This Week: Andy Kaplan, The History of Hard Cider in Maine
Andy Kaplan is the co-founder of Freedom's Edge Cider, an Albion Maine-based hard cider company which has grown, in less than three years, to be the largest producer of alcoholic cider in the state of Maine. Prior to starting Freedom's Edge, Mr. Kaplan spent over 25 years as an investment analyst and portfolio manager. Among other roles, he served as manager of the Select Technology Fund for Fidelity Investments in Boston and as a partner at Greenlight Capital in New York. Mr. Kaplan has also been an early investor or co-founder in a number of venture-backed startups in the software, staffing and hospitality industries. A graduate of Harvard College and the Wharton School of Business, he resides with his family in Camden, Maine.
The topic will be "The History (and Revival) of Hard Cider in Maine"
Look for Andy to discuss Maine's history as one of the world's leading producers of cider in the 18th and 19th centuries, along with how and why the industry disappeared in the 20th century...and how Freedom's Edge and a number of others are bringing it back!
This Friday, April 8th is
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Day
This Friday, April 8th, we ask all Paul Harris Fellows to proudly wear your Paul Harris lapel pin to the meeting.
We're Rolling! Great donations have been added, and we're looking for more before the official ONLINE AUCTION officially begins!
Over 50 items so far, including....$100 Dimillo's Gift Card! Rounds of Golf at Frye Island or Portland CC! A week-long stay at a Lake House in Limerick! A Sail Cruise on Casco Bay! A Casco Bay Fishing trip! An original painting by Anne Zimmerman (valued at over $1000!) Framed photos by Tom Jones! Jewelry, gift baskets, Beats Ear Studio Buds! $50 LLBean and $25 Dick's Sporting Goods GC's.... and lots more!
To see everything so far...check out the Auction site!
We need more items....and....we need you to get the Auction site out to your friends and co-workers, family. It is so easy to bid, and your credit card only gets charged if you end up with the winning bid.
Early-bird bidding has begun, but we want to focus on collecting more items thru this Friday. Send a photo of the item you are donating, a description, suggested value (be real!) and if there is a minimum bid accepted. In addition, advise on any restrictions, timing arrangements, or if the item will be delivered or needs to be picked up. Email it all to Dick Hall, and he will post it on the auction site.
If your donation item is not heavy and cumbersome, bring it THIS FRIDAY to our meeting!
Official bidding starts this Friday and ends April 15th at midnight. Get Muddy!
District Conference /Training Assembly
April 16th, University of New England
Please join our District Governor Dick Hall, and our President-Elect Bruce Jones, who will be joining with members from 41 other clubs across our district, for this excellent Rotary event!
The conference will go from 7:45 AM to 1:30 PM and will help build your awareness and skills in numerous areas. Break-Out sessions will include: Rotary Foundation, International Service, Youth Service, Membership, Public Image and Opiod Recovery. Hear from other Rotarians sharing their experiences, activities and ideas that help to make our clubs strong, relevant and fun.
UNE needs a head count, technically by April 5th, but we're posting this message nonetheless. That said, act fast. Register here, or email Dick Hall! Our club will pay your fee of $30!
Help Wanted: Keyboardist!
We have a keyboard, now we need someone who can actually play! It would dramatically help our singing, so please let Bruce Jones know if you want the gig!
Bits and Pieces|by Jake Boudreau
Past President Bill Blount hosted the meeting and called meeting to order. Joining us today to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance was former Marine, former club President, Bob Traill. Bob will turn 100 this month, April 24th, so we’ll be sure to celebrate and share that special moment soon! Bill led us in “America (My Country Tis of Thee)”. 32 Rotarians and 1 guest sang, and 3 at-home zoomers lip synced. (Photo: Paul Tully, Roxane Cole, Bowen Depke, Bob Traill, and Bruce Jones)
David Small gave the Invocation on the history of “April Fools Day” noting that it first dates back to France in the 1500s when they switched calendars to start on January 1st rather than in April. Those that used the old calendar eventually were called April Fools. David also softened up the crowd with the history of some of the more elaborate April Fools jokes over the years.
Tom Ranello conducted the raffle at this meeting, and the speaker drew PP Amy Chipman’s name from the box. Amy’s pick missed the mark, letting the Queen of Hearts remain in the deck, and allowing the pot to grow another week.
A fitting song for a Friday in spring, PP Tom Talbott lead us in a communal song, Singing in the Rain. Sensing sunnier days ahead, Tom kept it to just one verse.
