Thursday Night Club Social This Week - No Friday Meeting!
Planning Ahead Note: Oct 3 Meeting at Italian Heritage Club
Oct 10 Meeting at USM Portland. Details forthcoming.
(Elks Lodge is renovating kitchen)
THIS WEEK'S EVENT: Thursday Night Social at Orange Bike BreweryOur September Thursday Night Social, which will be at the Orange Bike Brewery, 31 Diamond Street, Portland. This is in the Bayside area behind Coffee By Design. This Thursday, Sept 18, 530pm - enjoy their award winning gluten free beer (with NA options), the cool outdoors under their tent, and some live bluegrass music. Food is available right next door at “Bite”. Jake Bourdeau is organizing, and is hoping for a great turnout!
BITS AND PIECES | By Laura Young
Co-President Laura Young opened the meeting and invited Bev Uhlenhake to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Bruce Jones, in the spirit of brevity, offered a thoughtful grace: giving thanks for food, love, opportunity, friendship, and fellowship.
WELCOME: Bill Milliken introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians, including former Portland Rotarian Kathy Grammer; Paul Munsie, a visiting Rotarian from Florida; our speaker, District Governor Emma Bodwell and her husband, Peter; and Assistant Governor Julie Forbes.
RAFFLE: Jim Vincenzi invited DG Emma to draw the winning ticket for the $52 pot. Dan Fahey’s ticket was selected, but he did not pick the Queen of Hearts—so the pot grows!
LEARN: “September: Basic Education and Literacy Month” President Laura thanked David Small and Mike Fortunato for leading the summer reading program. Mike shared that this was the best summer yet. The six- and seven-year-olds at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine were enthusiastic, and the one-on-one reading format made a big difference. Laura also announced that former Portland Rotarian Nick Gagnon and his family will once again support the program with a donation to help purchase books for Lyseth School and next summer’s reading program. Photo Right: Mike. Below. Mike and Bruce Moore reading to Lyseth students.
BACKPACKERS: Amy Chipman thanked everyone who helped stuff backpacks after last week’s meeting, Dave Putnam for storing them, and the volunteers who distributed them at the Boys and Girls Club: Jim Willey, Bruce Jones, Mike Fortunato, Ellen Niewoehner, and Dick Hall. She also expressed gratitude to the Locker Project, Lamey Wellehan, and the staff at the Boys and Girls Club.
LOBSTER UP! Bill Milliken spoke about the lobster raffle and thanked Larry Gross for connecting him with Brickyard Hollow, who are generously storing our raffle materials. Bill encouraged members to sign up for shifts in September and October. Proceeds support our charitable projects and Lift All Boats. Photo: Bill Milliken.
You can also track our lobster sales progress by clicking HERE!
Thru Monday Sept 15th: $2293
DOMINICAN HEARING: Roger Fagan announced that contributions from Portland Rotarians and others in the District are helping establish a Rotary hearing clinic at Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. A testing booth has been installed and equipment is being calibrated. Roger shared, “What I love best about Rotary is the ability of its members to put politics aside in order to help others.” He also quoted Margaret Mead: “We are at our best in service to others.” Rotary clubs in India, Canada, and Mexico have pledged support, including $5,000 from India and $10,000 from Mexico. A team will travel to the DR in January; members interested in joining should reach out.
CLYNK: Col. Clynk , aka Bill Blount returned to encourage us to “drink more for the Clynk.” He has Clynk bags tied to the Portland Rotary account, which provides heating assistance for Portland residents. So far, the program has raised $350. He closed with a cheerful reminder: “So drink up!”
MARK STIMSON: Mark's wife Connie reached out to Tom Ranello to let us know there will be a celebration of Life on October 11, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Fellowship Hall on rte 88 in Falmouth.
HAPPY: Michael Reed celebrated traveling to Spain with his wife to attend his nephew’s wedding who was their ring bearer 30 years ago. Bowen Depke celebrated the visit of former Portland Rotarian Kathy Grammer. Brian Nickerson celebrated the 10th anniversary of launching the lighthouse project in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Larry Gross recognized Bill Milliken for securing a Rotary sign to be posted at the veterans’ place on St. John Street. DG Emma Bodwell shared her gratitude, recalling that she first heard the word “Rotary” from her colleague and Portland Rotarian, Meg Hickey, who often spoke fondly of her weekly Portland Rotary meetings.
Last Week's Speaker: District Governor Emma Bodwell "10 Sparks" | by Larry Gross
Co-President Laura Young introduced District Governor Emma Bodwell. DG Emma has been active in Rotary for over 25 years, serving in many leadership roles at the Club and District levels. Her service includes leading international missions to the Dominican Republic and Colombia and securing global grants for projects in India and Colombia. She is a strong supporter of the Rotary Foundation as a sustaining donor and member of multiple Rotary donor societies.
DG Emma’s message centered on collaboration, belonging, and the transformative power of Rotary in communities and beyond.
She introduced her “10 SPARKs" initiative to inspire Rotarians and strengthen their impact this Rotary year. The SPARKs are ideas to help Clubs stay connected, inspired, and impactful. The first SPARK, "Unite for Good," emphasizes collaboration and multiplying impact through teamwork. Emma shared stories illustrating the "Power of Rotary," such as Rotary’s quick response to help a local youth exchange student stranded in the Miami Airport (within 30 minutes!) and the success of the aquaponics grant project in Colombia, which quickly raised $63,000 through district-designated funds and international Club collaborations.
