Great job by Tom Ranello and his team. Full report at this Friday's meeting!
This Week's Speaker: Erin Cooperrider, Mercy Hospital Redevelopment
Erin Cooperrider is one of Maine’s most creative housing developers, having successfully completed projects large and small, in both urban and rural places, including several islands. joined NewHeight group in 2015 as a Principal, and manages contracting, permitting, financing, and construction.
Previously, Erin served 17 years as Development Director for Community Housing of Maine (CHOM), a statewide affordable housing developer, helping to grow the organization’s asset base from $5 million to more than $100 million using low income housing tax credits, state and federal historic tax credits, grants, loans, and private equity.
Erin has personally managed 14 major construction projects totaling 765,000 square feet and 680 units, including 3 award-winning historic projects, 3 LEED certified projects, and the first multi-family Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) certified project in New England.
Erin currently serves on the board of directors of 30 FSI, a subsidiary of CEI, Inc., a state historic tax credit investor and the Boothbay Regional Development Corporation. She previously chaired the board of directors of the Genesis Community Loan Fund, CEI, Inc., and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Advisory Council. Erin also served on the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her graduate degree from Stanford University.
Meeting of May 5th: New Members Preside!
| by Juliana L'Heureux with help from Zach Newell
Five of Portland Rotary’s six newest members spoke about their many experiences and how they became interested in joining Rotary. L-R Dan Fahey, Zach Newell, Tuck Barclay, Nannette Ranger- Duncanson, and David Patterson.
Niki Curtis was unable to attend; she aspires to getting out of her comfort zone, pursuing contemplative activities, and following up on her commitment to serving and helping others.
Dan Fahey is quite an outdoorsman, showcasing a “brrrr” polar plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics, and he had a picture of himself running a marathon and fly fishing after skiing. Dan also meets people from around the world by “adopting” people through couchsurfing.com. Dan also plays for the Rotary tennis league and enjoys meeting new people.
Zach Newell has an international introduction to Rotary. He gave his background about how he started in Rotary, entering the Marblehead, MA Rotary Club in 2012. He became involved through a somewhat famous bronze sculptor he met while teaching in Alexandria, Egypt in spring 2012. After serving as a member of the Marblehead Rotary club for three (3) years, Zach served as club president. In 2018, Zach became a member of the Charleston, Illinois Rotary Club, where he eventually began a stint as club president before leaving for Portland, ME, where he has been a member since September 2022.
Tuck Barclay discussed his work with an impressive seven United Ways from Minneapolis, MN to Portland, ME, Manchester, NH, Cincinnati, OH, Charlotte, NC, Worcester, MA and Kennebunk, ME. Tuck also talked about the importance of his family through his son, George, who aspired to be a sports writer before becoming an attorney, to his daughter, Cate, who is an educator. Tuck’s wife, Lucy, is the light of his life, though, and has been there for their long, family journey over the years!
Nannette Ranger-Duncanson noted that for all who know her, she added her maiden name to carry on her father’s legacy. Her two boys, Alex and Schuyler are all grown up. She emphasized the importance of family in her life. Her final slide noted images that characterize what is important to her and her family. She and her family moved to Portland after they sold their home in Cumberland. She and her husband purchased a lot of land, bought during the pandemic, but never moved to (although they constructed a cabin on the property); her hobbies include cross country skiing; and her love of seeing friends and family.
David Patterson, who played Rotary president for the day, talked about his family’s journey to southern Maine from Kent, Ohio. David’s wife took a job here, and the frenetic search for a home, moving and getting settled, involved joining Rotary. There were a number of struggles in getting into a routine. Thankfully, they managed to buy their home and are settled in. David led Rotarians in a reading of the Four Way Test to conclude the interesting meeting: Is It TheTruth?; Is It Fair to All Concerned?; Will It Build Good Will and Better Friendships?; Will it Be Beneficial to All Concerned?
Portland Rotary welcomes Nicki, Zach, David, Tuck, Dan and Nannette!
Bits and Pieces for Cinco de Mayo! | by Laura Young
The newest members of the Portland Rotary Club 2022-2023 took over the meeting with David Patterson leading the charge
Zach Newell welcomed everyone and called on Justin Lamontagne to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Juliana L’Heureux, in honor of National Nurses weekend, read a 1968 poem called “The Gift” written by a student nurse on her last day as a student. Nannette Ranger-Duncanson led the membership in singing “God Bless America” followed by Zach’s call to “Play Ball!”
TREES: After lunch, David Patterson kicked off the announcements by calling on Ellen Niewoehner who reminded everyone of the tree planting next Wednesday, May 10th at 9 am to 11 am on Bayside Trail. Friends and family are welcome. Bring work gloves, extra shovels and work boots/shoes.
