President Justin opened the meeting. Julie Forbes, current Assistant District Governor led the Pledge. Jerry Wall provided the Thought for the Day, a reflection on the “Butterfly Effect”, reminding us that every act of service can stir hope and kindness in hearts we may never meet and change lives we’ll never know.

President Justin thanked the Club volunteers who helped set up and run the meeting. He recognized August Rotary anniversaries and birthdays. Matt Tassey took the tenure prize, celebrating his 40^th year as a Rotarian! After a rousing Rotary chorus of “Happy Birthday”, Marla Keefe led introductions of our guests. Dave Patterson ably handled the Raffle – Mike Fortunato was not so lucky this week, so the Queen of Hearts rests fitfully until the next drawing. 

SPEAKER SEEKING: President Justin put in a plug for members to suggest speakers or topics for our weekly meeting. The Club’s Program Committee has put together a solid roster of Fall presenters. Justin thanked Doreen Rockstrom for her service on the Committee. The Committee is actively recruiting for new quarterly chairs to help schedule speakers for 2027. So reach out to Justin if you can help.

QUEEN EULOGY: Peter Goffin gave a brief eulogy for Past President Peggy “Queenie” Wescott. Peter and Peggy had a special relationship as consecutive Presidents of the Club. They established what turned into a twenty-year tradition of daily “Drive at Five” commuter phone calls that began as Presidential mentoring and led to a deep and lasting friendship. Peter described the many ways, visibly and anonymously, that Peggy brought spirit and charity to the forefront of her Club service. From fundraising dinners hosted at her harborside condo during Portland visits by her namesake, the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) to annual Kentucky Derby night celebrations, “Queenie” went Above and Beyond. We will miss her presence and special “wave” to her loyal followers! 

HEARING WORLD: Roger Fagan reported that 29 Rotary Clubs, including some in Mexico, Canada and India have participated in our Global Grant that raised $120,000. Roger has begun ordering equipment for the new Rotary hearing clinic in the Dominican Republic. He added that donated hearing aides are being programmed and fitted online, so keep up the good work collecting them. Roger and Liz Fagan are taking their summer vacation to Eastport to explore a potential new hearing aid project with the Passamaquoddy Nation. The project would outfit tribal elders with hearing aids so they can pass along language and oral traditions to younger members of the tribe. Roger promised more details at a future meeting.

PAUL HARRIS EIGHT! Our Foundation Chair, Jerry Wall, presented eight (!) Paul Harris Awards to individual Club members, many with multiple honors. Jerry was proud to report that our Club has been exceeding Foundation and Polio Plus goals for the past two years. Last year we raised over $27,000 for the two programs. Jerry has agreed to lead the Foundation Committee again this year and is looking to set new EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) and Sustaining Member goals.  Not all 8 were present on this day, so we'll hold some names. Photo here L-R- Jerry Wall, Foundation Chair, with PHF recipients Bruce Moore, Larry Gross, Dave Ertz, Amy Chipman, and Paul Tully. Thank you all for your generosity and good will! 

CLAWS UP: Bill Milliken announced the Lobster Raffle will be returning in September. It offers a great way to raise funds and spread the word about our Club’s efforts to improve lives in Portland and the world (Think Butterfly Effect!). Bill will be setting up an easy-to-use online sign-up and orientation for Club volunteers to get involved.  Photo: Bill Mill! 

STUFF IT!: reminded us that the annual back to school shoe and backpack project with the Portland Boys and Girls Club, Lamey Wellehan Shoes, and the Locker Project will happen on Thursday, September 10^th at 4:00 pm. We are planning to stuff 100 backpacks. More details to come but mark the date and time. 

AUGUST SEADOG SOCIAL: Zach Newell reminded us of the August 12^th deadline to purchase tickets for the 6:00PM, August 19^th Rotary at the Portland Seadogs game. We have a block of 50 tickets reserved so please feel free to bring family and friends! Click Here For Tickets.  Photo: Zach

LATE BREAKING NEWS FLASH: Club member Sam Chipman’s award-nominated short film, “Money Haul” will have a Portland showing at Oxbow Brewing at 49 Washington Avenue on Wednesday, August 26^th beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for a triad of  films. 

LAST WEEK'S PROGRAM: Israeli artist Hedva Rokach and publisher Itay Bahur | by Zach Newell

Rotarians were treated to an inspiring presentation by Israeli artist and photographer Hedva Rokach and publisher Itay Bahur, creator and director behind the groundbreaking project Faces & Facets of Jewish Life in Maine.

Sponsored by the Maine Jewish Museum, the project explores identity, art, and heritage. Hedva and Itay embarked on a 7,000-mile journey across Maine in a small Toyota Yaris over just two months, capturing nearly 300 photographs and personal narratives illuminating the rich, diverse fabric of Maine's Jewish community.

From Albany Township to Fort Kent near the Canadian border, the pair sought stories showing how deeply integrated Jewish artists, lawyers, physicians, and civic leaders are into the broader social fabric of Maine.

Among the memorable neighbors they photographed:

• Pamela and Paul (Albany Township): Paul, a logger who proudly claims to know where every tool in his workshop is, and Pamela, who serenaded the visitors on her violin.

• Raphael Gribetz (Northern Maine): An expressive artist living in exile, whose sunlit, art-filled studio serves as a testament to an artist residing inside their craft.

• A Fort Kent Legacy: A local car dealership that preserves a memory wall dedicated to a historic local Jewish family.

Noted Hedva, “Because we were from somewhere else, people opened up to us. But more than that, we realized this wasn’t just a Portland project—it belongs to all of Maine.” The initiative became an unexpected bridge—reconnecting long-lost friends, uncovering hidden family histories, and bringing together communities across the state.

What began as a localized endeavor has grown into a statewide movement. Through grant funding and community support, a copy of the project book will be placed in every high school across Maine as an educational resource.

In a time of global complexity, Hedva and Itay’s work stands as a testament to humanity, sensitivity, and cross-cultural solidarity, reminding us that storytelling can build empathy and transcend boundaries.

Special thanks to Hedva, Itay, and the Maine Jewish Museum for sharing their journey! Half of the photographs are on exhibit at the Maine Jewish Museum; the other half are at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. For information on purchasing Faces and Facets of Jewish Life in Maine, please contact Zach Newell.

In honor of their presentation and commitment to community connection, the Portland Rotary Club is donating funds to purchase books for local elementary school students through Portland Public Schools.  Photo: Justin with Hedva and Itay.

Who are Paul Harris Fellows (PHF)? This designation is for individuals who contribute (or who have cash or points contributions made in their name of $1,000 or more) to a TRF program. A pin is provided for the initial donation, and each subsequent addition of $1,000 is recognized by a unique pin that adds a jewel for each level (+1 - +8). These accumulate to $9,000.Plus, peace centers, etc., or used in global grants as match funds.