We welcome Tony Zeli, Publisher and Editor of the West End News, a community-based newspaper written by neighbors for the community. Published monthly since 2001, the paper provides news, info, events, and entertainment for free and for everyone in and around Portland.
Tony Zeli grew up in Pennsville, New Jersey, and graduated from a liberal arts college in Vermont before moving to Maine over 20 years ago. While working as a camera operator and audio technician at a Portland television station, he became involved in local politics, including an unsuccessful run for Portland School Board. He later changed careers, joining the Maine Labor Group on Health to advocate for worker health and safety.
Through politics, Tony met Ed King, longtime editor and publisher of The West End News. When Ed decided to retire, Tony saw an opportunity to combine his interests in writing and community organizing. He took over the newspaper and has been running it for 12 years.
Tony lives in Portland with his wife, Erin. Outside the newspaper, he enjoys gardening, walking his dog, and sailing with Erin on Long Pond in Belgrade. He can be reached at thewestendnews@gmail.com.
BITS AND PIECES | by David Patterson
With VP Jake Bourdeau, a member of the Blue Man Group presiding, Jerry Wall opened with thoughts on resilience, hope and perseverance. With a little help from AI (which he readily admitted!), Jerry reminded us that slow progress is still progress, and cooperation beats confrontation. (Jake Blue Man Group photo)
WELCOME! Brian Nickerson greeted our guests: Dana Lane, a Vietnam veteran, longtime Biddeford-Saco Rotarian and prospective Portland member; Anna, a Roux Institute graduate student in project management and leadership, mentored by Bob; and Dr. Richard Pattenaude, former USM president and UMaine System chancellor, guest of Roxane Cole. We also welcomed Sally, recently relocated from Washington, D.C. A member of the Rotary E-Club of New England, she's served in several states and was a Rotary Youth Exchange student. We hope to see more of her!
YOUTH SERVICE AWARD: Jim Willey introduced Sydney Kutz, a Cheverus High senior and our first award recipient of the school year. Counselor Andrew Digan described her work as Key Club president, including a Thanksgiving food drive serving about 450 families, plus beach cleanups and composting. Sydney also maintains a GPA above 4.0 and plays on Cheverus's championship field hockey team. She received a $1,000 scholarship and a $100 donation to her chosen charity, the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. (Sydney's parents, Sydney, and Andrew)
GIVING CIRCLES: Jerry Wall explained changes to Rotary Foundation Giving Circles. Those at higher cumulative giving levels will be recognized separately, making room for others to participate. The commitment is $200 per Rotary year, with monthly automatic giving an option. Jerry also handed out Rotary apparel—a few more walking Rotary billboards!
RING THE BELL! Tom Ranello is seeking Salvation Army bell ringers starting the week of November 15 at Shaw's Northgate. Shifts are two hours, and they're indoors! Contact Tom with preferred times. The $150,000 holiday goal already has about $15,000 raised. Funds support gifts, warm clothes and Christmas meals, with Hannaford helping provide food. Rotarians are also invited to a breakfast Thursday, November 12, at 7 a.m. at 88 Preble Street, and a kickoff Friday, November 13, at 10 a.m. at DiMillo's on the Water.
QUEEN OF HEARTS: Roxane Cole drew a red card, but it was a diamond, not the queen. The roughly $257 jackpot survives another Friday.
THE BIRD IS THE WORD: Zach Newell says our Thanksgiving meal service with St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen is set for Wednesday, November 25, from about 8:30 a.m. to early afternoon. Food arrangements are in place with Sysco. Volunteers can sign up for whatever portion of the morning works for them.
LOOK SHARP: Our next social is axe and knife throwing at The Axe Pit near Clarks Pond in South Portland, Thursday, November 19, at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 for an hour, with pizza likely. RSVP so lanes can be reserved. No experience required, but a steady throwing arm helps!
Thanks to Ellen Niewoehner (registration), Brian Nickerson (guest greetings), David Patterson (raffle), and Sergeant-at-Arms crew (setup and cleanup). Note David Patterson was also our B&P and Program Reporter!
LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER:Chad Mullin, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland | By David Patterson
What does it take to build an affordable home in Greater Portland? Chad Mullin told Portland Rotary that it takes funding, volunteers, and community support. Introduced by Max Reed, Chad drew on his construction background to explain Habitat's work in Cumberland County.
He began with Chelsea and Drew Harvey. When Chelsea lost her job in 2020, the family sold their home and moved into Drew's parents' basement. They stayed four years, during which their family grew from two children to four.
Chad said a household needs about $175,000 annually to afford a median-priced home in Cumberland County, according to MaineHousing figures. About 70% of households cannot afford one. Habitat now spends $450,000–$460,000 to build a home. A typical Habitat buyer is a working parent earning about $56,000, often raising two or three children and struggling with rent despite steady employment and good credit.
Habitat uses donations, grants, donated materials, volunteer work, and affordable mortgages to make ownership possible. Housing costs are generally set at about 30% of household income. Buyers complete 275 hours of sweat equity, including construction and financial education. This year, about 650 volunteers are expected to contribute more than 10,000 hours. One house may require 1,500 volunteer hours, alongside skilled contractors handling specialized work.
Habitat's ReStore, selling donated household goods and building materials, has generated $2.2 million in net proceeds over five years. Habitat also recently dedicated its 100th Cumberland County home. Once building roughly two homes annually, it has averaged seven a year over the past three years.
Its Critical Home Repair program, begun in 2020, has completed about 200 major repairs, often for older homeowners on fixed incomes. Roofing, accessibility, bathroom, electrical, and plumbing repairs average about $7,000, helping people remain in their homes.
In Standish, the final two homes of a 12-home development should be occupied by Christmas. Construction has begun on nine homes in Gray over about 18 months, with nine more planned off Outer Forest Avenue in Portland for 2029. New homes feature insulation, heat pumps, and all-electric systems to keep utility costs down.
Chad returned to the Harveys, now living in their Habitat home after four years with relatives. He referenced George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life while discussing the importance of stable housing for working families.
During questions, Rotarians asked about buyer selection, affordability, construction, energy efficiency, and volunteering. Portland Rotary thanked Chad, expressed interest in Habitat volunteer projects, and will donate books to local elementary students in his honor. habitatportlandme.org. (Photo Max Reed, Chad, Jake B)
What frequency options are available for Rotary Direct gifts? Donors can arrange for a donation every month, quarter, or year. Transactions will occur during the first week of the month.
Speaker Schedule
Nov 19 - Thursday Night Club Social, The Axe Pit, South Portland, 6pm
Nov 20 - No Meeting
Nov 27- No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 4 - Fred Thompson, “Francis Orville Libby A Man For All Seasons”
Dec 11- No Meeting
Club Executives President Justin Lamontagne President Elect Jake Bourdeau Vice President Bill Milliken Treasurer Ian Nagle Secretary Niki Merrill Board of Directors Bruce Moore, Laura Young, Mary Pat Donnelon, David Patterson Sergeant-At-Arms Zach Newell
The Windjammer is published online by The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine. Contributing Editors