Good time for the “MUD SALE!” Amy Chipman provided an update on the Online Mud Sale Auction noting that the recent rain has made it muddy outside, a good omen. We are collecting items now! Over 50 items have been donated so far. The Auction site is UP, so check it out! As this is one of the larger fund raisers, please consider donating items in good shape and value such as gift cards, week or weekends at a cabin, a fishing trip or cruise, a dinner, or even a round of golf. It is up to you to be creative. Once you have decided what you plan to donate, please send an email to Dick Hall with your name, a photo of item, a description, and the fair market value and/or minimum bid. Some early-bird bidding has already started, but officially The Mud Sale Auction starts on Friday April 8th, and will continue through April 15th at midnight.
Bruce Moore provided updates on the Recovery Task Force which will meet after the regular meeting on April 8th and everyone is invited. This meeting is being held to plan the year and discuss how to help those in recovery. Last year’s major event was called the Backpack Project and was successful in helping over 50 people entering recovery programs. Bruce closed with a sad message to share, that Doreen Rockstrom’s husband has just recently passed away, after a long illness. We want to extend our condolences as a Rotary family to Doreen and her family. It was Doreen who while on our Recovery Task Force, wrote a very important grant that provide money for our club member, Jesse Harvey, to learn how to teach others who were in recovery.
Bill Blount took another moment to share with us that Ellen Niewoehner could not be with us today, as her father has just passed away. As with Doreen, we want to let Ellen know we are thinking of her and her family, and express our support.
PP Paul T.Gore let us know that 6,000 people showed up in Buxton for Maple Sunday at his son-in-law’s Dunn Family Maple sugar shack. In addition to a lot of syrup and pancakes, 19,000 mini-donuts went out the door! Paul said that his company, Port City Graphics, is printing the Rotary Apparel for purchase if you would like to order some new threads showing the Rotary Logo. Update your Rotary wardrobe! More to come!
Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Leading Youth in the Right Direction - Brian Elowe, CEO
by Tom Talbott
Nothing like looking forward to your new job, and within days forced to pivot and shift, shutting down services and programs. Brian Elowe, Chief Executive Officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine had to deal with that, when he took over the reins in March 2020, the very beginning of the pandemic shut down. After the introduction by PP Laura Young, Brian would share his story. (Photo: Laura and Brian.)
No small task, as well as big shoes to fill from his predecessor, our own Portland Rotarian, Bob Clark. However, there was not a moment to waste, as the importance of the services the program provides to our community’s youngsters and families, cannot be understated. Brian, who worked in the Risk Management consulting world, also had 30+ years of being involved with youth development organizations. His skills would be put to the test in his new venture.
To underscore the value, Brian related a story of a young girl who had told him that the three weeks she spent at the Boys and Girls Club camp retreat, were “the only 3 weeks she ever felt safe, eliciting murmurs of alarm from the audience. Brian then proceeded to provide us with a closer look at the services available through the Club.
The Mission Statement is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as responsible, productive, and caring citizens. There is a low barrier of entry, with each youngster, ages 9-19, paying just $5 per year. Through safe spaces and mentoring relationships, the Club seeks to accomplish its mission through 4 primary avenues, or “Pillars”: Academics, Arts, Leadership, and Health+Wellness. Brian noted that in Maine, some 40,000 kids are unsupervised after school, half of them in Southern Maine. Offering a safe space with adults that can be trusted is at the core of the Club’s mission.
Regarding the 4 Pillars, we start with Academics, which includes Learning Loss Prevention with themed activities to curb summer learning loss, tutoring and homework assistance, a book club, college readiness and workforce development studies, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs for all ages. With schools closed during Covid, the Club organized various all-day learning and reading programs, to help provide some level of structure, during an incredibly difficult time.
The Arts program explores the disciplines of music, drama, photography and a mix of fine arts including drawing and painting.
Leadership and Service offers leadership opportunities at two levels. At the High School level, with members 14-18, the focus is on academic success, preparing for a career, and service in the community. The middle school level works on 4 or more community service projects per year. There is a strong recognition program, “Youth of the Year”, with staff members nominating exceptional young people for their ability to lead and mentor, to be a good role model, and to be an ambassador for the Boys and Girls Club youth programs. There is also a Teen Council for HS students where ideas are shared and discussed that impact the Club, and a Junior Staff that works with Club staff to develop programs and projects.
