Meeting Notice: No Meeting This Friday Dec 27th - Happy Holidays!
Also, No Meeting on January 3rd - The Elks Club Has An Event
BITS AND PIECES | By Tom Nickerson
President Patty Byers welcomed a large group of 50+ Rotarians and friends to the meeting. She thanked John Thompson for leading the meeting last week and recognized the good work Tom Talbott and his editors do with the Windjammer; it makes it feel as if you were at the meeting.
Matt Tassey led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Talbott gave the Thought of the Day. Tom asked us to think about the gifts in our lives as well as our heroes. He talked about the powerful message we can send when we tell someone they are our hero. The message and the reaction are gifts to be treasured. Tom encouraged us to share this gift by telling someone they are our hero.
FULL HOUSE: Paul Tully introduced our many guests: Chris Kuchuris, John and Jean Wiecha, Arnie MacDonald, Chris Ekman, Glenn Isreal, Pat Putnam, Felisberto Mamuisi, Ilunga Mutombo, Richard L’Heureux, Antonio Lujan, Alex Wetmore, and Paula Ross.
MATERNITY WARD: Peter Goffin announced he is a Grandpa! Cameron Ellis Goffin, born 12/12/24, 9libs, 7 oz! Next, more good news, as Patty Byers read a note from Mike Ross announcing that he and his wife Taylor Ross pictured here, have a new daughter - Ainsley Grace Ross, born December 16th, weighing in at 8lbs, 11 oz. Congrats to both families!
MARRIAGE VOWS: Congratulations to our newlywed Niki Curtis, who married Casey Merrill two weekends back. Beautiful wedding with a skiing honeymoon - fun! We all wish the couple our love and cheer. Ask Niki about her boots she wore!
THANKING ELKS: In appreciation for great customer service, Patty invited Elks Club staff member Margaret to join her at the podium to receive a holiday gift. The club gave Margaret a standing ovation of thanks.
THANKS THANKSGIVING: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson thanked the many members who helped with the St. Vincent De Paul Thanksgiving Dinner. The club helped serve a new high of 200+ meals.
LEADERSHIP SLATE: Dick Hall gave the nominating committee report. The Club will vote on the nominees at the next meeting on January 10th. Returning to serve the balance of their terms on the Board of Directors will be Art Howe and Nannette Ranger-Duncanson; Nominated to join them for two-year terms are Bill Milliken and Niki Curtis. For Secretary, Juliana L’Heureux, for Sergeant at Arms, Zach Newell, and for Treasurer, Dick Hall. The next President for 2025-26 is John Thompson, for year 2026-27 is Justin Lamontagne; and the big announcement - the committee nominated Jake Bourdeau to serve as President in 2027-28. Dick Hall asked for nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the nominations are closed.
OUR NEWEST MEMBER: Laura Young introduced new member Penny Harris. Formerly from the Bangor Rotary Club, we learned that Penny was a social worker and 4th grade teacher coming out of college. She has been involved with fundraising for 30+ years, first starting as a volunteer leader at the League of Woman Voters in Bangor, Augusta, and Washington DC. She is a founder of the firm, Renewable Philanthropy, coaching CEO's and teams on mission-based fundraising. She has done the "Trek Across Maine" - Belfast to Sunday River on bike, climbed Mt. Katardin, and a class on Hurricane Island/Outward Bound. In addition to our photo of Penny with her sponsor Laura Young, we also have a photo taken by a LIFE magazine photographer when Penny was 8 years old picking potatoes in Aroostook County. Welcome aboard Penny!
YOUTH SERVICE AWARD: Jan Chapman introduced the Youth Service Awardee from Portland High School - Felisberto Mamuisi. Felisberton is a recent immigrant to Maine from Angola and has quickly distinguished himself as a student, soccer player and community service volunteer. Felisberto received a $1,000 scholarship and he donated $100 to Maine Needs as his charity of choice.
NEW WEBSITE: Cort Hepler spoke briefly about the launch of the new website that he has developed and created for our club. He started by asking the club who has visited the new site, and it was a almost unanimous yes – excellent! He asked the members to send feedback as this is version 1.0. Cort talked about the importance of having a clear communication tool to help tell our story and share our good works. President Patty was quick to thank Cort for his hard work and many hours of labor on this project, it is extremely impressive and elevates our stature as a dynamic, active, and growing club in the market. It will improve our ability to share what we do, attract new members, and support our fundraising activities.
