Donations Needed for Mud Sale Auction by April 7th!
Have you seen we have an African Safari?
This Week's Speaker: Ronald Joseph, Wildlife Biologist
Born in Waterville, Ron grew up in Oakland. ME and was a member of the first graduating class of Messalonskee High School June '70'.
With his childhood summers on his grandparents' dairy farm, Ron became fascinated with songbirds. Ron's mother provided a copy of Peterson's Field Guide to Eastern Birds, and his chores were often interrupted trying to identify the many songbirds in the area.
Ron earned a B.S. degree in wildlife conservation from the U.of New Hampshire followed by a M.S. in zoology from Brigham Young. In 1978, he began a 33-year career, first as a state wildlife biologist, and later as a federal biologist specializing in the restoration of eagles, peregrines, and other endangered species in Maine. Now retired, Ron volunteers for the Kennebec Land Trust, participates in the Maine Bird Atlas evaluating songbird population trends, and leads Maine birding trips.
Ron’s recently (or soon to be) published book, Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermits: Memoirs of a Wildlife Biologist is a compilation of articles written for publications such as Down East, Maine Boats Homes and Harbors, Bangor Daily News, Moosehead Messenger, PenBay Pilot, and others.
Meeting of March 24 - LifeFlight of Maine,
Kate O’Halloran, and Bill Cyr | by Tom Nickerson
Today we learned about the LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only emergency air ambulance service. LifeFlight has three helicopters, an airplane, and ground vehicles. All modes of rescue/transport are equipped as a mobile emergency room. LifeFlight’s mission is a commitment to Maine that every person, in every community, has access to critical care and medical transport when needed. Established in 1988 and is celebrating 25 years of service. It is a nonprofit organization with a structure that includes a Foundation for fundraising and an Aviation Services subsidiary for operations.
Kate O’Hallaron, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Bill Cyr, Chief Operating Officer, described how LifeFlight works and stays ready for any emergency. They shared a number of patient stories that highlight the need for rapid, medical transport. In its 25 years of operation, LifeFlight has helped 36,000 patients from new born infants to adults and seniors who need specialty care or are critically injured. The service is currently helping about 3,000 patients from all parts of Maine annually. Because they are able to bring the equivalent of an intensive care unit and staff anywhere in the state, they partner with local service groups to maintain remote access landing points year-round. LifeFlight is often the first responder.
Both speakers pointed out that LifeFlight meets people on the worst day of their lives, but by being able to provide timely high-quality care there is a chance for a good outcome. Approximately 85% of the service is for hospital to hospital transport to ensure patients are receiving the level of care needed. Given Maine’s size, geography, and weather patterns, staying ready and able to reach patients is a challenge. They are consistently training First Responders to make sure everyone is aware of their services and capabilities and how to call them in when needed. So when you hear the LifeFlight helicopter overhead, know that the patient is receiving the best possible care in the state. Let’s hope we never need the service, but it is comforting to know it is there for us.
Bits and Pieces | By Laura Young
President Bruce welcomed everyone to the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Cyrus Hagge provided the invocation noting that while winter and spring wrestle, Mother Nature will decide!
Mike Taylor (photo) introduced guests, Andi Summers, Patty Sprague from SoPo/Cape, Russell Guy from North Carolina. Andy Hall, Dick’s wife, was in attendance also.
Jan Chapman led the $260 dollar 50/50 raffle. Paul Tully’s ticket was pulled and unfortunately he did not pull the queen of hearts. Bruce thanked Paul for not pulling the right card.
NUMBER 9: Bruce announced that at last Thursday night’s social gathering at Salvage BBQ Patty Byers was awarded her 9th Paul Harris Fellow. Great going Patty!
CONCERT IN THE PARK: Tom Ranello announced that we have secured Deering Oaks Park for concert with the Don Campbell Band to bring awareness of fentanyl on Sunday, May 7th at 12:30 pm. It’s a free concert. Invite everyone to attend. Portland Rotarians should all wear our yellow Rotary Works shirts. We are hosting this event in conjunction with the City of Portland who is a great partner. Lots of service clubs such as Preble Street, Milestone, Salvation Army, Margo Walsh’s Maine Works will be there. Portland Rotary will have a table also. Looking to raise money to fully fund recovery initiative program. We are currently looking for sponsors for this event. Salvation Army is bringing their canteen truck, to serve hot dogs, soda and bag of chips with Bill Blount organizing. Great time for Rotarians to step forward. Tom predicts we will attract 4-500 people. Rotarians invited to attend and bring others, and help with sponsorships.
Nicola Cox, VP of the Italian Heritage Center came up and made a wonderful surprise donation in support of our event. Vicki served 35 years in the Sheriff's Department, and knows the issues surrounding substance abuse. Many thanks to the IHC for all they do to support our club, this was great!
AFRICA ANYONE? Tom Talbott announced the 2nd annual Mud Auction. (See below for more details.) Tom invited Sunrise Rotarian Art Howe to speak about one of the special items: a 6 night/6 day safari along the Central East Coast of South Africa. Art went on the trip in 2016 and it was world class trip. Amazing culture. Includes lodging, meals and two game drives a day. Minimum bid of $3K for two people to go. There are two packages available. The second highest bidder will go too. Air fare on your own. Can be used within two years. Portland Rotary gets 45% of the winning bid.
TREES: Ellen Niewoehner said we are planting trees again this season. 10 trees will be planted in the middle of May and early to mid June, off of Cove Street working towards the water. TBD on the dates.
DISTRICT TRAINING ASSEMBLY: Dick Hall (photo) announced that he went to President Elect training (PETS) ago and was motivated and learned a bit too. He also announced the District Training Assembly on April 15th at Westbrook HS, 8a-2:30 pm, is a great opportunity to train club leaders, committee chairs, and all Rotarians. You can choose to attend 4 breakout sessions out of 28 offered! includes breakfast and lunch. Click here for Info and Registration. Our Club will pay the $25 Fee if you go!
TENT UP: Dick Hall needs 3-4 people to help set up a Shelter Box Tent at the District Training Assembly. He would like to do a rehearsal after the meeting this Friday in the IHC parking lot. Contact Dick if you can help!
READERS NEEDED: Bob Clark (photo) presented about the Rotary Readers Program. There were sign up sheets to read to students in April at Lyseth Elementary School. Thanks to generous donors and Rotary Club the students can take home the books that we read to them. May is the final month.
LOCKER BAGS: Bruce announced that last week a group of 16 Rotarians packed purple bags filled with food for the Locker Project, a nonprofit focused on addressing food insecurity. They set a speed record packing the bags in 22 minutes as most groups take 45 minutes. (Rotarians aren’t competitive, are we?) Our crew packed 150 bags for kids to take home food for the weekend.
SYRUP: Paul Gore announced that this weekend is the 40th anniversary of Maine Maple Sunday weekend. The best one, in Paul’s opinion, is Dunn Family maple where he will be making donuts. Every one invited!
THEATER: Patty Sprague from the South Portland Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club spoke about their club’s effort to reinvigorate "Theater Night" at Lyric Music Theater to raise money for our district’s recovery initiative. Rotarians can see a show, Curtains, at Lyric Theater on Thursday, April 6th. Purchase $25 tickets. SPCE Rotary has purchased tickets at a discount and the overage is going to the recovery initiative. If we fill the house 175 seats, $1,400 will go to the recovery initiative. She’s inviting everyone to go to the SPCE Rotary website link to buy tickets. Free nibbles and beer and wine for sale.
MUD SALE AUCTION - We need more items!
Deadline for donations - April 7th. Bring them to our club meetings this week and next, OR, if the items are too large, make a note of it in your submission. Online auction April 8-15!
As you read above, thanks to Art Howe, we have two South African Photo Safari Tour packages based at Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge in Hluhluwe, South Africa, up for bid at the Mud Sale Auction! Click for Tour Website
Many details go with this, but here's the quick synopsis.
• The Safari for 2 is valued at $5950: 6 Days/6 Nights, with 2 Open Land Rover trips each day, lodging and 3 meals a day. It does not include airfare or transfers.
• The minimum bid is $3000.
• 45% of the gross bid goes to Portland Rotary, 50% to Zulu Nyala Reserve, and 5% to the Trout Unlimited Howham Fund (a 501c3), to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. (The math = $3000 bid earns our club $1350)
• The highest bid over $3k gets the trip, and the second trip can be purchased for the same amount.
