Thursday MORNING Social! 6:30AM Back Cove Trail Walk
No Club Meeting on Friday - Epic Day of Service on Saturday!
This Thursday's EARLY MORNING Social!
Rise and Grind! Join us for a Back Cove Trail Walk and Coffee By Design (CBD) Social this Thursday morning May 14th at 630 AM followed by coffee and light breakfast food at CBD at approximately 745 AM.
We'll convene at the Back Cove parking lot across from the Hannaford on lower Preble Street to walk all or part of the Back Cove trail. Options:
a.) Walk the 3.5 mile loop and finish at approx 7:45.
b.) Break into groups who can walk shorter distances and leave early.
c. )Skip the walk and meet up at CBD
From the walk, we'll drive over to Coffee By Design, located at 1 Diamond Street, Portland.
What ever option you choose, we look forward to seeing you! Let's plan to meet light rain or shine with confirmation to be provided by email on Wed night, if a solid rain is in the forecast. Please email Jake Bourdeau with an RSVP!
BITS AND PIECES |By Larry Gross
Thirty-five members and guests joined us Friday as Co-President Bowen, opened the meeting. Peter Goffin led the Pledge, and Cyrus Hagge gave the Thought for the Day, a tribute to the National Pastime.
GUESTS: Peter Goffin introduced Pam and Gary White, of Falmouth, and Bruce Jones introduced John Terry as prospective new members.
RAFFLE: Jack Schraeter ably managed the raffle where Erik Greven drew the six of diamonds, leaving the Queen in royal slumber.
NEW MEMBER: Co-President Bowen called up Past President Tom Talbott to introduce our newest Rotary Club member, Reggie Groff III. Reggie and Tom have been friends and colleagues producing and shooting television commercials since 1992. Reggie has also produced several videos to promote the Portland Rotary Club and its efforts over the years. His creative work as an independent producer of documentaries, series and television media has been recognized with a Broderson Award by Maine Ad & Design, the oldest advertising club in the United States. Welcome Reggie!
GERVIN: Bowen shared the disturbing news that our fellow Portland Rotarian Gervin Kah, who has been waiting four years for his application for political asylum to be considered, was arrested and taken into custody Friday morning by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is being held in an ICE facility in New Hampshire pending a bond hearing on May 19th. Gervin has a local immigration attorney representing him. Club members who know Gervin and can vouch for his character were encouraged to write letters of support for the bond hearing, and as of the editing of this Windjammer, Dick Hall who has been in touch with the attorney informed him that they have all the letters they need.
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Paul Tully alerted us to our updated Flags for Heroes website, thanks to David Patterson! www.flagsforheroesmaine.com It is SO easy to sponsor a flag, as well as buy tickets for the July 5th Portland Rotary “Presentation of Flags” at the Portland Seadogs game. This is a wonderful Rotarian and family opportunity, to carry a flag onto the field. Yes, you need to buy a ticket to get into the ballpark! Paul spoke of a new sponsor – Great Diamond Partners (Wealth Management) who has kindly contributed $3000 to our program. Remember, Flags For Heroes is our largest fundraiser for the year – the fuel that we need in order to support the many community programs we foster and assist. Think about it!
100% YES YOU CAN! Following up on Paul’s key points, Jerry Wall updated us on the Club’s progress in the 100% Flags for Heroes Initiative. Gerry referenced the Rotary participation wheel for “Flags” that shows 25% of Club members have signed up in support of at least one role in the fundraiser. There are five areas you can help and you only need one to count towards our 100% goal. A) Sponsor a Hero B) Have a family member or friend sponsor a hero C) Set up a meeting with a business for a sponsorship – we can work together D) Participate in the Sea Dogs Event, or in setting up or taking down the Maine Mall flag exhibit. E) Join one of our committees. Let's go!
EPIC DAY SWAG: Jan Chapman modeled a striking new fluorescent green “Epic Day of Service” tee shirt for the Club’s Bayside clean-up project on Saturday, May 16th in collaboration with the Portland Recovery Center. It will start at 9:00 am, convening at the Salvation Army parking lot at 88 Preble Street.
NEW PHF’S ! Next, Jerry gave a brief history of the Paul Harris award and its purpose to support educational and humanitarian projects. He called up Jan Chapman PHF+2, Bob Clark PHF+4, and Tom Talbott PHF+4, and recognized their multiple contributions to the Rotary Foundation with new Paul Harris pins. All three honorees expressed their gratitude for the work of the Foundation. Well Done, Rotarians! Jerry, Jan, Tom, and Bob!
CAMP SEBAGO SHAPES UP: Zack Newell put in a plug for the Salvation Army / Camp Sebago opening day grounds cleaning and preparations that were held last Saturday, May 9th, and Bill Blount followed up with a photo - thank you Bill! Here we see Tom Ranello Fred and Karen Dobbyn, Gary White, Bill Blount, Jim Willey, and Roger Berube. They get things done!
DISTRICT CELEBRATION, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
So much of Rotary is simply about friendship. Sharing with old friends, making new ones. It's also about sharing with your significant other and family. This event is all of the above!
May 29-31st in Bridgton - Come for some or come for all! Every bit of it is meant just to relax and enjoy, with all kinds of things to do.
Friday 5:30pm-7:3opm - Rufus Porter Wine & Cheese Social
Saturday Afternoon - 3 different museum tours, Cornhole Tourney, Chairlift
Rides up Pleasant Mountain, Live Music, and more!
Saturday Evening - Social at Pleasant Mt, Buffet Dinner,Cash Bar
Sunday Morning - 10am Songo River Princess Cruise. (Limited Space)
For more info, including overnight accommodations,click here!
LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Peter Cole, President, Maine Rail Group "Rails With Trails"
Introduced by our newly minted member Reg Groff, Peter Cole, President of the Maine Rail Group, spoke to the club about the long-term value of restoring passenger rail service to central Maine, particularly Augusta, Waterville, and Bangor. His presentation focused on economic development, transportation costs, and quality of life, while making the case that rail remains an important part of Maine’s future.
Cole pointed out that transportation investments have always shaped growth, citing the Erie Canal and the Transcontinental Railroad. He said today’s transportation system is becoming harder and more expensive to maintain, especially with rising vehicle costs, increased traffic, suburban sprawl, and the wear heavy trucks place on local roads. According to the presentation, fuel taxes, tolls, and vehicle fees now cover only about 63% of Maine’s road costs, with taxpayers making up the difference. (Photo: Reg and Peter)
A major focus was preserving Maine’s rail corridors and branch lines. Cole described rail rights-of-way as valuable public assets that already connect communities across the state. He stressed that once tracks are removed, there is almost no chance they will ever be restored because the land gets repurposed and the cost of rebuilding becomes enormous. One slide summed it up simply: “Removal means the rails will never come back.”
Cole talked about the amount of investment now going into Maine rail infrastructure. Maine has invested about $100 million into rail improvements, while CSX Transportation has reportedly invested roughly $200 million into Maine’s rail network since acquiring Pan Am Railways. However, three important feeder branch lines are being considered for removal and trail conversion by the Legislature, thus cutting off many businesses from the benefits of moving product by rail.
Another concern raised was the makeup of the state’s Rail Users Advisory Council. Cole noted that only one member of the nine-member group directly represents rail-use or rail-preservation interests, despite the council helping shape decisions on the future of rail corridors.
The presentation closed with a 5-minute video trailer for a supportive 30-minute documentary produced by new member Reggie Groff that emphasized many of the key benefits of a “rail with trail” approach, arguing that rail service, bike paths, and pedestrian access can coexist rather than compete for the same corridors. You can learn more at the Maine Rail Group website.
NEW MEMBER NOTIFICATIONS: First Notice: John Terry has applied for membership, sponsored by Bruce Jones. A retired Controller from Bank of America, John is a former Peace Corp volunteer, a member of the Exchange Club in Needham, MA, and a Town Meeting member. Also applying is Pamela Weitz, who lives in Falmouth, sponsored by Gary White, her husband. Pamela is the COO at Balance Ledger Services LLC, and has community service experience as President of the Levey Day School, Falmouth Music Association, and treasure of the Suzuki Violin Association.
Both names will be published a second time and then their applications will be voted on by the Board of Directors. If any Portland Rotarian would like to offer a comment on a proposal, please send it to our Club C0-Presidents, Bowen Depke or Laura Young. It will be shared with the Board of Directors prior to a vote on the application.
What is the RI Annual Fund-SHARE? This is the primary source of funds that support TRF’s programs and Areas of Focus. Contributions are invested for three years to generate earnings to meet operating expenses. After three years, 47.5% of the giving district’s donations plus interest are returned as District Designated Funds (DDF) with the same percentage provided to the World Fund.
Speaker Schedule
May 16 - EPIC Day of Service (Saturday)
May 22 - No Meeting (Memorial Day)
May 29 - Bill Merchant, Revolution Fitness
June 5 - David Turin, David's Restaurant
June 12 - Emily Davis, Recovery Friendly Workplace Maine
June 18 - Club Social
June 19 - No Meeting
June 26 - Portland Rotary Year in Review
Club Executives
Co-Presidents Bowen Depke, Laura Young President Elect Justin Lamontagne Vice President Jake Bourdeau Treasurer Dick Hall Secretary Niki Merrill Board of Directors Dick Hall, Patty Byers,
Art Howe, Niki Merrill, Bill Milliken,
Bruce Moore
Sergeant-At-Arms Zach Newell
The Windjammer
is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
(CBD) Social this Thursday morning May 14th at 630 AM followed by coffee and light breakfast food at CBD at approximately 745 AM. 
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Paul Tully alerted us to our updated Flags for Heroes website, thanks to David Patterson! 
100% YES YOU CAN! Following up on Paul’s key points, Jerry Wall updated us on the Club’s progress in the 100% Flags for Heroes Initiative. Gerry referenced the Rotary participation wheel for “Flags” that shows 25% of Club members have signed up in support of at least one role in the fundraiser. There are five areas you can help and you only need one to count towards our 100% goal. A) Sponsor a Hero B) Have a family member or friend sponsor a hero C) Set up a meeting with a business for a sponsorship – we can work together D) Participate in the Sea Dogs Event, or in setting up or taking down the Maine Mall flag exhibit. E) Join one of our committees. Let's go!
EPIC DAY SWAG: Jan Chapman modeled a striking new fluorescent green “Epic Day of Service” tee shirt for the Club’s Bayside clean-up project on Saturday, May 16th in collaboration with the Portland Recovery Center. It will start at 9:00 am, convening at the Salvation Army parking lot at 88 Preble Street.
NEW MEMBER NOTIFICATIONS: First Notice: John Terry has applied for membership, sponsored by Bruce Jones. A retired Controller from Bank of America, John is a former Peace Corp volunteer, a member of the Exchange Club in Needham, MA, and a Town Meeting member. Also applying is Pamela Weitz, who lives in Falmouth, sponsored by Gary White, her husband. Pamela is the COO at Balance Ledger Services LLC, and has community service experience as President of the Levey Day School, Falmouth Music Association, and treasure of the Suzuki Violin Association.
What is the RI Annual Fund-SHARE? This is the primary source of funds that support TRF’s programs and Areas of Focus. Contributions are invested for three years to generate earnings to meet operating expenses. After three years, 47.5% of the giving district’s donations plus interest are returned as District Designated Funds (DDF) with the same percentage provided to the World Fund.