Who knew? "The first group of Muslims arrived in Maine almost 100 years ago," said Reza Jalali in an interview on MPBN last August. They were following a long tradition of New Mainers originating from distant lands in search of a better life.
Reza, an Iranian of Kurdish descent, came to the U.S. more than three decades ago, after the Iranian revolution, and eventually made his way to Maine as a political refugee. A writer, educator and Muslim scholar, Reza is recognized as one of the eminent ethnic Americans in "Making it in America: a sourcebook on eminent ethnic Americans" and this year was named as one of Maine’s 50 leaders by Maine magazine.
As a member of Amnesty International USA Board of Directors, Reza has led delegations to different refugee camps in Turkey and Bosnia. He has participated in numerous United Nations-sponsored international conferences. In 1992, he visited the White House as part of a national delegation to discuss the plight of Kurdish refugees fleeing Iraq.
Reza wrote the Foreword to "New Mainers," a book on immigrant’s experiences in Maine. His first children's book, "Moon Watchers," has received a Skipping Stones Honor Award for Multicultural Book. His collection of short stories, "Homesick Mosque," was published in November 2013. His play, "The Poets and the Assassin," which is about women in Iran and Islam, was published in 2015
Reza has been included in "50 In 52 Journey," a national project to name “Americans who are problem-solvers, idea-generators in their communities, in their cities, and in their states and are moving America forward.”
Reza has taught at the Bangor Theological Seminary and the University of Southern Maine. He has been featured in the National Public Radio’s nationally-acclaimed "The Moth Radio Hour." He is the co-curator of the Maine Historical Society’s "400 Years of New Mainer."
Reza currently coordinates the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at USM and advises Muslim students at Bowdoin College.
John Curran and Dean Rock took us behind the curtain of the “Hands” portion of the 3H Project on Friday with an intriguing presentation on the use of a 3D printer to create prosthetic hands. John also shared that this is a year of transition for the project with planned design changes and upgrades to the prosthetic. He also announced a planned expansion to the African country of Malawi and promised further details will come as the team searches for ways to sustain the project.
There is no question that the 3H project, initiated by Roger and Liz Fagan, has impacted many people in the Dominican Republic, but John’s stories of the emotions experienced by him and the team when seeing the responses of the recipients as they first received the prosthetic hands were quite moving. “I watched a mom tell her son, ‘you’re complete now,’ when he first used his hand,” John said. “I was instantly hooked.”
Dean Rock showed us how the 3D printer manufactures customized prosthetics and the steps involved to assemble the parts. Dean works with the eNABLE group that provides volunteers to create hands at no charge to the recipient. Their work is supported in part by a grant from Google. Dean’s workshop takes advantage of free CAD design software, and he has personally invested in several consumer grade 3D printers.
Dean noted that even though the hand design is simple, the process does create a significant amount of plastic waste caused by variations in temperature during the extruding process. Despite the number of hands, or other parts, he has created on his 3D printer, Dean still finds the process fascinating. “I have spent many hours just staring,” he said.
Asked about cost, Dean said that the average prosthetic requires about $30 in materials. His labor is free. “We need to train people in the Dominican Republic to make these hands, and perform maintenance on them,” he said. “This is a high-tech project for simple touch,” Dean remarked. “I really appreciate Rotary’s work in supporting this.”
President Laura convened the meeting at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay, welcoming 62 members, 1 visiting Rotarian and 2 guests. She asked Pearl Harbor survivor, Earle Leavitt, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kathy Grammer presented us an invocation with an Irish Blessing:
May your past be a pleasant memory, Your future filled with delight and mystery, Your now, a glorious moment That fills your life with deep contentment.
Russ Burleigh played the keyboard, as we sang our patriotic song, "God Bless America."
President Laura thanked the members who contributed to the smooth operation of our weekly meeting. Steve Stromsky and Justin Lamontagne are in our thoughts for their speedy return to good health.
Elizabeth Banwell presented a "Rotary Moment," recalling her first days in the club and a fortunate encounter with Peter Ingram, which developed into a career opportunity for Elizabeth. She credits the openness of our club members as she said, and we include the “development of acquaintance and an opportunity for service” as a core mission of Rotary that has won Elizabeth to our membership and continues to be the mainstay of our organization.
Kathy Grammer and Russ Burleigh led us in singing a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells,” as it filled the hall with a joyful noise.
Jean Murchanian led the weekly raffle, with our speaker Dean Rock, selecting Tom Ranello’s name for the opportunity to draw the Queen of Hearts for a $1,039 prize. Alas, Tom came close, but drew the Jack of Hearts. Better luck next week.
Amy Chipman spoke to us with a Foundation Moment. "Circle of Five" members were reminded to send or bring their checks to Rotary before the end of the year. Sustaining foundation member Don Lowry was recognized for his ninth Paul Harris Fellow, who is an inspiration for his Rotary giving and Rotary friendship.....regularly bringing our good pal, Harry Sawyer to our meetings. Way to go, Don!!
