This Week: Visit to Hadlock Field Picnic Grove, and
Sea Dogs Update with Manager Chad Epperson
Remember to set your day planner to meet at Hadlock Field this Friday, our annual trek to the ballpark. Great fun! Our speaker will be the current Sea Dogs manager, Chad Epperson. Note that the cost for the lunch is $25.
In 2022, Chad led the Sea Dogs to an overall record of 75-63 (.543) including a Double-A best 45-24 (.652) record in the second half leading the Sea Dogs to their first post-season berth since 2014. Before managing the Sea Dogs, Epperson spent 12 seasons as the Red Sox Catching Coordinator. Prior to that, he spent his first eight seasons with the Red Sox as a manager or coach at the minor league level. A manager from 2004-09, he led his club to the playoffs in four straight campaigns beginning in 2006, including Single-A Salem in 2009. A back-to-back California League Manager of the Year with Lancaster from 2007-08, he also managed Wilmington to the playoffs in 2006. The Kentucky native managed Capital City in 2005 and Augusta in 2004 after spending two seasons (2002-03) as Sarasota’s hitting coach. He also managed Cook County of the independent Frontier League in 2001. Epperson played nine years in the minor leagues in the Mets (1992-95), Red Sox (1997-99), and Orioles (2000) systems prior to his coaching career.
Bring a Guest! Share the fun of Rotary. Remember, if this is your guest's first time attending one of our club meetings, the club will pick up the tab for their lunch. Subsequent lunches are regular price, but take advantage of the "first time" treat!
Bits and Pieces | by Zach Newell
President Dick Hall called our road trip meeting at the new Sun Life building together, and Greg Hansel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. David Small provided words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama. Special thanks was given to Shawn Smith of Sun Life for hosting the Rotary club.
BECAUSE I'M HAPPY: Dick did happy dollars. There was a nice haul as many Rotarians were quite happy on Friday! Jerry Angier was all-in with his buck! (Photo)
A ROYAL HEART: Jan Chapman did the drawing with $220 in the pot. Dick Hall secured the chance to draw the Queen of Hearts, but fortunately for us he was not so lucky. The Raffle continues to grow.
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Dave Patterson gave an update on the Flags for Heroes. Dave asked everyone to check the Rotary website for updates and to sponsor a hero. Dave reminded us all that the Flags for Heroes is really gaining steam. Dave said we would be happy to collect checks at the meeting, now and at future meetings.
TREE MONEY: BIG NEWS! Congratulations to Bill Ross, Ellen Niewoehner and Roxane Cole who were awarded $20,000 from TD Bank to plant trees in Portland! They will receive 50 trees as a result of the money, which will go toward their goal of planting 195 trees in Portland. Great effort by Bill, Ellen, and Roxane to work this through, and really make an impact on the city!
SNEAKERS, SOCKS, AND BACKPACKS: Amy Chipman gave us an update on upcoming projects. Work with the Locker project and Lamey Wellehan, and sleuthing at a recent conference covering "sneaker drives for Elementary and Middle School children", gave Amy the impetus to provide sneakers, socks and backpacks for students. Sometime around August 18 (give or take a week), Amy would like to get volunteers together to pack 120 backpacks for Elementary and Middle School students.More to come!
PAUL HARRIS: Patty Byers jumped to the podium to announce that Laura Young was the latest Paul Harris fellow recipient. Laura joined the club in 2007, eventually serving as Club president, 2016-2017. Laura received her first Paul Harris in 2011. This is Laura’s 3rd and received a pin with 2 sapphires to represent the 3rd award.
PLAN AHEAD: The Portland Club is planning a Rotary Social at Hadlock Field to watch our Portland Sea Dogs take on the Hartford Yard Goats on Thursday, September 14 @ 6:00pm. The Sea Dogs will reserve seats for us. Prices are either $7.00 if we choose bleachers or $9.00 if we choose reserved. Please e-mail Zach Newell and let him know if a) you plan to attend, and b) how many people you expect will be going with you. Once we get a general headcount, the Sea Dogs organization will provide a link that Zach will share that will allow us to register for the game.
Bill Blount gave an overview of the Club’s history working with the Sea Dogs. In 1992, our club hosted a welcome dinner to the team when the franchise was awarded to Portland. In 1994, the Sea Dogs inaugural season, the Club worked in a lunch meeting with the Sea Dogs, and has been a traditional summer every year since!
Roger Fagan wants everyone to know that his team will be embarking on their 25th hearing aid mission to the Dominican Republic on January 6th. Those who want to participate in the water or hands program, please email Roger Fagan at drrogerfagan@gmail.com .
Last Week's Program: Shawn Smith, Sun Life | by Dave Patterson
It's a pleasure to share with you the exciting happenings at our recent off-site meeting, held at the newly opened Sun Life Building in Downtown Portland. Constructed with modern architectural elegance, the building boasts activity-based workspaces designed to foster collaboration and boost productivity.
