A passionate believer in the ability of all people, regardless of age or background, to find fulfillment through music, Michael Lund Ziegler serves as Executive Director for the Portland Conservatory of Music (PCM). Michael joined PCM after working as the Director of Education at The Fine Arts Association (FAA) of Willoughby, Ohio, overseeing educational programming in music, dance, visual art, and theater. In his three years at FAA, Michael worked to create a streamlined and cohesive curricular experience for students and teachers, leading to notable improvements in student retention and a 30% increase in enrollment over pre-pandemic levels.

 

An educator and conductor by training, Michael has held positions with youth, collegiate, community, and professional orchestras and bands and both public and private schools. He has been noted for his clarity on the podium and an ability to create an empowering sense of ensemble and accomplishment amongst the players.

 

Michael holds an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from Ball State University and a B.A. in Music Education from the U. of Wisconsin-Green Bay with additional study at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Doctoral work at the U. of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Outside of his work in music and the arts, Michael enjoys sports, traveling, and spending time with family.

John Thompson introduced Wiley Muller, who shared with us the path to which Maine high school students can learn and work their way into the lobstering industry. The catch is that entrance into the field is very limited – there are a set number of licenses (6500 in Maine), and openings are few and far between. The industry is not for privileged people; you can’t buy your way in, you have to work your way in. Though the bottleneck is based on the need to keep the reproduction and health of lobsters strong, it unfortunately prohibits young people, and particularly those with historically disadvantaged backgrounds from joining.

 

Led by Ben Conniff and Luke Holden of Luke’s Lobster, a local family owned seafood business, the “Lift All Boats Project” began in 2022. Wiley Muller, a lobsterman, is one of the volunteers and leaders. He introduced two program students, Carlos Fra-Nevo, and Zeke Irayoa. The impact of the program was immediately evident, when Wiley emotionally shared how proud he was to be a part of it all.

The three took turns explaining the tasks and responsibilities. Over the course of a summer, Carlos and Zeke said they are out on the water typically once per week, each for approximately 4-5 hours. Over the course of the summer, they’ll log 50-60 hours, learning how to bait and set traps, pull and haul lines, identify and tag lobster, keeping or tossing back. They showed off their personal buoys, color coded and registered. The pace out on the water is modified, because money is not the primary objective, as it might be for someone earning a living. The focus here is on learning, safety, and being responsible lobstermen. Their hours are officially logged and verified by licensed lobsterman, which has enabled Carlos and Zeke to obtain their student license, which ultimately can lead to a full Maine State Commercial License. The alternative route is through an apprenticeship program, but that has a 10-year waiting list!

 

Carlos and Zeke now have 7 traps a piece, with a goal of being up to 20 this coming 2024 summer. They’re not the only students – there are 9 in the program, representing 6 Portland area high schools. Out on the water, you’ll find them in Zone F, aka – Casco Bay, and always within site of the islands. The limit is 3 miles out, but they’re not going that distance.

 

Asked if they would consider it as a career, the boys both said they were open to the idea. “it’s an honest job”. Most important is learning a wide variety of skills, building confidence, and experiencing a new world. Through the support of a number of local businesses, the program should continue to grow and expand. This could be through gaining work with other lobstering companies, or expanding into other programs such as the growing and harvesting of kelp. (Photo John, Carlos, Wiley, Zeke)

President Dick Hall called the meeting to order and Christine Force led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a reading of the Four Way Test.

 

A short Rotary Foundation for Peace video was shown to emphasize how Rotarians are part of an international organization where we cooperate together to accomplish almost anything.

 

President Dick Hall reminded club members to be patient at the meeting registration table. When it gets busy, we don't want to stress our registration volunteers, and create confusion about the data and payments received. 

 

WELCOME: Thank you Corey Masson for volunteering to be the Rotary Greeter and Guest Introducer. Our guests included Past District Governor Claudia Frost, Paula Vicenzi/Wife of Jim Vicenzi, Jeff Martinelli/guest of Mike Robinson, Kaitlin Parker/Guest of Mario Martinez, and Daniel Flynn/Guest of Nannette Ranger-Duncanson. Hello to all!

 

NO LUCK: Andi Summers led the raffle for the possibility of winning $164.00.Roger Fagan was selected to draw the Queen of Hearts but did not pull the winning card.

 

ICE TIME: Jake Bourdeau reported on the fun Rotary social night at the Portland Mariners game on January 19^th, at the Cross Insurance Arena, where 40 members and guests participated playing pond hockey on the ice and watching the game. Score: Maine Mariners (2) vs. Reading Royals (5). The event created $170 to contribute to the Portland Rotary recovery fund. (Photo)

 

MAJOR DONATION: An email was sent to Portland Rotarians from President Dick Hall to report the vote by the Portland Rotary board to make a major contribution of $25,000 to Milestone. The purpose is to help provide access to more Mainers who are in need of health care. Given the size of the contribution, the Board voted to communicate its desire to the whole club before the final decision is made to proceed. The details about the need and the source of the funds are explained with the goals, timeline, and budget on the Google drive at this link here  

 

MANY THANKS: A thank you note was received from the Salvation Army in appreciation for Tom Ranello and Jim Willey who donated $400 to the kettle drive, and challenged our club to match it. We did! Also, Dick Hall recovered the CLYNK funds from Rotary donations and contributed the dollars to the Keep Maine Warm fund. 

 

HEAR THIS: Roger Fagan presented slides and gave a report about the 25^th Portland Rotary humanitarian services to the Dominican Republic. He described how The Good Samaritan Hospital in the city of LaRomana has grown and benefited from the 25 Rotary missions that started back in 2002. Over that time, 4,500 hearing aids have been fitted. Volunteers on this visit included Paula Vicenzi, Jim Vicenzi, Liz Fagan, Amy Chipman, David Small, Roger Fagan, Patty Byers, Claudia Frost, Erik Greven, Kathy Flygare, and Carolyn Bulliner, all who each paid several thousand dollars in travel expenses to attend. Team members Paula Vicenzi (spouse of Rotarian Jim Vicenzi), speaks fluent Spanish and was a valuable interpreter in the hearing clinic. Roger noted that programming each hearing aid about an hour, and on this last visit,136 adults and children were fitted. That’s a lot of work. Another update to the program was the addition of solar powered rechargeable batteries, that make a huge difference to the users. Regular batteries wear out quickly and are difficult to replace. Dick Hall thanked Roger and Liz Fagan for their leadership with the Dominican Republican team and reminded the club about how much advanced planning goes into this program. Look for the article in the District Newsletter! 

VISION NIGHT IN SIGHT: Patty Byers asked club members to please respond to the club’s vision survey prior to the workshop planned for February 16^th at the Italian Heritage Center.  Please arrive by 4:30 to be sure the meeting can begin promptly at 5 PM. Dinner is available for $22 a person.

SURVEY ON WAY: Doreen Rockstrom will send out the survey a second time, asking Rotarians about our level of confidence to respond to mental health and substance abuse prevention and care. Everything clubs are doing in the district and internationally about mental health must be locally focused. District 7780 has about 60 people planning the 3^rd annual mental health and substance use conference. (Photo)

 

INTERACT MATCH: Dick Hall is invited to speak about Rotary Interact at Cheverus High School. John Thompson asked Rotarians to help create a $500 match for the funds needed to organize Interact at Deering High School. $320 was collected on the spot!