Special Club Social Thursday Night, No Meeting This Friday!
THIS WEEK: THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL AT FREEDOM'S EDGE!
Jake Bourdeau reminded the club that our social is scheduled for this Thursday, November 14, 5:30pm at Freedom’s Edge, a cider house located at 31 Diamond Street, the Bayside area in Portland. Freedom’s Edge will have trivia night. Line up a team with your favorite librarian for the win! Freedom's Edge is offering us a meeting room and we are planning to bring in some various pizza's for snacking. Price per slice is TBD, so bring some cash if you plan to partake. RSVP Jake if you plan to attend, and let him what your favorite topping is, so we can get an idea on the number of pizzas. Email Jake!
BITS AND PIECES | By Zach Newell
Patty Byers kicked off the meeting with a quote about joining in fellowship, love and support for each other. Cyrus Hagge provided the thought of the day, reminiscing of the days when the club met on State Street. While the crew used to tell war stories back then, he now realizes that he is one of the old guys. He and others can only give good advice and can no longer set bad examples. Nanette Ranger-Duncanson provided an appropriate song for the day, singing God Bless America.
GUESTS: Bruce Jones asked each host to introduce their respective guests.
Charlie Frair introduced Cindie Greaton, Mark Shinners introduced John Eccles, Laura Young introduced Penny Harris, Niki Curtis and Nannette Ranger-Duncanson introduced Cleo Villaflores, Dick Hall introduced Jerry and Katharine Wall, and finally Zach Newell introduced our youth exchange student, Antonio Soriano Lujan. Bruce Moore and Jan Chapman who were instrumental in setting up the program, join Antonio and his host, Zach.
UNLUCKY: Paul Tully oversaw the raffle, pulling Jake “Bang Bang” Bourdeau’s name. Jake pulled the 6 of spades from a pack of 38 cards, a fair cry from the Queen of Hearts needed to win the $310 pot of money.
HAPPY: Jake Bourdeau was happy that his collarbone was not broken, just separated. Charlie Frair was happy that despite pulling out his long underwear, the temperature stayed in the 70s. Tom Talbott was happy that he caught Laura Young’s misspelling of Led Zeppelin before her note was published in the Windjammer Laura countered that she knows how to spell Salt-N-Pepa (of “Shoop” and “Push it!” fame).
LOBSTER RAFFLE DRAWING AND DEELY-BOPPER RECOGNITION Patty Byers was happy for the successful conclusion of the Lobster Raffle. Patty then gave thanks for all who participated in the Lobster Raffle, a fundraiser that went 45 days over two months selling raffle tickets near the cruise ship port. The lottery (raffle drawing) took place. Bob Kayat from Edgewater, Florida won first place of 8 Lobsters, while Roberta Wilson, also from Florida, from Fort White, won second place, 4 lobsters.
Patty gave special thanks to David Patterson (not in attendance) for figuring out an algorithm for picking the winner. Patty continued to say that the Lobster Raffle was the brainchild of John Thompson and Zach Newell. Thanks to them both. A huge thanks to Dick Hall for running logistics and managing money. John Thompson gave special thanks to Dick Hall and Patty Byers (photo) for their support, organization and willingness to steward a new fundraiser. John continued to thank Luke’s Lobsters and Lift All Boats. The club grossed over $13,000 and after expenses and 20% To Luke’s, netted $8500 to the club! Excellent!
Patty announced that Larry Gross was the winner of the coveted "Golden Deely Bopper" award, given to the Rotarian who provided the most help with the Lobster Raffle – warranting an award for “Exceptional service for a good claws.” The runner up to the Golden Deely Bopper award was given to Brian Nickerson. Brian was delighted to receive a bag of gummy lobsters for his effort and continued presence. Kudos to Larry (L) and Brian (R).
