Etienne Perret gets recognized by President Lisa Sojka for being a 5x Paul Harris Fellow

 

 

Ron Hall recognizes members of the West Bay Rotary for completing their annual

commitment to Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY).

 

It's always a full house at West Bay Rotary

Roberta on America the Beautiful, Classification Talk by Jessica Kent

Roberta Smith gave a presentation on the origins of the anthem America the Beautiful written by Catherine Lee Bates, an English professor and progressive activist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

 

The final poem was published in the late 1890's and she never sought payment of royalties after it was made into the anthem. She is recognized by a monument at the top of Pike's Peak, placed there in the 1990's, one hundred years after she climbed the mountain.

 

Jessica Kent owns and practices at Embody massage and yoga in Rockport. She began her talk with everyone participating in a meditative breathing activity. She has two little sisters and grew up in New Hampshire. She comes from a large family that likes to hike in the White Mountains. She has been in business since 2008 and works to reconnect people with their bodies. She is also an aspiring doula and has att​ended five births. Her work in both massage and yoga is one-on-one.

Buckets on the tables are for Paws Animal Adoption Facility.

 

Susan Dorr is circulating a questionnaire to gauge how people would like to recognize and/or celebrate the holidays. So far it appears people want to celebrate AND do a community service project.

 

Tim Dresser was recognized for sponsoring new members at the bronze level.

 

Jim Potter has begun another Entrepreneurship Class with 7 students.

 

The annual Polio Walk is this weekend, beginning at 10:30a at Trackside in Rockland. People are asked to park opposite the train tracks next to Midcoast Mental Health. The three-mile walk will be followed by social time at Trackside. Checks to contribute to the event should be made payable to the West Bay Rotary Charitable Foundation, noting “Polio walk” in memo.

 

Next week's speaker is Deborah Meehan, President of University of Maine Rockland, also known as U Rock.

 

October 8, 2015

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

Club Assembly

October 1, 2015

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

Arla Casselman -Medomak Valley Heirloom Seed Project

 

Belfast-based Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast (RJP/M)

Lorraine Brown, Executive Director, spoke about the RJP/M program, now 10 years old. Juvenile offenders who admit their offense and crime victims along with members of the community create a “circle” to help the offender and victim repair the harm caused by the crime, including restitution. Youth “mentors” are included as well. The circle asks the offender questions about why they committed the crime, if they understand the impact of their offense, including the viewpoint of the victim. The program also works at the Belfast re-entry center to help inmates to enter the community post-incarceration.

Restorative Justice is a global movement taking many forms across Europe, Latin America, Asia and beyond. New Zealand since 1989 has had a family-focused RJ program reducing their juvenile incarceration rates to almost zero.

The US has the highest incarceration rate in the work, many times that of other countries like the UK and Japan.

Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo counties are served by the RJP/M. Their work is preventative, in schools where there are discipline issues and with school districts that could benefit by restorative practices. Intervention is done in community conferences, in the “circle” process, which is known as “court diversion” and Reintegration is done through the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center in Belfast.

They have reduced detentions by 42% and suspensions and expulsions by 72% and have provided training to almost 2000 school staff in more than 200 schools.

In 2014, 96% of the reparative agreements were successfully completed, and 98% of victims reported being “satisfied” or “highly satisfied” with the process.

Long term, they hope to create a shift in culture resulting in reductions in incarceration rates for both juveniles and adults.

Volunteers can be trained as mentors and facilitators, drivers, justice advocates, event planning or office support. FMI visit www.rjpmidcoast.org.

Buckets on the tables this month are for the Sussman House.

Ron Hall spoke about the Rotary Foundation and the Polio Walk on October 17 involving Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Midcoast Interact and West Bay Rotary Clubs. Please save the date.

Mark Coursey was recognized for participating in Every Rotarian Every Year.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist shared a bit about her 350 ride last week with BikeMaine from Kittery Point to Bethel and back, with 357 riders from 35 states and 4 countries. The event was produced by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

Mark Masterson would like folks to help with planning the winter fund raising event at Winterfest/Toboggan Nationals. He'd like to do some brainstorming and hopes that new members of the club will get involved to provide their ideas.

Heidi Karod encouraged us all to invite an inbound exchange student to dinner or to join your family in an activity or daytrip. Contact Heidi if you want to extend and invitation.

 

West Bay Rotary Club

September 17, 2015

 

John Marshall was introduced by Sandy Cox. Sandy saw John on tv on “207” talking about his book describing his family's 6-month trip around the world doing volunteer work along the way. He shared a slide show of his trip. A resident of Gorham, he worked in tv production for the local Fox News affiliate in Portland.

John was inspired by the idea of a “year of service” which ultimately translated into 6 months of travel including volunteer work in the places the family of four visited. Logan, age 17, Jackson age 14, and John and his wife headed first to Costa Rica, where they worked in a wild animal refuge, that included monkeys and anteaters. Then New Zealand, and participated in woofing (willing workers on organic farms) where they did farm work and in exchange got room and board. Then they went to Thailand, through Volunthai, where volunteers come to rural areas there to teach English. Even their teenage kids taught English to younger children. Then India to Indiaorphanage.com, where John has returned to spend more time. There are some 157 million orphans in the world, and 22 million in India alone. There, their job was to “love the kids” He now works mostly with orphan projects in different parts of the world, including the Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission. He shared a story of two girls who became orphaned in India at age 10 and 8. They lived on their own for 7 months in an apartment with donated food, and they eventually made it to the Mission where they were able to flourish.

Neworphanage.org is a project he has started to provide information about orphanages doing good work around the world so that their work can be more widely supported and replicated.

Buckets on the table are for Hospitality House. Bob Rubin, Betsy Saltonstall and Tom Rodman were all awarded their blue badges, having completed the new member Red Badge program.

Ron Hall spoke about the Rotary Foundation and Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) program. He talked about how donors can direct their gifts to the Foundation to various options, and how they can qualify for EREY, Paul Harris and other recognition. He recognized Marty Martens, Paul Rogers, Bob Rubin and Bob Rosenberg as participating in EREY. Etienne Perret described the matching program for clubs to leverage more funds from the Foundation. Deb Hitchings the District Grant for the school in Lesotho awarded to the club recently.

President Lisa shared that the board has decided to support the Shields Mission Project with a gift of $1,000 in her memory. Cate was a member of the Project committee for many years. The Project serves people in Knox County and the five-town CSD who find themselves in financial crisis.

Sandy reported on the results of the Windjammer Festival weekend, and Chowder Challenge, it raised about $2,300 with $1,800 in sponsorships as well.

Susan Dorr is planning a Lobster Bake on September 24 at Rockport Boat Club, for $25pp, byob, and there's a sign-up sheet being circulated.

Thank you notes came from projects recently supported by the club, including Hospitality House, Steeple project and the backpack recipient school.

Next week's speaker is Dr. Lauren Michelakas, with Sarah Dwelley who will speak about the Sussman House.

Verna Cummings won the pot last week, and donated it back to the club.

Jane Lafleur gave a slide presentation on her recent trip to the Alps, including France, Italy and Switzerland, for a hiking trip on Mont Blanc, a four-day hike of the southern tour du Mont Blanc.

She and her husband Joel went to celebrate their 30^th anniversary.

Buckets are for Interfaith Outreach.

Two new members were inducted into the club. Wendy Zwecker, sponsored by Heidi Karod and Maria Libby, sponsored by Tim Dresser. Wendy is a realtor, and Maria is the new Superintendent of MSAD 28 and 5 Town Consolidated School District.

 

Bob Rubin was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of a gift of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation.

Rotary Leadership Institute is October 24, 2015 in Lewiston and a group is going from West Bay Rotary. Any members interested in attending should contact President Lisa.

Lisa thanked all the members who attended Cate Lamb's memorial service last Saturday. Memorial contributions should be made to the Shields Mission Project at the Camden Congregational Church.

Mark Masterson had surgery on Wednesday and by all reports is doing well. He should be coming home Saturday or Sunday.

This weekend is the Windjammer Festival and Chowder Challenge. Sandy needs more help with tent set up and take down, and anyone volunteering for any of the activities should report to the municipal landing and wear Rotary gear. There will also be a fish relay and obstacle course on Saturday at 2p.

Susan Dorr is circulating a sign up for a September 24, 2015 evening lobster and steak gathering at the Rockport Boat Club. $25 per person, and byob.

Next week's speaker is John Marshall, speaking about a service trip he took with his family.

Barbara Heard reported on the +/- 43 backpacks donated by LL Bean, and items the club purchased given to Hope, Appleton, Lincolnville, Camden Middle and High Schools and the Hospitality House. Almost $400 was collected for supplies, with almost another $100 from Bangor Savings Bank to cover the $500 of supplies purchased.

 

August 27, 2015

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

 

 

 

•  Grandmother 73 years old finally learns to read to help her grandkids in school.
• Mother’s start successful business & no longer needs to live in the dump.

After introduction of visiting Rotarians and visitors, Bob Rubin gave his classification talk. His first classification talk was in 1998, when then a member of West Bay Rotary the first time. He was in a law partnership with Dana Strout, and met his wife in Rotary. He has three children. His daughter was a Rotary exchange student to France. He has three grandchildren. Bob is the grandchild of a Polish immigrant, his grandfather. His father was a dress manufacturer in Chicago. His mother was a Czechoslovakian refugee in the mid 1930's. Her uncle, a physician, survived Auschwitz and was later a leader in oncology in Chicago. Bob has two sisters, and they grew up on the north side of Chicago, in West Rogers Park. He attended the University of Wisconsin, studying Political Science and Economics, and graduated during the Vietnam war. He went to UW Law School and graduated in 1972. He planned to have 5 jobs in the legal profession. He had studied with the Washington police department under a Ford Foundation grant to create and implement policy protocols for the officers. He taught law at Indiana University, teaching legal writing and criminal justice. He practiced in two large firms in Chicago, and then moved to Maine. His fifth job was opening his own firm in Maine.

His clients have included Phillips Electric and Hilton Hotels. He shared stories of lawsuits with Donald Trump and a paternity case involving professional baseball players. Bob is now retired inasmuch as he doesn't appear in court, but still has a few clients for whom he provides advice and counsel.

This is the last week that the buckets on the tables are for kids' backpacks.

Barbara Heard shared that LL Bean is donating 50 backpacks, and she is now searching for the items to go into the packs, which bucket funds will be used to buy.

Deb Hitchings shared that Cate Lamb is in hospice at the Sussman House. Visitors are welcome for short visits.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award applications are still being accepted. Mark Masterson is leading the effort for Windjammer Weekend, and help is needed for putting up the tent and other shifts during the Chowder Challenge. Ken Gardiner is leading the sponsorship effort, $100 or $50. Members are encouraged to each bring in one sponsor for the event. John Viehman shared that Vstv is doing a segment to feature the Chowder Challenge with Lanie Stiles and Kerry Altiero.

Gary Walker presented Rotary Information. He focused on the history of Rotary and women, initially its exclusion of women, the Supreme Court's decision outlawing that policy in 1987, and the change in the RI Charter in 1989 to allow women membership. West Bay's membership is 43% women and he believes it is the highest in District 7790.

Next week's speaker is PDG Deb Walters who has been raising money for Safe Passage and children living in the Guatemala City dump.

