THIS WEEK'S SOCIAL IS LOOKING UP, THEN DOWN and VERY LOW KEY!   The Portland Observatory 

THIS Thursday September 17th, our Club Social start at 5:30pm sharp for a tour of the famed Portland Observatory. Bring your stair-climbing shoes, because there is no elevator! Dating back to 1807 and the only remaining signal tower in North America, the Portland Observatory is one of the most iconic and historic structures in the city. The seven-story red-brick building offers panoramic views of the city, the Portland Harbor and the Atlantic ocean in the distance. After the tour, everyone will retire to Low Key, at 89 Congress Street. Or, you can to skip the tower tour, just meet us there! The Observatory has a $5 minimum donation entrance fee, and only by credit card, no cash. Low Key has a short tasty menu of sandwiches and refreshments.  RSVP to Jake Bourdeau - text 207-232-9482. 

Friday was a beautiful late-summer afternoon, making it easy to recall a similar day exactly 25 years earlier. Tom Talbott offered reflections on the events of September 11, 2001, sharing several statistics—most notably that more than 100 children of 9/11 firefighters now serve as firefighters. It was a powerful reminder that service runs deep in some families.

President Justin picked up the theme, noting the 2977 souls lost that day. He was at college and described the truly surreal atmosphere of that day; Dick Hall was working at National Semiconductor, and when the news came in there, the question was how to shut down quickly and safely – no easy feat in a semiconductor manufacturing facility. Kirk Duffy was at a law firm negotiating a settlement; Patty Byers was in Central New Jersey. Deedee Fusco talked about her son’s citizenship: he asked the principal to lower the flag at his school. Doreen Rockstrom remembered her friend Victor Wold, who died in one of the towers. Erik Jorgensen was at Maine Med, where his son, Will, was born an hour before the attacks, a reminder that even on the worst of days, wonderful things can happen. 

CARDS: Blake Reed was the latest victim of the red queen, as he drew the Jack of Diamonds in the card draw, providing him with a big nothing but putting the rest of us one week closer to a jackpot. 

CHANCE TO TRAVEL: The outreach trip to Belize is on – President Justin noted that it will be a great opportunity for folks interested in international service. Information on how to apply will be forthcoming. If you are interested please see him.

LOBSTERIFFIC! Our lobster raffle is underway—one of the club’s most important fundraisers. Ticket sales support our local projects and “Lift All Boats,” helping high school students explore careers on the water.

Captain Bill Milliken sent the IMPORTANT sign-up sheet: CLICK HERE.  We're doing well! Sunday's need some help. 

We set up on Commercial Street right across from Brickyard Hollow Brewery at 9 Commercial Street. Dates tie directly to cruise-ship arrivals. Each shift needs 1 person familiar with setup, plus 1-2 others. Two can do it; three is better—one can register buyers while the others keep selling.

The Foundation Event, Oct 17th, is going to be special. The first-ever District-Wide Grant will be used to pair Veterans who have been diagnosed with service related issues with companion dogs. There's much more, in a short, high-energy event that will open your Rotary eyes! Our Foundation Chair Jerry Wall, is offering the idea of a car-pool down to Portsmouth, and stopping for lunch. The Foundation has touched our club and many of our members in many ways, and in turn we've been strong contributors. FOR MORE DETAILS and TICKETS - Click our Eventbrite Link.  Only $20, and under 18 no charge. Bring a young person, they'll always remember the day!

Oh, and we'll have our 250 American flags there-  let's show them how to hold them!  

THE PREBLE ST. CHALLENGE: 100 Volunteer Hours  Dee Dee Fusco will be heading up our efforts to help Portland Rotarians set up volunteering at the Preble Street Food Security Hub Kitchen, 75 Darling Avenue, South Portland. Actually, help Deed by following: 

Step One -  REGISTRATION  at Preble St website

Step Two -  Orientation Video  (Click the Photo)

Step Three - Sign up online for a slot. (Same place you registered online) 

• Shifts run Monday–Friday, 7:00–10:30 a.m. or 12:30–3:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Volunteering can start as soon as you are ready!  

