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Speakers
May 05, 2017
May 12, 2017
May 19, 2017
May 26, 2017
Creativity and Poetry
Jun 02, 2017
Jun 09, 2017
Executive Privilege and Supreme Court
Jun 16, 2017
Jun 23, 2017
Jun 30, 2017
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Executives & Directors
President
 
First Vice President
 
Second Vice President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Immediate Past President
 
Director Term End 2017
 
Director Term End 2017
 
Director Term End 2018
 
Director Term End 2018
 
Community Service Chair
 
International Service Chair
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Service Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Club Protection Officer
 
Communications-WJ Bulletin Ed
 
Communications-PR External
 
Constitution/By Laws Chair
 
Fund Raising Chair
 
Good Cheer Chair
 
Invocation Chair
 
Meeting Day Chair
 
Music Committee Chair
 
Program Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Web Administrator
 
Administrative Coordinator
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
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Welcome to the Rotary Club of Portland, Maine!
Portland Rotary
Service Above Self
We meet Fridays at 12:15 PM
Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
88 Spring Street
Portland, ME  04101
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Rotary This Week
 
Portland Rotary
meets this week at the
Clarion Hotel
1230 Congress Street, Portland
                                
Volunteer Opportunities
Following is a list of our Club's volunteer projects. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
 
                                When
Project                    Who to Contact             
Locker Project           May 15 4:45-6 pm
at Reiche School        Need 2 volunteers
                               
Steve Phillips
                                       Volunteer coordinator
                               volunteer@mainelockerproject.org
 
Locker Project           May 22 1:20-2:30 pm
at Reiche School        Need 3 volunteers

                                Steve Phillips
                                        Volunteer coordinator
                                volunteer@mainelockerproject.org
Soup kitchen             4th Wednesday ea month       
Preble Street             (4-6:30 p.m.) 
Resource Ctr              Erik Greven
                                egrev95@aol.com

Game Night               3rd Tuesday ea month
Cedar Unit                 Mike Fortunato             
Long Creek                michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com 
Youth Center             or Jim Willey
                                jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com

Read to                     Dates & Times (you set)
students at                Sylvie Montello at
Portland                    montes@portlandschools.org
schools                              
 
Mentoring at                    Glenn Nerbak
Portland High                  nerbak@mac.com
School

Membership                  Leisa Collins
Mentoring Duos               leisa.g.collins@gmail.com
 
*05/05/17 Lucas St. Clair, Elliotsville Plantation

Lucas St. Clair was born and raised into a subsistence living family in the North Woods of Maine, with no running water or electricity for most of his childhood. He left that lifestyle to attend a boarding school in the Western Mountains of Maine and went on to study abroad, pursuing a Culinary Arts degree at Le Cordon Bleu in London. Lucas worked in the beginning of his career in the restaurant and wine industry in New York City, Maine, and Seattle, WA. 

In 2011, Lucas took over his family’s operating foundation, Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI). EPI owns 125,000 acres of timberland in Northern and central Maine that they have been purchasing since 1998. They have been managing the land and adding infrastructure for recreation over the last several years. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, President Barack Obama accepted the gift of 89,000 acres of land from EPI and created the newest unit of the National Park Service, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on Aug 24th, 2016. Lucas and EPI continue to play a role in the development of the region and enhancing the community’s ability to capitalize on the newly realized asset.   

Beyond the restaurant industry and land conservation, Lucas has a strong interest in outdoor pursuits. He has hiked the Appalachian Trail, paddled the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, taken a NOLS semester in Patagonia and has climbed peaks in Alaska, Washington, Peru, Chile and Argentina. He has also worked as a fly fishing guide and helped Eddie Bauer with designing fishing apparel. He has had the great fortune to fish in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.

Lucas lives in Portland, Maine with his wife and two children. 
 

04/28/17 Owen McCarthy, CEO MED Rhythms

(Photo: Rusty Atwood, Owen McCarthy and President Laura Young.)

Owen McCarthy, President of MedRhythms, Inc, was introduced by Rusty Atwood. In his “pre-speaker quiz,” Rusty asked how many Rotarians knew the answer to, “In what Maine county is the town of Patten located?” In fact, it’s located near the border with Aroostook County, but situated in Penobscot County. Patten is the home town of the speaker Owen McCarthy, who spoke about his company, MedRhythms.

MedRhythms is a digital medicine company building digital products using sensors, music, and machine learning to help people recover their walking abilities and reduce falls. They believe they will launch the first product for people who have had strokes, though they could also work with anyone who has neurologic injury or disease. The company started initially using techniques in the field of neurologic music therapy with one-on-one therapists to help people recover language, movement, and cognition. It is the mission of the company to help others by improving their ability to heal with the use of music.

