This Week's Program: Our Club's Visioning (Long Range Planning) Workshop - Thursday Night at the IHC
With Covid behind us, the Portland Club is ‘back’ and we are optimistic about our future. As we move forward, we would like to create a new plan for the club for the next 2 – 3 years. We hope these common goals, based on shared values, will provide a sustainable standard against which all club decisions will be based.
Thank you to all who registered for attendance, we have a full house. Note to all those attending, the meeting will be held in the Cantina Room at the Italian Heritage Center. As you know, the program will be held this Thursday, Feb 15th, and we ask that you arrive at 4:30 so that we can get started promptly at 5pm, finishing at 8:30pm. A light meal will be available for $22. Patty Byers will be sending out an email to all those who registered with some additional information.
Note to All Members - There is no meeting this Friday, February 16th.
Last Week's Speaker - Everyone's a Musician: Michael Lund Ziegler, Shaping the Future of the Portland Conservatory of Music | By David Patterson
Last week, the Portland Rotary Club was honored to host Michael Lund Ziegler, the Executive Director of the Portland Conservatory of Music (PCM), as our speaker. Michael brought with him a wealth of experience and a vision for the future of the Conservatory that left us all inspired.
Under Michael’s leadership over the past two years, the Portland Conservatory of Music is experiencing a renaissance, thanks to its new facility, a dedicated team, and a board of members, educators, and students who are all committed to the institution's mission. Michael shared with us the significant impact these changes are making, not only on the Conservatory itself but also on the broader community. He emphasized the importance of a refocused team—comprising teaching faculty, administrative staff, and the board—in driving the recent upward trajectory of PCM. (Photo: Michael and Doreen Rockstrom)
An advocate for the universal power of music, Michael believes deeply in the potential of people of all ages and backgrounds to find joy and fulfillment through musical expression. Before his tenure at PCM, Michael served as the Director of Education at The Fine Arts Association of Willoughby, Ohio, where he was instrumental in revitalizing educational programming across multiple disciplines—music, dance, visual art, and theater. His efforts there led to a remarkable 30% increase in enrollment over pre-pandemic levels and significant improvements in student retention.
Michael's background as an educator and conductor has seen him work with a diverse range of groups, from youth and collegiate ensembles to community and professional orchestras and bands. His leadership style, marked by clear communication and an empowering approach, has consistently fostered a strong sense of ensemble and achievement among musicians.
Michael provided great photos and a breakdown of all of the improvements that have been made to the new building on Neal Street. As well as literature and an update on the ongoing events at the facility and details on registering for classes. Classes begin for students at a very young age (including Michael’s own children).
Michael’s talk provided us with an insight into the transformative power of music education and the vital role institutions like the Portland Conservatory of Music play in our communities. His passion and dedication remind us of the value of supporting the arts and the positive impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Michael Lund Ziegler for sharing his vision and accomplishments with us, and we look forward to seeing the continued success of the Portland Conservatory of Music under his leadership. More details about the facility, classes, and their various programs can be found at pcm.org.
Bits and Pieces |by Larry Gross
Close to thirty-five Club members and guests joined us in the cozy Cantina at the Italian Heritage Center last Friday. Dave Patterson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bruce Jones provided a multimedia Message of the Day celebrating the 60th anniversary of the last successful British Invasion of the United States: a video of The Beatles making their debut live on the Ed Sullivan show in New York City on this day in 1964. A few Club members were seen waxing nostalgic as the “shaggy-haired” young lads from Liverpool played “I Want to Hold Your Hand” before a screaming audience of hysterical teenage fans who are now in their 70s! What a “reely, great sheew” (as Ed Sullivan might say) it was! Thanks, Bruce!
President Dick Hall led us through a few rounds of Happy Dollars. Patty Byers celebrated her husband’s birthday. In turn, Peter Goffin rose to recognize Patty’s 25th anniversary as a Rotarian. Laura Young was pleased to share the second birthday of her (not so) new puppy. Dick also gave a happy shout out to Patty Byers for getting our 3H project to the Dominican Republic featured on the front page of the latest District newsletter!
President Dick then reported that the $320 dollars raised in member donations at our last meeting in response to a match challenge by the new Deering High School Interact Club had magical grown to $577 by the time he got home from our meeting resulting in a very generous gift by the Interact Club to the Locker Project, in support of its food insecurity initiatives.
President Dick took a moment to publicly apologize to the Club for an unintentional, but nonetheless disrespectful introduction of past District Governor Claudia Frost during last week’s meeting. He was made aware of his mistake by a member of the Club and has since spoken privately with Claudia and the Club member to express regret for his poor choice of words.
Mark Shinners introduced guests. Lauren Doering-Campbell was a guest of Mario Martinez, while Laura Young had two guests: Dwayne Black and Claude Rwaganje. Niki Curtis conducted the raffle where our speaker selected Amy Chipman as the latest member to search for royalty in the cards. Alas, Amy found only her Queen’s footman, the lowly two of hearts.
NEW MEMBER NOTIFICATIONS:
Second Notice: Keegan Coons has applied to be a member of Portland Club - Satellite Sunrise. Keegan lives in Portland and works for Gammon's Heating and Cooling in Saco. Keegan is looking to become more involved in the community. His father and grandfather were members of the Gilford Rotary Club. After this publication, his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
If any Portland Rotarian would like to offer a comment on a proposal, please send it to our Club President, dickhall7780@gmail.com. It will be shared with the Board of Directors prior to a vote on the application.
Speaker Schedule
February 23 - Marion Cheney - District Governor|
March 1 - Club Assembly
March 8 - Barrett Takesian, Portland Community Squash
March 15 - Club Visioning Presentation
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, Larry Gross,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux,
Ben Lowry, Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair Doreen Rockstrom
3rd Quarter Chair Justin Lamontagne Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Under Michael’s leadership over the past two years, the Portland Conservatory of Music is experiencing a renaissance, thanks to its new facility, a dedicated team, and a board of members, educators, and students who are all committed to the institution's mission. Michael shared with us the significant impact these changes are making, not only on the Conservatory itself but also on the broader community. He emphasized the importance of a refocused team—comprising teaching faculty, administrative staff, and the board—in driving the recent upward trajectory of PCM. (Photo: Michael and Doreen Rockstrom)
Close to thirty-five Club members and guests joined us in the cozy Cantina at the Italian Heritage Center last Friday. Dave Patterson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bruce Jones provided a multimedia Message of the Day celebrating the 60th anniversary of the last successful British Invasion of the United States: a video of The Beatles making their debut live on the Ed Sullivan show in New York City on this day in 1964. A few Club members were seen waxing nostalgic as the “shaggy-haired” young lads from Liverpool played “I Want to Hold Your Hand” before a screaming audience of hysterical teenage fans who are now in their 70s! What a “reely, great sheew” (as Ed Sullivan might say) it was! Thanks, Bruce!
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