THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER: Jennifer Burns, Director, Headstart Portland
Jennifer Burns has worked in Maine in the education and non-profit sectors for over 30 years. She brings a deep understanding of the way communities can work together to support the healthy development of children and advocates for this approach to learning.
In the Portland area, Jennifer has held leadership positions at the United Way of Southern Maine, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, and her current position as Head Start Director at The Opportunity Alliance.
Jennifer holds degrees from Bowdoin College, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a graduate certificate in Systems Thinking from Cornell University.
"This is the 60th year since the founding of Head Start as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” The Opportunity Alliance is also celebrating 60 years of serving the community through Head Start and other programs that address poverty. The better people understand who we are and what we do, the more you will see the fundamental role that Head Start plays in our communities. Our work is about kids, and it is also about families. It is about education, and it is also about the way a preschooler needs to be nourished to thrive. I look forward to sharing who we are in community. Each day I tend to our internal community of staff, children and parents, and the external community that provides context for our young people. The job of a director is also to look forward; I will share my perspective on how we can strengthen our commitment to early learning."
BITS AND PIECES | By Erik Jorgensen
It was a brisk but sunny late winter day as Portland Rotary convened its February 28 meeting, on the last day of the month. It would seem that Punxatawny Phil was correct in his predictions this year, as winter has shown few signs of letting up. President Patty gaveled the club to order; Bowen Depke led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Cyrus Hagge offered a wintry poem message of the day. Penny Harris would introduce our guests.
PLACE YOUR BETS: The raffle, with $393 dollars on the line, went to Paul T Gore. Paul tried for the Queen and she eluded him. Next week the odds of winning increase to 4%, noted Charlie Frair, resident card expert!
MARCH BIRTHDAYS - President Patty had a birthday, along with Dave Small, Sue Young, Mac Collins, Larry Gross, Jack Schrader, Paul Tully, Dave Patterson. John Thompson and Alan Nye.
SPIRIT OF YOUTH: Youth Services Scholarship – this month the scholarship went to an exceptional student from Deering High – Jael Mowa, who was at our meeting with her guidance counselor, Colleen Demers. Jael speaks 4 languages, she’s a varsity track and field athlete, a student leader and volunteer. She teaches Sunday school, and volunteers with the League of women voters. She serves as a volunteer interpreter as well as a volunteer English teacher. Wow! Patty added that Jael has chosen the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project as her charity of choice. Pictured here we have Colleen, Jael, Jael's parents, and Laura Young.
READ THIS: Bob Clark talked about Lyseth’s school-year reading program. Laura Young spoke of the pleasures of reading with kindergarten students; Dave Small talked about reading with older kids and their rapt attention. The club is Looking for more readers for March – sign up!
RYLA ON DECK: Bill Ross spoke about RYLA the Rotary Youth Leadership academy – currently local schools are soliciting applications for this four-day experience. The program takes place Sunday June 22 thru Wednesday June 25th, up at Camp Hines, Windham. For all the details and the portal to register, visit the RYLA Website for District 7780 - Click Here!
KOSOVO: Liz Fagan reported on our club’s involvement in caring for people in Kosovo. Ramadan began on March 29 and for the next 30 days Liz’s interactions as supervisor of the Ordinance Locopedia Eloquence Clinic and SLPs throughout the country will be quiet due to the celebration of Ramadan. Granit Haliti will continue to communicate regarding patients as needed.
HEAR THIS: Roger Fagan noted that the World Health Organization has declared Monday to be World Hearing Aids Day. He reminded members that this corresponds with our next trip to the Dominican Republic, which leaves on April 19th. Don’t forget the hearing aid collection boxes!
FLAGS TIME: Charlie Frair issued a Flags for Heroes reminder – July 13 is the SeaDogs game. The game will feature Rotarians holding flags on the field. Members are needed to hold the flags. The game will sell out, so if you want to be part of it, you need to get a ticket. Wrist bands help bring up the program in conversation, and pamphlets are on the tables to take with you. Later in Happy Dollars, Peter Goffin related a personal experience of the band and pamphlet being the key to an associate jumping right in to sponsor two flags. It's a meaningful moment. Larry Gross followed Charlie by reflecting on one of his life heroes, his dear Aunt Ethel. www.flagsforheroesmaine.com
PELS READY: John Thompson is off to President Elect Learning Seminar in Framingham, MA. He’s been reaching out to members and has been “blown away by the amount in interest and service and caring” he’s seen. Wanted to warn that others will be getting calls too – and he urged you to “just say yes”!