• The winner has 2 years to use the trip. If one person buys both to make it a family foursome, adults and children, fine. If we have two winners, they can travel on separate dates.
HOW TO SUBMIT an item for the auction. Please provide the following:
1. One good photo
2. Written description, including condition if used
3. Value - This is your best estimate on a fair market price. Research if
necessary to come up with the appropriate value.
4. Minimum bid - If you donate an item that comes with some expense to you
in money or time, the minimum bid assures a fair price is paid.
5. Fulfillment - Pick One
a. Small, manageable items -
Bring it to a club meeting, we will store it and deliver it to winner
b. Large, heavy, bulky item - you agree to deliver to winner
c. Large, heavy, bulky item - you request the winner pick up at your home
Email this information with the photo toDick Hall. Click his name!
Speaker Schedule
April 7 - Camelia Babson- Haley ED. Youth and Family Outreach
April 14- Matt O'Malia, TimberHD
April 20 - Club Social
April 21 - No Meetin
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Bruce Moore Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux,
Ben Lowry, Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair:Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Born in Waterville, Ron grew up in Oakland. ME and was a member of the first graduating class of Messalonskee High School June '70'.
air ambulance service. LifeFlight has three helicopters, an airplane, and ground vehicles. All modes of rescue/transport are equipped as a mobile emergency room. LifeFlight’s mission is a commitment to Maine that every person, in every community, has access to critical care and medical transport when needed. Established in 1988 and is celebrating 25 years of service. It is a nonprofit organization with a structure that includes a Foundation for fundraising and an Aviation Services subsidiary for operations.
Mike Taylor (photo) introduced guests, Andi Summers, Patty Sprague from SoPo/Cape, Russell Guy from North Carolina. Andy Hall, Dick’s wife, was in attendance also. 
CONCERT IN THE PARK: Tom Ranello announced that we have secured Deering Oaks Park for concert with the Don Campbell Band to bring awareness of fentanyl on Sunday, May 7th at 12:30 pm. It’s a free concert. Invite everyone to attend. Portland Rotarians should all wear our yellow Rotary Works shirts. We are hosting this event in conjunction with the City of Portland who is a great partner. Lots of service clubs such as Preble Street, Milestone, Salvation Army, Margo Walsh’s Maine Works will be there. Portland Rotary will have a table also. Looking to raise money to fully fund recovery initiative program. We are currently looking for sponsors for this event. Salvation Army is bringing their canteen truck, to serve hot dogs, soda and bag of chips with Bill Blount organizing. Great time for Rotarians to step forward. Tom predicts we will attract 4-500 people. Rotarians invited to attend and bring others, and help with sponsorships.
AFRICA ANYONE? Tom Talbott announced the 2nd annual Mud Auction. (See below for more details.) Tom invited Sunrise Rotarian Art Howe to speak about one of the special items: a 6 night/6 day safari along the Central East Coast of South Africa. Art went on the trip in 2016 and it was world class trip. Amazing culture. Includes lodging, meals and two game drives a day. Minimum bid of $3K for two people to go. There are two packages available. The second highest bidder will go too. Air fare on your own. Can be used within two years. Portland Rotary gets 45% of the winning bid.
DISTRICT TRAINING ASSEMBLY: Dick Hall (photo) announced that he went to President Elect training (PETS) ago and was motivated and learned a bit too. He also announced the District Training Assembly on April 15th at Westbrook HS, 8a-2:30 pm, is a great opportunity to train club leaders, committee chairs, and all Rotarians. You can choose to attend 4 breakout sessions out of 28 offered! includes breakfast and lunch. 
READERS NEEDED: Bob Clark (photo) presented about the Rotary Readers Program. There were sign up sheets to read to students in April at Lyseth Elementary School. Thanks to generous donors and Rotary Club the students can take home the books that we read to them. May is the final month.
THEATER: Patty Sprague from the South Portland Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club spoke about their club’s effort to reinvigorate "Theater Night" at Lyric Music Theater to raise money for our district’s recovery initiative. Rotarians can see a show, Curtains, at Lyric Theater on Thursday, April 6th. Purchase $25 tickets. SPCE Rotary has purchased tickets at a discount and the overage is going to the recovery initiative. If we fill the house 175 seats, $1,400 will go to the recovery initiative. She’s inviting everyone to go to the 
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