 

August 13, 2015

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

August 6, 2015

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

John Viehman introduced Camden resident. architect and Nia dance instructor Meg Barclay from Destination Wellness of Midcoast Maine. It is about 18 months old, and is about wellness as a destination and about this area as a destination. Their vision is for health and wellness to be a mainstay of life, and Camden to be a destination for wellness for people from across the world. Connecting people with wellness resources was an initial strategy, using their website, destinationwellnessme.com. It lists all manner of providers and and local services for people interested in wellness, including exercise, dance, massage, food, nutrition, lodging, who are members and featured on the site. They also have a Facebook page and are members of the Pen Bay and Belfast Chambers of commerce. Membership is $50 a year, and the organization is volunteer-driven.

Judy Valentine, nutritionist, also spoke about a speaker series at the Camden Public Library monthly on Mondays from noon – 1p that is open to the public. The next session is August 10.

They have a vision of an annual conference focusing on wellness in Camden drawing people from across the globe, on the scale of Pop Tech, as well.

Buckets on the table are Backpacks for kids this fall.

RI President Ravi wrote to report a year-long period for Nigeria without a new case of polio. $688.5M has been contributed to African polio eradication efforts through Rotary. Contributions are being matched $2 to $1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to continue to effort and ensure that polio does not return to Nigeria.

Rodney is continuing to plan the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show volunteer opportunities for West Bay Rotarians. West Bay Rotary provides the gate staff for the event. He still needs about 8-10 volunteers for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. See Rodney for the sign up sheet and details. If you've volunteered for a shift, and your plans change, let Rodney know so he can find a substitute. His cell is 975-4500. Volunteers get a t shirt, a free pass to the show, MBH&H magazine and vendor discount coupons are available as well.

Sal Garrazzo is moving and enjoyed his time in Rotary and looks forward to joining a new club in his new location.

Next week's speaker is DG Al Feather for the District Governor's annual visit to West Bay Rotary.  

July 23

West Bay Rotary

 

July 23, 2015
West Bay Rotary

 

Semi-annual donation day                                  

We help organizations that help others.
This is where the Rotary money goes & where your money goes.
 
Coastal Mountain Land Trust
Doug Sensenig – Land conservation between Camden and the Penobscot River
Half of the land protected voluntarily by land owners / half purchased as reserves
Kristen Lindquist has raised about $10,000,000 to protect land
Rotary has been a great partner in land preservation
 
Pen Bay YMCA
Troy Curtis
West Bay has been a long time partner for summer camp opportunities
1500 weeks of summer camp
300 of those weeks were given or at a reduced rate to families
The need is always there & west Bay is always there to support this cause.
 
MCH – Making Change Happen
Lee Karker – Executive Director
MCH is very appreciative of the support that West Bay has provided.
The goal to keep seniors and people with disabilities independent, in their homes, for as long as possible.
Provide transportation, housing, etc.

Meals on Wheels – Where we have to raise the most support

 

PAWS
Marty Martens
Restoration in progress – we have raised about 2/3 the amount of money needed for the reconstruction.
They would love to have newspaper bags for waste removal.
 

Dan Mosier & Hillary
Hillarys’ son is a junior at Camden Hills – he has Cerebral Palsy
Her son goes to Camp Capella – overnight camp.  It is a really big deal.  For a child with a disability, camp is challenging.  It needs to feel right. 
Great for the family, great for Alex to have those memories.
Thank you!
 
New Hope for Women
Kristy Braun
Domestic/stalking/dating violence
Helping clients pay for safety needs like:
Temporary cell phones
Diapers
Locks on windows
Getting a car registered
 
Lenny Gronros
RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Joined rotary 23 years ago
Program is unique – only one that is completely integrated Maine/Quebec.
Held in both languages with no translation.
21-35 years of age – eligibility
West Bay is hoping to send two people this year.
If you know someone who might benefit – let Lisa know.
 
Buckets for Tumani
Being combined with what the international group has raised for this group.
 
Special Board Meeting – with District Governor
Aug 5 - Lord Camden Inn
5p
Let Lisa know if you plan to attend
 
Maine Boats & Harbors
Aug 14, 15 & 16
Different slots still open for volunteers to sell tickets
Report 15 minutes early
Public parking in downtown Rockland
 
Next week’s speaker
Meg Barkley – Destination wellness Midcoast Maine
 
Chowder Challenge – Labor Day Weekend
Sponsorships available
If everyone can get 1 sponsorship, that would be great – more info next week.
 

 

July 9, 2015

Jenny Bell introduced her daughter Kate Sensenig who traveled to Hungary for a 2014/2015 Rotary Exchange.
 
Hungary in Central Eastern Europe
Kate lived in Szentendre 40miles north of Budapest on the Danube.
Rotary there did a duck derby too.

 

The best part of Hungary for Kate was Budapest
Budapest at night is considered more beautiful than Paris.
 
Rotary in Hungary
14 members – no business – no happy dollars.  1 female member, but she would never attend.
 
They had great dinners at rotary. 
One of Kate's favorite foods was bone marrow on toast with Paprika (greasy bread).
 
In WWII the was city destroyed – store owners took over abandoned buildings destroyed in the war - they're called 'Ruin Pubs' - They often didn’t have roofs and they were cold enough that they needed to wear coats.
 
Host family #1 was very nice – lived primarily with host mother who didn't speak any English.
Host family #2 much larger family – so nice, much larger family who spoke English
 
Made some amazing friends while she was there – best part of exchange was the students.
 
Traveled by train to many places – great train system
 
Festival – bringing in the spring.  People wore sheep costumes and got very drunk.
 
Traveled to Poland and Auschwitz – very harrowing.
Traveled to Vienna & Ireland
Skiing in Austria & slaughtered a pig (for a pig slaughtering festival).
Traveled around Italy, Switzerland, Paris & London – got to meet George Clooney at the Tomorrowland premier.
 
Q & A

Does the country have an obesity problem?  No because the young people all smoke
What did you learn about yourself on this trip? 

Learned that she was much stronger than she thought she was.  She realized that she could do whatever she wanted to do.
Did you actually go to class? 

7a – 3p school hours.  Most classes taught in Hungarian – it was really challenging.  Kids were really nice – half spoke English and half spoke German. Teachers excused her from some classes because they weren’t necessarily useful.
Where will you go to University?  Germany, Vancouver or LA for film studies.
Did you embrace the language?  It was difficult but we embraced it – didn’t feel confined by it.  Better to learn about the culture and the city.
How did you manage with non English speaking host mom?  Google translate & her brother in law was her counselor & he was fluent.
Did your trip with your parents prepare you for this experience?  Yes & no – gave me false confidence because parents made all arrangements and I just watched the experience from the back seat.
Were you aware of international tensions?  Hungary shares a border with Ukraine – never felt any threat in that way.  The people don’t like the Prime Minister so there were always riot police around.  Never any immediate threat.

 

Rotary Business 

Lisa – left over tees, sweatshirts and small glasses from Down the Chute for sale.
Terry – Tim Lawson’s father in law – David McCullough – new Wright Brothers book – signed. Sold to Lisa for $120!
Sandy – Maine Boats & Harbors, Aug 14, 15 & 16 – sign-ups are available.  Rotarians wear Rotarian gear.
Deb – International committee – need new committee members – 4th Wednesday of the month.  8 am in the living room of the church.
George – Youth exchange meets 4th Wednesday of the month at 7a.  Background checks are necessary before you join the committee.
 
Terry – next week’s speaker.  Mike Moore is going to speak with us about global water grant.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Steve Crane, President of United Midcoast Charities, came and provided an update on the charitable activity of UMCC and litigation to recover embezzled funds from former UMCC president Rusty Brace. The 50-55 organizations that are seeking funding will be announced in August, as well as an allocation to them.

It was Lisa Sojka's first meeting as president and presiding over Club Assembly.

Kristen Lindquist is the new treasurer, after many years of Steve Dailey's hard work in that post.

 

Barbara Heard has become Sargent at Arms, relieving Bruce Malone. She asked Lisa Dresser to do two truths and a lie.

 

Tim Dresser awarded Rotarian of the Year to Ken Gardiner, in recognition of all of the work he does in the club and community.

Chad Place and Jen Harris have completed the “red badge” program and were awarded their blue badges as members of West Bay Rotary.

Kristen gave a treasurer's report. She shared the new budget, and because of growth of membership, the income and expense numbers are growing related to that. Elimination of Down the Chute and Chili Challenge at the Toboggan Nationals means that ideas are being solicited for a new fundraising event for this year. She just sent out invoices electronically and if you haven't received one in the past 24 hours you should let her know.

 

Sandy Cox gave a tutorial on how to complete your member profile on Club Runner, the host site for West Bay Rotary. He will be sending out a reminder email to all to prompt you to update your profile, and even provide a photo, birthday and anniversary information. He will also circulate an updated list of members via email as soon as possible.

 

Lisa is looking for suggestions for organizations to benefit from the flower pots that are on the tables each week.. She is also looking for people to sign up for committee participation for the next year.

 

Mark Coursey provided an update on the West Bay Charitable Foundation (WBCF). The board of the club (WBR) plus three at-large members will be the board of the WBCF. Funds raised for charitable purposes will be funneled through the WBCF and people can make tax-deductible gifts through the WBCF.

 

Next week's speaker is Kate Sensenig, daughter of WBR member Jenny Bell and Doug Sensenig. She will speak about her recently completed exchange to Budapest, Hungary for the school year.

 

Membership Committee was very busy last year, with 18 new members, and net of 12 new members as we lost 6 members during the year. The committee meets and considers proposals submitted by members, and then follows a process through the board to get those new members approved.

 

Public Relations and Communications is chaired by Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, and members include Jen Harris and Jenny Bell. They produce the weekly bulletin through Club Runner, and your profile's email address is the distribution list. If you don't now receive the weekly bulletin, please let Sarah know. If you are interested in working on the committee, they would welcome your participation.

Mark Masterson as chair of the community service committee announced that they are working to plan “hands-on” projects for Habitat and Coastal Mountains Land Trust. Past projects have involved the toboggan chute at the Snowbowl, reading at the Lincolnville school. They will meet next on Wednesday July 8, 2015 at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill at 7:30a.

 

The club has historically put on a Chowder Challenge at the Windjammer Festival, Labor Day weekend, and that will continue this year. Mark is holding a planning meeting for Monday, July 6 at Bagel Cafe at 7:30a

 

Jim Potter, chair of Vocational Service, shared the two projects that continue: the scholarship program for CHRHS with 45-50 applications from current and post-grads from which the committee makes 12-15 scholarship awards, including awards from private funds that are administered by the club. The other is the Entrepreneurship Class in conjunction with Adult Education at CHRHS.

 

Deb Hitchings shared the activity of the International Service Committee, with projects in Lesotho and Venezuela. The club is also working in a water project with a Naples, Florida club. Youth Exchange and Interact were also very active and successful this year. The 4^th Wednesday of the month at the church living room at 8a is their regular committee meeting.

 

Ron Hall will be handling Rotary Foundation including EREY and Polio Plus. Susan Dorr is taking over Fellowship.

 

Rodney Lynch reminded us that MBH&H show is August 14-16 and there are sign-ups for shifts at the ticket booths.

