FLAGS FOR HEROES HONORS ON ICE:  Sunday, March 1, Rotarians, family members and friends, combined to form a team of 60 American flag bearers, and marched with heads held high out on the ice in between the 1^st and 2^nd period of the sold-out Maine Mariners hockey game. With a 25 minute window to prepare, Coach Tom Talbott drew up the plan, and the team executed the play. Justin Lamontagne was the official on-ice line leader, he set the pace. This was an extension of our “Flags For Heroes” program, however this was not a fundraising effort. It was simply an opportunity for our flag bearers to say “thank you” to the heroes in their lives. It was also a great way to show some Rotary pride to over 6000 fans attending the game, with 9 different Rotary clubs represented.  Bath, Bridgton-Lakes Region, Dover, Exeter, Freeport, Kennebunkport, Saco Bay, York, and of course Portland!  All ages, from 11 to 82 carried flags, and the crowd responded loudly with cheers, many standing to applaud. Thank you to Paul Gore who supplied at his expense all our visiting Rotarians and guests with our signature yellow t-shirts, that added immensely to the impact. It was spectacular! Mariner associates said it was one of the most moving and memorable presentations that they’ve ever had and want us to come back again. Check out these photos - with Zero practice, that's pretty gosh darn amazing! 

 

MEETING DAY: Co-President Bowen Depke called the meeting to order. Larry Gross led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and David Small shared an anonymous Scottish blessing for peace in the world. Bowen shared that he attended a Boston Bruins game the night before, and was “feeling it” - good with the win.

 

WELCOME: We started off by welcoming a couple of guests. Barbara Willey was back with us, and Penny Harris brought Aaron Curran from Portland, who has been helping Penny with her new improv pursuits — so if you’re curious about that, be sure to ask them. Tim Donnellon conducted the raffle with $119 on the line, but Jim Wiilley was wide right, no luck.

 

TAKE A BOW: Bowen shared several thank-you letters the club recently received. The Portland Recovery Community Center expressed appreciation for our continued support of the Backpack Donation Program. The backpacks, assembled by our volunteers, provide not just practical items but also encouragement for individuals in early recovery. The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association thanked us for our $527.80 donation to the Custom House Wharf Fire Response Fund, funds we raised at the Maine Celtics game. Our contribution will go directly to fishermen affected by the December 26 fire. In a related story we learned that the lobsters we raffled off, at the request of the winning couple, donated instead to Portland firefighters in light of the recent fire — with help from Bill Milliken and Luke’s Lobster. The lobsters were turned into lobster rolls, making it quick and easy for the crew to enjoy. We also received thanks from Honor Flight Maine for our financial support this year, which helps fund their work honoring Maine veterans.

 

NEW MEMBER! Tom Ranello welcomed our newest member, Stephan Hull, a retired physician and medical administrator from Mercy Hospital who now lives in Portland. Steve has already jumped in with community service and says he’s looking forward to learning the “secret handshake.” “So are we!” was heard from the crowd!  Steve enjoys woodworking and outdoor athletics. Here's Steve on the left, Tom on the right. Welcome! 

 

PAUL HARRIS FELLOW: Amy Chipman presented a Paul Harris Fellow +4 to David Small, marking his fifth Paul Harris recognition and at least $5,000 in contributions to The Rotary Foundation. David was recognized for his long-standing commitment to Rotary, including water projects in the Dominican Republic, leadership of the Invocation Committee, and his steady work with our reading programs. David reminded us that small gifts over time truly add up and make a big difference.  

 

IT’LL BE EPIC: Niki Merrill announced plans for this year’s Epic Day of Service on May 16. We’ll be partnering with the Portland Recovery Community Center and likely other groups for a cleanup project on the Portland peninsula. A planning meeting will be held next Friday at 11 a.m., bringing together members from the Environmental Committee, Community Service Committee, and Recovery Task Force. More details to come.

There was also a clarification that Good Shepherd Food Bank is still actively running the Mainers Feeding Mainers program.

 

HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW? We had an open discussion about our meeting location at USM. Overall, members expressed support for the venue, parking, and visibility it provides. There was thoughtful conversation about meal commitments, RSVP timing, and how concerns on how food requirements impacts attendance and finances. Providing our commitment to the food service by Tuesday noon is an issue. The board will continue reviewing options to make meetings as accessible and welcoming as possible.

 

BOOTS ON THE GROUND: With support from Kennebec Savings Bank’s Portland branch, we purchased 23 pairs of winter boots for middle-school students in the afternoon program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine’s Portland Clubhouse. The program was planned and executed by Tom Talbott, Roxane Cole, and Steve Stromsky, who carried out the distribution at the Clubhouse. Half the boots were purchased at Lamey Wellehan through its community assistance program, but supplies were short this time of year, so Deb Talbott shopped the market to locate the other boots in the sizes we needed. Good work!  “Thank you all for your efforts in ensuring access to warm footwear for our middle school members — and what good timing,” said Lillian LaRochelle, Club Director. “Is it ever going to stop snowing?"

 

One of his key messages was “skills, not will.” He said most kids aren’t acting out because they don’t care or want attention. More often, they’re frustrated. He calls it “unsolved problems” — situations where a child doesn’t yet have the skills to meet expectations. Things like handling frustration, being flexible, solving problems, or managing emotions don’t always come easily. When those skills are lagging, behavior can fall apart.

 

Dr. Greene spent some time talking about the limits of traditional discipline. He even mentioned stickers more than once — along with reward charts, time-outs, and detentions. His point was that while those things might work for some kids, they don’t actually teach the skills that struggling kids are missing. In more serious situations, things like restraint or seclusion can happen, and those approaches can escalate rather than solve the problem.

 

He explained his model, called Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS). The idea is to get ahead of predictable problems — like arguments over homework or screen time — and talk about them before they turn into blowups. Instead of adults simply imposing consequences, the model encourages adults and kids to work together to figure out solutions. Schools and facilities using this approach have reported fewer injuries, fewer repeat incidents, and far less use of restraint or seclusion.

 

He also reminded us that this isn’t just a classroom management issue. He described it as a human rights issue and shared that 79 children have died during restraints over the past 26 years. Through his nonprofit, Lives in the Balance, he is working on legislation in Maine and other states aimed at reducing punitive and exclusionary practices in schools.

 

Overall, it was a clear and thought-provoking presentation that challenged us to rethink how we respond to kids who are struggling and what might truly help them succeed. Photo - Bruce Jones and Dr. Ross Greene. 

March 13 - Steve Bromage, USA's 250th Anniversary

March 19 - Club Social

March 20 - No Meeting

March 27 - Club Assembly

April 3 - Reid Byers, Imaginary Books

April 10 -  District Outreach Team's Trip To India

April 16 - Social

April 17 - No Meeting

April 24 - Fiddle Music with the New England Fiddle Ensemble

May 1 - Amber Caron, Wreaths Across America