THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER: Ava Kabouchy - Award Winning Travel Photographer
While Ava Kabouchy was teaching English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia, she frequently went hiking and camping in the desert with friends and was awestruck by the desert’s beauty and began photographing it. Upon leaving the Kingdom and while living in southwest France, she wrote her first travel article with her photographs for Go Nomad Magazine about the beauty of Saudi Arabia and has continued this new role as a travel writer and photographer. She has authored travel articles on France, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Iceland, Guatemala, Portland, Maine, and her treks on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, France, and Portugal. Her publishers include Go World Travel, France Revisited, Wanderlust UK, Go Nomad, France Today, Que Pasa? A graduate of Boston University with degrees in public health and international education, Ava now makes her home between Portland and Matinicus Island.
During the May 2 Rotary meeting, Ava will highlight her experiences hiking solo on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. She will explain how her decision to hike the Camino came about and hopes that her wanderlust may inspire others to take that important first step and see where it leads.
BITS AND PIECES | by Juliana L'Heureux
President Patty Byers welcomed spring! Amy Chipman led the Pledge of Allegiance.Bruce Jones led the moment of reflection with a tribute to “April 25th Day”. It's “National Telephone Day”, the anniversary of the invention in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell, that revolutionized communication forever. Today 9.82 billion mobile phones are in use.
POPE FRANCIS: Tribute was given to Pope Francis, who died on April 21, Easter Monday. An advocate for social justice, climate change and raising awareness about the needs of the most marginalized in society. Rest in peace.
GUESTS: Penny Harris introduced guests and visiting Rotarians. Adam Hakizimana a guest of Niki Curtis, Dave Packhem was a guest of Jan Chapman, Ken Nagle a visiting Rotarian from Bangor, Ian Gagle was a guest with Ken Nagle and Mason Cashman was a guest of Jan Chapman.
RAFFLE ROLLS: Raffle chance to win $489 was led by President Elect John Thompson. Guest speaker Regine Whittlesey. Brian Nickerson’s name was drawn for the chance to win but he missed pulling the Queen of Hearts. Next week May 2nd raffle will be $505.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE: President Elect John Thompson invited Rotarians to attend the 2025 District 7780 conference on May 31st at the beautiful Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, ME. Connect with fellow Rotarians and amplify your Rotarian experiences. Join in the celebration of the District’s 100-year anniversary with a dance party Saturday night following the conference. It promises to be a dynamic and enriching! PROMOTIONAL VIDEO LINKREGISTRATION LINK
OUT IN THE WORLD: Erik Greven updated us on the club’s international service project currently in the Dominican Republic, aka the “Hearing, Hands and H2O” project led by audiologist Dr. Roger Fagan. Roger is still taking donations of used hearing aids that can be used at the DR clinic. Also overseas is Dick Hall, in the Philippines now serving on the Rotary International Nominating Committee. Dick represents District 7760, part of a team charged with the responsibility of nominating the next RI President. Check his progress on the Rotary District 7780- People of Action Facebook page.
RECOVERY TASK FORCE: Prior to the regular Rotary meeting. Jan Chapman spoke at the Mental Health First Aid training program presentation with Sweetser Mental Health Care representative, Mason Cashman. They learned about how to move forward and now the committee will discuss their next steps. A training with Sweetser will be scheduled mid-summer, probably in July.
CLEAN-UP THE CAMP: Bill Blount asked for volunteers for the Salvation Army/Camp Sebago cleanup day rescheduled for May 1st, at 9 AM -5PM. (April 26th was a rain-out.) Refreshments will be served as well as a light lunch. You can email Bill or Email Rebecca March to let her know how many are attending from our group. Help the camp be ready for 2025!
CLEAN UP THE BOULEVARD and SOCIAL: Justin Lamontagne described the May 18th Sunday morning’s community service project that will start at 10am at his house to pick up trash around Portland’s Baxter Boulevard. He’ll have a food truck on premises from 10 AM- 12 noon. All members are invited and encouraged to engage in this community service, with a dose of great fellowship! Justin's address: 922 Baxter Boulevard, Portland.No Club Meeting on Fri, May 16th, so make Sunday count!
FOUNDATION: President Patty reported for the Foundation Chair Gervin Kah, that the next giving circle lottery will be held at the May 9th meeting.
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Charlie Frair updated the Flags for Heroes progress. The organizers are speaking with the Maine Celtics organization to organize a flag ceremony during the half time of one of the basketball games. Thanks to a family trust donation of $500, and advanced contributions, the goal of raising $35,000 is realistic. Please consider sponsoring a hero in your life, and if possible, share the moment with them. Paper donation forms are also available with an instruction sheet. A beautiful brochure is available for distribution that includes information about how the funds raised are used is in the brochure. Be sure to check the website and post on social media.
Past President Jack Carr was invited to speak about his heroes. His parents both served in uniform during the Second World War. As a mentor and hero, he spoke about his uncle, a well-known architect in Louisville, Kentucky. Although Jack grew up on the North side of Chicago, his parents would allow for him to visit his uncle during the summers, rather than going to camp. “He took me with him everywhere”, said Jack. He taught Jack about leadership and integrity, recalling how he took his name off a building he was designing because the builders were not following his design.
ROTARY PICKLEBALL CHALLENGE! Bill Ross and Scott Gorneau have agreed to take on all Portland Rotarians in a Pickleball match with the losing team donating $100 to Portland Rotary. It's a fun opportunity to help raise up to $500 for Portland Rotary. If you're up for the challenge, grab a Rotarian partner, some fans and spectators, and email by clickingScottorBill to schedule a match. Good luck! Game On!
