This Week: Live Music with Chuck and Steve Romanoff - Schooner Fare!
Welcome Schooner Fare, the popular Maine-based folk band featuring brothers Chuck and Steve Romanoff. Schooner Fare has won unanimous critical praise for captivating harmonies and winning stage presence. In addition to their numerous original songs on both contemporary and traditional themes, the band also writes and performs topical songs, country ballads and maritime masterpieces that have made their name synonymous with the "Down East" style.
They began their 47th year with return engagements to some of the most venerable venues for folk and acoustic music. From New York City's Lincoln Center, Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, The Birchemere, and Wolf Trap, to Maine's Chocolate Church Arts Center, Schooner Fare performs lively concerts to folks of all ages. We'll hear signature original songs such as Portland Town, Day of the Clipper, We the People, and Scuttlebutt, combinedwith high spirits and their antique brand of Maine's Down East humor.
Consummate entertainers, their energetic concerts are laced with a Maine brand of universal humor. Combining their talents on six-string guitars, twelve-string guitars and banjos, Schooner Fare's distinctive vocal and instrumental arrangements have been hailed by such folk music icons as the Kingston Trio, the Limeliters, the Chad Mitchell Trio, the Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem and Tom Paxtom. Roger McGuinn, David Mallett, Bill Staines, Jonathan Edwards, and Gordon Bok.
Meeting of July 23, 2022: Maine Lobster – Vital To Our Economy, Facing Closure By Feds | by TomTalbott
Maine knows lobster, but no one knows the industry better than Patrice McCarron Executive Director for the Maine Lobsterman’s Association, who provided a detailed examination of the size, impact, and challenges.
The MLA was established in 1954, and is the oldest and largest fishing industry association. For Maine, it represents a $1 Billion+ in revenue, representing 80% of Maine’s commercial fishing business. It’s the second most valuable fishery in the nation, just slightly behind the Salmon industry. (We served salmon for lunch today, was that a faux pas?) (Photo: Patrice McCarron with Bruce Jones)
Here are some interesting facts about the lobstermen. First, every licensed lobster boat is owned and operated by the Captain. In other words, the Captain cannot have a license and boat, but have others run the operation - the Captain must be on the boat. There are 4,800 lobstermen, meaning 4,800 individual business owners, all living in Maine. It creates more than 10,000 jobs in total, and profits stay local. In 2021, Maine set a new record with $725 million dollars for the value of the lobsters brought to the dock, off of 108 million pounds of lobster.
All good, right? McCarron turned her attention to one of the threats to the lobstermen and the industry, which is coming in the form of federal government regulations. The issue surrounds the highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whales, with less than 400 remaining. They are protected under U.S. MMPA (Marine Animal Protection Act) and ESA (Endangered Species Act) as well as SARA in Canada (Species At Risk Act). The MMPA, formed in 1972, focuses on the unintentional "take" of marine mammals incidental to activities including construction projects, scientific research projects, oil and gas development, and military exercises.
In 2021, the Marine Fisheries Service authored a 10-year plan that requires Maine lobsterman to reduce its risk to the Right Whale to levels that the industry views as impossible to achieve. The MLA is suing the federal government to stop this plan, requesting that the court use accurate science to establish a more reasonable plan.
Keep in mind that the MLA has true stewards of the lobster farming, with strict rules on size limits and egg-bearing female lobsters. The result has been huge growth in the lobster take, directly because of the smart approach to what to take and what not to take. More over, the MLA has been pro-active in its efforts to reduce risks to the Right Whale, and the protections have worked. Since 2004, there have been 2 documented entanglements in lobster gear, and 0 Right Whales known to have died from Maine lobster gear. Note that ropes and buoys are all color-coded and marked, so if there was an issue, it can be tracked. McCarron explained how the length of ropes in the water from buoy to trap have been significantly shortened, and are designed with “weak links” to break away with relatively minimal force.
