MHS is opening tonight exclusively for the Portland Rotary. Yes, bring family, friends, prospective members! We may tour their four current exhibits:
* - Notorious Maine Crime in the Public Eye 1690-1940
* - Lapsed Time Portland in the 1980’s,
* - Stitches Maine Quilts Exhibit
* - Working Granite Italian Stonecutters in Maine
Bowen tells us that the gift shop IS open for your holiday shopping pleasure!
BITS AND PIECES | by Zach Newell
Co-Prez Bowen Depke opened the meeting. Tom Talbott offered the Thought of the Day with a reflection on past member Earle Leavitt, who passed in 2019 at age 97. At 20, Earle was serving in the Army Air Corps at Hickam Field, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. He often shared his firsthand account of that infamous morning, giving our club a rare living link to history as it slowly fades into textbooks. His memories were always vivid. Jim Willey and Mark Millar added color, recalling Earle running from the barracks in his skivvies and seeing a Japanese plane fly so low he could make out the pilot’s smiling face. Remember Earle, remember Pearl. (Photo, 2019, Jim Willey and Earle Leavitt)
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bowen read a number of thank you letters and cards. Rob Dougherty, Portland Police, sent a thank you card specifically recognizing Paul Tully for his work on the Flags of Heroes project. He expressed how proud he was to be a part of the initiative. On a separate note, It was announced that Ryella Dougherty was selected for the Youth Services Award.
IN MEMORIAM: The club was saddened to hear that former member, Robert Staples, 103, former head of Manpower in the 1970s, recently passed away. His daughter, Carmen Marquee, sent a note sharing that Robert left a bequest of $2,000 for our student scholarship fund. It was Robert's wish to give something back and help students attend college.
RECOVERY TASK FORCE: Niki Curtis provided an update on Backpack Project, thanking the club for the donations of requested supplies for individuals beginning their recovery journey. She urged everyone to take a look at the online registry, and help us complete the requests. Click Here for the ITEM SIGN UP SHEET. Next, we need volunteers to join us this Saturday, December 13th,10am at the Portland Recovery Community Center where we will fill the backpacks with the various items. If you register to provide supplies, and did bring them to a prior meeting, bring them with you this Saturday.
NEW DIGS: The first meeting of the new year was confirmed for January 9th at USM, Abromson Hall (connected to the parking garage). We will no longer be at the Elks. Details on how the set up, parking, and more was sent to everyone via email, and they'll be another follow up.
BIRTHDAY WISHES: Peggy Wescott, aka "Queenie"was very happy to receive a birthday card from the club. Happy Birthday Queenie! Did you know that the weekly raffle where we draw for the Queen of Hearts to win is in her honor? Best wishes from all of us!
RAFFLE: Since we're on the subject, David Patterson managed the raffle. Jim Willey had the winning ticket but unfortunately no love from Queenie!
CLYNK FOR THE HOLIDAYS!Please pick up a CLYNKbag at our next Rotary meeting. We predict a bumper crop of recyclable cans and bottles, and let's be sure to cash in! Be sure to put the sticker with our barcode on it!
OUR PROGRAM: CLUB ASSEMBLY | By Erik Jorgensen
Portland was suffering under an early “arctic blast” as our club gathered for one of the final times at the Elks on December 5. Despite the conditions, everyone who participated in Friday’s club assembly left with a warm feeling, knowing that Portland Rotary is alive, well, and doing good work.
The program, emceed by both our co-Presidents, Laura Young and Bowen Depke, (photo) opened with an announcement of the 2026-27 Rotary year board slate: Joining the Board of Directors Bruce Moore, Mary Pat Young, and Dave. Treasurer: Ian Nagle, Secretary: Nikki Merrill, Sergeant-at-Arms: Zack Newell. Our new President: Justin Lamontagne, President Elect (President 27-8) Jake Bourdeau, and with all the attendant drum rolling and suspense, our Vice President nominee (who will serve as President 28-9) was revealed to be Bill Milliken! Given the absence of floor nominations, the slate is now set and noticed, and voting will take place at the December 19th Meeting. Congratulations to all!
Financial Briefing: Bowen provided an update and answered questions on the Club’s finances, derived from the charitable account ($424,000) and the break-even operating account. The board expects to finish the year with a deficit of around $13,000. We are giving out more for our mission-based work than we are taking in. Taking more than budgeted from our endowment is not a major issue in a single year, but Bowen noted that we’ll need to raise more money in the long term if we wish to maintain giving at our current level.
International Program Briefing: Jim Vicenzi highlighted the club’s international programs, especially those at the Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The 3H program—Hearing, Water and Hands—is a signature achievement, with many members traveling there to contribute. Each initiative has grown and moved toward sustainability since Roger Fagan first brought reconditioned hearing aids to La Romana 25 years ago and found space to work in the Hospital. He has returned annually to expand the project. Through the efforts of Roger and Patty Byers, support from the Evanston Rotary Club, and a major Rotary International grant, a section of the Hospital is now a permanent site for hearing specialists and ENTs to address the area’s significant needs.
David Small has been a part of the Water (H2O) and solar-powered lights projects for rural camps for migrants in the DR since about 2010. The project continues to deliver substantial numbers of household-sized filters and lights. Going forward, the hope is to provide two community-scale filters in a nearby town.
