Earle Shettleworth, Jr. was drawn to history as the result of watching the destruction of Portland’s Union Station in 1961. A year later, he joined the Sills Committee, which created the Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964. In 1971, Governor Curtis appointed him to serve on the first board of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, he became its architectural historian in 1973, and director in 1976. Upon his retirement, he was the longest actively serving State Historic Preservation Officer in the nation. There isn’t a state or regional historical commission on which he has not served or led. Though he has retired from the state government, he remains the state historian.
(Photo: Bob Martin, Earle Shettleworth, and President Bowen.)
Earle’s passion for Maine history is unbounded. A few years ago in preparation for the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, he visited and documented every Civil War monument he knew about in Maine. From York to Aroostook, there were 148 in all for him to photograph and copy inscriptions. He told the Portland Press Herald, “to me, that was just such a wonderful opportunity to focus, and at the same time to visually review Maine as a whole from a historical and architectural standpoint.” His retirement did not pass unnoticed. Thomas Johnson, chair of the state preservation commission and director of the Victoria Mansion called the announcement “seismic. It’s a major event in preservation and cultural circles.”
Earle will discuss the Great Fire of Portland that occurred on July 4, 1866. While only two people perished in the blaze, it leveled 1,800 buildings and made 10,000 people homeless. It was the greatest fire ever seen in an American city—the Great Chicago Fire was five years later.
A Portland native, Earle graduated from Deering High School in 1966, earned a B.A. in Art History from Colby College in 1970, an M.A. in Architectural History from Boston University in 1979, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate (L.H.D.) by Bowdoin College in 2008.
Glenn Cummings, President of the University of Southern Maine, shared his perspectives on the value of college education and the progress underway at Maine’s second largest campus. Pointing to a largely unrecognized watershed moment for America, Glenn said that in 1984 Canada moved past the U.S. in terms of the percent of the country’s population with a college degree. Since then, the U.S. percentage of college-educated adults has continued to decline below that of key global competitors, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Today, he said that about 39 percent of Americans hold a college degree.
Glenn did acknowledge during the Q&A that student readiness for college remains a real challenge among graduating high school students. He also said that the “WDF rate", reflecting those who "Withdraw, Drop, or Fail" in certain high-stakes courses, remains high, at 40 to 45 percent in physics, organic chemistry, and higher math. Addressing this issue, USM is making a particular effort to help individual students succeed in the daunting prerequisite courses that are the gateways to certain majors.
Cummings said his thinking has been influenced by Michael Crow, former Executive Provost of Columbia University, who has been outspoken on the practice of many colleges and universities becoming increasingly selective in their admissions decisions. Crow is now President of Arizona State University where he has instituted policies that have increased enrollment from 40,000 students to over 70,000. He recently authored the book, The New American University (Johns Hopkins University Press 2015). “My goal for USM,” Glenn said, “is to be the 'University of Everyone.' That will make a difference in this state.”
Cummings reported on the progress made at USM during the last year—applications were up 19 percent; admissions increased by 13 percent; deposits—confirmations of attendance—are up 22 percent, and, the number of out-of-state students will increase 22 percent. “Our projected budget is balanced without any help from the system office, and we forecast a zero budget gap by 2018.”
He identified three major areas of emphasis in the effort to improve USM as part of the vision for student success. “We asked students who turned us down, how can we become a better university? What would make you come here?” He said the first priority is to demonstrate connectedness with students— “show we care about success and you are welcome.” The second focus is on affordability. “We are redesigning our financial aid package and have an advancement plan underway to raise $50 million in scholarship aid.”
“Finally, we are working hard on our value proposition. We are a metropolitan university in the best small city in America.” Cummings said there was growing optimism and excitement on campus. Challenges remain, he said, with faculty, engaging new markets, and taking care of deferred capital improvements.
President Bowen called the meeting to order, welcoming 62 members and 2 guests.
Tom Nickerson (at left) prepared a fitting invocation regarding Rotary fellowship and business relationships. He wished that everyone attending our meetings would leave as a better person due in part to our fellowship and the speaker’s thoughts. Tom wished us safe travels back to our families from the meetings. Bill Blountled us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Russ Burleigh kept us in tune when we sang our patriotic song. Our two guests at the meeting were Bob Stein from USM and Donna Yellen from Preble Street.
Jim Willey presented a history moment from the Club's 75th anniversary (1990). Two presidents (Jim Willey and Bob Traill) hosted the gala, which was held in Bob’s year. Bob gave the history to Jim from memory. The entire ball room was filled and the past RI President was the speaker. $18,000 was raised and donated to the Maine Children’s Cancer Foundation.
In 1990, in the midst of the Cold War, we sent about a dozen Portland-area students with tons of Rotary bags, pens, sweatshirts, etc. to Archangel, Soviet Union, as partners in the Portland-Archangel Sister Cities Project. Then, in a return visit, 45 Soviet citizens and their Sister City sponsors attended a meeting of Portland Rotary. The Club President, Jim Willey, was petrified that when the Club sang the Communist National Anthem, half of our stalwart Republican members would walk out in protest! Luckily, the members were well-behaved hosts to the visiting guests, who presented the Club with a Russian stringed musical instrument called a "balalaika," which Bill Blount played for us as we sang "If I Had a Hammer." The first time in 25 years that it had been played! (Pictured)
Jan Chapman shook the raffle can to mix the tickets and then asked our speaker to select a ticket for a potential shot at $200. (Yes, a winner was picked last week). Tom Talbott was selected after Loretta bought him the ticket, but (un)fortunately we'll all have to wait at least another week, as the Queen of Hearts remained in the deck (1 down....51 to go).
