FUN FACTS ABOUT YOU AND ME! Presented by the Newest Members of Portland Rotary Club, members who have joined in this past year.
In addition to our regular meeting and committee updates, new members will present something of interest that makes them unique or that maybe no one else knows. The new members are Mark Dion, Scott Gorneau, Penny Harris, Keith Jache, Joseph Minard, Michael Ross, Beverly Uhlenhake, Jerry Wall, and Katharine Wall. Some may have interesting facts about previous Rotary involvement; some may be other activities. All will be showing that we are people of action.
There may be some surprises as we all get to know each other better and build community within our Club. And all the veteran members will also be asked to write a fun fact about themselves on cards which will be put on the tables. A few of those will be read on the day of our meeting, as time permits, and the rest will be given to President Patty to read one or two at each subsequent meeting. Let's keep the fun going!
BITS AND PIECES | by Tom Nickerson
President Patty welcomed us on this happy Spring Day. Paul Gore led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Cyrus Hagge gave the Thought of the Day. Cyrus remarked how much this time of year makes him think of baseball. He asked us to reflect on Ernest Thayer’s poem “Casey at Bat” and why it is good as Rotarians to always have hope, even if we do not hit the desired home run every time. Tom Talbott led us in a rousing shout out of the 4 Way Test (and to have fun!)
HELLO! Tim Donnellon had the unenvious task to introduce our almost twenty guests: nine visited from Charlie Frair’s Happy Hour on the Hill gang; Reid Beyer and Paula Rose came with spouses, Adam Hakizimana and Adam Beulieu are prospective member, and the Therrien family for our Youth Services award winner.
RAFFLE NEWS: Katharine Wall ran the raffle. Paul Gore earned the chance to win $505; Lucky for us, Paul pulled the wrong card so the pot grows to $521 next week.
YOUTH SERVICE AWARD: Ellen Niewoehner introduced our latest Youth Service Award grantee – Liv Therrien from Waynflete. Liv’s advisor Rowena Schenck shared the many examples of Liv’s leadership and community involvement with local, state, and regional issues. Liv thanked the members for the $1,000 scholarship and shared that her donation of $100 will go the American Legion Dirigo State program which encourages young adults to become involved in the political process. Liv will be attending Northeastern University next year, with the bonus of starting the year on their London campus. Congratulations to Liv - 4th in from the right!
FOUNDATION: Gervin Kah shared that the annual lottery for Giving Circles for the Rotary Foundation will be done at the next meeting. He thanked everyone for their support, as the Foundation is as important as ever. For those still planning to give, we have until June 30.
THANK THY NEIGHBOR: Patty Byers announced that the South Berwick/Elliott Club recently donated $6,310 to the Hearing Project! This was the proceeds from their annual international service fund raiser, an annual Geography Quiz fundraiser named "Where in the World is La Romana, Dominican Republic?" Thank you South Berwick/Eliot! Patty also read a letter thanking us for all the work we are doing with patients needing hearing aids and how life changing it is for them.
HEARING FROM ROGER: Roger Fagan provided an International Service update on his 26th trip to the Dominican Republic: Roger traveled with a fellow Doctor and they helped many patients with hearing aids. They were able to use many of the donated hearing aids, so keep those boxes going. Roger also reviewed the construction and plans for the new hearing/testing booth. Everything is on track. The Chicago Club meets next week and will make a decision about a large grant.
COMMUNITY: Amy Chipman gave a Community Services update: There will be a backpack stuffing (staples and supplies) event on Wednesday May 28th. Let Amy know if you can join in with an Email.
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Charlie Frair shared a Flags for Heroes update. Our goal this year is $35,000. On Sunday July 13th, the club is asked to help display the 150 Flags honoring Veterans at the Sea Dogs game. Please get your tickets for family and friends early, there is a link on the Flags website, as this game always sells out. www.flagsforheroesmaine.com
Peter Goffin attempted to "Phone-A-Friend" to show how easy it is to talk to someone about the Flag sponsorship - but the call went to Voicemail! He'll try again!
DISTRICT CONFERENCE: John Thompson reminded us about the exciting district conference coming up on May 31st in Kennebunk. If you want to go, please register early as there are no walk-ins. In additional District news - Congratulations to Patty Byers who was announced as the New Associate District Governor. Yeah, to President Patty!
CAMP SEBAGO: Photos from Saturday's Camp Sebago spring cleaning with the Salvation Army - Rotarians Tom Ranello, Bill Blount, Keith Jache, and Jim Willey. You found the one glimmer of sunlight in the otherwise rainy weekend! Thank you for your service!
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: Ava Kabouchy - Award Winning Travel Photographer | By Zach Newell
Ava Kabouchy's passion for capturing the world through her lens began unexpectedly. While teaching English in Saudi Arabia, hikes and camping trips in the vast desert landscape ignited her awe for its unique beauty, prompting her to start photographing it. This newfound passion evolved into a career upon leaving the Kingdom. Living in southwest France, she penned her first travel article for Go Nomad Magazine, showcasing her desert photographs and sharing Saudi Arabia's beauty. This marked the beginning of her journey as a travel writer and photographer, documenting experiences from Mongolia and Iceland to Guatemala and her current home bases of Portland and Matinicus Island, Maine.
It was during her time in France that the seed for another adventure was planted: hiking the Camino de Santiago. The ancient network of pilgrim routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain captured her imagination. Back home one summer, the idea took root, and she began making plans. Her journey, like that of countless pilgrims before her, started in St. Jean Pied de Port, the French gateway to the popular Camino Francés.