Meet all the Boppers! RYLA: Bill Ross provided a brief update about Rotary Youth Leadership Awards – a 4-day program in June for anyone who is currently a sophomore. RYLA supports developing students into leaders. (Photo below)
FROM THE KITCHEN: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson encouraged all to sign-up to help serve Thanksgiving dinner at St Vincent de Paul on Wednesday, Nov 27. Nanette gave special thanks to Bill Milliken who volunteered to be kitchen manager, and thanks to Jan Chapman and Bruce Moore who volunteered to pick up food from CYSCO. (Photo) CLYNK FOR HEAT: Bill Blount is the Clynk representative, aka Colonel Clynk. Bill encouraged the club to take a bag with the prefixed label on it so that recycled cans and bottles are credited to the Rotary Club. In turn, funds generated from the bottle return will provide funds to supply heat for those who can’t afford it.
YOUTH SERVICES: Laura Young gave an update on Youth Services, focusing on 3rd grade reading scores. The Portland Rotary club is an action partner on the Thrive 2027 website. Reading to students at the elementary school helps to support reading proficiency. Laura asked all to sign up for Tuesday and Thursday time slots to read to students.
CALL FOR HEARING AIDS: Dr Roger Fagan reminded all that, if possible, please pick up a cardboard hearing aid recycling container. The lifespan of hearing aids is approximately 4 years. Hearing aids that get recycled can be used to support the Rotary Hearing clinic in the Dominican Republic. Follow up to this, a photo sent in from Laura Young who was able to get a box positioned at the customer service window at Shaw's in Freeport. Nice work!
PACK BACKPACKS: Bruce Moore lets us know that our Recovery Task Force is excited to launch our 4th Annual Backpack Project! This important initiative provides essential items to individuals beginning their recovery journey from Substance Use Disorder. We ask for your support in filling backpacks with toiletries and other personal items. Your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of those working toward a healthier and brighter future. To participate, please follow this link to 'SignUpGenius'. If you have Q's about using 'SignUpGenius', please email Bruce Moore or call 207 318-9424.
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: Dan Brennan - MaineHousing Update | By Erik Jorgensen
Our speaker on Friday was Dan Brennan, who serves as the director of the Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing). Dan has worked at the agency for more than 30 years and was appointed director in 2018 after following a path that started as an internal auditor, and took him through most of the agency’s areas of focus before he was tapped to take the helm
MaineHousing is an independent, quasi-governmental agency that has three identities: it serves as a bank, as an administrator of federal government programs, and as a public housing authority for those communities in Maine that don’t have their own municipal housing authorities. It has around 190 staff members but does not require state funding for its staffing or operations, relying instead on its banking, which are capitalized through bond sales directly on Wall Street. The agency also receives fees as an administrator of Federal programs. The agency’s approach is to use private methods for public purpose, and being separate from state government allows it to operate with more flexibility and efficiency.
Dan spoke about some of MaineHousing’s many programs. The signature program is its first-time homebuyer program, though which Maine residents buying their first homes can receive cash to help with their down payments and 30 year below-market fixed rate mortgages. The program works for single family homes and for houses with up up to four units. In cases where the new homebuyer is the first generation in their family to purchase a home, the interest rate can be as low as 4.9%. Dan noted that homeownership is the greatest builder of generational wealth, and families who are trying to move into the middle class benefit immensely from owning a home. MaineHousing is on track to finance more than 800 1st time home purchases in ME. this year.
The agency also finances multifamily affordable housing construction – these projects range from smaller apartment buildings in rural areas, to large Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties which are built in larger communities, like Lewiston, Bangor, and Portland. Currently the agency has its largest pipeline ever, with more than 3,000 housing units currently under construction or in underwriting, MaineHousing does not own any housing – but it works with local housing authorities and with developers from Kittery to Fort Kent, to produce new affordable units and to rehabilitate older worn-out properties.
The legislature and the Governor have, since 2019, appropriated more than $300 million for housing creation and emergency programming, such as shelters. The state has never before made investments at this level, and as a result the agency’s pipeline is as large as it in. Much of this funding provides subsidy, which is the funding needed to make a building where rents are below market rates, affordable over the long term. All buildings constructed with MaineHousing funding are required to remain affordable for at least 45 years.
