November 20, 2014 Meeeting of West Bay Rotary

Past President Jane Lafleur, Executive Director of Friends of Midcoast Maine (FMM).

Terry Bregy introduced Jane Lafleur. She grew up in Lewiston, and got her graduate degree in planning from Harvard University. She talked about the work of FMM, making communities more walkable and safe and improving economic sustainability. Some particular projects have included Damariscotta, Gardiner, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Lincolnville Center, and Rockland. The Community Institute is a new dimension of FMM. Creating places that have many activity options and comfortable outdoor spaces for people to spend time are much of their focus, as well as traffic issues that impair good and healthy, safe community activity. She shared the format for the “heart and soul” planning process that has been used in places like Damariscotta and Gardiner. In Rockland, over the past 18 months, FMM worked on a new vision of the Route 1 strip from Maverick Street in Rockland north to Glen Cove. You can access reports at www.friendsofmidcoast.org.

Deb Hitchings sponsored Nancy Nickerson as a new member of West Bay Rotary. Nancy works at Vstv.

Noel Cox as co-chair with Lisa Dresser of the Membership Committee, updated the club on plans to build club membership. She talked about retention and being aware of those who aren't attending and reaching out to them.

Terry Bregy updated the club on Christmas Tree and Wreath Sales. Saturday, November 22, the tree sale area will be set up, and the trees arrive over Thanksgiving and help is still needed Tuesday December 2, December 5 according to the sign-up sheet.

Next week there is no meeting, due to Thanksgiving. In two weeks, Steve Crane, President of United Midcoast Charities, will be our speaker.

Ken Gardiner came back from Tennessee with three boxes of Moon Pies which he shared with everyone.

Heidi Karod reported on last weekend's interviews for next year's outbound students.

There will be a Down the Chute planning meeting next Tuesday from 5-6p at Tim and Lisa Dresser's house in Hope.