Jo Cooper, Executive Director of Friends in Action (FIA) was our guest speaker this week.
 
Opening Ceremonies: President Gene Pellerano called the meeting to order.
 
Greeter: Dave Wells
 
Invocation read by Tricia Quirk and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Guests: Grace Robinson and Carol Yancey
 
Birthdays: Dana Reiter on September 7th. Happy Birthday!
 
Door Prizes: Winners were Grace Robinson, Julie Bouchard, Laura Pellerano, Marian Wells and Rhonda Parker.
 
50/50: $13 to Allegra Pellerano
 
1st Quarter Happy Dollars: This quarter all happy dollars will go towards The Next Step.
 
The following Rotarians gave Happy Dollars: Allegra Pellerano, Jim Vickers, Carl Lusby,  Clyde Cushing, Jodie Cushing, Rhonda Parker, Jane Langely, Debbie Ehrlenbach, Ross Baldree and Gene Pellerano.
 
Rotary Business:  
  • International Update: At of the end of August, The Panama Club has distributed 40 wheelchairs to the people of Panama and have 75 wheelchairs awaiting distribution. Much of this distribution has been at COVID vaccination sites where "trading" worn out wheelchairs for new serviceable ones has been taking place. We also received an update forwarded by Bar Harbor Club Past Pres. Susy Del Cid "Today they delivered 4 more at the Hospital del Nino (child hospital). The current President is planning to donate 20 wheelchairs more in a month period (Sept.)."

    We have not received any information from the Calais Rotary Club concerning partnering with us to conduct a water project in eastern Maine. At the August Club BOD meeting, President Gene expressed interest in contacting the Machias Rotary Club about partnering on this water project. An email has been sent to their President to see if they are interested.
     
  • Membership Update: “I AM ROTARY” signs and bumper stickers are available. Please display the sign at your office, when you’re out volunteering or at home! Please place the Bumper Sticker on your vehicle. We are hoping to see these in our community to get the word out about Rotary!

    “Each One Bring One” Challenge: Bring a guest to Rotary and be entered in a drawing to win a prize! For each guest that attends with you at a Live Meeting, via Zoom, or brings a potential member to a Rotary Service, you’ll be entered into a drawing that many times to win a Dozen Home Baked Whoopie Pies! Questions, please contact JoAnn Brown.
     
  • Greeter Sign-Up: Debbie Ehrlenbach is looking for Greeters for the month of September and October. Please let her know if you are available to help.
     
  • Invocation Sign-Up: Rob Hemenway is looking for members who can help doing the weekly invocations at our meetings. He has sent out an email for the month of September and October.
     
  • Foundation Minute: Lincoln Ehrlenbach reminded everyone to please donate to the Annual Fund.  Congratulations to Max Dietshe for receiving his Paul Harris +1 Pin!
     
  • Partner Program: Debbie Ehrlenbach spoke about our Annual Partner Program. As of this week, 19 businesses have sent in donations for this year! An updated list of businesses who have donated are displayed at our weekly meetings by the podium.  This has been posted to our website and social media pages.
     
  • Clubrunner Mobile Reminder: ClubRunner Mobile is a wonderful tool allowing membership directory data to be available at your fingertips as well as other club information such as weekly newsletters, upcoming events, guest speakers and meetings.   It is a great companion to our ClubRunner website. Click on the link below to get started! 
    https://site.clubrunner.ca/page/clubrunner-mobile-app-now-available
     
  • Reminder - Rotary.org: We encourage all members to visit http:// https://www.rotary.org/en to sign-in using your email address and create your own password. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Rotary International, the Foundation, the District we are a part of, what our club is working on for this year and so much more! An email was sent out on how to set this up. If you have questions, please contact Ashley Johnson. 
 
Upcoming Community Service Events:
  • Northern Light Maine Coast Schoodic Scramble: September 10-11, 2021 – A sign-up sheet was passed around this week. Please contact Jodie or JoAnn to sign-up.  
     
  • Autumn Gold Pancake Breakfast – HELP NEEDED - Saturday, September 25th at the Moore Community Center from 7am to 10am. All donations raised will go towards scholarships for local graduates of Ellsworth High School and the Hancock Technical Center. More information to come and help is needed! Please contact Dave Wells to sign up.
     
  • Blood Drive: The Blood Drive is the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. We are all set for September. Please sign up for the month of October.  
     
  • Walk for Polio – Saturday, October 23rd at Ellsworth High School. Funds raised will go towards Polio Plus.  
Guest Speaker: Jo Cooper, Executive Director of Friends in Action (FIA) was our guest speaker this week. FIA is an Ellsworth-based nonprofit organization that supports seniors and people with disabilities across Hancock County with programs, services and activities.
 
Jo shared a presentation of photos of the newly built Senior Playground that is located at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth. The playground is accessible to the entire community and is nearby senior housing and Seaport Village assisted living center. The playground features eight pieces of equipment designed for senior use, including those in wheelchairs, and game tables.
 
FIA raised $40,000 from private donations and small, matching grants, including through the AARP Age-Friendly Ellsworth effort and our Rotary Club. The city applied for and won a $40,000 matching grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land &Water Conservation Fund. R.F. Jordan constructed the project.
 
If you haven’t been to see the Senior Playground, please take a visit!
 
 
Gene reminded everyone about Polio Plus and EREY! Please consider making a donation.
 
 
 Respectfully submitted by Ashley Johnson
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