiting Rotarians, this week were Betty and Dave Parsons from the Portland , ME Club
Club Anniversaries: are Clyde and Pam Cushing 4 years and Zanny Swertka 1 year.
Get well cards for Terry Carlisle and Larry Johnston were passed around and all wished these Rotarians well.
Door Prizes: Dead River calendars; Cindy and Marian YMCA Bag of Goodies; Larry Fernald
Coffee Burlap Bags; Jack Frost, Danny Homemade Cookies; Carolyn Swertka
Ray, Alicia Johnson and Allegra Pellerano
50/50: was won by Jackie Sinclair
Happy Dollars this quarter will be used to help "Pack a bag" for the Panama Wheelchair Distribution. Happy Rotarians were Jack Frost, Scott Kimball, Carol Jordan, Marian Wells, Marshall Smith and Terri Stephens.
Rotary Business:
- Danny Ray was presented a Honorable Mention award for his participation for the "Movember" mustache growing contest in November.
- Marian Wells spoke about Membership Training to be held on 29 Feb. from 9 to 12 at St. Dunstan's Church, ALL Rotarian can attend. please call Joann Brown or Marian Wells to sign-up.
- President Elect Laura Pellerano gave about our upcoming Auction with partner Hancock Hospice Volunteers.
- Jack Frost gave a quick brief about EREY and the Rotary Foundation.
Program/Speaker: Ben Layman, from the Penobscot Theater Company and the theater Director of Drama Arts, gave us a history of the Bangor Opera building and the theater company. The original building was erected in 1836 but was burned to the ground in the 1914 Bangor Fire, after which the current building was built. The Opera House has been used as a church, was vacant for some time and for the last 45 seasons the home of the theater company. In addition to plays and musicals, the company is involved in providing "Ice breakers" for corporate training and is a mirror of "the human experience" for students. The Penobscot Theater Company has visited every school in Maine to expose school students to theater, the classics and the arts. After Ben answered several questions, Rachel (also from the Penobscot Theater) passed out vouchers for Rotarians to attend one of several plays this spring.
After President Jo presented Speakers' Mugs to Ben and Rachel, the Club Bell was rung and we adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Dave Wells