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting June 25, 2015

 

 

Mark Coursey was introduced by Tim Dresser. He was previously a member of Ellsworth Rotary. He is an attorney, but has worked in retail management and other fields. He great up the son of an insurance executive attorney, and went to law school late in life, now in practice two years. He loves to travel and is looking forward to becoming "famous" by having a positive impact on peoples lives. 

 

Lisa Dresser talked about membership in Rotary. And Tim Dresser inducted a new member, John Tohanson, who works on Camden's waterfront. Welcome, John! He was sponsored by Matt McConnell.

 

Annual Dinner plans by Barbara Heard are going well and 80 have signed up so far. $35 for dinner at the Samoset on June 30. Please let Barbara know if you still want to go and haven't registered. Next week's speaker: Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, member of West Bay Rotary and CEO of the Maine Women's Fund will talk about the work of the Fund, a public foundation that supports programs addressing challenges to economic security for women and girls in Maine.

Today’s Speaker:  Abigail Matlack

Terry Bregy introduced International Recruitment Specialist Lauren Kelly from the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), headquartered in Portland. The program started in 1961 with the Fulbright Hayes Act, and CIEE became a sponsor, then with mostly students from western Europe and it has progressively moved east in terms of student participation.

663 Students are currently in Maine, from Bar Harbor to Old Orchard Beach. She spoke about the Summer Work to Travel program for t he purpose of diplomacy and cultural exchange. They place students in areas with seasonal workforce needs in the tourism and recreation (not agricultural or manufacturing) industries.

They act as a “sponsor” for the J-1 Visa program for the US State Department, a cultural exchange visa with a work component. All participating students are enrolled university students, with an average age of 22. They can work up to 4 months and not past October 1 (in Maine). A big focus of their employment goals are improving their English proficiency. To qualify for the program, they have to have an upper level pf proficiency in English, and be high-level academic performers.

Students come from all across the globe, and depending on which side of the equator, are here for our summer or theirs during their school breaks. It is a participant fee program, so students pay for the service, ranging from approximately $1,500 to $2,000.

Gary Walker presented the Rotary quiz, illuminating many historic facts and current Rotary census data.

Peter Berke updated the club on the Duck Derby last Saturday. All 2500 tickets sold, and the event netted in excess of $9,000.

Next week's speaker is Abigail Matlack, a student at Camden Hills Regional High School, to talk about a recent trip to do medical humanitarian work in South America with her mother and aunt.

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

5/21/2015

 

Kristen Lindquist introduced Ian Stewart, Stewardship Director of Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT).

Ian has been at the Land Trust for 13 Years. It started as the Camden Rockport Land Trust and now conserves property in 15 towns up the west side of Penobscot Bay including 26 nature preserves, for outdoor recreation, including hunting on many. Conservation easements total 56 protecting land in perpetuity. Beech Hill is a focus for many events this year. Trails and public access is a key part of their work and why people want to see their land protected.

Focus areas include watersheds and the mountains. Places like the Ducktrap, Bald Mountin, Mt. Battie and Beech Hill are examples. He described Beech Hill as an “Ambassador Project” and a 100^th Anniversary Campaign to continue the work of preserving and protecting that perserve. It was originally a series of farms, and in 1915 Beech Nut was completed as a retreat space for the Gribell Family and has been in conservation since 1986. The summit 300 acres is incuded in a preserve, and an additional 250 acres adjacent to it is under conservation. A major restoration of the building began in 2007, including masonry and the sod roof, to secure the building entirely, and a commercial blueberry enterprise started to benefit CMLT. That campaign also involved the creation of a management plan for the blueberries, grassland, shrub/scrub habitat and the view from the summit. It is believed to be home to 130 bird species throughout the year.

CMLT is also conducting sustainable forestry practices, including sugar maples. The annual blueberry “free” pick is popular, and the commercial harvest is popular, too.

Plans for more use of the building are underway, including a new slate floor, interior stonework, and interpretive information. Additional exterior stone work and restoration, including the entry gate, is planned as well.

Peter and Ron were recognized for bringing in new members, and Martha for multiple new members in the satellite Knox Sunrise club.

Peter is still looking for volunteers for the day of the Duck Derby and for volunteers to do ticket sales at French and Brawn and Hannaford Plaza. Sign-ups are at the meeting.

Ginnie and Joe Ryan gave boxes of cupcakes to Linda and Tom for the great Ewaste project earlier this month.

Barbara Heard needs one more house to host the dinner for the May 16 progressive dinner.

Tuesday June 30 is the Annual Dinner at the Samoset.

Tim shared news about the restructuring of the charitable foundation, including rewriting the bylaws.

Next Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30a is a Community Service committee meeting at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill. Light breakfast will be available.

Next week's speaker is our Japanese exchange student, Mikoto.

Etienne announced that last week's gesture by Jenny Bell to pledge $250 for shelter boxes resulted in $2000 raised for shelter boxes.

 

 

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

 

Today’s Speaker was Tia Anderson, the Executive Director of MidCoast Habitat for Humanity. MidCoast Habitat for Humanity has been in the area for 25 years and has helped 26 families relocate into new homes and has helped 18 additional families with additional services.  These services include rehab, development, weatherization and repair of existing homes.   Families wishing to receive assistance from Habitat for Humanity need to submit an application of need and financial status.  Families must show financial ability to manage a mortgage and to maintain a home.  Families must also be willing to participate in the building process and future projects of Habitat for Humanity.   Habitat for Humanity works very closely with families to make sure the families are successful in owning the home.  So, far they have never had a foreclosure with any of the families.  They get about 8-10 applications a month from needy families.  Not all qualify, but Habitat for Humanity will work with families to help them qualify in the future through their financial education services

Sandy Delano, of Lincolnville, spoke about the area's history back to the 17^th century. He talked about King's Grants, beginning the Waldo, Kennebec “patents” and the “associates” who were granted lands. He explained the original boundaries of Camden, Rockport and Rockland. And shared names of “proprietors” and early inhabitants of the area, as well as 18^th century maps depicting then roads, and even locations of houses.

Buckets on the table are for Make A Wish walk in May.

President Tim talked about Paul Harris and the Paul Harris Fellow award to support the Rotary Foundation, and its history. He then presented a Paul Harris award to President-elect Lisa Sojka.

Peter Berke talked about the Duck Derby which is a month from today. He has posters and flyers to share for members to distribute around town. He needs volunteers to sell tickets this Saturday at French and Brawn and Hannaford Plaza.

Tom Albertson reminded us of the Ewaste and Shredding at the former RES land on West Street, Rockport from 9a-2p Saturday. More volunteers are needed for the afternoon.

Lisa Dresser shared the progressive dinner is May 16, 2015 and sign up is possible at the club or call Barbara Heard.

The Annnual Dinner is Tuesday June 30 at the Samoset, so be sure to save the date.

Deb Hitchings shared that a grant for Lesotho has been submitted on behalf of the club, and a grant for Peru is planned as well.

Next week's speaker is Tia Anderson, to talk about Midcoast Habitat for Humanity.

Heidi announced that the club needs a host family for the fall semester for a student coming from Brazil.

Judy Emory Schlader was back visiting from Ohio, where she has joined a club there.

 

Despite 5” of snow, a large audience appeared for today's speaker. President-elect Lisa Sojka lead the meeting in President Tim Dresser's absence.

Etienne Perret introduced Ira Mandel, today's speaker. Ira is a member of the club, back from winter leave. He is a doctor and lives with his wife Rebecca in Camden.

He was recently interviewed for an MPBN series on drug addition in Maine, and is in Part 3 of the 5-part series that recently aired. Since retiring from full-time practice at Pen Bay several years ago, he has begun a part-time practice that involves two-days per week working with opiate-addicted people.

Maine has one of the worst narcotic addiction rates in New England. He feels there is not enough treatment in this state, and that we all need to become better educated about the issue. Maine tops the nation in prescription drug abuse. An estimated10% of young adults in Maine are drug addicted, and first use is around age 15, on average. Over 900 babies were born drug-addicted in Maine. Rockland is what he described as the “epicenter” for heroine in Maine. Oxycontin is also a big problem.

He talked about the current administration's approach, which is increasing law-enforcement and decreasing support for methadone patients, but not increasing funding for treatment or prevention. The governor vetoed legislation that would have allowed Narcan administration for overdosing patients. Dr. Mandel feels there is a lack of understanding of and/or compassion for the people who are drug addicted and the issues that impact their use.

He shared what he knows about local private treatment at places like Borden Center. He and Dr. Mark Jensen in Lincolnville are the only two physicians that offer treatment in this area.

There are only 15 doctors in Maine that prescribe suboxone, although 150 are certified to do so.

He talked about Vermont's drug situation, which is similar to Maine's. He talked about a movie, the Hungry Heart, about a doctor in Vermont that discovered many of his pediatric patients had later become drug-addicted and the movie centers on them and his suboxone treatment of them and their lives and some of their untimely deaths. Vermont is focusing on prevention and treatment outside of incarceration. 80% of incarcerated people are addicted or incarcerated because of their addiction. He described the profound behavior shift for addicted people based on nerve pathways and neurotransmitters that occurs because of drug use.

Buckets are for Make A Wish. Bob Rubin was sponsored by Terry Bregy and inducted as a member of West Bay. Bob was a member at one time.

President-elect Doris Vortz from the Rockland Club came to encourage participation in their fishing tournament to win an overnight at the Flume Cottage.

Ken Gardiner shared that there are 17 sponsors for the Duck Derby, and Peter Berke indicated that the tickets will be available next week at the meeting and each member will have books to sell.

Barbara Heard reminded us about the Progressive Dinner on Saturday May 16, and the clipboard will be circulated at meetings for people to sign up.

April 25 is Ewaste and shredding, and there will be flyers next week for people to take and place around town.

Next week's speaker is Debora Fink giving her classification talk.

Buckets on the table for April are for Make A Wish. Tim and Lisa will be walking in the May 21 Walk, 6-8p in Rockland and all are encouraged to participate and/or sponsor the Dressers.

Business Showcase is at the Samoset next week, April 8, 2015.

Joan LeMole is looking for help with a project at the Penobscot School April 21-24. See her if you can help with some moving and renovations.

Chuck Decker has helped organize a new program to recognize speakers at West Bay: rather than a mug, we will donate a book to the Middle School library. Librarian Cathy Foss joined Chuck to explain the new sponsorship of books program to the club.

Tim Lawson, proposed by Michael Pierce, was inducted into the club as West Bay Rotary's newest member. His classification is Artist

Jane was presented with a special pin for sponsoring two new members this year.

Jane Lafleur then gave a presentation on Every Rotarian Every Year “EREY” and all of the various funding priorities for the Rotary Foundation, including water, child and maternal health, and economic development. She then recognized some of the West Bay members who are participating in EREY.

Barbara Heard is planning the May 16 Progressive Dinner, and the Annual Dinner at the Samoset June 30 (tenatively) with the Camden and Rockland Clubs.

Etienne Perret spoke about grants. Two grants are in process, one for the stove project in Guatemala ($3,000) the other is for Meals on Wheels.

Etienne has called a meeting on Wednesday April 8 at 7:30a at the Church about the West Bay Charitable Foundation and those who are interested in being on its board are encouraged to attend.

Peter Berke announced that sign-ups are available for the Duck Derby to sell tickets. Next week tickets for each member to sell should be available at the meeting. Four more sponsors are needed as well. Saturday, May 23, 2015 is the date. There will also be merchandise like duckies and duck calls to help support income from the event. These will be for sale at French and Brawn and Camden National in Rockport.

