Joining us from Colorado, Ryan Vachon will speak about “concrete ways for overcoming doubt and increasing professional resilience.” As an accomplished scientist, author, climber, and film producer, Ryan, has travelled to Greenland, Alaska, the Andes and the Himalayas researching the changing climate. His work has been broadcast on the National Geographic, History, Discovery, CNN, and BBC channels to name a few and has been nominated for an Emmy Award. Currently Ryan is the executive director of a film production company and teaches at the University of Colorado at Boulder when he’s not professionally climbing.
Justin LaMontagne has had to deal with the fear and paralysis that a diagnosis of cancer brings to a family. Since he had a degree of familiarity with the Maine Cancer Foundation, he reached out to them to help his family deal with this hideous disease. The Foundation proved to be the best resource for his family and helped them successfully travel through to a positive ending. The experience made a distinct impression on Justin and he suggested that they make a presentation to the Club. Justin introduced today’s guest speaker, Ray Ruby, who is the Community Outreach Manager for this Maine non-profit focused on prevention and early intervention as the means to reduce the cancer related mortality rate in Maine.
Ray has an interesting background. He grew up in Connecticut but moved to Maine and joined the Portland Police Department. While on the force he continued his studies and went on to obtain a degree in non-profit management and went on to recently join the Maine Cancer Foundation. In preparation for the presentation, Ray did some research since he expected to find that Rotary was involved and assisted with the work of the Foundation. He found quite a legacy of assistance from the Rotary Clubs in the state, particularly Portland.
The Maine Cancer Foundation concentrates on assisting the patients and practitioners. Every dollar that the MCF raises, over 7 million since 2015, remains in Maine. The Foundation leaves the research work projects to the American Cancer Society and supplements the work of the medical and research professionals by concentrating on the practical application of their findings. The MCF realizes that education is a huge component of any care plan to eradicate the disease in an individual. We learned that the people of Maine suffer a higher than normal rate of cancers. It is thought that many of the causes are attributed to lifestyle and environmental factors, consequently by getting the word out, early and emphatically, to the people in the state, they can favorably impact the mortality rate. The most prominent example of the education outreach is the smoking cessation programs that are reducing the number of younger smokers in Maine. The concentration on early intervention and detection is a critical element in any effort to contain the rate and provide a favorable end result. Simply stated, if we avoid environmental and lifestyle factors and recognize symptoms early in the process, we can significantly improve survival rates. The number of products with potentially hazardous ingredients was made known and it was suggested that we examine products prior to applying or ingesting them.
The geography of our state is part of the reason for our cancer rate being higher than the norm. The remote areas of the state suffer limited medical resources and travel can become a factor. When you add to the mix the demographics, it adds to the problem and the need for the services of the MCF. The Foundation works to help people recognize the telltale signs of the disease and seek immediate care. It is widely accepted that early detection and intervention is the most important factor in any effort to reduce the mortality statistic. However, if you think you have cancer, but can't get to a doctor, it is not only frustrating but deadly. Therefore, the Maine Cancer Foundation has programs to help people in need get rides and access to medical care. Every year, there are over 8,000 Maine residents who are diagnosed with the disease and in need of care.
The Maine Cancer Foundation conducts a number of fundraisers to support their outreach and assistance programs. They initiated the “Tri For a Cure,” “Mary’s Walk,” and the “Twilight 5K” run, to help raise needed funds to help the citizens of Maine to concentrate on 1) prevention (no smoking and limiting sun and chemical exposure ), 2) detection (breast self exam, colorectal studies, and noting changes in one’s body), and 3) access to expert health care. These are the things that each of us can do to prolong our life and avoid the disruption and devastation that cancer brings.
The Maine Cancer Foundation is spawning the collaboration and education that is giving us a way to gain some degree of control over the disease. The battle is far from over. In fact, the statistics are not as favorable as we would like, given the effort. There are still too many people who smoke, spend too much time in the sun without protection, are overweight and unaware of the known carcinogens that are omnipresent in our environment. We are all getting older and suffering exposure, but this is not a death sentence nor an excuse. If we pay attention to the signs, we can get the care we need and take advantage of the miraculous care that is being developed to turn the tide on this scourge.
(Photo L-R: Justin Lamontagne, Ray Ruby, Heather Drake and President John Curran.)
The Vermont Room at the HIBTB was the setting for the last Friday in July. Summer is flying by! President John Curran brought Julie L’Heureux to the podium for our Invocation. Julie recognized the 100th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. Three Mandela quotes worth memorizing: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” “No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated,” and finally, “Forget the past.”
Past President Dick Hall led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Past President Russ Burleigh led us on the keyboard for a spirited “God Bless America.”
A light lunch was served, part of the trial test run of lunch options. President John would later remark that this was our 4th week at the Holiday Inn with this new approach, and the next two weeks we will sample the Clarion fare. We are trying to work out an amenable program that keeps the prices down. Last year, our club paid $3200 for non-used meals. Rising costs result in losing members. Issues include having a menu that can accommodate those who seek gluten-free or low salt diets. It is not a simple problem, and we need all the input you can provide.
John welcomed 6 visitors to our meeting, no visiting Rotarians on this day. He then moved to thank all those who volunteered last week at Preble Street serving dinner to those in need. It was a very busy night, constant flow, all walks of life. John encouraged everyone who has not experienced it to join in. Good fellowship and an important community service.
