This Thursday Night, December 12th, we'll connect for a social event, and Art Howe tells us that we'll meet at Portland Pie, 51 York Street, Portland, starting at 5:30pm. Festive wear is recommended! The tentative plan is that Portland Pie will donate $1/glass.drink back to our charitable fund, but we'll confirm that upon arrival. Either way, it'll be a great time, and will take the place of our Friday club meeting. Please join us! It's a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Rotarians in a relaxed social setting, not under the natural constraints of a seated club meeting.
BITS AND PIECES | by Larry Gross
Thirty-four Rotarians and guests braved a chilly, windy noontime to enjoy pasta, meatball, sausage and peppers, salad and a collection of holiday pies for our weekly meeting. First VP John Thompson, filled in for President Patty to run the meeting, his first time at the helm. Bowen Depke led us in the Pledge, Larry Gross provided words of wisdom for holiday gatherings from Poor Richard’s Almanac, a collection of apothems and proverbs published by Ben Franklin: “If you would have guests merry with cheer, be so yourself, or at least so appear!”
HAPPY: John Thompson led off a Happy Dollars with gratitude for his debut practicing at the podium and roving microphone. Dick Hall was happy that comments on the tree he donated for Monument Square have stopped, Niki Curtis celebrated her upcoming wedding, Jack Schraeter also made a happy contribution.
GOOD FEAT: Bill Milliken (photo) provided a summary of the Thanksgiving meal Portland Rotarians prepared and delivered at St. Vincent De Paul’s. More than 200 meals were served, a new record. Bill thanked the dozens of Rotarians and family members who contributed to the success.
YOU’RE HISTORY: Erik Greven ran the raffle, providing a brief but informative history of the lottery’s origin as s Dutch municipal fundraising strategy. Brian Nickerson drew the red queen, but, alas, in the wrong suit! Dutch 1, Brian 0.
IN TUNE: Tom Ranello (photo) made a pitch for Salvation Army bell ringing volunteers at Shaw’s Northgate. He still has some open slots the week of December 17th from 11:30 – 1:00. Reach out to Tom to fill his schedule, and be looking for his email with extended details.
THANKS BACK: Bruce Moore thanked all who have contributed toothbrushes, hand lotion, hats, and more for the Portland Recovery Center backpack project. He gave special thanks to Paul Gore for procuring 75 backpacks for the cause. We'll be packing at Portland Recovery Resource Center at 102 Bishop Street in Portland at 9am this coming Saturday, December 14th. Please bring any remaining items you've gathered with you on Saturday or drop them off at PRCC before Saturday. In a follow up email, Bruce said he and Jan would be glad to pick up items in advance so you can call him at 207 318-9424 and we'll make arrangements. Pictured here, Jan Chapman, Paul Gore, and Bruce Moore have the right stuff.
BOTTLED UP: Bill “Colonel CLYNK” Blount made another appearance with Dave “Sgt Shultz’ Putnam to recruit Rotarians for the bottle drive for heating assistance. Bill has CLYNK collection boxes on order and invited Rotarians to take and fill them during the Holidays.
FOUR SLICES: Amy Chipman led us in the Rotary Four Way Test as a prelude to an announcement of the upcoming Rotary Social at Portland Pie Company of York Street this coming Thursday, December 12th at 5:30pm.
WELCOME WALLS: Dick Hall introduced two Rotarians as the newest members of our Club: Katharine and Dr. Jerry Wall, transferring from West Monroe, Louisianna. Both have long and impressive Rotary provenances as Group Study Exchange guides and hosts, Club President and District Governor duties (Jerry), and a long list of community involvements outside of Rotary. Photo- Dick Hall welcomes Katharine and Jerry!
BORDER CROSSING: John Thompson put in a plug for the upcoming Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada this summer. There is building interest among several Club members to form a group from Portland to attend. Speak to Peter Goffin or Amy Chipman for more info.
PAUL HARRIS PIN FOUND: A Paul Harris pin with two rubies, which signifies PHF 8x was found after the meeting. See Brian Nickerson, he has it secured!
NEW HOST: Zack Newell reported that our Exchange student Antonio has moved to his second host family and has enjoyed several trips to Hyannis on Cape Cod. Zack encouraged Club members to reach out and invite Antonio to join them on any outings planned over the winter months – sporting events were one suggestion.