Ewaste and Shredding will take place April 25, 9-2. Posters are going up soon.

Rodney is already planning the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show August 14-16. The event means $3000 for the club.

The club has over $23,000 in its account, with $5000 committed to projects.

Youth Exchange is preparing outbound students for next year. Youth Exchange meets just before the International Service committee and people are encouraged to get involved with the inbound students and their activities.

Jim Potter reported that the last session of the Entrepreneurship Course took place last night.

Our Interact Club needs a West Bay Rotarian to serve as liaison. They meet Wednesday at 2:15 at the High School and last just a couple of minutes.

As this is Tim's last club assembly, he turned the podium over to Lisa Sjoka, incoming President.

Next week's speaker is Ira Mandel, on opiate addiction treatment in Maine.

Lisa Sjoka commended Jane Lafleur for the participation of members in EREY. West Bay's contribution to EREY is the highest in the district.

Lisa encouraged participation in the various club committees to help keep the club as vibrant and productive as possible.

Sandy explained that a member's first initial and last name followed by “1417” should get you into the website, so you can update your profile. Your email address in your profile is the email for you to receive the bulletin and other communications from the club.

Jen Harris Classification Talk

Jen Harris, Classification Talk

Jen Harris, Marketing and Communications Director, Pen Bay Healthcare and Waldo General

Jen moved from Chester County, PA close to Wilmington, DE, within the past year. She loves european sports cars and NPR personalities.

She has worked in marketing and communications for most of her career in healthcare. The hospital where she worked in Wilmington was in a high-crime area. She made two trips to Peru to observe medical services there.

She likes to play roller derby. Her team was the Fallen Debutantes. She has joined the local curling club since moving to Maine.

Mark Corsi was inducted as a new member of West Bay Rotary, proposed by Ron Hall.

Tim Lawson, sponsored by Mike Pierce, is being recommended for membership. Any concerns should be communicated to Tim Dresser.

Mike Pierce had one of the inbound exchange students as a guest. He's working to help raise money for Mykoto to go to Nationals with the local swimmers that have qualified.

Ken Gardiner is still seeking sponsors for the Duck Derby ($100). There are 6 more spaces available.

Tom Albertson is planning April 25, 2015 E- waste and paper shredding.

Barbara Heard is still collecting Box Tops for education. She also wants us to save the date for Saturday, May 16, 2015 for the annual Progressive Dinner. She needs two host homes for drinks before and dessert afterward, and host families for the dinner itself.

Terry shared a thank-you note from the Save The Tower Fund. He auctioned a Mt. Battie Tower poster.

Chris Brownawell will be next week's speaker. He is the CEO of the Farnsworth in Rockland.

Camden Conference Scholarship Recipients, Camden Area Christian Food Pantry president Jane Bennett

Deb Hitchings introduced three local high school students who received scholarships from the Club to attend the Camden Conference this year. The topic of the Conference this year was Russia, and the students shared their impressions of the experience which dealt with Russia and the current situation with the Ukraine.

Terry Bregy set the tone for the speaker by reminding us of the 178,000 Mainers who live with food insecurity when he introduced Jane Bennett, president of the Camden Christian Area Food Pantry

The pantry was founded in 1981 by five area churches: Chestnut Street Baptist, First Congregational, John Street Methodist, Lady of Good Hope Roman Catholic and St. Thomas Episcopal.

FMI you can visit www.camdenfoodpantry.org. She shared videos. Maine ranks 11^th in the US for food insecurity. One in four Maine children experience food insecurity. Located on Mt. Battie Street, the towns served by the pantry are Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville, Rockport, Searsmonth, Union and Washington. In those towns, children 26% – more than 40% are eligible for free or reduced lunch cost. The pantry has hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and serve on average 900-1000 people who can visit once per week. Some 25 families that cannot access the Pantry also received delivered food mostly in Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville.

They get food from Good Shepherd Food Bank, Hannaford, Erickson Farm in the summer months provides fresh produce and people in the community, including West Bay Rotary.

She shared a video about the Good Shepherd Food Bank and the Mainers helping Mainers farm program to buy fresh produce from local farms to provide to food banks in Maine, removing the transportation cost for produce trucked from other states.

Skip Day presented gifts from the club and members to support the Pantry.

Mark Masterson discussed the West Bay Rotary Foundation that is an arm of the club providing support to area non-profits, that he has chaired since it began and is looking for those who are interested in joining the board, with 3 of the 7 board positions open. Anyone interested should talk to Mark.

Barbara Heard reminded us of the box-top collection project to support area education.

Jim Potter read a thank-you card from a Vocational Scholarship student from Appleton in school at the University of Maine - Presque Isle who was unable to attend with the other scholarship students recently.

Peter Berke is counting ducks at the Dressers this Friday evening, and the committee is meeting at 7:30a at the Bagel Cafe next week, March 11.

Next week's speaker is Tom Jamrog to talk about his hiking adventures.

Chuck Decker and two new members of West Bay Rotary

 

Today’s Speaker

1. Prevention Science – working to open discussions with kids about risk factors.
2. Social Development Strategy - giving kids the opportunity to develop a skill under the guidance of an adult.
3. Research and results - work with data to determine what risk and protective factors are present and what is working and not working.

Feb 12      Vegetable Week

                                 Canned Vegetables

                                    Canned Fruits

                                    Canned Baked Beans

 

Feb19 -  Soup and Stew Week

                                    Canned or Packaged Soups

                                    Canned Hearty soups

                                    Canned Beef Stew

                                                                         

Feb 26 -  Basic Stock Week

                                    Canned or Packaged Tuna Fish

                        `           Spaghetti Sauce

                                    Packaged Spaghetti Noodles

                                    Quart Size Plastic Zippered Storage Bags

 

The PBRCC is working with the Midcoast Economic Development District on the Mobilize Maine initiative to improve job opportunities in the Maine, develop good paying jobs and to stay competitive with other states in areas of wages and assets. 

PBRCC markets the region for tourism and business.  Tourism is the number one economic driver for the state of Maine.  Work closely with the Maine Tourism group to increase tourism to the Midcoast and the Cruise Ships.  The Jewel is the yearly PBRCC publication made available throughout the town and at member businesses.  Additionally they use Social Media, such as Face Book and Twitter to reach out.

 

Front Street Shipyard co-founders Taylor Allen & JB Turner talked about Front Street Shipyard in Belfast.  http://frontstreetshipyard.com/

Front Street was started 4 years ago by Taylor Allen of Rockport Marine, JB Turner formerly of Lyman Morse Boats, Steve White of Brooklyn Boat Yard and Ken Priest.   It is now the biggest ship yard north of the Cape Cod Canal.  The shipyard employs 100 men and women mostly from Maine.  It has four main areas of service:

Front Street Shipyard refits of all size boats and has two boatlifts:  One 165 ton lift and one 488 ton lift.  The larger lift has enabled them to really expand their business.  They do nearly all the work themselves and rarely sub out work.  They have many capabilities including working with composites and wood, do metalwork, fabrications, carpentry and finishes, and have heated boat storage and full marina and dockage sites and services

 

They are presently working on getting financing and permitting for Building Six.  Building Six will be their largest building enabling them to haul and directly move their largest boats into the building without having to do a transfer.   They are hoping this will also enable them to increase their employee size to about 150 people.

 

 

Susan Dorr and Etienne invited Juliet Surprise and Evelyn Donnelly from Hospitality House to give a brief presentation about how the Hospitality House is doing:  The Hospitality House has been open for 1 yr.  It has served 370 people, 140 of those are children.  This has been accomplished by sheltering adults and children in the Hospitality House and motel rooms.  They have assisted in housing 52 adults along with their 57 children.  Eight of their clients have received their GEDs, four are enrolled in college and two have their CNA licenses.   

 

Evelyn wanted us to know that they are changing meal situation/system.  What they need now is cash to buy groceries as opposed to cooking meals for the Hospitality House.  They have found that the activity of the residents cooking together has proven to be a very rich experience. 

They also wanted us to know that everyone has a case manager and that just yesterday, a 12 passenger van was donated by Darlings Auto in Bangor.

They give a big thanks to us for all of our past and continued support.

 

EREY:  Jane Lefleur - $100 donations can provide extensive goods and services around the world.

 

A card for Chummy Berry was passed around.  Chummy had bilateral knee replacements and is doing well.

 

Proposed New members: 

Tom Rodman - Tom works with Strive, Northern New England in Belfast:  Strive is a work force development organization for those who have a hard time keeping a job.  Tom is also involved with the new Fox Hill Rehabilitation Center

Jennifer Harris - Jennifer is the new Regional Director of Marketing and Communications for Waldo County General Hospital and PenBay Medical Center.  Jen recently relocated to the mid-coast area from southeastern PA and is very happy to be here.

West Bay Rotary members have until 1/29/15 to object to either of these proposed members.  If there are no objections, Tom and Jen will be inducted on 1/29/15. 

 

********************************************

 

Steve Dailey – Volunteers are needed for parking at the Camden Snowbowl.  Please sign up if you are able to help.

 

Ken Gardiner – Looking for business sponsors for Down the Chute and the Chili Challenge.

 

Lisa Dresser - Down the Chute, beer and wine tasting – we have 14 vendors and we need volunteers Friday afternoon from 2 to 5 to help set up and 5 to 7 to help with the actual event.

 

Mark Masterson - Chili Challenge – Saturday Feb 7^th.   Need Volunteers

 

Pancake Breakfast - Sunday Feb 8^th with the Sunrise club at the Camden Snowbowl.

 

********************************************

 

Penbay Chamber of Commerce is having their winter gala, if members are interested in getting a table to together talk with Mark Materson.  Sandy Cox already had a table but has room.

 

Next week’s speaker:  Staci Coomer, Executive Director of the Pen Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce (AND a former West Bay Rotarian) will review the chamber's past year and update us on plans for the year ahead.

Tuesday at the Sunrise Union Club – Georges River Land Trust rep is speaking

 

Skip Day asked to have the Food Cupboard menus posted in the new letter.

 

 

March 5 -     Cash or Check Week

                                   

March 12      Vegetable Week

                                 Canned Vegetables

                                    Canned Fruits

                                    Canned Baked Beans

 

March 19 -  Soup and Stew Week

                                    Canned or Packaged Soups

                                    Canned Hearty soups

                                    Canned Beef Stew

                                                                            

March 26 -  Basic Stock Week

                                    Canned or Packaged Tuna Fish

                        `           Spaghetti Sauce

                                    Packaged Spaghetti Noodles

                                    Quart Size Plastic Zippered Storage Bags

 

 

 

Club Assembly was led by President Tim Dresser

After singing “We Shall Overcome” in honor of Martin Luther King, and introduction of guests, five 8^th graders talked to the club about the Amori Japan trip. The exchange program was inspired by a shipwreck on Amori in 1889, which began the relationship between Amori Friendship which became a sister state by proclamation of Governor John McKernan in 1999, when the exchange program began. The students chosen to participate have to apply and be exemplary students. The students raise funds and receive grants to pay for the cost of the trip. They have raised almost $17,000 toward the $35,000 total needed for the trip. The purpose of the trip is to promote goodwill, communication and friendship between the two counties.