In addition to serving as the state’s affordable housing development bank, MaineHousing also provides low-income heating assistance, weatherization assistance and a wide range of services, from mobile home replacement to remediation of arsenic in wells. The agency also administers around 1/3 of the state’s “Section 8” housing vouchers. Photo: Dan, Doreen Rockstrom, and Erik Jorgensen.
NEW MEMBER APPLICATIONS:
Second Notice: Katharine Wall has applied for membership. She is an experienced Rotarian and retired Librarian having relocated from Monroe, Louisiana to Portland. She has hosted many international Rotarians with Group Study and Friendship exchanges and looks forward to making a valuable impact within our Club. She enjoys quilting and travel and has additional community experience with the Cancer Foundation League, Girl Scouts Silver Waters Board and Quota International. Dick Hall will be her sponsor. After this publication, her application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Second Notice: Jerry Wall has applied for membership. He is looking forward to continuing his Rotary involvement as he has 40 years of experience as an active member, past District Governor, District Foundation Chair, International Host & representative and has relocated from Monroe, Louisiana to Portland. In addition, he is a member of the Civil Air Patrol, enjoys scuba diving and magic! Dick Hall will be his sponsor. After this publication, his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Speaker Schedule
November 22 - Curt Dale Clark - Maine State Music Theatre
November 28 - Happy Thanksgiving!
November 29 - No Club Meeting
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
Jake Bourdeau reminded the club that our social is scheduled for this Thursday, November 14, 5:30pm at Freedom’s Edge, a cider house located at 31 Diamond Street, the Bayside area in Portland. Freedom’s Edge will have trivia night. Line up a team with your favorite librarian for the win! Freedom's Edge is offering us a meeting room and we are planning to bring in some various pizza's for snacking. Price per slice is TBD, so bring some cash if you plan to partake. RSVP Jake if you plan to attend, and let him what your favorite topping is, so we can get an idea on the number of pizzas. 
HAPPY: Jake Bourdeau was happy that his collarbone was not broken, just separated. Charlie Frair was happy that despite pulling out his long underwear, the temperature stayed in the 70s. Tom Talbott was happy that he caught Laura Young’s misspelling of Led Zeppelin before her note was published in the Windjammer Laura countered that she knows how to spell Salt-N-Pepa (of “Shoop” and “Push it!” fame).
LOBSTER RAFFLE DRAWING AND DEELY-BOPPER RECOGNITION Patty Byers was happy for the successful conclusion of the Lobster Raffle. Patty then gave thanks for all who participated in the Lobster Raffle, a fundraiser that went 45 days over two months selling raffle tickets near the cruise ship port. The lottery (raffle drawing) took place. Bob Kayat from Edgewater, Florida won first place of 8 Lobsters, while Roberta Wilson, also from Florida, from Fort White, won second place, 4 lobsters. 
CLYNK FOR HEAT: Bill Blount is the Clynk representative, aka Colonel Clynk. Bill encouraged the club to take a bag with the prefixed label on it so that recycled cans and bottles are credited to the Rotary Club. In turn, funds generated from the bottle return will provide funds to supply heat for those who can’t afford it.
CALL FOR HEARING AIDS: Dr Roger Fagan reminded all that, if possible, please pick up a cardboard hearing aid recycling container. The lifespan of hearing aids is approximately 4 years. Hearing aids that get recycled can be used to support the Rotary Hearing clinic in the Dominican Republic. Follow up to this, a photo sent in from Laura Young who was able to get a box positioned at the customer service window at Shaw's in Freeport. Nice work!
PACK BACKPACKS: Bruce Moore lets us know that our Recovery Task Force is excited to launch our 4th Annual Backpack Project! This important initiative provides essential items to individuals beginning their recovery journey from Substance Use Disorder. We ask for your support in filling backpacks with toiletries and other personal items. Your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of those working toward a healthier and brighter future. To participate, please follow this link to 
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