One of the highlights of their new office, endearingly referred to as "The Library," is an area dedicated to silent, focused work, standing in stark contrast to their vibrant collaborative spaces, where dialogue and discussion are promoted. The building also houses a delightful café area, host to weekly complimentary lunches as part of their initiative to create an inviting atmosphere that draws employees back to the office - a sentiment echoed by our presenter AVP, Group Claims, Shawn Smith, who delightfully termed the new office a "magnet" for the team. (Photo: Shawn Smith and Dick Hall)
The presentation kicked off with a touching video narrative of Eddie, a Sun Life client who shared his poignant experience of losing his wife to cancer and the unwavering support he received from the Sun Life organization. This powerful story serves as a testament to Sun Life’s dedication to humanizing the insurance process.
Shawn Smith, a seasoned insurance professional with over 30 years in the industry, and a proud Mainer, reflected on Sun Life’s growth and contributions, both within and beyond the insurance sphere. Their recent acquisition of Dentaquest has fortified their position as one of the leading dental insurance providers in the US, and their continuous support for diabetes research is a testament to their ongoing commitment to public health.
For the uninitiated, "group benefits" generally refers to a suite of insurance coverage and services provided by an employer for its employees. These benefits often include health, dental, life, and disability insurance, retirement plans, and more, contributing to an attractive employment package and overall well-being of the workforce.
Shawn also touched upon the rich history of insurance in Portland, tracing its roots back to Union Mutual, which later evolved into the prominent firm, Unum. Sun Life's philanthropic pursuits also took center stage, highlighting their support for Team Smile’s free children's clinics, the Celtics' "Fit to Win" program promoting healthy lifestyles among children, and their commitment to combating diabetes. Additionally, Sun Life proudly matches employee charitable donations up to $750 per year, further supporting community engagement.
He also discussed their strategic partnership with the Roux Institute in Portland, underlining the importance of encouraging young talent to stay and thrive in Maine. Through these collaborations and their innovative approach to workspace design, Sun Life strives to serve as a beacon, attracting a diverse pool of talented individuals who can contribute to their company and our community.
We're excited about this new chapter in Sun Life's history and look forward to sharing more updates.
New Member Applications:
In accordance with Portland Rotary Club Bylaws, “The prospective member’s name shall be published in the club newsletter (the Windjammer) for two meetings, and/or by circulating the prospective member’s name by email.”
First Notice: Corey Masson of Exeter, New Hampshire has been sponsored for membership by Niki Curtis. Corey is the Chief Equanimity Officer and Founder of BSimpler and is currently working at the District level with the Recovery Ready Workplace initiative. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Second Notice:Trevor Putnoky of Yarmouth Maine has been sponsored for membership by Dave Putnam. Trevor is the CEO of Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine. After this publication, his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Pictured here: Corey Masson, Umara Balde, and Nanette Duncanson.
Speaker Schedule
July 28 - Pat Panaia, President Kinotek - Startup Climate in Maine
August 4 - Fred Horsch, Rotary Environmental Ambassador - ME Solar Power
August 11 -Umaru Balde, City of Portland, Justice-Diversity-Equity-Inclusion
August 16 - Wednesday Night Social
August 18 - No Meeting
August 25 - TBD
September 1 - No Meeting - Labor Day Weekend
September 8 - Flags For Heroes Dedication at the Maine Mall
September 14 - Rotary Social - Sea Dogs Game, 6pm.
Club Executives President Dick Hall President Elect Patty Byers Vice President John Thompson TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Bruce Jones,
Ben Millick, Quinn Slayton, Zachary Newell,
David Ertz, Maggie McGauley 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:Doreen Rockstrom Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Remember to set your day planner to meet at Hadlock Field this Friday, our annual trek to the ballpark. Great fun! Our speaker will be the current Sea Dogs manager, Chad Epperson. Note that the cost for the lunch is $25.
BECAUSE I'M HAPPY: Dick did happy dollars. There was a nice haul as many Rotarians were quite happy on Friday! Jerry Angier was all-in with his buck! (Photo)
FLAGS FOR HEROES: Dave Patterson gave an update on the Flags for Heroes. Dave asked everyone to check the 
PAUL HARRIS: Patty Byers jumped to the podium to announce that Laura Young was the latest Paul Harris fellow recipient. Laura joined the club in 2007, eventually serving as Club president, 2016-2017. Laura received her first Paul Harris in 2011. This is Laura’s 3rd and received a pin with 2 sapphires to represent the 3rd award.
PLAN AHEAD: The Portland Club is planning a Rotary Social at Hadlock Field to watch our Portland Sea Dogs take on the Hartford Yard Goats on Thursday, September 14 @ 6:00pm. The Sea Dogs will reserve seats for us. Prices are either $7.00 if we choose bleachers or $9.00 if we choose reserved. Please e-mail 
One of the highlights of their new office, endearingly referred to as "The Library," is an area dedicated to silent, focused work, standing in stark contrast to their vibrant collaborative spaces, where dialogue and discussion are promoted. The building also houses a delightful café area, host to weekly complimentary lunches as part of their initiative to create an inviting atmosphere that draws employees back to the office - a sentiment echoed by our presenter AVP, Group Claims, Shawn Smith, who delightfully termed the new office a "magnet" for the team. (Photo: Shawn Smith and Dick Hall)
New Member Applications:
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