Embarking solo, Ava carried the essentials: her backpack, water, and the iconic scallop shell, a symbol instantly identifying her as a pilgrim to others on The Way. She also carried the Credencial, the pilgrim passport, collecting stamps along the route. She found navigation surprisingly straightforward; the path was consistently marked with clear yellow arrows and scallop shell symbols, eliminating the need for GPS.
Her trek began with the formidable crossing of the French Pyrenees on foot. Though she later utilized buses and trains for certain stretches, she hiked significant portions, including the final 100 kilometers required to earn the Compostela certificate. The trail through the French Pyrenees into northern Spain quickly became her favorite section.
The Camino unfolded with rich experiences. She visited the historic monastery in Roncesvalles, a traditional early stop after the Pyrenees. The path often led through tranquil, easy, and relatively flat Spanish countryside, requiring only comfortable walking shoes. History felt tangible as she crossed medieval bridges, contemplating the millions who had walked this same path towards the resting place of the apostle St. James's bones.
Community was a defining element. In Pamplona, she shared lunch with fellow pilgrims, witnessing the camaraderie and the common pilgrim's ailment – blisters. A unique stop was the wine fountain at Bodegas Irache, where pilgrims could literally turn water into wine, toasting the journey with a sip of vino roja from a dedicated spigot. Another powerful moment came atop the Alto de Perdon, the "Hill of Forgiveness," contemplating the evocative sculpture where "the path of the wind crosses with that of the stars."
Along the way, simple comforts were readily available. Accommodation in pilgrim dorms (albergues) was affordable, often around 4-5 euros, fostering a strong sense of community. Places to eat were always accessible. Ava walked sections of the Camino in both May and October, experiencing the trail in different seasons. She observed peace markings where pilgrims traditionally leave stones as offerings.
Reaching Santiago de Compostela marked the spiritual and emotional culmination of her pilgrimage. Although the main Cathedral was undergoing renovations, preventing regular masses inside, Ava attended a deeply moving mass held there for pilgrims. Sharing communion and witnessing the monks swing the giant incense burner, the Botafumeiro, felt like a truly special moment shared with her fellow travelers.
The journey found its official end at the kilometer marker reading '0.00 km', signifying the completion of the physical trek. Through her writing, photography, and sharing her experiences, Ava hopes her own wanderlust and solo journey on the Camino might inspire others to take that first step onto a path of discovery, wherever it may lead.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
Being the first of the month, we had lots of birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate. Happy Birthday to: Doug Packard, Bill Blount, Art Howe, Bill Ross, Tom Saturley, Marnie Morrione, Howie Herodes, Andi Summers and Jon Young. Happy Anniversary to: Bill Blount (37 years), Tony Manhart (19), Laura Young (18) and Sam Chipman (2). President Patty also shared a special anniversary: 38 years ago on May 4th, 1987, the Supreme Court ruled that Rotary could no longer exclude women from membership on the basis of gender.
NEW MEMBER APPLICATION:
First Notification: Ian Nagle has applied for membership and is being sponsored by Patty Byers. Ian is a legacy applicant, is the Director of Finance for the Maine Mariners, lives in Scarborough and has previously volunteered with the Maine Island Trail Association and Casco Bay Storm Drain Stenciling. He enjoys sports, exercise and reading and is looking forward to growing, developing and giving back to the Portland area. His information will be posted one additional time in the Windjammer and then his application will be voted upon by the Board.
Speaker Schedule
May 16- No Meeting
May 18 (Sunday) Epic Day of Service and Social at Back Cove
May 23 - No Meeting - Memorial Day Weekend
May 30 - Joshua Brister - Maine Black Chamber of Commerce
June 6 - Club Assembly Meeting
June 13- Changing of the Guard - President Patty Byers, Year In Review
June 19- (Thursday) Club Social - Potluck at Roger & Liz Fagan's Home
June 20 No Meeting
June 27 - David Peckhem - S.E.E.D. Students Empowered to End Dependency
July 4 - No Meeting Happy 4th of July Weekend
July 11 - Annual Picnic Lunch at Hadlock Field/ Portland Sea Dogs
July 13- (Sunday) Flags For Heroes Event - Hadlock Field
July 18- Meeting at Maine Mall - Flags For Heroes Celebration
July 25th - Our New President - John Thompson
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
In addition to our regular meeting and committee updates, new members will present something of interest that makes them unique or that maybe no one else knows. The new members are Mark Dion, Scott Gorneau, Penny Harris, Keith Jache, Joseph Minard, Michael Ross, Beverly Uhlenhake, Jerry Wall, and Katharine Wall. Some may have interesting facts about previous Rotary involvement; some may be other activities. All will be showing that we are people of action.
HELLO! Tim Donnellon had the unenvious task to introduce our almost twenty guests: nine visited from Charlie Frair’s Happy Hour on the Hill gang; Reid Beyer and Paula Rose came with spouses, Adam Hakizimana and Adam Beulieu are prospective member, and the Therrien family for our Youth Services award winner.
HEARING FROM ROGER: Roger Fagan provided an International Service update on his 26th trip to the Dominican Republic: Roger traveled with a fellow Doctor and they helped many patients with hearing aids. They were able to use many of the donated hearing aids, so keep those boxes going. Roger also reviewed the construction and plans for the new hearing/testing booth. Everything is on track. The Chicago Club meets next week and will make a decision about a large grant.
game always sells out. 
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
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