News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine
June 22, 2022
This Week: Tim Brosnihan, Exec. Dir., Victorian Mansion
Tim Brosnihan grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Maine to study history at Bowdoin College and the University of Maine. In 2006, Tim earned his MA in historical archaeology. Tim has been a museum professional for over 25 years.  For the last two decades, he has been at the heart of Victoria Mansion, one of the most intact and important antebellum houses in the United States. Tim took over as Executive Director in December of 2021. He lives in Bath with his wife and three children, where we work together to restore our own 1854 historic house.
Our Meeting of June 17: Nick Lund "Backyard Bird Watching" |by Tom Nickerson
Today we learned about backyard birding basics from Nick Lund, Maine Audubon’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager. The Maine Audubon mission is to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in education, conservation, and action. The Maine Audubon started in 1843 and has promoted a love of natural history ever since.
 
Nick Lund, who is from Falmouth, is an advocate, attorney, author, and is passionate about field work birding in Maine. He shared tips on how we can enhance our bird watching experience and improve the environment for our backyard friends:
 
  • Focus on Natural Foods – Nick encouraged us to think beyond the bird feeder and to create an inviting and healthy natural habitat to feed the birds. We can focus on the natural food, such as insects, especially caterpillars. A chickadee for example needs 6 to 9 thousand caterpillars to feed one baby. The best way to help is plant native plants and trees, especially red oaks and black cherry trees.
 
   • Match your seed to the desired bird – Feeders are just supplemental food, birds will not go hungry without it. For seed recommendations, he suggested research to match your seed to the type of bird you want to have visit. He said to avoid milo seed, as birds do not eat it. Black oil sunflower seeds will bring small birds, cracked corn is enjoyed by larger birds. Safflower is great for cardinals and grosbeaks.
 
   • Bird houses require research – Bird houses mimic tree cavities, but size matters. It is important to research height, hole size and direction to attract the desired type of bird. Nestwatch at Cornell University is an easy to use website to learn about the right kind of bird house.
 
   • Bird baths – another important way to attract birds, especially in the winter. Birds in Maine have plenty of access to water, but in the Winter it is great feature to have for those friends who stay.
 
Nick’s talk was very inspiring and he encouraged us to learn more about Maine Audubon and how we can help create a healthy backyard that will attract plenty of birds; if you see something interesting, be sure to let him know. Birding is another great reason to spend more time outside in Maine!
Bits and Pieces | by Tom Talbott
We welcomed Past President Roxane Cole, circa.1999-2000, to be our Guest Host President this week. Paul Tully led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Roxane Cole asked Mike Fortunato to kick off the battery of announcements for the day. First thing on Mike’s agenda was to announce our next Club Social will be the second Thursday in August, officially August 11. 5p-7p at the Italian Heritage Center, a great opportunity just to socialize and share fellowship. Item number two was to remind all of Russ Burleigh’s memorial, and it is necessary to RSVP by June 28th so the Merrill Auditorium has a head count for planning. See details below, including the RSVP link. Third, Mike let everyone know that a group of Rotarians went to Long Creek Youth Development Center and hosted a BBQ for 16 of the young men and women currently in the system. With Mike at the helm, the team set-up and executed a tasty BBQ with delicious desserts. Thanks to John Marr, Jon Young, Jim and Barbara Willey, Dave Putnam, and Tom Talbott. Bubba-Burgers are back!
 
Erik Greven came up to the podium to update us on the Rotary Foundation, this time about their spending, not our giving! Several years back our club had been instrumental in working with a club in India, specifically sponsoring EyeServe 2.0, a project that provided equipment for eye surgeries under the Eye Foundation. This program was followed up with a request for another Rotary International grant to the tune of $70,000. Our club contributed $2100, and our District 7780 had a Direct Designated fund of $2k. District 3201 in India provided $10k as a District Grant, and another $15k as an endowed Directed Gift. The final big push came from the local club in Coimbatore Texcity, with $37,800. Last, $9600 came in from the Rotary World Fund, bringing the total to $74,600. This is going to make a huge impact for people of a lower socio-economic group, who will now regain the ability to see. Thanks for the great update Erik!
 
Ellen Niewoehner brought a reminder that this coming Friday June 24th, you are invited to meet at ecomaine at 10am for a tour of the facility. Blueberry Lane, out on outer Congress St. Ellen needed a commitment so she could properly RSVP numbers.
 
On double-duty, Ellen conducted the raffle, with $380 in the till. After reviewing the process, Bowen Depke was chosen from the throng to try his hand at the draw. Bowen drew nothing of any substance that offered a return on his investment, and was summarily dismissed from the ritual. Better odds next week.
 
Laura Young made her way gracefully to the podium by carefully navigating the web of zoom cables, much to the chagrin of Dick Hall who had placed chairs of deterrence in the path. Settled in, she advised us that our Summer Reading program is getting underway, and sign-up sheets are on the tables. Tues, June 28th will be our first day. 30 minutes from 1p-1:30p at the Boys and Girl Club house at Sagamore Village. On nice days, readings will be outside. There will about 20 kids to read to, and we could use about 5 readers at each session. Reminders will be emailed out, with a google doc sign-up.
 
 
Roxane asked everyone to take a moment and donate to our Charitable Fund and Polio Plus. We used to shake them and hear the coins rattle, but these days, dollars make more noise!
Celebration of Life for Russ Burleigh
Mike Fortunato spoke in support of attending the Celebration of Life for Russ Burleigh, who passed away last Oct 31st. The event has been delayed for some time due to Covid. It will take place Friday, July 8th, 4p-630p at the Merrill Auditorium, Portland. The venue needs a headcount to prepare, so please register no later than June 28th using this link.
 
Russ had a profound impact on our  local performing arts community over the years. Listen to  eatured performances by Ray Cornils on the mighty Kotzschmar Organ, members of the Kotzschmar Festival Brass, and Maeve Hoglund, soprano. Following the program and brief remarks, guests will be invited on-stage for  hors d'oevres, wine, and beer. Masks are required except when eating and drinking.
Speaker Schedule
July 1 |  No Meeting - Enjoy your 4th of July Weekend!
July 8 |  Bruce Jones, Our 2022-2023 President
July 15 |  Road Trip to Hadlock Field for our Sea Dogs Lunch and Scouting Report
 
Club Executives
President-Elect  Bruce Jones
1st VP  Dick Hall
2nd VP  Patty Byers
Treasurer  Howie Herodes
Secretary  Michelle DiSotto
Board of Directors  Ellen Niewoehner, Mark Foster, Bob Clark, Roger Fagan, John Thompson
Sergeant-At-Arms  Dave Putnam
Club Administrator  Alice Alexander
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
 
4th Q Program Chair: Roxane Cole
       Managing Editor  Tom Talbott
Co-Production  Alice Alexander
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