October 15, 2015 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

Roberta Smith gave a presentation on the origins of the anthem America the Beautiful written by Catherine Lee Bates, an English professor and progressive activist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The final poem was published in the late 1890's and she never sought payment of royalties after it was made into the anthem. She is recognized by a monument at the top of Pike's Peak, placed there in the 1990's, one hundred years after she climbed the mountain.

Jessica Kent owns and practices at Embody massage and yoga in Rockport. She began her talk with everyone participating in a meditative breathing activity. She has two little sisters and grew up in New Hampshire. She comes from a large family that likes to hike in the White Mountains. She has been in business since 2008 and works to reconnect people with their bodies. She is also an aspiring doula and has att​ended five births. Her work in both massage and yoga is one-on-one.

Buckets on the tables are for Paws Animal Adoption Facility.

Susan Dorr is circulating a questionnaire to gauge how people would like to recognize and/or celebrate the holidays. So far it appears people want to celebrate AND do a community service project.

Tim Dresser was recognized for sponsoring new members at the bronze level.

Jim Potter has begun another Entrepreneurship Class with 7 students.

The annual Polio Walk is this weekend, beginning at 10:30a at Trackside in Rockland. People are asked to park opposite the train tracks next to Midcoast Mental Health. The three-mile walk will be followed by social time at Trackside. Checks to contribute to the event should be made payable to the West Bay Rotary Charitable Foundation, noting “Polio walk” in memo.

Next week's speaker is Deborah Meehan, President of University of Maine Rockland, also known as U Rock.