In October 2015, the province of Nova Scotia chose Bay Ferries Limited to operate the summer ferry service between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Bay Ferries had previously operated the ferry service between the two ports from 2006 through 2009. Ferry service on THE CAT offers the fastest way to travel between the two cities. The CAT is a 349-foot catamaran which travels about 40 mph and makes the journey to Nova Scotia in 5 and a half hours. The CAT passed in sea trials in late May and began the service in mid-June. Ferry service is expected to run through late September.
Bay Ferries Limited was formed in 1997 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northumberland Ferries Limited. The companies of Northumberland Ferries were founded on the principles of safety, efficiency, quality, community and innovation. Bay Ferries has been involved in the delivery of ferry services in other locations, including Interprovincial Ferry Service in Atlantic Canada, Florida and the Bahamas, Rochester, New York, Toronto, Trinidad and Tobago.
The CAT has the capacity to carry approximately 700 passengers and 280 vehicles. Onboard amenities include a room to view movies, a children’s play area, a café with coffee and tea service, a cafeteria and a lounge the offers a selection of local wines and craft beer choices.
Don Cormier, who is the Vice President of Operations and Safety Management for Bay Ferries Limited, will present to our club. Don joined Northumberland/Bay Ferries Limited in 1997 as the General Manager responsible for the Bay of Fundy ferry operations. He is focused on upholding and improving the company’s tradition of safe and reliable marine transportation services.
Don was educated in New Brunswick, earned a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1982 and obtained his MBA in 1986. He believes in community service and has been involved with Junior Achievement, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, transportation and tourism organizations, and youth sports. Don lives with his wife Elaine and his children, Genevieve and Sebastien in Stratford, Prince Edward Island.
We look forward to welcoming Don Cormier to Portland Rotary and hearing about the return of The CAT service to our city.
Rotarians welcomed back from last year our speaker Mike McCarthy, jersey #30, a right-handed pitcher, joined by Danny Bethea, jersey #13, catcher. Both players are native Californians.
Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 14th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal State-Bakersfield. He loves being in Portland, enjoys the beauty of the area and the ability to jog and hike the local mountains, although the local climbs are not as challenging as the ones in California, where he grew up. He has been in Portland for four years. Although he is a pitcher, he plays other positions, wherever needed to help the team. In college, he was a pre-med/pre-nursing student. He worked hard in the classroom and on the baseball field. In his public speaking, he emphasizes how the skill set cultivated while working in the community or studying in college are the same ones he relies upon for playing baseball. He believes a good work ethic is essential, regardless of where in life you happen to be working, studying or playing baseball. Moreover, he admires the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self." He's self described as a "baseball grinder," meaning he works hard through long playing seasons throughout his baseball career. His academic studies transitioned from pre-med/pre-nursing to a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
Selected by the Red Sox in the 34th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Danny credits his father with his decision to play baseball, because his dad played in college. Growing up in San Diego, he played in both high school, junior college and also at St. John's University, New York City. On the St. John's baseball website, Danny said his father is the person he most admires and the Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is his favorite athlete. Danny's father, Pete Bethea, played baseball at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix AZ.
Mike and Danny spoke about how they focus on playing the game when there are often many distractions from field noise and public announcements. They explained how they learn to "flip the switch" from being aware of what's going on around them to the time when they must focus their minds on the game. They learn by hard work about when to "flip the switch." They both think baseball with women on the team is a good idea and this is already happening in Australia. As for technology replacing the home plate umpire at the plate, they disagree with this idea because, in their opinions, one of the interesting challenges in baseball is to overcome human error. "It's part of the game," they agreed. They explained the differences between types of pitches, like the curve ball, the "drop curve" and the knuckle ball.
Following their speaking presentations, the two men stayed to pose for photographs and to sign baseballs for the younger Rotarian guests.