IN THE BAG: “Colonel Clynk” aka Bill Blount reminded us that the CLYNK bags are available and the proceeds will help with the Portland winter heating assistance program. The boxes of bags will be available at meetings for pick up, just like Amy Chipman is holding!
NET PLAY: Changing hats, Tennis Grand Master Bil Blount reported that the Tennis League completed another great season with three teams in contention going into the final three weeks. 6 teams competed, and congrats go to Team 4- Dan Agro, Ted Spitzer, Bill Blount and Gary McEvoy! The Spring has been sent out, and draft yielded very balanced team. Teams 1,2,3 and 4 start up the season on December 30th. Love!
LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Swinging Holiday Tunes with the
JAZZ TÊTE QUINTET BAND | by Laura Young
Doreen Rockstrom introduced the JAZZ TÊTE Quintet and thanked the Portland Conservatory of Music.This quartet came up with this creative program. They had been playing together for only six weeks, but they were tight! Special guest vocalist Nannette Wetmore accepted an audience request to join the band for a song, and with no rehearsal didn’t miss a beat. One member of the Jazz Quintet, Arnie MacDonald, shared that this was the 50 year anniversary of Rotary scholarship he received to study in Belgium, something he has always remembered and appreciated. Thanks to the musicians: Guitar Chris Kuchuris, Piano John W. Wiecha, Bass Arnie MacDonald, Saxophone Chris Ekman, and Drums Glenn Isreal. Program: Winter Wonderland, Home for the Holidays, Christmas Song, Baby It’s Cold Outside, Christmas Time is Here, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Straight/No Chaser, My Favorite Things, A Child is Born, Alice in Wonderland. Cheers!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Bill Blount led us in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for our December Rotarians: Jake Bourdeau, Rob Chatfield, Cyrus Hagge, Anya White, and Dave Seddon.
HAPPY ROTARY ANNIVERSARY! Patty announced the many December anniversaries: Sue Young, Bill Milliken, Dan Fahey, Ben Jackson, Cort Hepler, Katharine Hall, Mike Robinson, Jake Bourdeau, Jack Carr, Amy Chipman, Bruce Jones, Don Mackenzie, Erik Jorgensen, Greg Hansel, Jon Young, Peter Noyes, Dave Small, and Joe Gray.
NEW MEMBER NOTIFICATION: First Notice
Daniel Reardon has applied for membership. He lives in Portland and is actively involved in helping to meet the needs of our community by volunteering with The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Friends of Long Creek and The Opportunity Alliance. He is retired and Jim Willey will be his sponsor. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Speaker Schedule
January 3 - No Club Meeting - Portland Elks Club is Booked
January 10 - Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Director, The Maine Monitor
January 16 - Thursday Night Social - Happy Hour at Roger and Liz Fagan's!
January 17 - No Club Meeting
January 24 - Elizabeth McClellan, Founder/Pres, Partners For World Health
January 31 - Margaret Groban - Understanding 2nd Amendment
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine 
MARRIAGE VOWS: Congratulations to our newlywed Niki Curtis, who married Casey Merrill two weekends back. Beautiful wedding with a skiing honeymoon - fun! We all wish the couple our love and cheer. Ask Niki about her boots she wore!
Club will vote on the nominees at the next meeting on January 10th. Returning to serve the balance of their terms on the Board of Directors will be Art Howe and Nannette Ranger-Duncanson; Nominated to join them for two-year terms are Bill Milliken and Niki Curtis. For Secretary, Juliana L’Heureux, for Sergeant at Arms, Zach Newell, and for Treasurer, Dick Hall. The next President for 2025-26 is John Thompson, for year 2026-27 is Justin Lamontagne; and the big announcement - the committee nominated Jake Bourdeau to serve as President in 2027-28. Dick Hall asked for nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the nominations are closed.
NEW WEBSITE: Cort Hepler spoke briefly about the launch of the new website that he has developed and created for our club. He started by asking the club who has visited the new site, and it was a almost unanimous yes – excellent! He asked the members to send feedback as this is version 1.0. Cort talked about the importance of having a clear communication tool to help tell our story and share our good works. President Patty was quick to thank Cort for his hard work and many hours of labor on this project, it is extremely impressive and elevates our stature as a dynamic, active, and growing club in the market. It will improve our ability to share what we do, attract new members, and support our fundraising activities. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Bill Blount led us in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for our December Rotarians: Jake Bourdeau, Rob Chatfield, Cyrus Hagge, Anya White, and Dave Seddon.
NEW MEMBER NOTIFICATION: First Notice.png)