Elaine Nutter, member and SAD28 Superintendent and Tory Manzi, member of SAD28 School board, spoke to the club about Middle School construction, for which a brochure was provided on the tables. The current 122,000 sf building is much larger than needed and thus costly to heat and maintain, and there are other issues about the age use needs that make the space inappropriate for school purposes.

Mark Masterson reported on a recent meeting of the WBR Charitable Foundation. The Bylaws are being revisited, new board members are being brought on, some are retiring from the board. He encouraged members who may be interested in sitting on the board to contact him. The Foundation does not have a regular meeting schedule.

Jane Lafleur spoke to the club as chair of the Every Rotary Every Year campaign, about the Polio Eradication efforts of Rotary International. Three countries, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan are endemic. She recognized Bob Williams as an EREY participant. She encourages everyone to become a member of EREY which involved an annual gift to the Rotary Foundation.

Lisa Dresser spoke about the Friday, February 6 from 3-6p Down the Chute event kicking off Toboggan Nationals Weekend. 13 providers of beer and wine have committed, tickets are available for $25 in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com, and are $30 at the door. She needs 6 volunteers per shift to help with the event Friday afternoon and evening.

Mark Masterson talked about Saturday's Chili Challenge on February 7, 2015. 8-10 chili purveyors will be competing, and volunteers are needed to help set up, manage and clean up after the event. It will run from 11-2 on Saturday. The next day, on Sunday, the Union Knox County Sunrise club will hold a pancake breakfast.

Steve Dailey talked about the parking on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7a until 3p Saturday, and 8a until 3p Sunday and many volunteers will be needed for all shifts. Sign-up sheets will be at the club starting next Thursday. Parking brings in more money than any other aspect of the weekend, which provides the most fundraising income for the club each year.

Ken Gardiner is seeking sponsors for the Chili Challenge and the Pancake Breakfast. $50 or $100 levels are available. For $100 you get a banner in the tent for Saturday and Sunday. If you are a $50 sponsor, you get to have a banner on Saturday and on the ballot people will use for the Chili Challenge. A plaquard outside the tent will list the $100 sponsors as well.

Sandy Cox explained the $10 per square NFC/AFC and superbowl lottery pool. More than half of the chances have been purchased, so see Sandy if you want to participate before the 100 chances are sold.

Skip Day announced that February the club will be supporting the Camden Food Pantry, and he will provide menus and reminders for people who want to contribute their support.

Mark Masterson reminded people that committees like Community Service and International service are always looking for new members. Community Service is about to make $6250 in contributions to the community. He reported that Community service is working on organizing a build project with Habitat for Humanity, with Making Change Happen, Aging in Place, Meals on Wheels and other local organizations and the Coastal Mountains Land Trust. Refurbishing the Arch and street lamp poles is also a possible future project.

Sandy Cox asked that we refer any elderly or disabled people who could use a daily “Check In” to him or Chief Gagne of the Camden Policy Department.

Deb Hitchings of International Service Committee reported we continue to support two students in Lesotho. The club got two grants from Rotary International this fall. Camden Conference is coming up and we will fund 3 CHRHS students to attend and meets monthly.

Heidi Karod talked about activities with the inbound exchange students who are moving to their second host families for the spring semester. Next year two outgoing students have been chosen. One is going to Argentina. She is accepting short-term exchange applications. Joan Phaup is the head of that program through the Camden club. Four Host families are needed for the next school year.

Jim Potter reported that March 18 the entrepreneur class starts. He also reported that applications for the vocational scholarships are being accepted.

Next week's speaker, January 22, 2015, will be JB Turner, of Front Street Shipyard in Belfast.

Today's speaker was Cheryl Leichty, MD, MPH, Pen Bay Medicine and Infectious Diseases, introduced by Marty Martens.

She is a specialist in infectious disease and gave a talk on the Ebola virus. She shared the statistics on cases reported, confirmed and deaths and theory about the suspected carriers. Although bush -meat consumption was long suspected, recent stories are disproving that theory. She reviewed possibilities including primates and other forest creatures, and bats, which are a suspected animal reservoir for the virus.

She discussed the challenges of diagnosis and treatment in the western Africa countries where the disease has presented in epidemic proportions starting in 2014. She also reviewed the status of development of a vaccine, and the epidemic that continues in places like Liberia and Sierre Leone.

Buckets on the tables are for New Hope for Women.

Terry Bregy and Mark Masterson shared some jokes and puns. All had a good laugh.

Sandy shared a playoff pool. 100 chances will be sold for $10 each, and the funds raised will be dedicated to the Friends of Mt. Battie Tower which is seeking to raise $100,000 for current and future repairs. The pool will raise $750, with $250 for prizes. You may purchase tickets from Sandy. Prizes range from $50 (one for each of the first three quarters) and then the winner, $100.

The club raised over $6,000 through Christmas Tree, wreath and maple syrup sales.  

West Bay Rotary Club Meeting

December 12, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Hinsey, VS TV, Terry Bregy's Annual Hammacher Schlemmer Dilimmer

Masons on A Mission

Patrick Manley of Masons on a Mission spoke to the club. He specializes professionally in wood-fired ovens, and has built them throughout the midcoast at places like The Edge and Cafe Miranda. Masons on a Mission was founded in 2000.

Worldwide, there are millions of families that burn open fires in their homes for heat and cooking. This is very dangerous, and being unventilated, they are also very unhealthy. In Guatemala, they have built over 100 vented stoves at a cost of $150 for materials, with volunteers going to build and teach the locals how to build these simple, efficient wood-fired stoves. His next annual trip will be his 16^th. He raises money year-round and takes a group of up to 30 volunteers that works in groups of 3 to build each stove over 5 days. They build as many as 40 stoves per trip. He usually has 20 repeat volunteers, including honors-program college students.

Family members help with mixing the mortar sand and mud at their homes. The bricks are local wood-fired bricks. She showed slides with images of the January 2014 trip.

The mission trips have also resulted in a generous volunteer helping a child with cerebral palsy with surgery and rehabilitation in the US.

Skip Day is organizing the club's support for the Camden Area Food Pantry. Donations are welcome in November of both food items and funds. The items listing will be published for the club in the bulletin.

Next Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00a at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill the board meets. All members are welcome.

There was good participation at last weekend's Polio Walk.

Next week's speaker of West Bay Rotary will be Alan Hinsey the new station manager at the VSTV.

Doug Sensenig was the speaker at the Knox Suntrise/Union Rotary club. Next week will be a club assembly and Veteran's Day breakfast, Tuesday at 7:15a at the Masonic Hall in Union.

Donations to Hospitality House in honor of Tom Tarbox are being suggested.

5^th Annual Frozen 5K on December 6 at Pt. Lookout, 9a registration and 10a race up Pt. Lookout. Tom Chester is looking for volunteers, runners, sponsors. There is a Facebook page for the event.

The Annual holiday celebration will be at Cappy's on Tuesday December 9, 2014 and is being organized by Barbara Heard. Save the date, details to come.

 

Celtic Harps come to West Bay Rotary, remembering Tom Tarbox, and Ken Gardiner shares "Ode to a Moonpie"

Sheila Davenport and Susan Dorr are organizing dinners for the Hospitality House on behalf of West Bay Rotary. Monday, Wednesday and Friday the last week of October, the club will provide dinner for up to 20 residents at Hospitality House. The Hospitality House has asked service clubs in the area to provide dinners. See Sheila or Susan to help.

President Tim described the process of creating the Knox County Sunrise Club in Union as a satellite of West Bay Rotary. Sunrise will start with members who are actually members of West Bay, but will meet in a different place and time (Masonic Hall, Sennebec Road, Union on Tuesdays at 7:30a.).

He described the process that would be involved if the club approves going forward. After much discussion, the process was approved to create a satellite club.

Polio Awareness Day is October 24, 2014 and the Annual Polio Walk is October 25, 2014. The Rockland, Camden and West Bay Clubs will walk a loop starting and ending at the PAWS location on John Street. Start time is 10:30a and will end at approximately noon. Fox on the Run food truck will be there and people can buy food. T Shirts will be available through Martha.

Marty Martens and Ron Hall were both recognized for additional Paul Harris Fellow gifts.

Noel Cox and Lisa Dresser have been updating the Red Badge program as co-chairs of the Membership Committee.

Next week's speaker at West Bay Rotary will be Penney Read, Director of Development, Camden Public Library.

Kevin Waters of Penobscot Island Air will be the speaker at Knox County Sunrise on Tuesday morning.

Emily Lusher from the Camden Windjammer Festival joined us to receive proceeds from the West Bay club's fund raising, and thank the club. She described the club's support as a model of what the Festival would like to see from area service organizations. The Festival is operating in the red, and is exploring how to make the Festival sustainable.

Today's speaker, Chad Place, new member, gave his classification talk. Chad is a commercial lender at Camden National in Rockland. He grew up in Morrill, outside of Belfast, Maine. His family was in the lumber industry. He was very involved in sports as a child, and played basketball and golf. He's been a member at the Northport club for most of his life. He was part of the first golf team at the high school and was captain. He successfully competed with his father in the Father/Son golf tournament. In basketball, Camden was the arch-rival of Belfast.

He worked at Maine Bank and Trust, and Lincoln Financial in Portland, went to bar tending school, met his wife, Dawn, and moved back to Belfast in 2005. He worked at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, eventually managing the warehouse. He joined Camden National in 2008. He and his wife built a home in Waldo. They have a five year-old daughter, and an infant daughter, and tap maple trees on their property.

In addition to getting more opportunities to play golf, he joined Rotary to build his network and give back to the community.

Buckets are for the Connections Program for parent and children

Terry Bregy presented Rotary Information and reminded us of his presentation a year ago about the products you can buy through the Rotary website and a few he found this week. He also shared items he found on Ebay, and the date for the “Hammacher Schlemmer” presentation on October 30, 2014, not to be missed!

Next Wednesday is a board meeting, Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill at 7a. All members are welcome to attend.

There's a Leadership course in Lewiston coming up, Saturday October 18, and Sandy Cox will be attending and wants to fill a car of West Bay Rotarians to attend

Barbara Heard is working on a Holiday Dinner at Cappy's in December.

Ken Gardiner and Terry Bregy are planning a a “Jello Man” competition in the wake of Shannon Thompson's presentation last week. She raised over $300 from Rockport Automotive, for a total of over $500 from her presentation at West Bay Rotary.

Paul Rogers, Peter Berke and Steve Dailey were part of a special presentation of additional Paul Harris Fellow recognition for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

Next week will be a club assembly.

Tobin Malone will be next week's speaker at Union's Knox County Sunrise Rotary, Tuesday at 7:30a at the Masonic Lodge on Sennebec Road.

Susan Dorr is helping out organizing materials at the Hospitality House, and anyone who can help on Tuesday morning around 9a is welcome.  

 

 

1.   Increasing Rotary’s presence in and impact on local and international communities

1. Rotary is about changing other people’s lives.
2. Everyone has different reasons for joining.  But many have the same reason for staying, which is helping people and serving our communities.
3. Doing one extra thing or having one extra person can often make the difference.