There are two aspects to the company’s work. First, the physical therapy with music has demonstrated improved walking and neuro-motor capabilities. Patients who received this therapy have improved their walking tempo, symmetry, speed and balance. Eventually, many are able to walk without the use of canes. Second, is the neuroscience of music and its effect on the brain. Music activates the brain and aids in “neuro-plasticity,” by stimulating auditory and motor receptors at the same time. Therapists who provide the research and development for the rehabilitation are working with the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a Partners HealthCare company. 

MedRhythms’ launch is timely, because the cost of rehabilitation is increasing, the cost of portable technologies is dropping, and it’s possible to make the investment to make therapy more affordable. Moreover, increased research is demonstrating how the impact of music on recovery is a potential for patients who are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, to improve fall prevention and to improve the support for achieving high-functioning individuals. Additionally, the research is continuing to support that music can help recover language for aphasia or improve memory.

Owen explained that financing for MedRhythms, Inc, includes major investors, but the fiscal projections are looking good to attract another round of funding. He explained that there is little preference for using instrumental versus vocal music in the therapies, except the vocals should be removed at lower cognitive levels (the strong beat is important). There is no direct correlation to determine if music therapy might improve bringing a patient out of a coma, but can help people in the full range of disorders of consciousness. As for licensing of music and copyright, the music used in the therapy is already purchased.
 

04/28/17 Bits & Pieces

With President Laura Young back at the helm, she welcomed 59 members, 2 honorary members, 1 visiting Rotarian and 4 guests. Charle Frair read an E.E. Cummings poem of prayer entitled “I Thank You God For Most This Amazing.Bruce Moore led us in the Pledge, and Russ Burleigh kept us in tune with “God Bless America.”   

Laura then thanked the multitude of members who contributed their effort towards making the day’s meeting possible.


(Photo L-R: 3-H team headed to the DR - Jan Chapman, Bruce Moore, Dave Small, Bill Blount, Dick Hall, Drs. Liz and Roger Fagan.)

Portland Rotarians are out in force again serving our community and around the world. This past week a Rotary team worked at Preble Street Resource Center serving dinner – next week 10 Rotarians head to Deering HS to provide students with interview prep – on Saturday (April 29) 10 Rotarians head down to the Dominican Republic with Drs. Roger and Liz Fagan for more humanitarian work. More on that later!


Our thoughts and prayers for Justin Lamontagne and family. Justin’s wife, Marycelina had surgery for breast cancer, and we wish her a speed recovery. Lili Brown’s husband just had surgery for Parkinson’s, so reach out to them both with your support.


Terri St. Angelo took the podium for a “Rotary Moment.” Terri started out by asking us "Have you ever felt yourself wandering, asking whether what you’re doing is making an impact – is there something more?" Terri said she was involved – PTO, school boards, ‘Tri For a Cure’ – but felt something missing. That would soon change, after an invitation from Linda Varrell to come to lunch at Rotary, which brought Terri to the club. Governor LePage spoke that day to a large audience. We recited the Pledge, we sang a song.  “All good,” thought Terri. Then a request went out for volunteers for our Veterans Day Appreciation Lunch. Though she was not a member yet, she volunteered. Arriving at the event, knowing barely a soul, she was asked to welcome the arriving vets and guests with a big smile. Turns out she knew more people than she imagined, and when told by many “hope you come back,” that was the moment she knew she wanted to be a part of us. She said she now recognizes that being a part of Rotary is to be a part of something much bigger. She then asked us all to take a moment, look around at the people seated at the table with us, and give them a big smile. Thank you, Terri!


Aforementioned Dr. Roger Fagan provided more details on the upcoming Dominican Republic trip. 18 people, hailing from ME, Alaska, Oregon, S. Carolina and Florida will be working out of the 3H Good Samaritan Hospital. Project goals include 140 new and improved water filtration systems, 200 hearing aids, prosthetic hands, and solar powered lighting. They have no hurricane to deal with this trip! We wish you all safe travels!


Mike Fortunato updated us on the “Maine Outdoor Challenge.” This is our #1 fundraiser, and the majority of the money we are able to donate to organizations and programs during the year stems from the success of this event. We have 31 teams so far, and the goal is 45. Are you looking for a team to be on? We’ll get you matched up on a team. Also – tickets for the Lobster Bake are now on sale -  $32 Lobster, $28 Steak, and $26 Chicken - and you can get them starting this Friday – available from Loretta Rowe at our regular meetings over the next four weeks - and at: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Rotarians get these special rates, so be sure to contact Loretta with your request. If you go online to purchase your tickets, the rates will be different. Please make your check payable to the "Boys and Girls Club." Volunteers are needed for the days of the event and sign-up sheets will be on the tables starting Friday, May 5th!  


With the weekly raffle being up to $2,050, Charlie Frair shuffled the deck of 7 cards, as John Houghton was called upon to find the Queen of Hearts. With hearts racing – breaths held – there was no payoff. Odds of winning improve next week! 

 


(Photo L-R: President Laura Young, Jan Chapman, Emma Spies and Kathryn Barr.)