Bob Clark announced the upcoming Boys and Girls Club “Steak and Burger” Dinner coming up on August 15th, 5-7pm taking place at the USM Sullivan Complex. Sign up now if you can help be a server. Here’s the rub: Kids get steak, and the adults get the burgers! For more information, contact Bob Clark at: rclark@bgcmaine.org.
Dave Putnam was prepared to pay out $841 in the weekly raffle. With reading glasses provided impromptu from John Marr, Dave identified Patty Erickson as this week’s contender. Alas, the six of diamonds is not worth the paper it’s printed on, and Patty had to retreat from the winner’s circle. The Queen of Hearts rests easy for another week.
Roger Fagan spoke from the audience to announce that the Crutches4Africa program has filled a warehouse, and arrangements for packaging and transportation will be put together in August. Details to follow soon.
President John announced our partnership with the Yarmouth Club - the Kosovo medical mission project - and that they received a $4500 grant from the Rotary Foundation. This goes hand-in-hand with the upcoming Cornhole Championship Tournament which will benefit both the Kosovo project, as well as a Boys and Girls Club scholarship to North Yarmouth Academy. The Cornhole event is slated for August 23, 4p-7p at NYA. Rain or shine! We need teams of two, and we’re also looking for event sponsors. Register today at www.NYA.org/cornhole.
We are in need of 6-8 Volunteers to help assemble cornhole boxes. You don't need to be an expert carpenter, but must be comfortable with using basic power tools, like drills, hammers and paint brushes.
The First Annual Maine Cornhole Championship will be held at NYA on Thursday, August 23rd, from 4-7 PM. We anticipate 64 teams which means we need 32 sets of cornhole boxes.
Russ Voss has offered his new brewery on Route 100 in New Gloucester to be used as our manufacturing facility, and he feels confident we can knock out 30-40 sets in one day. Ben Delcourt is also helping coordinate the construction of the boxes. Their plan is for them and a few friends to precut and prepare all of the pieces on a Saturday, and then have a work party on Sunday to assemble and finish the boxes. A date has not been set, so right now we are trying to get an idea of who might be able and willing to help.
Please reply to Kris at krisrosado67@gmail.com if you might be able to help, and we will let you know once we have a date. Hint, the Event is August 23rd, so there are not many weekends left!!
At the recent Opioid Recovery Coach Training, Co-Chair of the Opioid Task Force for our Club, Jesse Harvey met Laurie Quinn from the Philmont, NY Rotary Club in District 7210 (Hudson Valley NY). Laurie is their past district secretary & 2-term club president! Her Club has a Rotary International grant with a Club in Korea- recovery focused!
Member Birthday 3rd Aug - Julie Chase 4th Aug - Russell Voss 5th Aug - Bowen Depke - Mike Fortunato 9th Aug - Bruce Moore 10th Aug - Roger Fagan - Chris Thomas 11th Aug - Eileen Skinner 12th Aug - Max Chikuta - Elise Hodgkin 13th Aug - Ron Bennett - Chris Force 17th Aug - Dick Hall 19th Aug - David Ertz - Bruce Jones 29th Aug - Jan Chapman 30th Aug - Scott Blakeslee Date-Joined-Rotary Anniversaries Matt Tassey - 32 years Bob Spohr - 24 years Ben Lowry - 23 years Eric Lusk - 11 years Katie Brown - 3 years Max Chikuta - 3 years CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Following is a list of our Club's volunteer projects. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When Project Who to Contact
Locker Project Pop-Up Picnic Dinner with Wayside-Riverton Gardens 5:30-7:00 pm August 6
Pop-Up Picnic Dinner with Wayside-Boyd St Gardens 5:30-7:00 pm August 20
Steve Phillips volunteer@mainelockerproject.org
Summer Reading Tuesdays and Thursdays Program 11:15-12:00 pm North Deering July 5 thru August 9 Gardens Contact Jan Chapman or Laura Young on Tuesdays jchapman1966@gmail.com lyoung@mainecf.org
Invocation: Bruce Jones Program Reporter: Julie L'Heureux Bits & Pieces Reporter: Dick Hall Registration/Greeter: Jennifer Frederick Sell Meal Tickets: David Clough Raffle: Andrew Cook Collect Meal Tickets: Jan Chapman Sgt-at-Arms (Setup): Rich Campbell Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down): Charlie Frair
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 to the appropriate projects.
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.
Joining us from Colorado, Ryan Vachon will speak about “concrete ways for overcoming doubt and increasing professional resilience.” As an accomplished scientist, author, climber, and film producer, Ryan, has travelled to Greenland, Alaska, the Andes and the Himalayas researching the changing climate. His work has been broadcast on the National Geographic, History, Discovery, CNN, and BBC channels to name a few and has been nominated for an Emmy Award. Currently Ryan is the executive director of a film production company and teaches at the University of Colorado at Boulder when he’s not professionally climbing..JPG)
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At the recent Opioid Recovery Coach Training, Co-Chair of the Opioid Task Force for our Club, Jesse Harvey met Laurie Quinn from the Philmont, NY Rotary Club in District 7210 (Hudson Valley NY). Laurie is their past district secretary & 2-term club president! Her Club has a Rotary International grant with a Club in Korea- recovery focused!