This Week's Meeting: William Hardwood "The Future of Electric Utilities in Maine"
On November 7 Maine voters will cast their ballots on a number of referendum questions. Question 3 proposes the creation of a new publicly owned and controlled power company through the acquisition of the assets of Central Maine Power Company (CMP) and Versant Power. CMP and Versant currently provide about 97% of Maine’s electricity. If passed, the new public utility will be called Pine Tree Power, regulated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Guest speaker Bill Harwood who serves as Maine Public Advocate /Office of Public Advocate, is committed to public service in representing Maine utility consumers in any matter that is covered by the Public Utilities Commission, as well as proceedings before state and federal agencies and courts, so that Maine consumers have affordable, high quality utility services.
Bill Harwood served as Maine Public Advocate since he was appointed by Governor Mills in January 2022. Prior to his appointment, Harwood served as Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs within the Governor’s Energy Office.
Before joining the Governor’s Energy Office, Harwood served as Senior Counsel at Verrill Dana in Portland. Over his four-decade legal career, he represented a wide range of entities, including utility customers, public utilities, renewable energy companies, technology companies, paper mills, and colleges and universities, in matters before state and federal regulatory agencies.He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Maine School of Law, where he has taught utility regulation and administrative law.
Harwood has also served on the governing boards of Hearthstone Inc., Katahdin Institute, Legal Services for the Elderly, The Jackson Laboratory, Yarmouth Historical Society, Waynflete School, Maine Justice Foundation, and the Hurricane Island Foundation. He is a past recipient of the Muskie Access to Justice Award, the American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, and the Howard Dana Award for Outstanding Service for his work promoting free legal services for the poor.
Bill is a graduate of Harvard and Fordham University Law School. He lives in Yarmouth, Maine with his wife, Ellen, and has five grown children.
Last Week's Program: Gabriel Nuel Jacobo - Centro de Protesis |by Erik Jorgenson
On Friday we met a person who’s been part of the Portland Rotary world for a long time. Gabriel Nuel Jacobo met his first team of Maine Rotarians at the age of twelve. Today as an adult, he’s overseeing an organization in the Dominican Republic that provides clinics and services, the Centro de Protesis (“Center of Prosthetics”). He’s currently on a multi-month tour of the US, where he’s raising funds to finish the center.
The Dominican Republic has a higher-than-normal percentage of serious accidents. One of 11 children, Gabriel walked 3 hours each way to school. One day, after school, he was hungry and wandered into the sugar cane, where he was run over by a train, losing a leg. He tried for a decade to get a prosthetic, before finally receiving one. This was an experience that led him to start the prosthetic and physical therapy center, which also provides food to special needs families.
The Portland Rotary Club has been instrumental in this organization. It has now served more than 400 people, and maintains a waitlist of around 800. The organization measures and fits for prosthetics. The parts are printed and shipped to the DR, and the prosthetics are assembled and fitted. Once this has happened, the patient moves on to physical therapy to regain use of limbs. As Gabriel noted, “people often walk in on crutches and walk out on their own”.
The enterprise started with 3D-printed hands and arms. The LN4 was the initial hand, but it faced some difficulty getting accepted because it looked robotic. Now, the newer models are still 3D printed but designed to look like actual hands (though the hands can be removed and you can always attach a gripper for certain tasks).
When you provide a leg or an arm, you’re helping a whole family, not just a single person. Gabriel noted that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life, and the Centro provides amputees with the ability to do just that. Gabriel is the star of a new childrens’ book, Gabriel, a Sugar Cane Kid which details his experiences. You can get a copy of the book or make a donation at the Centro de Protesis website. Dick Hall, Gabriel, Liz and Roger Fagan.
Bits and Pieces | by Tom Nickerson
President Dick opened the meeting by recognizing the large number of guests present for our guest speaker and reminding the Club of covid protocols as many members are vulnerable. Dick reminded us of the January Club trip to the Dominican Republic. Erik Greven led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAINE STRONG: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson delivered the Inspiration of the day; she highlighted sadness of the Lewiston Tragedy offering thoughts of peace and love to the families of everyone affected. She encouraged us to be the “light in the darkness". Nannette closed by singing a beautiful version of the the Naval Hymn,
a capella.
GUESTS: Jan Chapman introduced the visiting Rotarians and guests: Claudia Frost and Carolyn Billings (Brunswick), Bill Dunn (Yarmouth), and Kirk Duffy (Savannah); Paula Vincenzi (Jim), Bill Milliken (Nanette), Christian Taylor (USM), Bob Chagrasidis, Aaron Guyer (City of Portland), and Cort Helper (Charlie).
NO LUCK: Jerry Angier led the raffle and Tom Talbott was chosen to try for the $380 pot. Despite rubbing Paul Gore's head for good luck, Tom came up on the short end of the stick, and took home nothing for his troubles. Photos of the calamity were deleted.
READING IS RIGHT: John Thompson announced the start of the Lyseth Elementary reading program. Always a great time reading to the kids! Sign up sheets will be on the tables.
LEADERS OF THE PACK: It was a beautiful day for filling backpacks at Portland Recovery Community Center on Saturday! A small but energetic crew filled 75 packs in record time! Thanks to all who contributed in some way to this project and thank you to Leslie Clark and PRCC for the work they do to help those in recovery! Thanks to Jan Chapman, Bruce Moore, Sue Young, Kirk Duffy, Roger Fagan, Leslie Clark, Dick Hall, and Jon Young.
