There was a change of plans, and instead of the Belleflower, our March 20th Thursday night social will take place at Low Key, 89 Congress Street, on Munjoy Hill. It's described as a delightful neighborhood bar, a very cozy 25 seat establishment. We'll gather starting at 5:30pm. Enjoy classic and signature cocktails, wine, beer with a food menu of bar snacks and sandwiches. Please RSVP with an email to either Charlie Frair or Jake Bourdeau. Looking forward to seeing you there!
BITS AND PIECES | By Laura Young
President Patty rang the bell to start the meeting and called on Tom Nickerson to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Message for the Day: Tom Talbott shared the following quotes from comedian Steven Wright:
"I’d kill for a Nobel Peace Prize."
"Borrow money from pessimists – they don’t expect it back."
"Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now."
"My mechanic told me, ‘I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.’"
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you."
"I intend to live forever… So far, so good."
ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Patty noted, “Today is Pi Day. I hope you enjoy your lunch and especially dessert!” International Pi Day, March 14, aka 3/14, the first three numbers in the mathematical constant known as Pi: 3.14. Pi is used to determine the area of a circle. Pie is used as a dessert. Paul Gore shared his good sense of humor with his own equation >>>>
WELCOME: Andi Summers introduced the following guests:
Christine Johnson, Eli Small, and Phil Spiller from the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club, Chris Hawker, guest of John Thompson, Antonio Soriano-Lujan, guest of Zach Newell and Ellyn Peters, guest of Penny Harris.
RAFFLE: Jim Vicenzi led the raffle, which had reached $425. Amy Chipman’s card was drawn, and she said, “I am feeling lucky today.” However, she was not lucky enough to pick the Queen of Hearts. Jim commiserated with her.
WESTBROOK-GORHAM ROTARY PRESENTATION:
Phil Spiller, President of Westbrook-Gorham Rotary, addressed the club. He was accompanied by: Eli Small, VP nominee and son of Portland Rotarian David Small and Christine Johnson, Westbrook Past President 2.0, current Secretary, and District Website Administrator. In a wonderful show of support, Phil presented a $1,000 check from Westbrook-Gorham Rotary to support the upcoming hearing project in the Dominican Republic (April 19-26), led by our Roger Fagan. He mentioned the potential for additional support after the trip. He also invited Portland Rotarians to their upcoming Pizza Challenge event on April 24 (4:30-6:30 PM at the Westbrook Community Center Gymnasium). Tickets are available by contacting Phil at 850-529-3283.
L-R Christine, Patty, Roger, Phil and Eli. Thank you Westbrook-Gorham!
YOUTH SERVICES - RYLA: Patty shared an update from Bill Ross: The club has received seven RYLA applications so far—four from Deering High School and three from Portland High School. Excellent - keep it going!
ANTONIO'S DAY! Jan Chapman, on behalf of the Youth Exchange Committee, introduced our Youth Exchange student from Spain, Antonio Soriano-Lujan. Antonio shared a PowerPoint presentation about Spain, his hometown of Valencia, and cultural highlights, including paella (which he called “the best food ever”), sports (soccer and padel), and the Las Fallas carnival. He noted, “Throwing firecrackers is the most fun thing you can do with your friends!” Antonio turned 16 on Feb 28, and the club celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday”. Zach Newell presented Antonio, both soccer fans, with a Maine soccer jersey.
HE'S TRAINED AND READY: John Thompson shared his experience from PELS, describing it as a “firehouse” of information. He appreciated the training, the opportunity to meet other President-Elects, and representing Portland Rotary. He emphasized the club’s strong position and the importance of fostering fellowship, volunteerism, and fundraising. John encouraged members to share advice and questions as he prepares for his presidency starting July 1.
DISTRICT LEARNING ASSEMBLY: President Patty invited Rotarians to the District Learning Assembly on Sat, April 5, at Westbrook High School (registration at 8:30 AM). She highlighted learning opportunities for all Rotarians and specialized training for various club roles. Christine Johnson will facilitate technology sessions on Club Runner, Dick Hall will train Club Secretaries, and Roger Fagan will staff a booth featuring the Dominican Republic Hearing Program. The club will pay the $30 registration fee. Please email Patty to attend.
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Charlie Frair reported on the progress of the Heroes event, noting that two major television stations are supporting and promoting it. He emphasized that these sponsors will help make Rotary’s projects well known in the community. Charlie reminded members of upcoming events:
July 11: Rotary meeting/program at Hadlock Field (11:45 AM – 1:30 PM; friends and guests welcome)
July 13: Sea Dogs game with over 150 hero flags displayed on the infield (noon) Register now at www.flagsforheroesmaine.com.