2.  Increasing Rotary membership and improving retention of members.

1. Goal for Rotary International (RI) membership is 1.3 million world-wide.  RI has had a static membership of 1.2 million for the last 10 years.  Interestingly, an average of 100,000 members join every year, but we lose the same amount every year.  So ask your friends, family, and neighbors to join and help retain our present members.
2. Our District has a low membership.  D.G. Norman proposes the following challenge for the 52 clubs in our district.  During the remainder of D.G Norman’s year, which ends July 1^st, 2015, each club is challenged to recruit 5 new members and not lose any in the same time.  That will increase membership by about 2000.  This will bring us in line with the RI recruitment/membership goals for the 2014-2015 year.

3.  Polio eradication around the world.

1. Three countries remain endemic with Polio, they are, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.  There are a few cases that occur elsewhere but they appear to be self-limited.  We need to stay vigilant to meet this very challenging goal. The last 1% is the hardest.  
2. Out of three Polio viruses, there only one type left.  The vaccine is now much more targeted towards this singular virus.

1. The first three villages are named Ulry, Bachilaya and Tusku Tara. They are part of Steve Johnson's project.  
2. The second phase, D.G. Norman’s, covers the villages of Sacklin, Tusku Sirpi, Wasla and Koom.
3. Next year, Al Feathers will cover the villages of Saupuka, Bileaskarma and Klar.

Mark Biscone, CEO, Waldo General Hospital, Interim CEO, Pen Bay Healthcare

 

Jim Patterson introduced Mark Biscone, the speaker today. Biscone has been CEO at WCGH since 1983.

His talk had the theme of “Where is healthcare today?” from a numbers perspective. He explained that for every $1 charged for healthcare expense, 60% of healthcare expense is covered by medicare or medicaid, and 45% is written off, leaving .55 for net revenue, which is then offset by 57% actual cost, which results in a negative $.02 net revenue. Heathcare is continuing to anticipate reductions in government funding. ACA's impact is just beginning to be felt locally, especially since Maine failed to expand medicaid coverage for many low-income Mainer's. There are also now 36 areas of quality that institutions must meet to avoid further reductions in reimbursement.

Maine's aging population will continue to bring more chronic conditions needing treatment. Telemedicine has a major impact on how healthcare is delivered, and Anthem is a participating insurer using doctors across the country to address patient needs locally, diverting revenues out of state in a competitive market.

The number of acute care hospitals in Maine will continue to reduce, currently at 36, down from 50 in the late 1970's. Collaboration, regionalization, standardization are all being used to create higher quality and lower cost care and keep specialists employed with an appropriate economy of scale.

Rotary Information was presented by Terry Bregy, about banners and the clubs represented by visiting Rotarians, and brought back by traveling Rotarians from West Bay returning from trips with banners of the clubs they have visited. The first banner produced for West Bay was not in conformance with RI rules that do not allow adding compass points (or anything else) to the Rotary logo, the Rotary wheel.

Union's Knox County Sunrise club held it's first fundraiser at the Union Fair last week. The club, which is a satellite of West Bay. Ken Gardiner's was the winning ticket. The club meets at the Union Masonic Hall on Tuesdays at 7:30a.

Windjammer Festival is this weekend. The Chowder Challenge is Saturday. Mark still need volunteers to help pick up and serve chowder. 8:30a Friday is tent set-up, and all are welcome to come lend a hand. Monday morning the tent will be taken down. There will be a Shelter Box at the show with Interact helping with that display. Ken Gardiner is still collecting sponsorships at the $50 and $100 levels. Our inbound exchange student from Japan will be there, too.

EREY was presented by Jane Lafleur and spoke about the annual fund, which supports programs in over 200 geographic regions. She recognized those who have made contributions to EREY.

Barbara Heard is circulating a sign-up for theTriple Nickle Rally, Poker Run and Dinner.

The Board meets at 7a at Anderson Inn, Quarry Hill, on the first Wednesday. Please let President Tim know if you would like to attend. All club members are welcome.

Next week's speaker is Troy Curtis, Executive Director of the YMCA.

 

 

Marty Martens shared that founding West Bay Rotarian Jack Clinton passed away this week.

Betsy gave her classification talk as a new member of the club.

Her parents met after her father graduated from Yale and was teaching water skiing in Cape Cod and her mom was a singer performing in a club there. They married, first lived in Ridgefield, CT and her father worked at Lockheed. and then moved Camden in 1972. Her mother was an artist, as well.

 

Within a year or so, her mother moved her and their siblings to Florida suddenly, and her parents separated. They moved to the Hamptons, and her father stayed and put her through Choate Hall and college.

 

She spent some time out west, and returned to Portland Maine and met her “future ex-husband” and has two children, Davis, age 20 and at NYU, and Brooks, and senior at Exeter. She works at Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation in development.

 

Buckets on the table are still going toward the transportation fund at the Hospitality House.

 

Etienne Perret presented Rotary Information about “Mercy Ships” that focus on areas of the world where medical care is lacking. A link to a 60 minutes story is http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/africa-mercy-hospital-of-hope/

and webiste: www.mercyships.org.

 

Jane Lafleur spoke about the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus, supporting global efforts to eradicate polio begun in 1985. She also awarded stickers to those who are contributing to Every Rotary Every Year.

 

Mark Masterson thanked members for marking the tasting cups for the Chowder Challenge, a project undertaken during the meeting. The Challenge is Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. Volunteers are needed Friday at 8:30a to put up the tent. Saturday they will need to pickup tables and chairs and deliver them to the site, sell tickets, serve and clean up. Please let Mark know if you can help.

Ken Gardiner announced $50 and $100 sponsorships and having every member secure at least one sponsor. He has sponsorship forms and will manage the signage and banners. $50 sponsors are listed in publications and on a plaqard in the tent with the other sponsors. $100 sponsors also get to hang a banner inside the tent on the day of the event.

 

The sign-up for the Road Rally and dinner to follow at the Dresser's is circulating, and Barbara Heard is organizing.

 

Polio Walk is being planned for October 25. Etienne Perret is organizing.

 

Next week's speaker will be Mark Biscone, CEO of Waldo General Hospital and interim CEO of Pen Bay Medical Center.

Mark Masterson pulled Boardwalk after winning the raffle.

Sandy introduced new West Bay Rotary member Chuck Decker who recently moved to Camden from Florida, where he was a member of a Club at the Villages.

Amy Hutchison spoke about her trip to Sydney, Australia for the Annual RI convention. She is ED of PAWS Animal Shelter and President of Rockland Rotary. Rockland Rotary has a long-standing tradition of sending the incoming president to the annual convention. Over 17,000 Rotarians from across the globe were welcomed by the Prime Minister of Australia in the opening ceremonies. Australia pledged $100,000,000 to polio eradication during the conference. Conference and Rotary-logo emblazoned bags were provided to each attendee, made by Phillipine-based Sew-Aid, a service project of Rotary. Www.riconventionblog.org is a resource with videos, including speakers and ceremonies from the conference and the Hall of Friendship, where clubs displayed about the projects they are doing and some wore clothing significant of their cultures.

She described the new facility at PAWS involving the former Camden First Aid Building and the 4.5 acres on which it is sited on John Street. The dog park will continue to function as a volunteer-run dog park, and the building will be sold. About 300 dogs and cats are served currently, and the new facility will double their kennel space for dogs.

Mark Masterson presented Amy with a check from the club to support PAWS.

Bucket are for Hospitality House transportation fund.

Roberta Walker talked about the new Rotary Friendship exchange program. It allows Rotarians and their families the opportunity to experience another culture first hand in the homes of Rotarians in other cultures, from a few days to several weeks in length. Club to Club visitor programs, spend a few days in the home of a Rotarian in another country, who then reciprocate the hospitality for Rotarians from that club. District to District exchanges can involve 4-6 couples and last as long as a month. Participants are responsible for their travel and pocket money, with hosts providing housing, meals and sight-seeing opportunities. All of the exchanges are arranged through a district chairperson appointed by the District Governor. There is on-line list of Districts participating in Rotary District Exchange and guidelines, which she printed off the internet.

Jane Lafleur presented on the Rotary Foundation and the purposes for its founding, including fellowships, international understanding and humanitarian relief. She presented stickers to EREY participants.

Mark Masterson spoke about the Windjammer Festival, Labor Day Weekend, and Saturday's Chowder Challenge with 10 participating purveyors. Help is needed putting up the tent Friday morning, August 19, and Saturday the 30^th after the Camden Club breakfast, help with serving busing tables for the Chowder Challenge.

Rodney wasn't at the meeting but wanted to thank everyone who helped with the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show last weekend.

Triple-Nickel Rally Poker Run and Rally, planned for September 13 sign-up will be possible at the next few meetings. Mark and Sandy are organizing with Barbara Heard. It will involve a road course starting at the Congregational Church, and end at Tim and Lisa Dresser's house at 4p for fellowship.

Next week's speaker is Betsy Saltonstall giving her classification talk.

At today's meeting, in lieu of a speaker, Mark Masterson presented checks to representatives of organizations who were chosen to receive grants from funds raised by the club's activities.

Jane LaFleur representing Friends of Midcoast Maine accepted a check to begin a community institute to work with people from different communities about their town's development.

United Christian Church of Lincolnville, represented by Susan Silverio, which was recently given a building that was a community center. They have begun a Soup Cafe with about 25 people coming on Thursdays. The club's gift will allow them to install a dishwasher. They are in the second phase of a project to build their kitchen.

Camp Capella, represented by Dana Boucher. Located on Phillips lake, near the Lucerne Inn, it serves children and adults with physical and cognitive challenges. They have children from Camden and Rockport this summer.

Connections, represented by Nancy Laite, through Knox County Community Health Coalition, almost 10 year-old program for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders and their parents in Knox County and Lincolnville, Food, Fun and Facts program where the families have a meal together, a discussion, and do something fun. The two-hour program is held at the Pen Bay YMCA.

Penobscot School, represented by Rotarian and Executive Director Joan Lemole, a 28 year-old school offering foreign language learning using native speakers as instructors and an english immersion program in the summer. The gift from the club will help them to buy a new lawnmower.

Penobscot Bay YMCA, represented by Theo Berez, the gift will support the summer day camp. A new branch is being developed in Rockland, the Southern Knox County Y.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trekkers, represented by John Bragg, board chair, which involves adults mentoring and leading on expeditions at-risk kids from 8^th grade through high school in RSU 13. They have launched an internship program to involve kids in real-world work and life experiences.

 

Gary Walker presented Rotary Information about club presidents. He talked about the presidents during the club's history from it's founding in 1986. All their names are on plaques.

This weekend is the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show. Rodney said all but Sunday afternoon slots are open. All members should be there 15 minutes ahead of their shift. He thanked the club for excellent participation this year getting the slots filled.

Jane Lafleur as chair of Every Rotary Every Year talked about the Rotary Foundation. She presented stickers to those who have given $100 to the Foundation in the past year.

Knox County Sunrise in Union has asked if the West Bay Rotary Club would sponsor them as a “satellite” as they work towards building their club to the minimum of 20 members. This is a new program of Rotary, and would make West Bay the first in District 7790. The board has voted to proceed and will involve members being asked to help attend their meetings and invite them to attend our committee and regular meetings to learn how clubs function.

Sandy reminded us that committee meeting attendance constitutes a makeup within two weeks of missing a meeting, either 2 weeks before or after.

Save the Date: Triple Nickel Road Rally and Poker Run is September 13, 2014 and sign-ups will be available starting at next week's meeting.

Ken Gardiner asked us all to be thinking about business sponsorships for the Chowder Challenge and will have more information soon.