Repeating, no Right Whale has ever been associated with Maine lobster gear. Since 2015, there have been 12 entanglements in Canada, 8 vessel strikes in Canada, and 6 vessel strikes in the U.S, none in Maine. Vessel strikes are the biggest issue, and she noted that the Right Whale can easily blend into the surface waters, making it virtually impossible to spot. Kudos to the Maine lobsterman for their diligence and cautionary procedures.
The MLA lawsuit’s goal is to save and preserve the Right Whale and the Maine lobster industry. The risk reduction target needs to be in line with the risk that Maine lobstering poses. In other words, the Feds new rules need to account for the statistical fact that Maine lobstering has been extremely safe, so why create new impossible standards when what is currently being done is working. The new law uses flawed data and reliance on worst-case scenarios and projections, and if enacted, would shut down Maine lobstering. The MLA is asking for better research as to what other factors are endangering the Right Whale, underlining that Maine lobstering has caused zero deaths.
The MLA is passionate about protecting all marine life, and has worked to improve and refine its best practices and procedures for decades. The goal has always been to create sustainability and preservation of the waters, while creating an industry that is a vital engine to Maine’s economy. For more information, visit the Maine Lobsterman’s website.
Bits and Pieces | by Bill Blount
On Friday July 22 Portland Rotarians met and zoomed at the Da Vinci Room in the Italian Heritage Center. President Bruce Jones called the meeting to order promptly at `12:15 PM. Prior to the ringing of the bell diners went to the buffet, served themselves to a delicious IHC lunch and chatted amongst ourselves. President Bruce called upon Ron Bennett to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, then Juliana L’Heureux did the invocation, reciting the lyrics to “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” written in 1913 by Ins Duley Ogden.
Brian Nickerson conducted the raffle where Jon Young was selected by the speaker, but drew the wrong Queen. President Bruce then announced the guests, July birthdays and Rotary anniversaries. Past President Bob Traill was with us and recognized for his recent 100th birthday!
President Bruce also reminded everyone to pay their Rotary Dues, then please go to the club website and update your profile. Both tasks won’t take but a couple of minutes each. If you need help with the website, reach out to Dick Hall.
Bruce Moore came forward to introduce Margo Walsh, Founder and Owner of Maine Works, along with Saco Bay Rotarian John Bouchard and MW Manager Wesley Salvucci. MaineWorks is an innovative employment company that assists people recovering from substance use disorder and felony convictions. Jobs fall in the fields of construction, carpentry, masonry, landscaping, and much more. They have provided quality, long term employment for hundreds of men and women since opening in 2010. Margo is seeking new volunteers to drive patrons of Maine Works to their various jobs. Your effort would replace the high cost of using UBER for transportation, which saves significant dollars for this very worthy organization. Got a car? Got time and energy to volunteer? Contact Margo using information you can get from their website: Maine Works (Photo: John Bouchard, Jan Chapman, Margo Walsh,Wesley Salvucci, and Bruce Moore)
Bill Blount was called upon to discuss our successful outing at Hadlock July 15. 43 of us dined and were captivated by the speakers. Let’s do it again next year. Thank you John Kamisha and the Sea Dogs! Let’s also consider having a Portland Rotary night at a game this summer. More to follow from the Special Activities Committee.
Amy Chipman came forward announcing our goals for our Flags for Heroes. We seek to sponsor 100 heroes at $100 per hero with 50 sponsored by Portland Rotary Club members and 50 sponsored by folks outside of our membership. To sponsor go to our Portland Rotary club website and click on the Flags area where you can designate your hero and pay by credit card. September 7-14 will be the dates the Flags will appear in the Maine Mall and will be coming upon us quickly.
Rotary Foundation Chair Patty Byers came forward, and was quick to announce her purpose. John Thompson was lauded for his second Paul Harris Fellowship. A standing ovation rose from the audience, as our club, as well as the The Rotary Foundation thanked John for his support.
President Bruce concluded the meeting regarding Rotary’s Polio Plus campaign - with some startling news. An unvaccinated person in Rockland County, New York contracted the Polio disease. Read up on it here: PBS Story. Epidemiologists are exploring the source. Please consider donating to Polio Plus that has done so much in the eradication of this dreadful disease.