MAP IT OUT: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson was the speaker at the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club with a show and tell about the US Maps project. W-G plans to paint a map at Canal Elementary School in July and they appreciated Nannette showing them how it's done. Photo: With Nannette and Patty are PE Kim Carignan and President Phil Spiller.
HAPPY DOLLARS: Remember, donations are contributed to Polio Plus!Among several who donated, Brian Nickerson is sad and happy because his daughter accepted a position at Yale University but is leaving Maine Health.
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: Sarah Peskin, Frances Perkins Center /America’s Newest National Monument |
By Juliana L'Heureux
Doreen Rockstrom introduced the guest speaker Regine Whittlesey, of Maine, who spoke about l’Alliance Francaise du Maine.
Régine is a native of Nantes, France. She arrived in Maine in 1974, to work as an Amity school aide at Mt Ararat High School in Topsham. While there, she met her husband, David Whittlesey, an English teacher. They have been married for 49 years. She distributed an information color brochure titled “Say Bonjour!”/ She greeted Rotarians with “bonjour à tous » (Hello to all!) The French language has been spoken in Maine for more than 400 years, beginning with the 1604, colonial era settlement on the Saint Croix Island in Calais, Maine, in the St. Croix River, led by French explorers Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain.
During the past two-hundred years, ever since Maine became a state, French speaking Canadians have immigrated to work in many mills and factories. Most recently, French speaking immigrants from Africa have been moving to Maine to participate in Maine’s workforce.
L’Alliance Française du Maine is a non-profit bilingual organization committed to work with international l’Alliance, for the promotion of and to share the appreciation for Francophone (i.e. speakers of French) and the francophile community in Maine.
She explained how the organization is a place with Francophones (all people who speak French) and francofiles, lower case “f” (people who are fond of and part of the fabric of the French culture) are given the opportunity to meet and learn at the many l’Alliance diverse programs.
French classes for children to adults, conversations classes are offered as well as events to highlight art in French films and special community events. Whether you are a native speaker or a novice, everyone is welcome. Information about joining l’Alliance can be found at afdume.org
“We want to make a difference by helping and supporting our Maine community and beyond,” Oui Régine! Juliana, Régine, Patty and Doreen.
Speaker Schedule
May 9 - "New Members Meeting!" Fun meeting run by the newbies!
May 16- No Meeting
May 18 (Sunday) Epic Day of Service and Social at Back Cove
May 23 - No Meeting - Memorial Day Weekend
May 30 - Joshua Brister - Maine Black Chamber of Commerce
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
While Ava Kabouchy was teaching English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia, she frequently went hiking and camping in the desert with friends and was awestruck by the desert’s beauty and began photographing it. Upon leaving the Kingdom and while living in southwest France, she wrote her first travel article with her photographs for Go Nomad Magazine about the beauty of Saudi Arabia and has continued this new role as a travel writer and photographer. She has authored travel articles on France, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Iceland, Guatemala, Portland, Maine, and her treks on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, France, and Portugal. Her publishers include Go World Travel, France Revisited, Wanderlust UK, Go Nomad, France Today, Que Pasa? A graduate of Boston University with degrees in public health and international education, Ava now makes her home between Portland and Matinicus Island.
President Patty Byers welcomed spring! Amy Chipman led the Pledge of Allegiance.Bruce Jones led the moment of reflection with a tribute to “April 25th Day”. It's “National Telephone Day”, the anniversary of the invention in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell, that revolutionized communication forever. Today 9.82 billion mobile phones are in use.
RAFFLE ROLLS: Raffle chance to win $489 was led by President Elect John Thompson. Guest speaker Regine Whittlesey. Brian Nickerson’s name was drawn for the chance to win but he missed pulling the Queen of Hearts. Next week May 2nd raffle will be $505.
OUT IN THE WORLD: Erik Greven updated us on the club’s international service project currently in the Dominican Republic, aka the “Hearing, Hands and H2O” project led by audiologist Dr. Roger Fagan. Roger is still taking donations of used hearing aids that can be used at the DR clinic. Also overseas is Dick Hall, in the Philippines now serving on the Rotary International Nominating Committee. Dick represents District 7760, part of a team charged with the responsibility of nominating the next RI President. Check his progress on the 
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Charlie Frair updated the Flags for Heroes progress. The organizers are speaking with the Maine Celtics organization to organize a flag ceremony during the half time of one of the basketball games. Thanks to a family trust donation of $500, and advanced contributions, the goal of raising $35,000 is realistic. Please consider sponsoring a hero in your life, and if possible, share the moment with them. Paper donation forms are also available with an instruction sheet. A beautiful brochure is available for distribution that includes information about how the funds raised are used is in the brochure. Be sure to check the website and post on social media.
Past President Jack Carr was invited to speak about his heroes. His parents both served in uniform during the Second World War. As a mentor and hero, he spoke about his uncle, a well-known architect in Louisville, Kentucky. Although Jack grew up on the North side of Chicago, his parents would allow for him to visit his uncle during the summers, rather than going to camp. “He took me with him everywhere”, said Jack. He taught Jack about leadership and integrity, recalling how he took his name off a building he was designing because the builders were not following his design.
ROTARY PICKLEBALL CHALLENGE! 
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