July 18: Rotary meeting at Maine Mall for the flags display ceremony
Charlie shared a quote from his father: “Judge a person more by the questions they ask and not the statements they make.” He then invited Paul T. Gore to answer the question, “Who’s your hero?” Paul responded, “Every single one of you. When I joined at 32 and volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul, I was paired with Mark Stimson, Portland's renowned real estate business leader. A man who had the ability to do anything he wanted, was there at the sink with his sleeves rolled up washing pots and pans. I was in awe of him. He is my hero.”
ON THE ICE: FRIDAY APRIL 4TH - Ice-centric Hockey Night with the Maine Mariners (joint social with South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Club). The deadline to sign up is THIS Sunday, March 23. For questions and RSVPs, please email Jake Bourdeau. The South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Club already has 30 people interested!
The event includes:
4:15 PM: Skate on the ice - Bring your skates, and if you want to join the "Pond Hockey" fun, bring a stick, or borrow one from Jake!
5:30 PM: Happy Hour (likely at Aura)
7:15 PM: Mariners game
The skating session and game tickers will cost approx. $25-$35, and game-only tix will range $19-$25. Those prices depend on the number of RSVP’s. Please email Jake Bourdeau, or text him at 207-232-9482 no later than Sunday March 23rd so he can coordinate the ticket purchase and pricing.
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: Megan Walton - Southern Maine Agency on Aging - It's a SMAA World After All! | By Larry Gross
Doreen Rockstrom introduced guest speaker, Megan Walton, CEO of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA). Megan came to SMAA in 2019 from a Seattle based child services agency. Although new to Maine, Megan has a long connection to the State and New England having grown up in a Boston suburb, being a Middlebury College grad, and attending a Maine summer camp for six years in her youth. She resides in the Portland suburbs with her husband and three children ages 8,6, and 3.
Megan brought us the good news that we are all aging and living longer. She noted that Maine is the “oldest” state in the nation and our elder population is expected to increase by 47% over the next thirty years. However, increased longevity is creating challenges to the systems of care needed for an aged population to age well.
Social isolation is a particular challenge since we are a rural state and many elders live alone. The impact of isolation on wellness was painfully highlighted during Covid, as many poor health outcomes such as depression, poor diet, and heart disease were strongly associated with lack of regular interpersonal contact during the epidemic. Megan spoke about how SMAA uses a Social Vulnerability Index to guide the location of its programs and services.
SMAA has made social isolation its “North Star”, adopting the strategic goal that “All older adults will have a source of social connection”. SMAA deploys more than 400 volunteers throughout its program as one strategy to provide connection for both its volunteers (who are predominately older themselves) and clients. Megan shared a video of SMAA’s new “Phone Pals” program developed during Covid that made electronic tablets available to elders living alone and matched them with a volunteer who calls one or two times per week to “chat” using the ZOOM app.
In addition to Phone Pals, SMAA operates two adult day centers in York County, delivers meals to almost 2,000 homebound elders and disabled adults annually, plus wellness and personal resiliency services such as Money Minders (a bill paying service), Agewell classes in Tai Chi and Matter of Balance, Medicare counseling, case management, and community dining centers. SMAA partners with many community agencies to expand access to its services and leverage it staff of 70 employees.
SMAA needs more community partners to spread the word about its services for older Mainers. Megan provided a handout on LD 814, “The Older Mainers Act” a bill before the Maine Legislature. LD 814 seeks funds to support more homebased services provided through Maine’s five Agencies on Aging so elders can safely “age in place” in their homes and continue living in their communities.
Megan shared another video that featured its Adult Day Center in Biddeford where elders with dementia and related conditions receive therapeutic recreation, fellowship, exercise, and entertainment in daily programming. The video showed the family caregivers of center participants benefit from the respite that day programs provide from the emotional and physical stress that comes with being a caregiver.
In response to a question about SMAA’s emphasis on York County and the move from its Scarborough location five years ago, Megan shared the news that SMAA has acquired a building at 2320 Congress Street and will be renovating it as a Service Center with an adult day program, Medicare counseling site, and local Meals on Wheels hub in the coming year. Exciting news for Greater Portland residents!
Photo: Larry Gross/Program Reporter/ Former CEO SMAA, Doreen, and Megan.
Speaker Schedule
March 28- Mike McGovern - Polio Plus and Vaccines' Future
April 4 - Maine Mariners / Skating Night - 3:55pm. Open Skate/ Pond Hockey 4:15-5:15, 5:30 Happy Hour at Aura 7:30 Mariners Game!
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
May 2- Ava Kabouchy - Award Winning Travel Photographer
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
There was a change of plans, and instead of the Belleflower, our March 20th Thursday night social will take place at 
ON THE ICE: FRIDAY APRIL 4TH - Ice-centric Hockey Night with the Maine Mariners (joint social with South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Club). The deadline to sign up is THIS Sunday, March 23. For questions and RSVPs, 
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