LEARN MORE: Patty reminded us that the District 7780 Learning Assembly will take place on April 5th. The event will run from 8am-3pm at Westbrook High School. There will be programs for ALL Rotarians and specialized ones for the Club Secretary, Club Treasurer, Foundation Chair, Membership Chair & Youth Chair. Fun and fellowship. $30 per person and online registration will be available very soon!
PRACTICE RUN: With President Patty and President-Elect John Thompson away next week, VP Justin Lamontagne will step in and run the March 7th meeting. Patty gave him the gavel to practice, and he adjourned the meeting in fine fashion.
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: George Pullen - Key Insights on the Future of the Space Economy | By Cort Hepler
Cort Hepler introduced a personal long-time friend and a former classmate George Pullen, Chief Economist at Milky Way Economy, to our Friday audience. Cort pulled double-duty by also implementing the zoom set up, as George was speaking to us remotely from Washington, D.C. It was very apropos, since the talk was about the great beyond! George highlighted the rapid expansion of the space economy and its far-reaching implications for industries, global competition, and future innovation. Here are the key takeaways:
Space is Big Business - The space industry is projected to surpass $4 trillion in the coming decades, driven by advancements in satellites, commercial space stations, and resource extraction.
The New Space Race - The U.S. and China are competing for lunar dominance, with China planning a permanent Moon base by 2035, while NASA’s Artemis program aims to land astronauts there first.
A Surge in Space Stations - The number of operational space stations is set to increase dramatically, with China’s Tiangong, NASA-backed commercial projects, and private ventures like Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef contributing to an expected total of 10–12 stations by the 2030s.
Satellite Boom & Space Debris - With projections estimating 58,000 active satellites by 2035, concerns over space debris are growing. Currently, 36,500+ large fragments are tracked in orbit, posing risks to satellites and future missions.
The Space-Biotech Connection - Scientists are using space labs to study aging, drug development, and tissue engineering in microgravity, unlocking new medical advancements. Many venture capital firms now fund both biotech and space startups, reflecting the industries’ growing overlap.
International Collaboration & Rivalry - While projects like the ISS and Artemis Accords promote cooperation, the space race is intensifying. As of 2024, there are nearly 80 national space agencies, with 16 possessing independent launch capabilities.
Pullen emphasized that space is no longer just about exploration - it’s about business, innovation, and global influence. The future of space will reshape industries, economies, and geopolitics in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Speaker Schedule
March 14- Megan Walton -Southern Maine Agency on Aging
March 20 - Thursday Night Social
March 21- No Meeting
March 28- Mike McGovern - Polio Plus and Vaccines' Future
April 11 - Major Ralph Gamache - Maine Civil Air Patrol
April 18 - Giovanna Gray Lockhart & Bryan Matluck - Frances Perkins Center
April 25 - Regine Whittlesey - L'Alliance Francaise
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
Jennifer Burns has worked in Maine in the education and non-profit sectors for over 30 years. She brings a deep understanding of the way communities can work together to support the healthy development of children and advocates for this approach to learning.
RYLA ON DECK: Bill Ross spoke about RYLA the Rotary Youth Leadership academy – currently local schools are soliciting applications for this four-day experience. The program takes place Sunday June 22 thru Wednesday June 25th, up at Camp Hines, Windham. For all the details and the portal to register, 
FLAGS TIME: Charlie Frair issued a Flags for Heroes reminder – July 13 is the SeaDogs game. The game will feature Rotarians holding flags on the field. Members are needed to hold the flags. The game will sell out, so if you want to be part of it, you need to get a ticket. Wrist bands help bring up the program in conversation, and pamphlets are on the tables to take with you. Later in Happy Dollars, Peter Goffin related a personal experience of the band and pamphlet being the key to an associate jumping right in to sponsor two flags. It's a meaningful moment. Larry Gross followed Charlie by reflecting on one of his life heroes, his dear Aunt Ethel. 
George highlighted the rapid expansion of the space economy and its far-reaching implications for industries, global competition, and future innovation. Here are the key takeaways:
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