The history of the region, now known as Maine, did not begin at statehood in 1820. What was Maine before it was a state? How did Maine separate from Massachusetts? How has the Maine we experience today been shaped by thousands of years of history?
Steve Bromage, Executive Director of the Maine Historical Society, will provide a brief history of how Maine separated from Massachusetts and became a state in 1820 and discuss how 13,000 years of history shapes Maine today.
The current exhibition at the Maine Historical Society, State of Mind: Becoming Maine, will analyze Maine as the homeland of the Wabanaki people, as a European province, as part of the District of Massachusetts, and the State of Maine. It will consider Maine's Bicentennial milestone in relation to: Maine's formation as a state 200 years ago; the significance of the Missouri Compromise; how the idea of "Maine" is perceived by people today; and how the changing landscape could alter Maine's future. The exhibition features manuscripts and items relating to statehood, historic maps, contemporary artwork, and opportunities to learn about the experiences of Wabanaki people alongside the early settlers, including: European American, African American, and Acadian communities.
Speaker Matt Kearns was introduced by David Ertz. The two are colleagues who first met in 2009, when they were with First Wind Energy. Matt expressed admiration for the Rotarians who are volunteering to support community and international service projects.
Currently, Matt is the Chief Project Development Director for Longroad Energy Partners and works in Portland for the Boston headquartered company. He also serves on the Maine Audubon's Advisory Board of Directors and is a Corporator for the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine. Matt believes the future of renewable energy is "now," because there is a shared vision from the community to support efforts that promote what is right for the environment.
Longroad Energy was founded in 2016, by the former founder of First Wind Energy and the team of First Wind. The Longroad team has a proven track record of developing, constructing and operating wind and solar projects in the Northeast. Renewable energy in Maine is experiencing growth as a result of the changes in the state government's administration and the falling prices. Solar and wind power are pushing electricity prices down in New England.
Governor Mills signed renewable energy and climate change bills that will help to achieve the goals of 80 percent renewable energy by 2030, and emissions reductions of 80 percent by 2050. Check the legislation in LD 1711, passed in Maine and signed into law in 2019, "An Act To Promote Solar Energy Projects and Distributed Generation Resources in Maine.”
Access to solar power is coming with solar companies moving into Maine. Although solar power was once expensive and mostly focused on residential projects (e.g. solar hot water heaters), the technology is now efficiently providing higher production and lower costs. Demand for solar power is creating opportunities to develop large scale projects. What's needed are more electricians in Maine. A partnership between Longroad and Unity College in Waldo County, for educating environmental professionals, will be the first of its kind in Maine. This partnership will provide the college with educational and training opportunities while the reciprocal benefits will be to support the workforce through other programs, like culinary arts.
Protecting wildlife is important to Longroad. “We want to be as protective as we can of the habitat for migrating wildlife, birds and bats,” Matt said. Natural gas has a role in renewable energy development because the technologies must "have a mix.” Longroad has overcome years of challenges, but a sizable capital investment from The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has positioned the company for long term fiscal sustainability.
President Amy Chipman returned to the podium after a two-week Rotarian excursion to India. David Small provided the invocation, drawing inspiration from “Just Keep Rowing”, the book authored by one of our previous guest speakers, Katie Spotz. Tom Ranello led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Gracie Johnston chose “God Bless America” as our lead-in song. Two visiting Rotarians were with us, as we hailed 14 Rotarian birthdays and 10 Rotarian anniversaries for the month of March.
Amy gave us a glimpse of what will be coming next week when a slide presentation will be presented on her trip to India. From the preview description, it sounds like it was an amazing excursion. Meeting up with PP John Curran in Delhi, courtesy car service from Rob Chatfield at the Mumbai airport, coordination of a hearing aid donation program with the Rotary Club of Coimbatore…there will be a lot of memories to share!
Mike Fortunato went to the microphone to remind and promote that on Thursday March 19th we will have our club meeting - different time, different place, and different format. 5pm-6:30pm at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Avenue, Portland. Bring a spouse, SO, or a friend. This will be more of a social with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and fun playing trivia. We’re trying something new, so your participation and input is important. As a result, there will be NO meeting on Friday the 20th.
Brian McDonough had the opportunity to walk out with over $1500 in the weekly raffle card draw. However, the fickle finger of fate would turn against him, leaving him out in the cold. We’re down to 7 cards. Good odds for next week.
Jan Chapman drew our attention to the Lyseth Reading program that will begin in earnest on March 23. For the past 7 years, our members have volunteered to read to K-3 graders at Lyseth Elementary in Portland. Funded by a donation from a Rotary member, each child will get to bring home a book of their own. Everyone who has participated in the past has thoroughly enjoyed the experience, so if you are interested – get signed up. Sheets were on the table, and will be again this coming week.
(Photo L-R: Gracie Johnston, Leslie Clark and President Amy Chipman.)
Gracie Johnston introduced our newest member, Leslie Clark. Leslie is the Executive Director at Portland Recovery Community Center. Originally from Austin, TX, with time in NY, she arrived in Portland and felt it was home. Leslie had connected with Gracie through our Opioid Task Force, which we now call the Recovery Task Force, and no doubt will provide us with great guidance moving forward. She lives in Deering, and has 2 grown children. Besides enjoying hiking and travel, Leslie is a member of the Sea Change Chorale of Portland. Welcome, Leslie!
Gracie was not finished! She announced that we would take about 10 minutes to put together the Preble Street “Teen Survival” kit bags. (See photo at right.) Items donated by club members – gloves, hats, scarfs, hand lotion, and some snacks – were packaged together forming 40 individual kits. Apparently, we were aiming for 24 bags, so – job well done!
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, their names will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share about the prospective members will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT (Sponsor)BUSINESS
Tim Hooper Entrepreneur/Owner (Kris Rosado) Manufacturing
Angela Smith Harraseeket Inn (Tranferring Warrenton, VA Rotarian)
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. Contact: Erik Greven at: egrev95@gmail.com
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.