David Putnam introduced the speaker Patrice McCarron, Executive Director of the Maine Lobsterman's Association.
Satellite Social!
Great time at the Rotary social on July 20th at Bunker Brewing! Members from our new Portland Sunrise satellite club sharing some good times with our club - let's do more! L-R: Quinn Slayton, Bill Ross, Amy Chipman, Kath Hall, Dick Hall, Katie Soule, John Thompson, Jack Schraeter, Laura Young, Jim Vincenzi, Charlie Frair, and Rich Campbell.
Portland Rotary Reads to Boys and Girls Club Members
Thanks to everyone who has been reading this summer. We have a few weeks left and some open slots for anyone who is interested in spending 30 minutes reading with a Boys and Girls Club member ages 5-8. Readings are from 1-1:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays until August 25th at the Boys and Girls Club's Sagamore Clubhouse, 21 Popham Street in Portland. Outside reading available on beautiful days like today. See below for the schedule for the remainder of the summer so far.
If you are interested in reading, please sign up here thru GoogleDoc. For those of you who don't like this technology stuff email Laura Young and she'll sign you up. (Photo - David Small and Julian L'Heureux at a reading!)
Reminder of Housekeeping Items!
Roster: We are targeting a publication date of August 15th for our 2022-2023 roster. No later than August 1, please review, update, and enhance your information. Refer to Dick's email that was sent Monday the 18th, 8am for details and instructions. You can make updates on Clubrunner. Contact Dick Hall if you have questions.
Dues: Please remember to get caught up with your dues. The club has already fronted the money to Rotary International, so we definitely need to collect all dues very soon.
Speaker Schedule
August 5 | Jason Judd, Maine Spark Employment
August 11 | Club Social 5pm (This is a Thursday)
August 12 | No meeting with club social the night before
August 19 | TBD
August 25 | TBD
Club Executives President Bruce Jones 1st VP Dick Hall 2nd VP Patty Byers Treasurer Dick Hall Secretary Bill Blount Board of Directors Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick Sergeant-At-Arms Jake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
1st Q Program Chair: Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
The MLA was established in 1954, and is the oldest and largest fishing industry association. For Maine, it represents a $1 Billion+ in revenue, representing 80% of Maine’s commercial fishing business. It’s the second most valuable fishery in the nation, just slightly behind the Salmon industry. (We served salmon for lunch today, was that a faux pas?) (Photo: Patrice McCarron with Bruce Jones) 
Bruce Moore came forward to introduce Margo Walsh, Founder and Owner of Maine Works, along with Saco Bay Rotarian John Bouchard and MW Manager Wesley Salvucci. MaineWorks is an innovative employment company that assists people recovering from substance use disorder and felony convictions. Jobs fall in the fields of construction, carpentry, masonry, landscaping, and much more. They have provided quality, long term employment for hundreds of men and women since opening in 2010. Margo is seeking new volunteers to drive patrons of Maine Works to their various jobs. Your effort would replace the high cost of using UBER for transportation, which saves significant dollars for this very worthy organization. Got a car? Got time and energy to volunteer? Contact Margo using information you can get from their website: 
Bill Blount was called upon to discuss our successful outing at Hadlock July 15. 43 of us dined and were captivated by the speakers. Let’s do it again next year. Thank you John Kamisha and the Sea Dogs! Let’s also consider having a Portland Rotary night at a game this summer. More to follow from the Special Activities Committee. 
Amy Chipman came forward announcing our goals for our Flags for Heroes. We seek to sponsor 100 heroes at $100 per hero with 50 sponsored by Portland Rotary Club members and 50 sponsored by folks outside of our membership. To sponsor go to our 
Rotary Foundation Chair Patty Byers came forward, and was quick to announce her purpose. John Thompson was lauded for his second Paul Harris Fellowship. A standing ovation rose from the audience, as our club, as well as the The Rotary Foundation thanked John for his support.
Roster: We are targeting a publication date of August 15th for our 2022-2023 roster. No later than August 1, please review, update, and enhance your information. Refer to Dick's email that was sent Monday the 18th, 8am for details and instructions. You can make updates on .png)
