In partnership with the Portland Recovery Center, Rotarians joined in to clean up a wide swath of real estate in the Bayside area of downtown Portland. This event tied in nicely to Rotary's "Epic Day of Service", with Rotary clubs around the world all chipping in on some special community task. Ground zero was the Salvation Army parking lot on Preble Street. We looked like a team in our bright yellow t-shirts, courtesy of the PRC. Special thanks to Niki Merrill, Jan Chapman and Bruce Moore for coordinating, Justin Lamontagne for his super long bed truck, Tom Ranello on the coffee, along with Steve Hull, Bill Blount and Tom Talbott. Great day to be EPIC!

GO FOR A WALK:  Our social last Thursday was for the early birds! Meeting down at the Back Cove Trail at 6:30am, a cheery group enjoyed a beautiful spring morning. After a brisk walk, they adjourned to meet other Rotarians at Coffee By Design over on Diamond Street. Thanks to Jake Bourdeau for coming up with new ideas for fun and fellowship. 

FLAGS FOR HEROES: With 2 weeks of no club meetings, we can't lose sight of our fast approaching Flags For Heroes event! It is a powerful and emotional tribute to the heroes who make a difference in people's lives. It is also an important fundraiser for the club, enabling to do what we do in the community that also has impact. Our 100% Initiative is our ask that everyone in the club participate in some manner, and we have five easy paths to take. One avenue is to sponsor a flag and honor your hero.

Visit www.flagsforheroesmaine.com.  Other options, help carry a flag at the July 5th Sea Dogs game - buy a game ticket on the website. Or, help us set up our display at the Maine Mall. More options too... something for everyone!

 

FLAGS ON FRONT ROWE: The Rowe Auto Group opened their new 47,300 s.f. truck service facility in Portland, and invited Portland Rotary to set up a Flags For Heroes booth at their official Grand Opening Celebration. With over 350 people in attendance, we set up and talked to customers and friends who came over to say hello. We looked great! L-R Marla Keefe, Paul Tully, Kathryn Nagle, Roxane Cole, Rich Pattenaude, Dick Hall, Tom Talbott. 

 

GERVIN UPDATE: Good news! Bowen Depke reported that Gervin Kah, who had been arrested and detained by ICE on May 8 has been released and the bond will be lower then first thought. He should be home today (May 19) and Bowen will provide an update later in the week on the situation. Thank you everyone for your kind support that has raised $7300 on GoFundMe.

 

OUR CONDOLENCES: Our hearts go out to Don Lowry, whose wife Betsy passed away peacefully during the night on May 8-9, at the age of 91. Don and Betsy were high school classmates who reacquainted at their 25th reunion, and soon after began a marriage of 48 years. Services were held last week. Betsy is the step-mom of Ben Lowry. Our condolences to the family and many friends.

 

DISTRICT CELEBRATION COMING UP!  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 29-31^st in Bridgton - Pick and choose what works for you. Relax and enjoy, there are all kinds of things to do. 

NEW DISTRICT: All club members received an email with an announcement that our District 7780 will join forces with District 7850 to form a new District. 7850 is basically the top half of NH, VT, and up into a section of Canada. Reasons for the collaboration were outlined in the email, and we are now in a 30 day window for all clubs and members to share their questions, thoughts, and opinions. Dick Hall and Tom Talbott will be at the June 29th club meeting, and some time is being set aside to talk about the plan. There will also be three online "Town Hall" zoom meetings, as well as an online comments box - the path to both of those is forthcoming.

This is the second notification, and now 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 C0-Presidents, Bowen Depke or Laura Young.