THIS WEEK'S SOCIAL: This Thursday, Nov 13th - Join Us At Brickyard Hollow, 9 Commercial Street
Jake Bourdeau announced our Club Social is THIS Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Brickyard Hollow, located at 9 Commercial Street. They kindly stored our Lobster Raffle supplies, so let’s return the favor—show up, show some love, and have some fun! Reserved tables will be ready; please RSVP to Jake so we can give them a headcount.
BITS AND PIECES | By Tom Talbott
Co-Pres Bowen Depke opened the meeting on a crisp November day.
Keith Jache handled the introductions of visiting guests.
CARDS: With Ellen Niewoeher conducting, $288 was up for grabs in the raffle. Can’t win if you don’t play! Paul PTG Gore knows how to play—and had his shot—but the Ace of Hearts only gave him love, not money.
ROTARY MINUTE: Mary Pat Donellon shared her “Rotary Minute” — what joining Rotary has meant to her. “I moved to Maine full-time in 2022, retired, and needed to reinvent myself—new place, new friends. My husband suggested Rotary. I checked a few clubs but decided to go to the hub—the Portland Rotary. Within minutes of filling out the online form, Laura Young reached out. That was a good sign! Since joining, I’ve met people who make an impact, who are service-minded and active doers. I’ve also learned so much about the area from our great speakers. I’m now on the board of one of those organizations and it’s been exactly what I’d hoped. I appreciate being a member. Thank you!” And with that, Bowen quipped—“If we’re the hub, does that make Laura the hub cat?”
KETTLE TALK: Bill Blount thanked Major Keith Jache of the Salvation Army and reminded everyone about the Kettle Kickoff Breakfast next Thursday at 7 a.m. at the Adult Rehabilitation Center, 88 Preble Street. Free breakfast—come be his guest and help kick off the season! Bill also wore his “Harry’s Team” shirt in memory of former club member Harry Sawyer, who passed from Alzheimer’s over a decade ago. The club organized a walk for Harry back then—and his spirit clearly lives on.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH: Bob Clark filled in for Jim Willey (currently traveling in Thailand) to present the Student of the Month award. He reminded us that eight Youth Service Award scholarships are given each year thanks to the generosity of Rotarians past and present—including a major gift decades ago from Ted Fobes that still benefits students today.
Representing Cheverus High School, counselor Andrew Digan introduced honoree Briella Doherty, praising her as a true example of “service above self.”President of the Key Club, volunteering at Preble Street, the Children’s Museum, Camp Cheverus, and as a junior coach at the North Atlantic Figure Skating Club. Nearly a 4.0 GPA—plays three varsity sports (soccer, hockey, lacrosse), and works at a veterinary hospital. She plans to study veterinary medicine in college.Briella received a $1,000 Youth Service Award check, and per her request, a $100 donation was sent to UNICEF in her name.
Dad Bob Doherty, Mom Kristen, Briella, Andrew Digan, and Bob Clark.
LEADERS NEEDED: Bob Clark, added that each of the 8 schools we honor each year has a club liaison, and we are now looking for a liaison for Baxter Academy, vacated with the departure of John Thompson.
Also, we're looking for a new coordinator to succeed Bill Ross in leading the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program—thank you, Bill, for your many years of service! Big shoes to fill, who can step up?
TURKEY TIME: Thanksgiving is coming! We’ll once again serve meals at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Nov 26th. A sign-up link has been sent out—grab a slot and lend a hand! Missed it - Here it is! THANKSGIVING SIGN UP
CLUB ASSEMBLY: Mark your calendar: December 5th is our next Club Assembly. It’s your chance to connect, share ideas, and shape who we are and where we’re going. Come for the conversation—stay for the camaraderie!
WHERE TO MEET: We are looking for a new location to hold our meetings, as the Elks Club is unable to serve us after the new year. Members are being surveyed for ideas. If you have a suggestion, please let us know!
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER:Amy Angelo, Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter | By Tom Nickerson
Amy Angelo, Senior Program Manager for the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, treated the members to an educational talk about Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of early detection. Ms. Angelo emphasized how much a public health crisis Alzheimer’s is. Nationally, there are more than seven million individuals with the disease; in Maine, 30,000 have been diagnosed. Alzheimer’s kills more people than Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer combined. The number of deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s increased 142 percent between 2000 and 2022. To combat this disease, the Alzheimer’s Association raises funds for research and offers educational seminars on early detection and prevention. The Maine Chapter also helps connect families with support. In talking about the disease, Ms. Angelo shared her personal experience caring for her father and how important it is to find community support.
Ms. Angelo explained the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s, as Dementia is the umbrella term for various types of conditions, whereas Alzheimer’s is one specific type. Alzheimer’s affects everyone. In looking at the demographic, two-thirds of those diagnosed are women; and African-Americans and Hispanics have higher rates. Research is making strides in detection and there are now drug trials showing promise in slowing the disease’s progression. There are genetic tests and blood screenings that can help doctors with early detection. Ms. Angelo emphasized how critical it is pay attention to the warning signs. If you or a family member have two or three of the warning signs, it is important to start the conversation with your doctor. The Alzheimer’s Association has lots of resources on its website. Ms. Angelo recommended that anyone who has questions can start with the website and reach out as needed. She talked about how the Association is always willing to come out and provide educational sessions to community groups.
Bowen, Doreen, and Amy get together after the meeting.
Speaker Schedule
November 21 - Fred Horch, Climate Change
November 28 - No Meeting "Happy Thanksgiving!"
December 5 - Important Club Assembly
December 11 - Thursday Night Social
December 12 - No Meeting
December 19 - Holiday Music - Stay Tuned!
December 26 - No Meeting
January 2 - No Meeting
Club Executives
Co-Presidents Bowen Depke, Laura Young President Elect Justin Lamontagne Vice President Jake Bourdeau TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Juliana L'Heureux Board of Directors Dick Hall, Patty Byers,
Art Howe, Niki Merrill, Bill Milliken, Bruce Moore
Sergeant-At-ArmsZach Newell
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Jake Bourdeau announced our Club Social is THIS Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Brickyard Hollow, located at 9 Commercial Street. They kindly stored our Lobster Raffle supplies, so let’s return the favor—show up, show some love, and have some fun! Reserved tables will be ready; please 
Co-Pres Bowen Depke opened the meeting on a crisp November day.
what joining Rotary has meant to her. “I moved to Maine full-time in 2022, retired, and needed to reinvent myself—new place, new friends. My husband suggested Rotary. I checked a few clubs but decided to go to the hub—the Portland Rotary. Within minutes of filling out the online form, Laura Young reached out. That was a good sign! Since joining, I’ve met people who make an impact, who are service-minded and active doers. I’ve also learned so much about the area from our great speakers. I’m now on the board of one of those organizations and it’s been exactly what I’d hoped. I appreciate being a member. Thank you!” And with that, Bowen quipped—“If we’re the hub, does that make Laura the hub cat?”
KETTLE TALK: Bill Blount thanked Major Keith Jache of the Salvation Army and reminded everyone about the Kettle Kickoff Breakfast next Thursday at 7 a.m. at the Adult Rehabilitation Center, 88 Preble Street. Free breakfast—come be his guest and help kick off the season! Bill also wore his “Harry’s Team” shirt in memory of former club member Harry Sawyer, who passed from Alzheimer’s over a decade ago. The club organized a walk for Harry back then—and his spirit clearly lives on.
LEADERS NEEDED: Bob Clark, added that each of the 8 schools we honor each year has a club liaison, and we are now looking for a liaison for Baxter Academy, vacated with the departure of John Thompson.