Please join us this Friday for another lively and engaging Club Assembly at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay. It will include updates on our service and fundraising activities, a check in on our club vision, and some surprises along the way.
Please invite a potential new member to join you, as this is a perfect opportunity to learn more about our active and fun club.
Rusty Atwood introduced us to Luca St. Clair, who manages his family’s operating foundation, Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI) in the Moosehead and Katahdin regions, as well as miles of frontage along the East Branch of the Penobscot River and Wassataquoik Stream.
In 2016, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, President Barack Obama accepted the gift of 89,000 acres of land from EPI and created the newest unit of the National Park Service - Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Mr. St. Clair spent hours in Washington, DC before the legislative committee and National Park Service explaining why he and his family wanted to donate this land to the Park Service. Whereas, appearing before the same committees, Governor Paul LePage, on behalf of his constituents, was telling them why the state did not want this part of Maine as a national monument, saying that too many parcels of land and water front are needlessly taken from production.
The land in question was first obtained by Roxanne Quimby, of Burt’s Bees fame. She asked her son, Lucas to return to Maine and manage the property with an eye toward preparing it to be gifted to the people as a protected trust that would enhance the beauty of the majestic Katahdin region and Baxter State Park. Supporters cheered the gift that they predicted could revitalize the region’s struggling towns, while opponents warned that providing a foothold to the federal government would inhibit economic development in the North Woods, as well as restrict hunting, snowmobiling and forestry on some of the land.
According to Lucas the land was given without any denial of such access. Furthermore, the land comes with a fund of $40,000,000 to help maintain it. Mr. St. Clair and many others saw this as a business opportunity with a perpetual future that preserved the beauty of the state and enhanced the local community by providing sustainable jobs and a way of life people loved. The paper mills are now gone and the region is struggling to recover as the economy shifts from one based on manufacturing and forest products to one increasingly reliant on tourism-related jobs. Local businesses are benefiting from the changes that are happening.
Long before President Obama was given the opportunity to make the designation, Lucas had the members of the Park Authority come and visit Maine to learn what they had in mind. While they were winning over some of those from “away,” they weren’t convincing all the local politicians and the battle lines were better defined.
Lucas and the Friends of Katahdin Woods & Water continue to reach out and let the idea naturally germinate. For the time being, we have a wonderful gift to use and it seems that we may see the truth of “if you build it, they will come.” It may be the perfect time for each of us to put on our hiking shoes, apply an ample spray of bug repellent and take a walk in the woods.
(Photo L-R: Rusty Atwood, Lucas St. Clair, PP John Marr and President Laura Young.)
After welcoming 46 Rotarian members and 1 visiting Rotarian, President Laura Young asked Past PresidentRuss Burleigh to give the invocation. Russ read the “Horse’s Prayer” in honor of the upcoming weekend’s Kentucky Derby, which is reportedly the longest running sporting event in the USA. Scott Blakeslee led us in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ and we sang the National Anthem.
President Laura thanked those responsible for setting up and helping run the meeting smoothly
Mike Robinson provided us with a “Rotary Moment.” Mike (formerly of the Wells Rotary Club) shared the reasons for initially joining Rotary (reminds him of the Eagle Scouts); why he thinks he was the right person for Rotary (similar volunteering opportunities as at his church and positive memories over the years); and what he enjoys about being a Rotarian (great relationships built working on the committees and helping people).
(Photo L-R: Alex St. Hilaire, Gracie Johnston, and PP Cyrus Hagge.)
Several people discussed the Maine Outdoor Challenge (MOC) and asked for volunteers, not only on the day of the event, but also to start a team for our biggest fund raiser, which raises money for our local causes and in the Dominican Republic. The MOC is five (5) weeks away, we have 30 teams, and we’re looking for about 15 more. Alex St. Hilaire spoke for a moment and asked for more volunteers and auction items. Contact Alex at: alex.st.hilaire@bangor.com
Past President Cyrus Hagge discussed the live auction items, which so far include: a sail boat race on a 42-foot sail boat; a cruise on Paul Tully’s motor boat; a 14-ft kayak; a harbor cruise for four with lobster bake; a 3-night weekend stay at Sunday River/Bethel Inn; two Patriots’ tickets; passes to Maine Indoor Go-Karting; a weekend at Ripple Effect; and a hunting trip with Kris Rosado. Contact Cyrus at: chagge@mac.com
Gracie Johnston let us know that volunteers are needed to help sell 400 tickets for the fly fishing package, a kayak or paddle board. Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. Contact Gracie at: gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com
Past President Loretta Rowe ran the raffle and as her luck would have it, her name was picked out of the vessel by our speaker for a shot at finding the winning card in the remaining 6 cards in the deck. Her luck ran just short that day, as she did not pull the Queen of Hearts, and the pot continues to grow with only 5 cards left.