Etienne Perret asked us to remember that Distric7790 and Global grants are another way to leverage more funds for the projects that are important to the club.

Rotary Youth Exchange Student Carmen Lamb

Zack Herrick – Classification Talk

Zack was born in Camden and graduated from CHRHS 2005. Zack then Joined the Navy for 4 years, was stationed in Brunswick, Me. and traveled the world. He left the active-duty Navy in 2009 and moved to Jacksonville, Fla, where he started college pursuing a degree in Finance.

Moved back to Maine and is presently working at Athena Health and back in college full-time to become a financial advisor.

Joined Rotary to network.

Announcements:

• PAWS – open house tonight (7/17/2014) from 5-7pm

• Email from Rotary International – “Friendly’s” exchange program for club members. A group from WBR could fly from here to another country and each would live at local Rotarian home. Talk to Tim Dresser.

• RI president is coming to Quebec 7/28/2014. Any member who wants to go see Tim Dresser.

Rotary Information – Etienne Perret: Organization of on-line Rotary club. Started in 2001. Today there are 14 Rotary clubs that are on-line. Members can use the on-line clubs to make up for missed meetings. E-clubs allow you to correspond with Rotarians from all over the world.

Google “rotary make up programs” and join one of the clubs and you will be walked through how to join the club and get credit.

Sandy: Discussed “myrotary.org”. He recommends to visit the site to learn a lot about what is happening in Rotary and about your membership stats. Try using your West Bay Rotary login. If that doesn’t work then try changing your password or call Sandy Cox and he will help you.

*Kitchen Clean-up needs volunteers. Please sign up.

*Still have some vacancies for volunteering at Maine Boats and Harbors – talk to Rodney Lynch

Mark Masterson discussed the need for people to sign up for committees. He also requested that members sign up for the Chowder Challenge.

Jane Lafleur continued her discussion about the Rotary Foundation. She is accepting donations for EREY.

Cate Lamb announced a pot-luck for all of the short-term exchange students at Joan Phaup’s house, this evening from 5-8pm

Next week’s program – Carmen Lamb, exchange student, will be giving her talk about her experience in Brazil.  

Maine Pro Musica Executive Director Janna Hymes, Maine Boats Homes & Harbors Show

Janna Hymes, Founder and Executive Director of Maine Pro Musica was our speaker.  She is also a conductor and lives full time in Williamsburg, Virginia.

She began conducting in 10th grade.  She studied cello with Eugene Ormandy's brother, played in her school's orchestra at Carnegie Hall for graduation. Her father is a lighting director in the television industry and her mother, now deceased, a Broadway producer.

 

She performed in front of Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood and he became her mentor shortly before his death She did a Fulbright scholarship in Italy. Over the past several years she has produced Holiday Pops in Camden, now in conjunction with United Midcoast Charities, and Morning Pro Musica has performed in 18 towns in Maine.  The group involves only Maine musicians. They hope to produce Peter and the Wolf at the Strom and bus in children from the area for a free opportunity to learn more about orchestras.

 

Buckets on the table are for the transportation fund at the Hospitality House.

Roberta Walker presented Rotary Information

 

Rodney Lynch reminded all of the upcoming Maine Boats Homes & Harbors Show August 8-10 and the need for volunteers on Friday, 1:30-6p, Saturday 9-1 and Sunday 1-4p.

Mark Masterson announced that the Hospitality House is looking to area groups to help provide meals and shopping and he will be exploring that idea more on behalf of the Community Service Committee.

Tim announced that the Hospitality House is also looking for volunteer drivers.

Jane Lafleur presented on Rotary Foundation.

Next week's speaker will be new member Zachary Herrick giving his classification talk.

Tuesday morning at 7:30a at the Masonic Hall in Union, Hannah Sisk will speak on her recent trip to China for the Knox County Sunrise Rotary Club. All are welcome.

This was Tim Dresser's first meeting as President. He introduced the new officers: Lisa Sojka, President Elect, Peter Berke, Vice President, Steve Dailey, Treasurer and Sandy Cox, Secretary.

Bruce Malone did happy/sad dollars as the new Sargent at Arms and warned people he would be fining people for using their smartphones, because we should all be involved and paying attention at the meetings.

Next week's speaker, Jana Hymes, will be speaking about Maine Pro Musica and Williamsburg Symphonia.

Bruce Malone introduced a change to the bylaws which was voted-upon, and is related to the process for bringing new members into the club.

Lisa Dresser, co chair of membership, explained that the new streamlined process should make sponsoring new members less complicated and more efficient.

Tim Dresser talked about the example of the Duck Derby where Peter Berke created more of a team approach to share the work of events. The Derby netted about $7,500 and was successful because so many members participated, and everyone sold tickets.

Ken Gardiner, who has been handling business sponsorships for most of the club's events, also spoke. He invited members to consider joining committees for individual events to help in the planning of them, while encouraging everyone to be involved at events, too.

Rodney Lynch spoke about Maine Boats Homes & Harbors show August 8, 9 and 10 in Rockland. They still need volunteers for Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. There will also be a Shelter Box display, and volunteers would be welcome to help with that as well. See Mark Masterson FMI.

Terry Bregy, chair of the Program Committee, explained how the programs are scheduled for the year. Quarterly club assemblies, monthly classification talks from new members, and encouraged everyone to suggest ideas for good programs that are informative, entertaining, non-commercial, non-political.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist as chair of Public Relations encouraged participation by submitting requests for press releases on upcoming and past events and helping to report on the meeting through the bulletin.

Mark Masterson spoke about the Community Service committee and has a co-chair, Chum Berry. Plans are underway for helping seniors with home maintenance, Camden lamp posts, and other improvement projects. Generally, meetings are in the morning for an hour or less.

Tim Dresser announced a potential service project of a 40' wheelchair ramp for a family with a wheelchair-bound child. More information is being gathered, so stay tuned about that potential service project.

Jim Potter as chair of the Vocational Service Committee talked about the class that the committee plans and leads, and the scholarships that the committee manages every year.

Deb Hitchings, chair of International Service is a large committee with youth exchange and interact subcommittees. They fund projects internationally that come to the club through members of the club. The areas of focus are peace and conflict resolution, clean water, education, maternal and child health and economic and community development. They meet the 4^th Wednesday at the Bagel Cafe, youth exchange at 7a, International committee at 8a. Heidi Karod spoke about the exchange committee, which has 11 members. The club typically hosts 2 inbound and outbound students each year. This year students are coming from Denmark and Japan. There is also a short-term exchange program that is growing. The committee interviews students and host families. Sunday there will be a picnic from 11a-1p at Laite Beach for returning students and those going outbound this year. Karen Hansen talked about the very active Interact Club that meets during the school year at the high school every Tuesday at 2:15p. Many projects are done in conjunction with the Camden Rotary Club. Interact had 65 students participating this past year.

Jane Lafleur is chair of the Foundation committee for the club. She explained the difference between the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and the West Bay Rotary Foundation, which makes grants for community charities and international projects

Barbara Heard announced that a Road Rally and Picnic at the Dresser's is being planned for September 13, 2014.

Tim Dresser is soliciting ideas for the President's project this year.

Kristen Lindquist introduced Don Reimer, a local expert in birding. He focused his talk on the migration of birds through our area and throughout the year, and shared many photographic images he has taken. He showed many images of different warblers, black birds, robins, wood peckers, sparrows, crows, loons, ducks, geese, gulls, terns, egrets, herons, cranes, puffins, cormorants, vultures, falcons, eagles, and explained some of the physiological adaptations of species, growth of populations, endangered species from habitat loss here and and other parts of the world where the birds nest. Overall, birds are moving further north to nest.

 

Susan Dorr completed the Red Badge program as a new member, and earned her blue badge.  Congratulations, Susan! Chad Place was inducted, sponsored by Joanne Miller. Welcome, Chad. Next Monday, June 30 is our Annual Dinner at the Samoset.  See Barbara Heard if you want to go. Space is just about sold out. There will be a regular meeting next week on Thursday, July 3, and first for incoming President Tim Dresser.

Heidi Karod on fiddling with violins, Annual Dinner June 30, Maine Boats Homes & Harbors Show in August, Chowder Challenge

Heidi Karod gave a talk on violins, fiddles, violas, their differences, similarities and histories. She was “pinch-hitting” for the speaker who was unable to get to Camden in time (a returning exchange student). She demonstrated the differences in technique by playing traditional fiddle songs and classical violin pieces.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist provided Rotary Information with a limerick about West Bay Rotary.

Sign up for the Annual Dinner June 30 at the Samoset. See Barbara Heard. There will be a meeting on Thursday of that week, July 3.

Mark Masterson is looking for chowder contributions for the Chowder Challenge Windjammer Weekend (August 30, 2014, Saturday of Labor Day weekend). 8 gallons per chowder provider is needed.

Rodney Lynch is planning West Bay Rotary's participation in the Maine Boats Homes & Harbors show in August. He is looking for volunteers to help with the ticket gates, and encouraging people to wear their Rotary gear (shirts, hats, etc.) to promote Rotary.

Karen Hansen was honored for her service as club Secretary, leader of Interact, host mother of an exchange student this year and for her many other contributions to West Bay Rotary.Chad Place is being proposed for membership in Rotary. He lives in Belfast, and works for Camden National in Rockland.

Next week's speaker is Don Reimer on birding in the Midcoast.

 

Today’s speaker was Susan Dorr giving her classification talk.

She talked first about her parents and their influence upon her. She grew up in Connecticut. She is married to Greg Dorr, former member of WBR, and they have a son, Ben, who is a chef. They have traveled to the Yucatan several times, and have strong relationships with a family there whose son spent a year here with them going to the Riley School. Susan has worked in real estate, served on the Camden select board for two terms, and in the Maine Legislature as a representative for the Camden and Rockport district. She and Greg applied to the Peace Corp and were sent to Malawi. She spent 7 months, and he spent two years on that assignment. She resumed her work on her bachelor’s degree when she returned, and eventually purchased the popular consignment business that was Frugal Suzie’s with Kate Bates. Now open on Sundays, they employ five people.

Buckets on the table are for the new Lincolnville Food Pantry.

Terry Bregy presented Rotary Information. It was his annual “What kind of Rotarian are you?” using animal and bird acronyms, like Bears, Busy Energetic Active Rotarians.

Jane recognized Tim and Lisa Dresser as unsung heroes.

Chick Bailey, long-time member of the club, passed away recently, as did his wife.

John Viehman was recognized for completing the Red Badge program as a new member of West Bay Rotary and given a blue badge.

Nathan Sole, recently returned exchange student to Chile, will speak next week.

 

Speaking today were Sarah Ruddy, Executive Director, and Jo Dondis, Board Chair of the board of the Friends of the Strand Theater in Rockland. The Strand was recently given to the Friends of the Strand Theater by the family of the late Matt Simmons, who purchased and renovated the historic theater ten years ago.

Jo’s grandfather built the Strand, and she grew up seeing movies there, worked there, and after a career in broadcast journalism and living in southern California, returned to live in Rockport and was recruited to join the effort to preserve the Strand for the community following the death of its owner, Matt Simmons.