PAUL HARRIS AWARD - Charlie Frair +4!  As Justin Lamontagne looks on, Charlie is happy to be receiving another PHF pin, his fifth overall, a wonderful way to be recognized for his steady donations to the Rotary Foundation. Each pin represents $1000 in giving, and not only does it go to work around the world, but half comes back into our District in three years. Foundation Chair Jerry Wall gives Charlie the good word, and a laugh!

HEARING AIDES TALK UP HEARING AIDS:  Ashlee VanDiver (L) and Roger Fagan shared their latest news with District Governor Michele, notably that collections are always underway for preowned hearing aids that are refurbished and put to use.  The new boxes are in, and everyone is invited to take one to where they work, or a place in their community where they'll attract the interest of donors. Pick one up at the next meeting! 

BACKPACKS OUT THE DOOR!  Great success with the distribution of kids school backpacks at the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine!  Styling and looking good. There with helping hands, pictured below -Dave Snow, Jim Willey, Bruce Moore, Amy Chipman, Bruce Jones, Jan Chapman, Brian Nickerson, Kirk Duffy and Laura Young. Lots of happy kids - protocol is not to show their photos, but they were smiling ear-to-ear! 

LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: Michele Bois-Gilbody,             District Governor | By Tom Talbott

On the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, District Governor Michele Bois-Gilbody brought a warm, thoughtful message to Portland Rotary last Friday, starting with one statistic that caught everyone’s attention: 100 million Americans are now too young or were no born yet to remember 9/11. That includes her seven grandchildren. Now is the time for each of us, time with family and friends, and time to do good work in the world, is right now. You never know what tomorrow will bring, make the most of your time right now. 

Michele’s themes for the year are attraction and engagement, opportunity, stewardship, impact, and sustainability. But she put them in plain Rotary terms. When someone walks into a club meeting, do we make them feel as welcome as we would in our own home? Do we notice the little things? She thanked Bruce Jones for making room for her to take a Zoom call before the meeting—a small kindness that made a real impression. Those are the things that help people feel they matter and want to stay engaged.

She also brought along her District Governor banner, now gathering signatures, messages, and doodles from clubs across the district. It is a nice reminder that the year is not just about a banner or a title, but about the people and memories behind it.

Michele spoke about Rotary as stewards of something handed to us by those who came before. She shared an Indigenous teaching: when making decisions, think about the seventh generation. In other words, what are we building now that will still matter years from now?

One important example is the district’s developing work with Wabanaki communities in Maine. Michele said Rotary has learned that some tribal communities still do not have safe drinking water. The work is moving carefully, at the pace of trust, but there may be an opportunity to provide ceramic home water filters as an immediate first step. Portland’s longtime experience with international water projects could be a natural fit here at home.

Michele also gave an update on the planned merger with District 7850. Twelve Joint Action Groups are now meeting to shape the new district, with town-hall Zoom meetings planned for September 28 and 30. 

She wanted to repeat one important point: district leadership, programs, committees, events, and resources are designed for every Rotarian—not just club presidents or the usual district volunteers. There are people throughout the district who genuinely want to help clubs succeed and support the work already being done locally. As someone said during the discussion, “Dig In to Rotary.”You'll be surprised at the riches that can be found! 

Photo - Visiting District Governor Elect from Holyoke MA Art Lobdell, Club President Justin Lamontagne, our Assistant Governor Julie Forbes, Bruce Moore, Dick Hall/District Treasurer, Tom Talbott/District Governor Nominee,  and our DG, Michele! 

What are the Seven Areas of Focus that our Foundation addresses? Fourth is Improving Maternal and Child Health which focusses on problems resulting in annual worldwide deaths of 6 million children resulting from malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation.