We welcome Paul Drinan, who will be on hand to talk about the history of Fort Gorges and the friends group dedicated to preserving it for future generations. You’ll also learn about what the Friends of Fort Gorges are doing to increase accessibility and economic development opportunities to help fund the work. Did you know that they’ve been hosting internationally recognized artists since 2016?

 

Paul is a successful small business owner with a history of working in both the public and private sectors. Since 2014, his focus has been on the Portland, Maine-based nonprofit Friends of Fort Gorges. As a lifelong community builder, Paul’s work began with Boys Scouts of America, transitioned into youth-based counseling and community engagement, and now culminates in his current passion - saving Fort Gorges for future generations. His professional passions include nonprofit leadership, and community service. When Paul’s not hard at work he can be found enjoying Casco Bay, biking around Maine, volunteering at an event, or serving on various boards and committees.

Eben Sumner is the CEO of 1870 and Casco Bay Hemp, President and Legislative Chair of Maine Growers Alliance, and our speaker at Rotary last Friday. Eben spoke about the Medical Marijuana and CBD markets in Maine and the US in general. He spoke of the benefits of CBD, and the challenges that growers and retailers have in Maine both in the medicinal and the recreational arenas. (Photo, introducer Doreen Rockstrom with Eben)

 

CBD is a cannabinoid-based chemical that was deregulated in 2018, if the THC content is less than 0.3% in concentration. THC and CBD are the compounds most talked about in the media, and these are just 2 of 113 identified cannabinoids. Additional cannabinoid chemicals being studied for potential positive medicinal use are known by the following acronyms (for brevity) include: CBDA, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, THCV, and THCA. At least 100 terpenes have also been identified in cannabis plants, and Eben noted that terpenes are powerful compounds that flavor profiles in all things that are alive. 

 

The endo cannabinoid system is a biological trait in all mammals’ bodies that helps their bodies regulate. Humans make cannabinoid compounds in our body, and some of these compounds are known to bind to various receptors in our brains and skin. According to Eben, the current thinking is that the Cannabinoid system in our bodies may help with homeostasis. This is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism and includes many variables, such as body temperature and fluid balance

 

Regarding prevalence and use, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, Maine has over 100,000 printed patient certificates for Medical Marijuana or CBD use, just over 7 percent of Maine’s population.

 

Regardless of state laws legalizing recreation and medicinal use, one of the larger obstacles for business operations and research is that the federal government still considers products with a concentration over 0.31% of THC (the psychoactive substance) to be illicit and regulated. This largely restricts banks from being able to work with the cannabis related business, which in turn largely restricts research funding. According to Eben, part of the problem with research and the US FDA is due to the numerous plant-based chemicals in hemp and marijuana, and as such the research does not fit into current FDA testing protocols. Eben identified that the Netherlands, Canada, Czechia, and Israel are the primary countries conducting the most research on cannabinoids, and he is hoping that someday the US will spend more money on research.

 

In addition to the some of the positive aspects of cannabis compounds, Eben also talked about some of the potential side effects of marijuana use, and noted that there are no known overdose deaths from Marijuana when taken responsibly.

 

DRIVE CAREFUL: Happy Dollars, there were quite a few, including Jim Willey’s recognition of his daughter’s move with her husband to Thailand of which he had mixed emotions, and Amy Chipman who was happy her company RBC had reimplemented a “if you get hit by a bus” benefits package for associates.

 

GOOD CHOICE: Gerry Angier pulled double-duty, by first announcing five guests, and then conducting the raffle. $420 on the line, and our contestant this week was our newest member, Tricia Toms. Beginner’s Luck, as Tricia plucked the Queen of Hearts from the dwindling deck to take the prize! Congratulations!  Next week, new deck!

 

PAINT THE U.S. WITH US: Dick Hall asked for volunteers to help paint a 20’x30’ map of the United States at the Rowe Elementary School in Portland. A template will outline the state lines, and once those are painted, the states are colored in. Nannette Ranger-Duncanson jumped in to say she’s on board, having done a similar project with her dad when she was growing up. This is something we’d like to see done around the district. To join in, email Nannette by the end of December!

 

 

SEE A NEED DEED:  Dick reminded us of the “Pay It Forward” program. If you see a need in town, our club will make a $200 donation to provide that support. Just bring the idea forward and the Board will follow through. So far Niki Curtis, David Ertz, and Peter Goffin have utilized this program.

TURKEY WRAP: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson was our lead manager of the Thanksgiving meal served at St. Vincent De Paul this year, and thanked everyone who joined in to help, from prep, to cooking, to clean up. 110 meals served, 10 more to go. Last week we shared a number of photos in the Windjammer, here are all those who were on hand in service: Amy Chipman, Bowne Depke, Bruce Jones, Bruce Moore, Corey Masson, Dan Fahey,David Small, Dick Hall, Don Lowry, Doug Packard, Ellen Niewoehner, Gervin Kah, Jan Chapman,Larry Gross, Mark Robinson, Nannette Ranger-Duncanson, Patty Byers, Paul Gore, Paul Tully, Roger Asch, Roxane Cole, Tom Ranello, Trevor Putnokcy, Tricia Toms

 

MATCHING BELLS: Tom Ranello updated us on the Salvation Army Bell Ringing. We will be setting up at the Shaw’s Supermarket at the Northgate Plaza, Portland, a tad warmer than our usual spot in Monument Square. Tom, along with Jim Willey, were at the front entrance to our meeting last week, not just collecting money, but matching it with $250 donation from each of them. $500 from club members, matched by Tom and Jim, plus another $400 from our club, will net a total of $1400, and we’re almost there! Sign up at club meetings for a ringing spot at Northgate! Tom and Jim showBruce Jones how to feed the bucket. 

 

UP UP AND AWAY: Niki Curtis introduced a new member, welcoming William Milliken! Bill is from Elmira, NY, and moved to Augusta in the early 70’s. A Cony HS grad, he spent four years in the Army, before returning to USM to earn a Summa Cum Laude in 1989, and then Maine Law, Cum Laude in 1992. He has been practicing law in Maine ever since!  Bill is formed two non-profits: WomenPower, to teach women in Haiti knitting skills, and selling knitwear here in the U.S.  Second was the Friends of St Lawrence Church, successfully restoring the East End building. Bill was instrumental in starting up the current Public Market House in Monument Square, and after obtaining an auctioneer’s license in 2017, purchased Barridoff Galleries, now Baridoff Auctions. This led to the start-up of Eastern Art Services, that specializes in storing and transporting fine art in between auction events. In Feb 2020, Bill was elected President of Maine Auctioneers Association, still on the post today.  When not working, among his many hobbies is hot air ballooning! Get to know Bill, he has a lot to share!  Welcome Bill!

 

PAUL HARRIS FELLOW: Foundation Chair Patty Byers did the honors of announcing Gervin Kah as our latest Paul Harris Fellow. Gervin joined Portland Rotary in March 2022, transferring his membership from his Gabon, Africa Rotary Club. This is actually Gervin’s second PHF, so it is adorned with a special sapphire. Thank you for what you do for our club Gervin! Patty added “On behalf of the Foundation and the people around the world who now can read, who have clean water, who have access to good medical care, who have enough to eat, and who will never, ever contract polio, we thank you.”

NEW MEMBER NOTIFICATIONS: 

December 15 - Derek Volk, President, Volk Packaging Company

December 22 - Quinn Slayton, "Holiday Karaoke!"

December 29-  No Meeting - Happy New Year!

January 5 - Carolyn Delaney, Journey Enterprises Media - Journey Magazine

January 12 - Rich Brooks, Artificial Intelligence