Erik Greven, Chair of Community Service, gave an introduction about Preble Street. They have over 250 employees across Maine. The Community Service Committee had multiple meetings to discuss the Maine Locker and Preble Street efforts for Children. Donna Yellen, the chief program director from Preble Street spoke a little about it. The $5,000 grant given to them by the Club will help with school breakfast programs to help over 2,000 children. Donna noted that the school program showed that test scores were raised over 15% when kids participate in a school breakfast program. Kids with a full stomach learn better. They are already seeing changes. The school nurse is also noticing a difference in the kids, since starting breakfast in the classroom. (Photo: Erik Greven and Donna Yellen.)
Member Katie Brown, of 'The Locker Project,' was introduced by Erik Greven. Katie said she was honored to be a Rotarian and to be working on the hunger initiative. 'The Locker Project' has 14 pantries in 14 schools in the area, and 7 more in Saco. With the $3,000 grant awarded them by the Club, they will buy produce and restock for next fall. Katie is also honored to call Portland Rotary a Partner and thanked the Club for putting the BBQ Crawl together, which will also benefit the Locker Project. (Photo: President Bowen, Katie Brown and Erik Greven.)
Mike Fortunato and Megan Devlin discussed the 'Maine Outdoor Challenge' (MOC) and the two available major raffles: the fly-fishing package and the hunting package. (See separate article in this issue.) We are still looking for 5-man teams for the event, raffle items to be used at the lobster bake/awards banquet on Wednesday, June 8th and volunteers to work the three days at the events. A show of hands for volunteers was instrumental in helping in these areas and Mike Fortunato will be in touch with details.
President Bowen reminded us that the Club group photo session is going to be on June 3rd at Portland City Hall, on the front steps (weather permitting). 52 out of 127 club members have signed up in advance. We need EVERYONE to make an effort to be there....this is history in the making. Please click HERE or go to the Club's website, on the home page, click on the "Club Photo Session" under "Club Events" and register to attend (or decline) attendance. If you have issues getting online, contact Loretta Rowe or just send her an email that you want to register. We need a head count by May 27th to give to the caterers who will be providing our meals.
Rob Chatfield re-announced that the BBQ Crawl-Poker Run was to be held on Saturday May 21st. If you did not have enough fun at today's Rotary meeting, then the BBQ crawl will be just as fun, or better, and with beer!
Our Rotary District is looking for help to host the inbound Argentinean District Vocational Training Team. This Group Study Exchange Team (GSE) of four (2 men, 2 women) will be coming to our area on Monday and Tuesday, June 6 and 7.
They are looking for 4 host families to house the team members overnight on Monday, plus volunteer to chauffeur the team members around for those two days, and to provide breakfast, lunch & dinner for the two days.
The GSE between District 7780 and Argentina will focus on collegial sharing between the mental health professionals of the outbound team and inbound team, as well as interfacing with other mental health professionals (particularly Rotarians) in each country. A particular emphasis will be on youth/adolescent mental health. The teams will visit a representative sampling of mental health/social service agencies in each country.
If you can volunteer or want additional information, please contact Assistant Governor Ann Schieber at: annschieber@gmail.com or at: 603-770-2744
Invocation:Julie L'Heureux Program Reporter: Ben Lowry Bits & Pieces Reporter: Bill Blount Registration/Greeter: Megan Devlin Sell Meal Tickets: Jake Bourdeau Raffle: Lester Evans Badge Box: Dick Giles Collect Meal Tickets: Erik Greven (standby) Rotary Moment in History: Jim Willey, Judy
Cavalero & Loretta Rowe Song Leader: Bill Blount Pianist: Russ Burleigh Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Bruce Moore Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Scott Blakeslee
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor) Chris Thomas Fidelity Investments (John Marr)
Earle Shettleworth, Jr. was drawn to history as the result of watching the destruction of Portland’s Union Station in 1961. A year later, he joined the Sills Committee, which created the Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964. In 1971, Governor Curtis appointed him to serve on the first board of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, he became its architectural historian in 1973, and director in 1976. Upon his retirement, he was the longest actively serving State Historic Preservation Officer in the nation. There isn’t a state or regional historical commission on which he has not served or led. Though he has retired from the state government, he remains the state historian..JPG)
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Tom Nickerson (at left) prepared a fitting invocation regarding Rotary fellowship and business relationships. He wished that everyone attending our meetings would leave as a better person due in part to our fellowship and the speaker’s thoughts. Tom wished us safe travels back to our families from the meetings. Bill Blount.jpeg)
Anthem, half of our stalwart Republican members would walk out in protest! Luckily, the members were well-behaved hosts to the visiting guests, who presented the Club with a Russian stringed musical instrument called a "balalaika," which Bill Blount played for us as we sang "If I Had a Hammer." The first time in 25 years that it had been played! (Pictured)
Erik Greven, Chair of Community Service, gave an introduction about Preble Street. They have over 250 employees across Maine. The Community Service Committee had multiple meetings to discuss the Maine Locker and Preble Street efforts for Children. Donna Yellen, the chief program director from Preble Street spoke a little about it. The $5,000 grant given to them by the Club will help with school breakfast programs to help over 2,000 children. Donna noted that the school program showed that test scores were raised over 15% when kids participate in a school breakfast program. Kids with a full stomach learn better. They are already seeing changes. The school nurse is also noticing a difference in the kids, since starting breakfast in the classroom. 
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