Last Week's Speaker: Jordan King, The SeaWeed Co., Sharing Info On Today's Cannibis | by Zach Newell
Jordan King is the Assistant Manager with the SeaWeed Co, a Maine owned Recreational/ Adult Use cannabis company with retail stores in Portland and South Portland. Her goal is to help people learn what an amazing substance cannabis is, provide information to help navigate the emerging industry,and empower people to give it a try.
Jordan talked about cannabis as a plant that humans have cultivated and consumed for thousands of years. Cannabis contains cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are a family of naturally occurring substances found in the plant. Jordan also broke down the components of cannabis, including THC, which is the chemical compound in cannabis responsible for the feeling of being “high.” Jordan also explained that THC can reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and help with certain forms of anxiety. The other chemicals found in cannabis include CBD, CBN, and CBG. Many of us in the audience are familiar with CBD, responsible for soothing aches and inflammation without the high of THC. CBD can also be helpful in combating anxiety.
Jordan gave the club a breakdown of a variety of products and consumption. These include edibles – gummies, chocolates, beverages and tincture; and topicals – gels, lotions and oils. Topicals have a quicker effect on the body than edibles. Jordan also gave the club a breakdown of flowers (buds and inhaled smoke) and concentrates (vape carts and inhaled vapor). Flowers and concentrates are expressed in percentages, ranging from low percentage, which is low potency, to high percentage, which is high potency.
Jordan also provided the club with a differentiation between medical and recreational uses of cannabis. Products marketed towards physical and mental ailments ranging from arthritis, anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, etc., are classified as medical in nature. Medical cannabis is available to people with medical cards issued by the state. Several FDA approved medications containing cannabinoids exist on the market, such as Marinol or Cesamet. Maine medical cannabis regulations require a medical operation and distribution license, a need to verify medical patient status, require a legal purchasing limit for consumers, and must observe transportation protocols.
In the state of Maine, recreational use requires that consumers must be 21 years old. Recreational shops must have a recreational operation license, must also observe legal purchasing limits, provide product dosage and appropriate product labeling. The final takeaway for Jordan in expressing the versatility of cannabis to the club is that it can help with a lot of things when used moderately, though education and responsible consumption are key. There is a lot of information to navigate. Mainers take great pride in creating safe and healthy products. Consumers should take advantage but do so responsibly. Jordan then fielding a number of questions and showcased a number of samples on the front table.
Pictured, Doreeen Rockstrom who introduced Jordan, with Club VP John Thompson, providing club leadership while President Patty Byers was out of town.
New Member Notification
Second Notice: Penny Harris has applied for membership. She has ten years of Rotary experience as a member in Bangor and is looking forward to joining our Club and connecting with our community. She is the Founder and CEO of Renewable Philanthropy located in South Portland where she works and lives. She enjoys art, the great outdoors and has served as a Trustee and Board Member of the League of Women Voters (local, state and national levels). Laura Young will be her sponsor. After this publication, her application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Speaker Schedule
December 20 - Chris Kuchuris & Jazz Quintet Portland Conservatory Music
December 27 - Happy Holidays - No Club Meeting
January 3 - Julie Poulin -Director Development, Animal Rescue League
January 10 - Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Director, The Maine Monitor
January 16 - Thursday Night Social
January 17 - No Club Meeting
January 24 - Elizabeth McClellan, Founder/Pres, Partners For World Health
January 31 - Margaret Groban - Understanding 2nd Amendment
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
This Thursday Night, December 12th, we'll connect for a social event, and Art Howe tells us that we'll meet at Portland Pie, 51 York Street, Portland, starting at 5:30pm. Festive wear is recommended! The tentative plan is that Portland Pie will donate $1/glass.drink back to our charitable fund, but we'll confirm that upon arrival. Either way, it'll be a great time, and will take the place of our Friday club meeting. Please join us! It's a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Rotarians in a relaxed social setting, not under the natural constraints of a seated club meeting.
IN TUNE: Tom Ranello (photo) made a pitch for Salvation Army bell ringing volunteers at Shaw’s Northgate. He still has some open slots the week of December 17th from 11:30 – 1:00. Reach out to Tom to fill his schedule, and be looking for his email with extended details.
BOTTLED UP: Bill “Colonel CLYNK” Blount made another appearance with Dave “Sgt Shultz’ Putnam to recruit Rotarians for the bottle drive for heating assistance. Bill has CLYNK collection boxes on order and invited Rotarians to take and fill them during the Holidays.
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