Emma highlighted the importance of Rotary as a family, sharing her personal journey of stepping away from Rotary and returning after realizing its value in her life. She emphasized the role of storytelling in Rotary, noting how sharing impactful stories can inspire new members, partnerships, and contributions. She encouraged members to widely share their Rotary stories in newsletters, social media, and everyday conversations.
For her year as DG, the District has launched new initiatives like the "Unite for Good” engagement tracker, which celebrates individual Club impact through stars awarded for achievements like empowering new members, collaborating with other clubs, and sponsoring youth programs. At the end of the year, the Club with the most stars will be celebrated at a fellowship event. She also introduced the District Governor’s Initiative Fund, which provides seed money for local and international projects led by newer Rotarians, as well as scholarships for them to attend global project fairs.
Membership growth and retention are key themes this year. Emma stressed the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive Club culture. Many new members join Rotary for service or business connection but stay for the feeling of ‘family” that active participation in Club activities generates. She encourages Clubs to attract and retain members by being flexible, hosting family-friendly events, and exploring new meeting formats.
Like our Club’s modified Four Way Test, Emma emphasized the "fun factor" of Rotary, encouraging clubs to incorporate enjoyable activities like fundraisers, contests, and social events to keep members engaged. She urged Rotarians to live "Beyond Your Club" by sharing successful projects with the District and stepping into leadership roles to strengthen Rotary’s global impact. She described Rotary as a "free leadership academy," offering hands-on training in collaboration, public speaking, and project management available to every Rotarian who says “YES!” when asked to help at the Club, District, or Rotary International level.
Photo: Laura Young, Emma, Patty Byers, and Ass't DG Julianna Forbes
Speaker Schedule
September 26 - Bonita Thompkins - Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
October 3- @IHS - Maya Newell - Student Exchange Experience - Japan
October 10- @USM Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President, USM
October 16- Thursday Night Social : End Polio Now Bridge Walk
October 17- No Meeting
October 24 - Jean Flahive, Maine Author, Historical Fiction
October 31 - Paul Bradbury. Director, Portland International Jetport
November 7 - Amy Angelo and Alice Evans, ME. Chapter Alzheimer's Assoc.
Club Executives
Co-Presidents Bowen Depke, Laura Young President Elect Justin Lamontagne Vice President Jake Bourdeau TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Juliana L'Heureux Board of Directors Dick Hall, Patty Byers,
Art Howe, Niki Merrill, Bill Milliken, Bruce Moore
Sergeant-At-ArmsZach Newell
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Our September Thursday Night Social, which will be at the Orange Bike Brewery, 31 Diamond Street, Portland. This is in the Bayside area behind Coffee By Design. This Thursday, Sept 18, 530pm - enjoy their award winning gluten free beer (with NA options), the cool outdoors under their tent, and some live bluegrass music. Food is available right next door at “Bite”. Jake Bourdeau is organizing, and is hoping for a great turnout!
LEARN: “September: Basic Education and Literacy Month” President Laura thanked David Small and Mike Fortunato for leading the summer reading program. Mike shared that this was the best summer yet. The six- and seven-year-olds at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine were enthusiastic, and the one-on-one reading format made a big difference. Laura also announced that former Portland Rotarian Nick Gagnon and his family will once again support the program with a donation to help purchase books for Lyseth School and next summer’s reading program. Photo Right: Mike. Below. Mike and Bruce Moore reading to Lyseth students.
LOBSTER UP! Bill Milliken spoke about the lobster raffle and thanked Larry Gross for connecting him with Brickyard Hollow, who are generously storing our raffle materials. Bill encouraged members to sign up for shifts in September and October. Proceeds support our charitable projects and Lift All Boats. Photo: Bill Milliken. 
DOMINICAN HEARING: Roger Fagan announced that contributions from Portland Rotarians and others in the District are helping establish a Rotary hearing clinic at Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. A testing booth has been installed and equipment is being calibrated. Roger shared, “What I love best about Rotary is the ability of its members to put politics aside in order to help others.” He also quoted Margaret Mead: “We are at our best in service to others.” Rotary clubs in India, Canada, and Mexico have pledged support, including $5,000 from India and $10,000 from Mexico. A team will travel to the DR in January; members interested in joining should reach out.
CLYNK: Col. Clynk , aka Bill Blount returned to encourage us to “drink more for the Clynk.” He has Clynk bags tied to the Portland Rotary account, which provides heating assistance for Portland residents. So far, the program has raised $350. He closed with a cheerful reminder: “So drink up!”
HAPPY: Michael Reed celebrated traveling to Spain with his wife to attend his nephew’s wedding who was their ring bearer 30 years ago. Bowen Depke celebrated the visit of former Portland Rotarian Kathy Grammer. Brian Nickerson celebrated the 10th anniversary of launching the lighthouse project in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Larry Gross recognized Bill Milliken for securing a Rotary sign to be posted at the veterans’ place on St. John Street. DG Emma Bodwell shared her gratitude, recalling that she first heard the word “Rotary” from her colleague and Portland Rotarian, Meg Hickey, who often spoke fondly of her weekly Portland Rotary meetings.