The Hands and Legs prosthetics project began back in 2012 by then Portland Rotarian John Curran. The project really took off in 2018 when Graviel Nuel, who himself has a prosthetic leg, joined the program and expanded it beyond the help we provided. New initiatives include a newly-designed hand for release in 2026 and a very promising campaign for fundraising. We enjoyed a taped video greeting from Graviel.
Membership Briefing: We’ve all heard that Rotary membership is declining across the country, and Bowen led us into a deeper look at the situation facing us – and our club’s exciting response. Portland Rotary is realizing a long-term goal in starting a new corporate membership program. For $500 per year, each company choosing to join will be allowed to send six members to the club. One of the 6 is a full member – the rest of them are associate members who can easily become full members, but who have full privileges. For more information, see Bev Uhlenhake and Bruce Moore.
Foundation Briefing and Paul Harris Fellowships: Acting in the role of the strong closer for our assembly, Jerry Wall provided an update on Rotary Foundation Goals. The Foundation Committee urges our club to be an ERAY club, which means Every Rotarian Every Year is contributing to the Rotary Foundation. To see your own record in this area, go to the Rotary International website, click on “sign in” and follow the prompts to “My Account” and then to “donations”.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS: Jerry and Bowen then presented Bill Milliken and Michael Ross with Paul Harris Fellowships. These awards are, in addition to being our club’s highest honor, the local manifestation of the larger Rotary Family, and this served as a fitting conclusion to a packed meeting. Congratulations and thank you to Bill and Mike each earning their first PHF award. Bill/Gerry, Mike/Gerry
Speaker Schedule
December 19 - Gary Wittner /USM- Jazz Guitar Cabaret" holiday music!
December 26 - No Meeting
January 2 - No Meeting
January 9 - Drew Dumsch, The Ecology School
January 16 - Mary Ann Linderman, Coffee By Design
January 22 - Thursday Night Social
January 23- No Meeting
January 30 - Greg Dowty, District Protection Officer
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.
Co-Prez Bowen Depke opened the meeting. Tom Talbott offered the Thought of the Day with a reflection on past member Earle Leavitt, who passed in 2019 at age 97. At 20, Earle was serving in the Army Air Corps at Hickam Field, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. He often shared his firsthand account of that infamous morning, giving our club a rare living link to history as it slowly fades into textbooks. His memories were always vivid. Jim Willey and Mark Millar added color, recalling Earle running from the barracks in his skivvies and seeing a Japanese plane fly so low he could make out the pilot’s smiling face. Remember Earle, remember Pearl. (Photo, 2019, Jim Willey and Earle Leavitt)
RECOVERY TASK FORCE: Niki Curtis provided an update on Backpack Project, thanking the club for the donations of requested supplies for individuals beginning their recovery journey. She urged everyone to take a look at the online registry, and help us complete the requests.
NEW DIGS: The first meeting of the new year was confirmed for January 9th at USM, Abromson Hall (connected to the parking garage). We will no longer be at the Elks. Details on how the set up, parking, and more was sent to everyone via email, and they'll be another follow up.
BIRTHDAY WISHES: Peggy Wescott, aka "Queenie"was very happy to receive a birthday card from the club. Happy Birthday Queenie! Did you know that the weekly raffle where we draw for the Queen of Hearts to win is in her honor? Best wishes from all of us!
The program, emceed by both our co-Presidents, Laura Young and Bowen Depke, (photo) opened with an announcement of the 2026-27 Rotary year board slate: Joining the Board of Directors Bruce Moore, Mary Pat Young, and Dave. Treasurer: Ian Nagle, Secretary: Nikki Merrill, Sergeant-at-Arms: Zack Newell. Our new President: Justin Lamontagne, President Elect (President 27-8) Jake Bourdeau, and with all the attendant drum rolling and suspense, our Vice President nominee (who will serve as President 28-9) was revealed to be Bill Milliken! Given the absence of floor nominations, the slate is now set and noticed, and voting will take place at the December 19th Meeting. Congratulations to all!
International Program Briefing: Jim Vicenzi highlighted the club’s international programs, especially those at the Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The 3H program—Hearing, Water and Hands—is a signature achievement, with many members traveling there to contribute. Each initiative has grown and moved toward sustainability since Roger Fagan first brought reconditioned hearing aids to La Romana 25 years ago and found space to work in the Hospital. He has returned annually to expand the project. Through the efforts of Roger and Patty Byers, support from the Evanston Rotary Club, and a major Rotary International grant, a section of the Hospital is now a permanent site for hearing specialists and ENTs to address the area’s significant needs.
The Hands and Legs prosthetics project began back in 2012 by then Portland Rotarian John Curran. The project really took off in 2018 when Graviel Nuel, who himself has a prosthetic leg, joined the program and expanded it beyond the help we provided. New initiatives include a newly-designed hand for release in 2026 and a very promising campaign for fundraising. We enjoyed a taped video greeting from Graviel.
Foundation Briefing and Paul Harris Fellowships: Acting in the role of the strong closer for our assembly, Jerry Wall provided an update on Rotary Foundation Goals. The Foundation Committee urges our club to be an ERAY club, which means Every Rotarian Every Year is contributing to the Rotary Foundation. To see your own record in this area, go to the Rotary International website, click on “sign in” and follow the prompts to “My Account” and then to “donations”.