Dick Giles requested membership support for our Dominican Republic 3-H projects. The Dominicans working in the Batees have little access to electricity and after-dark lighting. $20 will cover the cost of a solar-powered light and the 3-H team is hoping to bring 200 lights with them to the DR on their April 2017 trip. George Crockett donated 23 lights. Dick has another 20 lined up. Gracie Johnston moved through those in attendance and garnered another $220 in contributions. Send your contribution to Elise at the Rotary mailing address or bring your donation to the next Rotary meeting. If submitting a check, please mark the memo line: DR solar light.
President Laura retold of the Club's initiative for our reading partnership with USM School of Law. Are you fluent in Spanish? If so, you could be so much help, as there are three Spanish immersion classrooms. If you would like to volunteer or need additional information, please contact Lili Brown at: lilinbrown@gmail.com.
Rob Chatfield reminded us of a friend-raising opportunity with our "Holiday Beverage Bazaar" at Maine Craft Distilling, Dec. 14th, 5-7:30 p.m. at 101 Fox Street....we are hosting a spirits tasting for a $20 donation....light fare provided by the Cheese Iron. Bring a friend to show them the fellowship side of our club.
Past President Bowen Depke, Chair of this year's Nominating Committee presented the nominations for the 2017-18 slate of Club Officers (separate article follows).
As announced by the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Past President Bowen Depke, the following members have been nominated for the slate of club officers for 2017-2018:
President: Don Zillman
1st Vice President: John Curran
2nd Vice President: Amy Chipman
Treasurer: Scott Blakeslee
Secretary: Kathy Grammer
Sergeant-at-arms: Travis Parker
Club Protection Officer: Nan Heald
Directors on the board:
Term ending 2018 - Justin Lamontagne and TBA
Term ending 2019 - Ellen Niewoehner and David Small
The members will vote on the nominations at this Friday's (December 16, 2016) regular club meeting.
One of the many trips the International Service Committee's 3-H (Hearing, Hands and H2O) Project Team will be making to the Dominican Republic (DR) will be in early 2017.
The Batays in the Dominican Republic are located some 15-20 miles outside of the city, where night darkness is intense. Access to electricity is very limited and without light, the safety of the inhabitants is an issue. The 3-H team would like to take 70-100 collapsible portable lights with them on their upcoming trip and are looking for volunteer donations of $15 per light to help fund this important project.
(Photo: Dick Giles demonstrating a portable solar light.)
For further information or if you would like to help, please contact Elise Hodgkin atportlandrotary@maine.rr.comor 899-6342. You may bring your cash/check to a meeting or mail your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104. Please make your check payable to Portland Rotary Charitable Account. Make a memo note on the check: for DR solar lights.
Invocation: Gracie Johnston Program Reporter: Tom Talbott Bits & Pieces Reporter: Bill Blount Registration/Greeter: Ben Millick Sell Meal Tickets: Loretta Rowe Raffle: Jennifer Frederick Badge Box: Tom Nickerson Collect Meal Tickets: Paul Gore* Song Leader: Russ Burleigh Pianist: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Mike Reed Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Justin Lamontagne
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor)
Michel Kanyambo Catholic Charities Maine (Danielle Conway)
Benjamin Millick Clark Insurance (Justin Lamontagne)
Ognjen Nikolic Ogo Sense LLC (Russell Voss)
Terri St Angelo Anderson-Watkins Insurance (Linda Varrell)
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
Soup kitchen 4th Wednesday ea month
Preble Street (4-6:30 p.m.) Oct 26th
Resource Ctr Erik Greven
Bell Ringing Dec. 5 - 22
Salvation Army weekdays at noon
Erik Greven
Game Night Last Tuesday ea month
Cedar Unit Mike Fortunato or
Who knew? "The first group of Muslims arrived in Maine almost 100 years ago," said Reza Jalali in an interview on MPBN last August. They were following a long tradition of New Mainers originating from distant lands in search of a better life. 
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Dean noted that even though the hand design is simple, the process does create a significant amount of plastic waste caused by variations in temperature during the extruding process. Despite the number of hands, or other parts, he has created on his 3D printer, Dean still finds the process fascinating. “I have spent many hours just staring,” he said.
Elizabeth Banwell presented a "Rotary Moment," recalling her first days in the club and a fortunate encounter with Peter Ingram, which developed into a career opportunity for Elizabeth. She credits the openness of our club members as she said, and we include the “development of acquaintance and an opportunity for service” as a core mission of Rotary that has won Elizabeth to our membership and continues to be the mainstay of our organization.
Amy Chipman spoke to us with a Foundation Moment. "Circle of Five" members were reminded to send or bring their checks to Rotary before the end of the year. Sustaining foundation member Don Lowry was recognized for his ninth Paul Harris Fellow, who is an inspiration for his Rotary giving and Rotary friendship.....regularly bringing our good pal, Harry Sawyer to our meetings. Way to go, Don!! 
Dick Giles requested membership support for our Dominican Republic 3-H projects. The Dominicans working in the Batees have little access to electricity and after-dark lighting. $20 will cover the cost of a solar-powered light and the 3-H team is hoping to bring 200 lights with them to the DR on their April 2017 trip. George Crockett donated 23 lights. Dick has another 20 lined up. Gracie Johnston moved through those in attendance and garnered another $220 in contributions. Send your contribution to Elise at the Rotary mailing address or bring your donation to the next Rotary meeting. If submitting a check, please mark the memo line: DR solar light..JPG)
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