The last Pillar is named Health and Wellness. Under the headings of Healthy Meals and Snacks, Health Education, Teen Health Education, and Club Sports, this pillar seeks to help teens build a healthy attitude and lifestyle. Physical health and wellness go hand-in-hand with mental health, self-esteem, and personal relationships.
It was the 4th Pillar that Brian discussed in greater detail. With the Covid shutdown of schools, many kids lost food services from the school. The Club immediately started a “Grab n’ Go” food program, and since March 2020 has provided over 100,000 meals. Club members are served daily snacks and hot meals, in an effort to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
The location on Cumberland Avenue is the hub, but the Club continues to add new spokes to the wheel to expand services geographically. Three new locations in the past year include Riverton Park, 2 new properties in Portland on Cedar Street, adjacent to the main clubhouse on Cumberland Ave, and expanded hours in Auburn. The Club now consists of the Lewiston/Auburn Clubhouse, Brick Hill (South Portland), King Middle School, Riverton Park (Portland), Sagamore Village (Portland), the South Portland Clubhouse, and of course the main Clubhouse on Cumberland Avenue.
April Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday wishes to Mark Stimson/4th, Ben Jackson/7th, David Clough/19th, Bob Traill/24th, Alice Alexander/27th, and Mike Robinson/27th.
Celebrating years in our club this month include Dick Hall/38 years, Roxane Cole/31, Michael Reed/29, Dave Seddon/18, Jan Chapman/10, and Jennifer Frederick/6. All hail!
Speaker Schedule April 8 - Bidding begins for the Mud Sale Auction!
April 15 | Brian Nickerson, "Disaster in the Sea of Japan- 31 Killed - April 15, 1969"
April 15 - Bidding closes for the Mud Sale Auction at Midnight!
April 22 | Dean Norm O'Reilly, U.Maine Grad School of Business
April 29 | Jonathan Culley Redfern, Tallest Building in Portland
May 20 | Kevin Hancock, Hancock Lumber
President-Elect Bruce Jones will turn over the bell to these Past Presidents to guest host the following meetings: April 22nd: Larry Gross April 29th: John Marr • May 20th: Bowen Depke May 27th: Ellen Niewoehner • June 17th: Roxane Cole • June 29th: Ben Lowry
Friday Meeting Food Reservation Due Every Wed, 10am! To make a reservation, please email our Administrative Assistant, Alice Alexander.
Club Executives President-Elect Bruce Jones 1st VP Dick Hall 2nd VP Patty Byers Treasurer Howie Herodes Secretary Michelle DiSotto Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner, Mark Foster, Bob Clark, Roger Fagan, John Thompson Sergeant-At-Arms Dave Putnam Club Administrator Alice Alexander
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
4th Q Program Chair: Roxane Cole Managing Editor Tom Talbott Co-Production Alice Alexander
Thank you North43Bistro, South Portland, for your generous support!
hard cider company which has grown, in less than three years, to be the largest producer of alcoholic cider in the state of Maine. Prior to starting Freedom's Edge, Mr. Kaplan spent over 25 years as an investment analyst and portfolio manager. Among other roles, he served as manager of the Select Technology Fund for Fidelity Investments in Boston and as a partner at Greenlight Capital in New York. Mr. Kaplan has also been an early investor or co-founder in a number of venture-backed startups in the software, staffing and hospitality industries. A graduate of Harvard College and the Wharton School of Business, he resides with his family in Camden, Maine.
We need more items....and....we need you to get the Auction site out to your friends and co-workers, family. It is so easy to bid, and your credit card only gets charged if you end up with the winning bid. 
Good time for the “MUD SALE!” Amy Chipman provided an update on the Online Mud Sale Auction noting that the recent rain has made it muddy outside, a good omen. We are collecting items now! Over 50 items have been donated so far. 
PP Paul T.Gore let us know that 6,000 people showed up in Buxton for Maple Sunday at his son-in-law’s Dunn Family Maple sugar shack. In addition to a lot of syrup and pancakes, 19,000 mini-donuts went out the door! Paul said that his company, Port City Graphics, is printing the Rotary Apparel for purchase if you would like to order some new threads showing the Rotary Logo. Update your Rotary wardrobe! More to come!
down services and programs. Brian Elowe, Chief Executive Officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine had to deal with that, when he took over the reins in March 2020, the very beginning of the pandemic shut down. After the introduction by PP Laura Young, Brian would share his story. (Photo: Laura and Brian.) 
Thank you North43Bistro, South Portland, for your generous support!.png)