LEADERSHIP: Dick Hall announced there are a series of RI Institute leadership trainings this Fall and Spring. If you are interested in Rotary Leadership there are a mix of in-person and online trainings. Coincidentally....
NOMINATIONS: Bruce Jones announced that he is chairing the nominating committee. Committee Members will be approaching members for interest in leadership positions. Any club member who would like to be considered for a club leadership position, please contact Bruce Jones or any of the Nominating Committee for consideration.
DESIGNS BY PAUL: Nanette pointed out that Paul Gore has generously created lots of Rotary swag for sale- shirts, hats, jackets, much more! Order forms will be on the tables for your interest. Top quality, looks great, and proudly showing our Rotary emblem. You too can look as good as Nannette and Paul!
BRIDGE SUCCESS: Patty Byers reported on the successful and very fun Casco Bay Bridge Walk and "Pints for Polio" after party at Foulmouthed Brewing. 55 members from 5 Clubs participated. Although Foulmouthed would love to make it an annual event, the hope is that Polio is declared eradicated this year. The event raised $300. To date the Polio Fund has raised $600 towards the goal of $3,000.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOW: Patty Byers announced that Mark Millar has been awarded his 5th Paul Harris Fellow. Mark shared that his passion to end Polio stems from his aunt contracting polio and what the Rotary effort has meant to her. Thank you Mark, well said! Wait, there's more!
FLAGS AND FELLOWS: Paul Tully and Charlie Frair reported on the impact of the Flags for Heroes event. Aaron Guyer from the City of Portland was present to receive a check for $3,325 to help with homelessness. Aaron shared that the City will use the funds as part of their plan to create safe storage space for the homeless. Paul and Charlie followed up with special appreciation to Paul Gore for all his help on the project, by honoring Paul
with a Paul Harris Fellow. This is Paul’s 6th PHF, hearty congratulations!
Patty Byers, Charlie Frair, Paul Gore, Mark Millar, and Paul Tully!
KNOW WHEN TO FOLD 'EM: Rotarians toasted Charlie Friar at his last Happy Hour on the Hill. We all wish Charlie the best as he moves to Las Vegas for the winter to promote his book, Casino Fun 101. But don't worry, Charlie returns to Maine in May! Bill, Dick, John,Charlie, Mike, Paul,Roger!
GARDEN PARTY Wednesday, November 8th from 1:00 to 4:00, 58 Boyd Street in Portland.This will be a "putting the garden to bed" work party for Cultivating Community's Boyd Street Community Garden. Rain or shine. Gloves, tools and team leaders will be provided. We have 6 volunteers so far, and we'd love 4 more! Talk to Amy Chipman!
THANKSGIVING DINNER: The club is looking for volunteers to help out with the St. Vincent and Paul Thanksgiving Dinner, Wed Nov 22. Prep and Cook (8-10a), Set-Up and Serve (10a-12:30p with mealtime from 11a-12:30p), and Clean-Up (12-2p) Sign-Up sheets will be on tables at starting this Friday. Email Nannette Ranger-Duncanson if you have Q's.
NEW MEMBERS:
Second Notice: Tricia Toms of Falmouth, Maine has been sponsored for membership by Peter Goffin. Tricia is a photographer and owner of Tricia Toms Studio located in Falmouth. After this publication, her application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
First Notice: Jacey Chavez of Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been sponsored for membership by Dick Hall. Jacey is going into her 9th year of service with RYLA, was the President of UNH Rotaract and will be serving as the Co-Director of RYLA District 7780. Her name will be published a second time and then her application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
First Notice: Timothy Moyer of Waltham, MA has been sponsored for membership by Dick Hall. Tim has served as a RYLA Facilitator from 2016-2023 and will be serving as the Co-Director of RYLA District 7780. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
NEW CATEGORY- LOST AND FOUND:
Lost: We are missing the club gavel!
President Dick Hall is using the honorary one given to him by the club, but we will need to find it before Patty Byers becomes President. Check your bags and backpacks, please. Found: A box of plastic rain ponchos - (6) adult and (6) children? The box was found next to one of the tables in the mirror alcove, after the meeting.
Speaker Schedule
November 10 - No Meeting "Happy Veterans Day!"
November 17- Martha Bentley, former ME Economic Development "Helping
Small Businesses Start Operations"
November 24 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
December 1- Eben Sumner, CEO Casco Bay Hemp
December 8 - Paul Drinan, Exec. Directior, "Friends of Fort Gorges"
December 15 - Derek Volk, President, Volk Packaging Company
Club Executives President Dick Hall President Elect Patty Byers Vice President John Thompson TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Bruce Jones,
Ben Millick, Quinn Slayton, Zachary Newell,
David Ertz, Maggie McGauley Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Erik Jorgensen,
Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair Doreen Rockstrom Managing Editor Tom Talbott
DESIGNS BY PAUL: Nanette pointed out that Paul Gore has generously created lots of Rotary swag for sale- shirts, hats, jackets, much more! Order forms will be on the tables for your interest. Top quality, looks great, and proudly showing our Rotary emblem. You too can look as good as Nannette and Paul!
NEW MEMBERS: 
NEW CATEGORY- LOST AND FOUND: .png)