(Photo: Back row: Mike McCarthy and Danny Bethea; Front row: Henry Parker (son of Travis Parker) and Liam Banwell (son of Elizabeth Banwell)
Information about the Sea Dogs team and their roster can be found at: seadogs.com
Our annual Hadlock Field meeting was held on a perfectly beautiful August day at the ballpark, hosted by Past President Bill Blount, who welcomed 43 members and 7 guests. A delicious cookout lunch was served in the stadium's picnic area with the famous SeaDog ice cream biscuit for dessert.
At opening invocation, Juliana L'Heureux read Lou Gherig's famous "Luckiest Man" speech, in a tribute to the occasion of our Club's visit at Hadlock Field, with this year's two team guests Mike McCarthy and Dan Bethea.
It was on July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, when the longtime Yankee first baseman uttered the famous words at a home plate ceremony at Yankee Stadium: “Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Gehrig died on June 2, 1941, at 37 years old.
Of course, we sang our National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner," and our traditional "Take Me Out To the Ballgame," led by PP Bill Blount and Alan Nye.
A "Rotary Moment" was presented by Russell Voss. He told a personal story about how a person who helped him when he needed roadside assistance with his motorcycle reminded him about how Rotary supports others, even when we might not realize our impact. Rotary motivates him to reach out to others through all of our community activities and club friendships. "We do so many things, some of them may not seem important, but somebody is being helped and we just don't know how we are positively impacting others," he said.
Jean Murachanian conducted the weekly raffle drawing giving Katie Brown the chance to draw the Queen of Hearts. She drew a Queen, just in the wrong suit, so the jackpot continues to grow.
Gus Karlsen reminded the members about the "MS Regatta" during the MS Harborfest weekend August 19-21, 2016, when Portland Rotary has the opportunity to sponsor racing entries. Donations will be requested beginning August 12th. Contact Gus for more information at: karlsen@prodigy.net
Invocation: Tom Nickerson Program Reporter: Dick Hall Bits & Pieces Reporter: John Marr Registration/Greeter: Jerry Angier Sell Meal Tickets: Matt Wolcott Raffle: Larry Gross Badge Box: Ellen Niewoehner Collect Meal Tickets: (Standby) Matt Tassey Song Leader: Andreea Paine Pianist: Russ Burleigh Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Mike Reed Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Travis Parker
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through
September 2016:
2016: Aug 12 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Aug 19 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Aug 26 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Sep 2 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Sep 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Sep 16 - Clarion Hotel Sep 23 - Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine
Sep 30 - Clarion Hotel
BlueBOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor) Danielle Conway Dean & Professor of Law, USM (Bowen Depke)
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
CHE Food/Reading Tuesdays and Thursdays
N. Deering Gardens(11:15-12:15)
Janelle LoSciuto
Soup kitchen4th Wednesday ea month
Preble Street (4-6:30)
Erik Greven
Cedar Unit Dates & Times, contact
Games Night Jim Willey
In October 2015, the province of Nova Scotia chose Bay Ferries Limited to operate the summer ferry service between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Bay Ferries had previously operated the ferry service between the two ports from 2006 through 2009. Ferry service on THE CAT offers the fastest way to travel between the two cities. The CAT is a 349-foot catamaran which travels about 40 mph and makes the journey to Nova Scotia in 5 and a half hours. The CAT passed in sea trials in late May and began the service in mid-June. Ferry service is expected to run through late September.
Don Cormier, who is the Vice President of Operations and Safety Management for Bay Ferries Limited, will present to our club. Don joined Northumberland/Bay Ferries Limited in 1997 as the General Manager responsible for the Bay of Fundy ferry operations. He is focused on upholding and improving the company’s tradition of safe and reliable marine transportation services..JPG)
Rotarians welcomed back from last year our speaker Mike McCarthy, jersey #30, a right-handed pitcher, joined by Danny Bethea, jersey #13, catcher. Both players are native Californians.
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Danny Bethea.jpg)
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