Rusty Atwood introduced our guest speaker Steve Shaffer, and his chocolate business, Black Dinah Chocolatiers.

(Photo: President Laura Young, Steve Shaffer and Rusty Atwood.)

In the spirit of American ingenuity, Black Dinah Chocolatiers was born to the “mother of invention,” who in this case turns out to be Kate Shaffer. The marriage of Kate and Steve Shaffer is an interesting story on its own. Neither Steve nor Kate are Maine natives, but they found their way to Vacationland and took to it in the adventurous, devil-may-care way as many newcomers do. The couple spent ten years off the coast of Acadia National Park, on Isle au Haut. They didn’t make the move with any expectations, but soon realized that you had to be determined and flexible to survive. 

Since they were set up on the island, they needed a way to make some money and Kate decided that everyone needs to eat, so she would get into cooking while Steve continued to work construction. The food business was not what they had hoped, so Kate gave it further thought and found a way to combine her fascination with chemistry, artistry, and food. That spawned the chocolate-making business and a little café to sell it out of. While Kate enjoys the making of chocolate, she doesn’t particularly love the taste and eating of chocolate, so she leaves that to others, especially Steve.

The product quickly gained a following, despite the limits of island life. While the location may have been limiting, it was fortuitous because it is close to Downeast magazine and caught the attention of restauranteur, Sam Hayward, who shouted the chocolate café out to the readers. Soon they got further recognition from Gourmet magazine and more orders came in. The motherload came when they got a call from Martha Stewart magazine telling them they intended to do a piece on the chocolate (pun intended!) and asked if they would be able to keep up with a huge uptick in business. This good fortune forced them to reconsider their location and the limitations imposed, including temp help and the logistics of shipping....so they had to move from Isle au Haut, but keep the spirit of Black Dinah alive. 

Their new-found Westbrook location and success brought with it some challenges. They have four employees to help them out. Steve is the marketer, while Kate is the maker. They have a host of regular corporate customers and the café is an attraction for the retail business, but the web-based marketing and logistics are a work in progress. Fluctuations in atmospheric conditions, particularly, temperature, can affect the taste of the confection. It also turns out that chocolate is best eaten at room temperature and in combination with other foods. Black Dinah procures the base chocolate from a couple of family farms located in Venezuela and Peru. 

Steve was asked what makes chocolate so popular? It comes as no surprise that the taste, not too sweet, of the Black Dinah chocolate is the premier differentiation. Plus it seems that chocolate is quite social and perfect to give as a gift and to share. If you’re looking for something extra special and unique, try the shaved chocolate and mix up a thick chocolate drink. 

If you’ve waited until the last minute to get something for your Valentine, head off to Black Dinah Chocolatiers Café and retail store located at 869 Main Street, Westbrook and pick up some truffles or shavings to save the day and the love of your life.
 

Peggy “Queenie” Wescott provided a whimsical invocation noting how descriptions of events, places, and people will certainly vary from region to region. With keen foresight into what would become a full-blown blizzard in New England over Sunday/Monday, Peggy noted that our Massachusetts friends would refer to it as “snowing tons.” Here in Maine, we’ll just give it a wave and shrug it off.  

Laura asked “Tom Brady,” aka John Marr, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kathy Grammer led us in “America The Beautiful.” Nicely done! 

Laura took a moment to thank the members who prepared and worked on the meeting activities for the day.  

Amy Chipman made her first appearance of the day at the podium to deliver a “Rotary Moment.” Rotary runs deep in her family, and many of us remember her father Charlie Barnes, a long time member of our club. It was back in 2001 when Amy moved into Cape Elizabeth and met up with Ellen Niewoehner. Speaking about Rotary, Amy intimated that she was going to look into the Cape Elizabeth club, but Ellen set her straight. Ellen brought Amy as a guest to Portland, and upon seeing so many familiar faces, the deal was sealed. Amy immediately jumped into club service. Working on a St. Vincent DePaul dinner, she admitted to being a  little nervous the first time asking for member help from the podium. When a sea of hands went up, it was one of those “Rotary moments.”  “Giving back” is in heart, and she proudly chaired the Foundation Committee from 2009-2016. Her goal is to participate in one of our Dominican Republic trips. In closing, Amy informed us, “I’m never going to leave!”

Time to sing: “Oh, When the Patriots, Go Marching In!” Naturally a good buzz off of that, as the Patriots took Super Bowl LI in amazing fashion on February 5th!
 

(Photo: President Laura, Ira Waltz and Laura Iteka.)

Ira Waltz, Principal at Deering High School, was welcomed to say a few words about our Youth Service Award recipient, Laura Iteka. Ira told the tale of this young girl born in a war-torn Africa, orphaned as a child. Raised by a guardian in Tanzania, she would make her way to the United States with her brother, both in their teens. Living homeless for weeks in Portland, she was saved by Catholic Charities, and then by foster parents, Nate and Nancy Nickerson. Described as engaging, curious, and intellectual, Laura enrolled into Deering High School in her sophomore year, and took off. Speaking four languages, honors and AP classes, and a participant in the Model UN Program, Youth Engagement Partners, and as a writer for “The Telling Youth,” she has inspired others around her.  Introducing Laura, she immediately thanked the Nickerson’s, “the family she never had,” Deering High School, their incredible staff, and to Rotary for helping her future educational endeavors. She talked about the power to “give back” – the theme of the day started by Amy Chipman. An incredible story, and a truly remarkable young lady.
 

(Photo: Amy Chipman, Ron Bennett, Rob Chatfield, !st VP Don Zillman and Past President Dick Hall.)

Amy Chipman came back up to the podium with Dick Hall, to award a slate of Paul Harris Fellows. We paid tribute and respect to six Rotarians earning a PHF pin, and in many cases, not their first. David Small (2), Don Zillman (2), Alan Levenson (2), Loretta Rowe (5), and Ron Bennett (5). We also welcomed our newest Paul Harris Fellow, Rob Chatfield. Thank you all for your incredible service and dedication to our club and Rotary International. 
 

(Photo: Steve Mortimer and Leonard Scott.)

The Jack of Diamonds returns zero on investment, so Steve Mortimer was busted on his draw from the deck of cards arranged by Leonard Scott. However, in the secondary market, Kathy Grammer was able to win a box of Black Dinah Chocolates, courtesy of our guest speakers.
 

2nd VP John Curran reported on the "Gift of Life" program that saw two children from Panama brought in to the United States for heart surgery.  The 12-year old came through without a hitch and returns home this week. The other, a bit younger, had a rougher stretch. At one point it was feared he would not make it and was in neo-natal intensive care for an extended period. Good news to report is that he’s rebounded in great fashion, and is expected return home soon.