Jan Chapman, introduced Catherine Barr from Maine Girls Academy (formerly Kathryn McAuley High School), who in turn introduced Emma Spies, class of 2017, as our newest Youth Service Award recipient. Describing Emma as quiet but enthusiastic, she told us of Emma’s engagement at the age of 10 with ‘Angel Flight,’ a non-profit group that provides plane rides for children and adults who need hospitalization for cancer and debilitating chronic diseases. Since that time, Emma’s lemonade stand has earned $15,000 for the program. Addressing the Rotarians, Emma said that “service is something you live,” and thanked us for the $1,000 donation for her future schooling, plus the additional $100 donation to ‘Angel Flight.’ 


(Photo L-R: Dave Small, Amy Chipman and Loretta Rowe.)

Amy Chipman reminded us that for each dollar we donate to the Rotary Foundation, 50% comes back to us in district grants after 3 years. It can add up – nearly $103,000 is coming back into our District this Rotary year. Right in sync, Amy called upon Loretta Rowe and David Small to award them with Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Awards. This is Loretta’s 5th, David’s 2nd, each award representing $1,000 in contributions to the Foundation.  


(Photo L-R: Abdullahi Ali, Andreea Paine and President Laura Young.)

Andreea Paine welcomed new member Abdullahi Ali, currently the founder and CEO for Gateway Community Services. Abdullahi was born in Somalia, raised in Kenya, and resettled in Maine in 2009. He studied at SMCC, USM, and earned a Masters In Science and Justice Studies from So. NH University. He currently lives in Portland, and is an avid soccer player. Welcome, Abdullahi!
 

Photo Corner & Rotarians in the News
 
(Photo L-R: PP Peter Goffin, PP Bowen Depke, Bob Clark, Elise Hodgkin, and PP Roxane Cole.) 
 
It was another packed house at our meeting on Friday, with the "overflow" of attendees having to take a place at our dessert table. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dave Smith has won the United Way's "Volunteer of the Year" award for work he's done at Maine Behavioral Healthcare. Congratulations, Dave! Well done!
 
 
What's Happening Around The District
The Falmouth Rotary Club is hosting an upcoming Electronics Recycling Collection Day event: Sat. May 13, 9am-1pm, at the Falmouth Shopping Center parking lot on U.S. Route 1. They have asked for anyone's help that wanted to volunteer since their Club is so small. They do get some Falmouth High School students to volunteer, but the more the merrier!
 
Bring a cash donation and the club will make sure the items are disposed of in an eco-friendly, responsible manner. For more information, contact: Anne Payson at annepayson10@gmail.com
This Week's Duty Assignments

Invocation:  Russ Burleigh
Program Reporter:  John Marr
Bits & Pieces Reporter:  Jake Bourdeau
Registration/Greeter: Elizabeth Banwell
Sell Meal Tickets:  Jerry Angier
Raffle:  Michel Kanyambo
Badge Box:  Leonard Scott
Collect Meal Tickets: Ellen Niewoehner 
*
Song Leader:  Alan Nye
Pianist:  Russ Burleigh
Sgt-at-Arms (Setup):  Bill Ross
Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down):  Travis Parker

*if hotel staff is unavailable

 

Rotary Meeting Locations

If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are scheduled at the following locations
through June 2017:

2017
May  5 - Clarion Hotel
May 12 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
May 19 - Clarion Hotel
May 26 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay

Jun  2 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Jun  9 -
Clarion Hotel
Jun 16 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Jun 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Jun 30 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay


Blue BOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.

Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com

 

Ongoing Item Donations Needed
The following items are needed on an on-going basis. Please feel free to bring them to a meeting where we will collect and distribute them.
 
Crutches4Africa - Crutches, canes, folding walkers and wheelchairs to be shipped to Africa.
 
Toiletries for the Shelters - Collect those tiny bottles of toiletries you are paying for during your next hotel visit and bring them home for members of our society who find themselves staying at a shelter and in need of personal hygiene products.
From The World of Tennis

ROTARY DOUBLES TENNIS LEAGUE
Winter/Spring Session 2017 

We are moving into the final weeks of the Winter-Spring 2017 Rotary Tennis League.

Mark your calendars for our annual end-of-season gala/cookout - this year it will be held at Russ Burleigh's home in Scarborough on WEDNESDAY MAY 24. Further details to be emailed. 

For information on the next league startup, contact Tennis Commissioner, Erik Jorgensen or Bill Blount.

Here are the sixteenth week scores:

TEAM 1TEAM 2TEAM 3TEAM 4TEAM 5TEAM 6
BlakesleeBarnsSeddonChikuta
Gross
Bourdeau
HallPullenThompsonMooreIngramChipman
AschHerodesBlountJorgensenNickersonPutnam
Burleigh
Carr
St HilaireYoungGrammerMillick
222515191919