Portland Rotary Windjammer April 29, 2026 (Apr. 27, 2026)

This Friday's Meeting - Amber Caron, Communications Director, Wreaths Across America

Amber Caron joined Wreaths Across America as Communications Director in March 2018 after nine years as its public relations consultant. She leads the development and execution of internal and external messaging, brand management, and overall communications strategy. In this leadership role, she oversees a team of marketing and communications professionals, ensuring the delivery of creative, mission-focused content while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. She also plays a key role in organizational strategy and cross-department alignment.

Amber spent 15 years with Portland-based agencies including FUSEIDEAS and Industrium, serving as Public Relations Director. Her expertise includes transportation and logistics, B2B communications, nonprofit messaging, and literary promotions. She has extensive experience mentoring teams and building strong communications programs.

Amber has served as a board member and past president of the Ad Club of Maine and completed two terms on the board of the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Maine. She lives in South Portland with her husband and two teenage stepsons and enjoys gardening and following their sports activities

BITS AND PIECES |By Tom Nickerson

Co-President Bowen (photo) welcomed everyone to the meeting and Doug Packard led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Bowen gave the message of the day: “Don’t Worry be Happy” to remind us to be grateful for all of our blessings.

VISITING GUESTS and BIRTHDAY CARDS: We had two visiting guests: Richard L’Heureux, Julie L'Heureux husband, who is celebrating his 90^th birthday and Mike Conant, Bowen’s colleague. As luck would have it, Bruce Moore kicked off the $131 raffle and Julie was drawn for a shot at the big money. It would have been a nice birthday gift for her husband Richard, but her luck came up short with the 8 of clubs.

WELCOME TWO NEW MEMBERS! Greg Hansel introduced Anna Klein-Christie from the Baxter Academy for Technology and Science and Bruce Jones introduced Dan Mickiewicz who is the incoming camp director for RYLA. Welcome to the club!

DISTRICT CELEBRATION, C’MON! Bowen encouraged the club to attend the District Celebration on May 29-31^st in Bridgton for a weekend full of fun. Come for some or come for all!

Friday 5:30pm-7:3opm - Rufus Porter Wine & Cheese Social

Saturday: 8a-12n -Service Projects: Boardwalk Removal, Trail Cleanup

Saturday Noon - Box Lunch, Speaker Colin Holme, Ex.Dir Lakes Enviro

Saturday Afternoon - 3 different museum tours, Cornhole Tourney, Chairlift

Rides up Pleasant Mountain, Live Music, and more!

Saturday Evening - Social at Pleasant Mt, Buffet Dinner,Cash Bar

Sunday Morning - 10am Songo River Princess Cruise. (Limited Space)

For more info, including overnight accommodations, click here!

CAMP SEBAGO CLEANUP:

SALVATION ARMY CAMP SEBAGO - Saturday May 9th, 9am. Bill Blount talked up our annual opportunity to help the Salvation Army clean up Camp Sebago and get everything ready for incoming summer campers. We start at 9:00 AM, and you can stay as long as you’re able. Lunch will be served for those who stick around. Please bring extra tools if you can — shears, rakes, clippers, even a tarp to haul brush and debris. Email Jim and Barbara Willey if you can join, it will help with the lunch head count.Bring the family — all are welcome to help. The more hands, the better! Address: 360 Baker Road, Standish.

IT’S GOING TO BE EPIC:

DISTRICT WIDE Rotary EPIC DAY OF SERVICE

Niki Merrill promoted the upcoming "Epic Day of Service" with Every Rotary Club in the District taking part in a local community project. Our club is partnering with the Portland Recovery Community Center for a large-scale cleanup of Portland’s streets and parks. Specific work locations will be shared soon.For now, plan to meet at 9:00 AM in the Salvation Army Portland parking lot, 88 Preble Street, Portland. Coffee, donuts, and pizza will be served.

TWO THUMBS UP: Sam Chipman (photo) announced that he is organizing in May (TBD) a showing of his award-winning short film; “Money Haul”. The movie was screened at the Boston International Film Festival, and Sam wrote, directed, and starred in it.

FOUNDATION CIRCLE: Jerry Wall informed the club that we need two members to complete of Circle of 5 Giving groups. This is a $200 annual commitment and results in one member of the group receiving a Paul Harris Fellow each year.

HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL DOLLARS: The Happy Dollar segment was full of honors and humor, as well as honorary remembrance, as Brian Nickerson paid homage to his 31 lost colleagues who were shot down by North Koreans over the Sea of Japan in 1969, 57 years ago. Brian sent over a youtube link with the full story that is well worth watching. Click Here!

FEE LUNCH: Bowen reminded us that the $5 meeting fee is in place to cover our facility costs, but as far as amenities it only includes water and coffee. $25 would buy the full lunch and dessert being offered. Members are welcome to bring a lunch if they want.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: The New England Fiddle Ensemble | By Bruce Moore

An Entertaining Meeting- Bringing Community together through music!

Thanks to Amy Chipman, The New England Fiddle Ensemble provided a fun and entertaining show at USM's Hannaford Hall. The New England Fiddle Ensemble is a 501c3 Community Orchestra made up of around 170 musicians of all ages and abilities playing a variety of acoustic instruments. There are six separate groups, four in New Hampshire and two in Maine. Twelve members came to perform for us including the founder of The Ensemble, Ellen Carlson and the co-director of the New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble, Melissa Bragdon Caron.

The concert began with a good old familiar toe tapping song. Many of the songs showcased different performers. Daniel, a 10-year-old boy played guitar and sang a traditional American folk song “Mama Don’t Allow No Music Playing ‘Round Here” highlighting his guitar playing and another member's mandolin playing.

Amy showcased her singing talent with a duet, a song by the Chicks titled “Long Time Gone”. A good time was had my all and at the end of the concert they had a drawing to give away free tickets to their June 7 Concert at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center won by Jan Chapman and David Small.

Thank you Amy and all of the participating fiddlers, many who drove some distance, for a lively and fun musical presentation!

ENCORE, ENCORE! A full-scale Ensemble show is scheduled for June 7 at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater Street, from 2pm-4pm. Click Here For Tickets for what promises to be a great show for all ages! Purchase in advance and you'll save money!