Past President Ben Lowry let us know that the Falmouth Rotary Club is having an Electronics Recycling Collection Day on Saturday, May 13th from 9 am-1:00 pm in the Falmouth Shopping Center. They could use your electronic products, along with a few volunteers to help them at the event. For more information, contact: Anne Payson at: annepayson10@gmail.com
Again in recognition of the upcoming Kentucky Derby, Amy Chipman and Gracie Johnston led us in the song “My Old Kentucky Home,” accompanied on the keyboard by Past PresidentRuss Burleigh.
Member Birthdays 6th Matt Wolcott 7th Bill Blount 11th Lili Brown 12th Bill Ross 13th Tom Saturley 17th Howie Herodes 17th Bob Martin 17th Tom Sukley 18th Patty Erickson 18th Brian McDonough 19th Don Zillman 22nd Jon Young 23rd Nick Lotfey
Date-Joined-Rotary Anniversaries Bill Blount - 25 years Tony Manhart - 11 years Laura Young - 9 years Peter Ingram - 5 years
Portland Rotary volunteers, (less Laura Young and Erik Greven), at Deering High School on Wed, May 3rd, getting ready to help out the 11th graders with their job interview skills.
(Photo L-R: PP Jim Willey, Rusty Atwood, Amy Chipman, President-elect Don Zillman and PP Ben Lowry.)
Invocation: Alan Nye Program Reporter: Julie L'Heureux Bits & Pieces Reporter: Alan Nye Registration/Greeter: Lionel Nima Sell Meal Tickets: Loretta Rowe Raffle: Ben Millick Badge Box: Michael Greer Collect Meal Tickets: Terri St. Angelo * Song Leader: Bill Blount Pianist: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Setup): Dave Putnam Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down): Mike Reed
The following items are needed on an on-going basis. Please feel free to bring them to a meeting where we will collect and distribute them.
Crutches4Africa - Crutches, canes, folding walkers and wheelchairs to be shipped to Africa.
Toiletries for the Shelters - Collect those tiny bottles of toiletries you are paying for during your next hotel visit and bring them home for members of our society who find themselves staying at a shelter and in need of personal hygiene products.
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor) Debra Lavoie Gary's House (Loretta Rowe)
ROTARY DOUBLES TENNIS LEAGUE Winter/Spring Session 2017
The nail-biter season has ended and the final week saw the crowning of Team 2 as our Spring champions! Congratulations to Jim Barns, Norm Pullen, Howie Herodes and Jack Carr for adding a final point this week - a coup de grace on a great season.
Thanks to everyone who played, and don't forget that our annual league party is coming up on Wednesday the 24th of May.
For information on the next league startup, contact Tennis Commissioner, Erik Jorgensen or Bill Blount.
Mike Robinson provided us with a “Rotary Moment.” Mike (formerly of the Wells Rotary Club) shared the reasons for initially joining Rotary (reminds him of the Eagle Scouts); why he thinks he was the right person for Rotary (similar volunteering opportunities as at his church and positive memories over the years); and what he enjoys about being a Rotarian (great relationships built working on the committees and helping people). 
Past President Loretta Rowe ran the raffle and as her luck would have it, her name was picked out of the vessel by our speaker for a shot at finding the winning card in the remaining 6 cards in the deck. Her luck ran just short that day, as she did not pull the Queen of Hearts, and the pot continues to grow with only 5 cards left. 
Past President Ben Lowry let us know that the Falmouth Rotary Club is having an Electronics Recycling Collection Day on Saturday, May 13th from 9 am-1:00 pm in the Falmouth Shopping Center. They could use your electronic products, along with a few volunteers to help them at the event. For more information, contact: Anne Payson at: 
Again in recognition of the upcoming Kentucky Derby, Amy Chipman and Gracie Johnston led us in the song “My Old Kentucky Home,” accompanied on the keyboard by Past President Russ Burleigh.
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