The microphone was acting up which David referred to as his hazing.
LOCKER VOLUNTEERS: Amy Chipman spoke about the email she sent from Kevin Bogart of the Locker Project with the following volunteer options:
Saturday May 13th - Standard Baking Company: Two volunteers needed to pick up donations from Standard Baking at 5pm and deliver them to our warehouse to be bagged and counted
Saturday May 20th - South Portland Spring Fest: Two to four volunteers needed to host an information table from 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Saturday June 3rd - Talbot Garden Fest: Two or more volunteers needed to host a fresh food event from 10am to 1pm
Amy also announced the next Community Services meeting next Friday, May 12th at 11:15 at IHC prior to the membership meeting. The committee is gauging interest in volunteering once a month at Preble Street Resource Center again. Contact Amy if you are interested.
READING: Laura Young shared that the summer reading program is on again and, by popular demand, we’re going back to North Deering Gardens. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from the end of June through the end of August we will be reading to kids and distributing books purchased thanks to the generosity of Portland Rotarians.
MUD IN THE BANK: Tom Talbott announced the Mud Sale’s final tally of $1,500 raised to support the club. Any un-purchased items can be picked up in the IHC closet.
LOVE: Bill Blount announced the winners of this spring’s tennis league: Scott Gurneau, Max Chikuta, Alex St. Hilaire, and Norm Poulin. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the league, Bill invited current and past players and their spouses to his house, 32 Norwood Street in Portland, for a dinner party on May 22nd at 5:30 pm. Bill also wanted to thank Paul T. Gore for printing the winner’s shirts all these years.
NO LUCK: Bruce Moore led the raffle and as luck would have it, pulled his wife Jan’s card out of the box. Investigations were launched, but were laughed off with good cheer. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Jan didn’t pick the Queen of Hearts and the $320 pot will grow.
HAPPY: Dan Fahey announced the birthdays and anniversaries.
PRE-CONCERT PLAN: Tom Ranello reminded everyone about the Concert in the Park on Sunday, May 7th (Bill Blount’s bday!) at 12:30 to raise awareness of Fentanyl. Wear your yellow Rotarian at Work shirt. (If you don’t have one, there will be a few on sale for $20 at the membership table.) Bring your beach chair to watch the Don Campbell concert. Tom thanked Charlie Frair for doing a good job helping with logistics.
SATELLITE CALL: You are invited to join the Portland Sunrise Satellite Club for a service project to benefit Maine Needs on Saturday, May 13 at 9:30 AM. We will meet in the parking lot of Back Cover Financial (56 Depot Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105) to assemble cleaning kits and mini spring/summer care kits for families and individuals in need. We are collecting the following items for the kits:
Cleaning & Toiletry: All purpose spray, toilet bowl cleaner and brush, dish soap and sponges, trash bags, body soap, body lotion, shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrush. For the summer care kits we need tick spray, sunscreen, nail clippers/file, Dunkin' Gift Cards, tissues, and chapstick. Questions - reach out to Quinn Slayton!
Speaker Schedule
May 19, Norm O'Reilly, Dean UMaine Graduate School of Business - Maine
Brand Study and Hockey Book
May 25, Thursday Night Club Social
May 26, No Meeting
June 2, Cynthia Dill, Esq, Affordable Housing Initiatives in Maine
June 9, Bill Nemitz, Acquisition of Portland Press Herald and Sun Journal
June 16, Portland Mayor Kate Snyder
June 23, President Bruce Jones Farewell Address
June 29, Thursday Night Social
June 30, No Meeting
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Bill Blount Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux,
Ben Lowry, Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair:Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Erin Cooperrider is one of Maine’s most creative housing developers, having successfully completed projects large and small, in both urban and rural places, including several islands. joined NewHeight group in 2015 as a Principal, and manages contracting, permitting, financing, and construction.
LOCKER VOLUNTEERS: Amy Chipman spoke about the email she sent from Kevin Bogart of the Locker Project with the following volunteer options:
NO LUCK: Bruce Moore led the raffle and as luck would have it, pulled his wife Jan’s card out of the box. Investigations were launched, but were laughed off with good cheer. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Jan didn’t pick the Queen of Hearts and the $320 pot will grow.
awareness of Fentanyl. Wear your yellow Rotarian at Work shirt. (If you don’t have one, there will be a few on sale for $20 at the membership table.) Bring your beach chair to watch the Don Campbell concert. Tom thanked Charlie Frair for doing a good job helping with logistics..png)