The group converted to a digital projector and successfully applied for non-profit status from the IRS in 2013. It has fully transitioned from private to non-profit ownership during the past year. It has also raised funds to secure its operating expenses for the near-term.
Sarah Ruddy described the film, HD, live music and other programming taking place at the Strand. The Strand is available for rent for special events.  She also talked about the new membership program at the Strand.

Amber Hefner completed the Red Badge program and has a blue member badge.

 

Terry Bregy also received a  special pin for sponsoring John Viehman.

 

Sunday at 1:30p at the Lutheran Church on Old County Road there will be a thank-you event for the Hospitality House volunteers, and Rotarians are invited.  FMI contact Jane Lafleur.
Jane acknowledged the work of the weekly “set-up” crew that arrives by 6:30a to get the room ready for our meetings, and then puts everything away afterward.
Bruce Malone presented Rotary Information.
Two non profits, the Food Pantry and PAWS, are organizations that the club recognizes and promotes every year.  PAWS had a display, and their development director and volunteer coordinator Joelle Allbury, spoke to the club. The organization recently purchased the former Camden First Aid building on John Street in Camden. The current location is Camden Street in Rockport, opposite the Hannaford Plaza.  May 6 is the third-annual Cinco de Meow, with Marriners, Fog Bar and others participating. A display from PAWS animal shelter was on a table at the meeting.
 
Tom Albertson reported on last Saturday’s E-Waste event was successful. Gross revenue was $2,200. Rockland Rotary is conduc-

Noel Cox gave a Classification Talk. She was born in South Africa during WWII. South Africa was part of the UK, and she lost family members to Britain’s efforts. She grew up on the ocean.  She began traveling at the age of 17 when she traveled by ship to Europe up the east coast of Africa to Italy. She worked as a housekeeper in Brussels, and married an American, and then came to the US in 1963.  She worked as a young mother as a school bus driver, later manager and driving instructor. She moved to Maine in 1980 and worked in a shoe store and at Boynton McKay as a “soda jerk” and was hired by the local travel agency, Camden Travel, as an agent and international travel specialist. She was able to return to South Africa to visit in 1985.  She took a job in a theme park and returned to Camden and became a citizen in 1987.  Her daughter Meghan became a foreign correspondent. She joined West Bay Rotary in 1988. She was a GSE Team Leader to a district in Australia.  She served as GSE chair for District 7790 for 13 years. After retiring from what had become Hewin’s Travel in 2000, she became a tour guide for Tauck Tours which was cut short by the events of 9/11/2001 and their impact on world travel.  She has five grandchildren.
President Jane is still soliciting members to attend District Conference in May in Bangor.  FMI contact her.
Buckets this month are for Midcoast Literacy Volunteers
Terry Bregy presented Rotary Information about Rotary humor.

West Bay Rotary is applying for two district grants: one is for Meals on Wheels and the other a project in Northern Peru. Both of those applications are due by the end of April, and informing the club is part of the process. Please see Jane with any questions.
Sandy announced that Tuesday May 6, at 5p, at the Lord Camden Inn,  will be a “Fireside chat” for new members of the past two years, but all are welcome to come and learn about Rotary and spend time with new members.
Mark Masterson is looking for applications from non profits interested in a grant from the charitable fund of the club.  They should be submitted by the last week of May.
The club survey ranked highest projects helping people with yard maintenance. Mark is working on setting up a community service opportunity as a result.
This Saturday is EWaste from 9a-3p, Tom Albertson still needs people to sign up for afternoon shifts, at the location of the former Rockport Elementary School on West Street. Coffee and donuts will be there for the morning, and pizza will be served for lunch.
Interact did a Polar Dip in Rockport harbor and will be posting information at storm drains about hazardous environmental materials.  They also did a Rockport Harbor Park clean up on Earth Day.
Peter Berke reported on the plans for the Duck Derby. He needs people to sign up to sell tickets at French and Brawn.  Sign-up sheets are at club meetings or contact Peter. He will likely be holding a meeting next Wednesday.
Next week’s speakers will be Sarah Ruddy, Executive Director, and Jo Dondis, board chair of the Strand Theater in Rockland.

Bleachers for Camden Hills Regional High School, Zack Herrick induction, West Bay at the Business Showcase, The Rotary Wheel, The tradition of Singing, E Waste, Fireside Chat, Duck Derby and Elaine Nutter draws Boardwalk to win!

 

Today’s meeting was a Club Assembly. Last week, Andrew Stewart from Hope Elephants spoke, and Bruce Malone dressed to tell the club about Rotary fellowship groups like Yachting Rotarians. 

 

President Jane awarded Mark Masterson a second Paul Harris Fellow as a result of his participation in the EREY (Every Rotary Every Year) program.
Zack Herrick is being proposed for membership.  He works at Athena Health and is a volunteer firefighter with the Camden Fire Department.
May 16-18, 2014 is District Conference in Bangor, at the Cross Insurance Center.  A group from the club plans to go, and if others are interested, please let President Jane know within the week so the club can cover registrations fees. There’s a golf tournament, lobster bake, service project at Sarah’s House, suicide prevention training, dinner-dance.
Sandy provided a tutorial on Club Runner and My Rotary. Going to rotary.org, then click on My Rotary, enter the information for Account registration, using the email you use for Club Runner. Then “Continue” and if the email is correct, it will tell you, and if it’s not, it will ask for additional information to continue.
Once logged-in, you will have access to information about West Bay Rotary and District 7790. GO TO PROFILE will allow you to complete your profile using the “locked” and “unlocked” icon, and it can be made secure and not available to the public, but included in club fact.
May 6, 2014 will be a new member “fireside chat” at the Handley Center in Rockport, in the evening with wine.
Mark Masterson updated the club on community service plans.  He’s exploring projects with local trails, and helping seniors with home maintenance projects.  They’ll be soliciting proposals for charitable funds soon, and Four-Way reading test at Camden Rockport Elementary over 4 weeks and is looking for volunteers.
West Bay will have a display at the Business Showcase next Wednesday at the Samoset, 2-7p, and will promote EWaste, Duck Derby and Chowder Challenge later this year.
Ken Gardiner is looking for business sponsorships for the Duck Derby. They need at least 10 sponsors, $100 each, which will put names and logos on posters, in all publications. Banner will be printed next week, so sign up now. Logos should be emailed to Tim Dresser. Sale of ducks will start soon.
Rodney Lynch will be organizing for the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors Show, the weekend of August 8, and looking for volunteers.
E Waste is Saturday, April 26 from 9-3, at the former location of the Rockport Elementary School on West Street, Rockport. 

John Viehmann's classification talk, Getting our Ducks in a Row!

We welcomed back three travelers: Mike Pierce, Deb Hitchings and Mark Masterson.
John Viehmann Classification Talk
John is a marketing professional, and has had a focus on the outdoors as a writer and marketer. He’s worked in tv on Trailside and 30 episodes of Anyplace Wild, both public tv shows. He shared video from the latter, and slides from adventures in New Zealand, with Sir Edmun Hilary’s son, Peter, Belize, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the western US, including Mt. St. Helens and the Green river, and even Matinicus Rock in Penobscot Bay.  Activities included mountaineering, kayaking, bushwacking, canoeing, and sailing.
He has testified before a US Senate subcommittee to support funding for more recreational trails. He helped create the multi-use Coast-to-Coast trail across the mid-section of the US. He is a co-founder of the American Hiking Society and National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June for the past 20 years.
He’s now involved locally in the community with the Windjammer Festival, the Town of Rockport (Budget, Planning and Branding committees) UMCC and West Bay Rotary.

Skip Day continued his Rotary Information series on ethics and leadership.

The Duck Derby is coming up May 31, 2014. Peter Berke reported on prizes, including cash and a trip, Etienne’s jewelry, dinner at Hartstone Inn and a cruise on the Surprise. They event hopes to have 10 sponsors, and has 4 so far, looking for 6 more. Tickets will be sold at various locations, not just by Rotarians:  New England RE, Loyal Biscuit, Bagel Café and others.
Jim Potter reported on the first class for the entrepreneurs class which was last night.  There are 10 students and he provided the class schedule on the tables.   The class runs through April 16.
Next week:  Hope Elephants.
Deb Hitchings is glad to be back from Lesotho.  The club’s spontaneous donation at the meeting before she left allowed her to throw a party for more than 200 children with KFC, apples and more. She will give a talk on her trip next month.

From Skip Day: A reminder of Food Pantry items:

March 27 - Basic Stock Week

Canned or Packaged Tuna Fish, Spaghetti Sauce, Packaged Spaghetti Noodles, Quart Size Plastic Zippered Storage Bags

Bruce Malone and the Erie Canal

For the intrepid among us who braved the tail-end of the overnight storm, Bruce Malone gave a presentation about his 9 day trip through the Erie Canal in his 22’ wooden Swedish—built lap strake motor boat in August 2013, about ¾ of the way to Rochester, NY. He plans to complete the canal this summer. He passed through many locks.  Guard gates were also present to protect downstream populations.  The tallest is 40’, raising a boat that distance to pass through to the next section of the canal. He saw kayaks, excursion boats, barges but overall, not much traffic. Locks were designed for 300’ barges. 

 

Buckets on the table are for the Japanese Middle School Trip.

Sandy Cox presented an EREY sticker to Etienne.   

Terry announced that Mr. John Viehman will give a classification talk.

This year’s district conference is May 16-18 in Bangor, and President Jane would like to have West Bay Rotarians there.  

Here's a letter provided by Skip Day:

Soup Kitchen items for the rest of March:

March 20 - Soup and Stew Week

Canned or Packaged Soups

Canned Hearty soups

Canned Beef Stew

 

March 27 - Basic Stock Week

Canned or Packaged Tuna Fish

` Spaghetti Sauce

Packaged Spaghetti Noodles

Quart Size Plastic Zippered Storage Bags

 

Rick Bresnahan presenting on the PITCH, new members Susan Dorr and Sal Gorazzo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make A Wish, "Happy 109th Birthday to Rotary" and more!

Donnalee Dinapoli and Tom Peaco, Executive Director of Make A Wish Foundation of Maine that strives to bring hope, strength and healing to children with life-threatening illness.  They have a staff of 6 and 200 volunteers statewide.  Make A Wish Maine started in Camden in 1992, and is now headquartered in Portland. Maine Medical Center is their primary referral source. Make A Wish Maine is their Facebook page, where you can learn more about wishes and events, and a their website, www.maine.wish.org.

Skip Day wants everyone to know the food pantry items that are being collected over the month of March.  Here’s the schedule:

March 13 Vegetable Week

Canned Vegetables

Canned Fruits

Canned Baked Beans

March 20 - Soup and Stew Week

Canned or Packaged Soups

Canned Hearty soups

Canned Beef Stew

March 27 - Basic Stock Week

Canned or Packaged Tuna Fish

Spaghetti Sauce

Packaged Spaghetti Noodles

Quart Size Plastic Zippered Storage Bags

 

Joan LeMole has completed the red badge program as a new member, and Jane presented her with her new blue badge.

Terry Bregy presented Rotary Information about the beginning of Rotary February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, 109 years ago this week.

By 1924 over 1500 clubs were represented at the annual Convention in Toronto.  Now Rotary has over 1.2M members in 166 countries around the world.

Jane announced two new members are being proposed, Susan Dorr and Sal Bourazza.

Sandy Cox presented Every Rotary Every Year stickers to Kim Milton and Tom Albertson.

Plans for the annual meeting are underway for a dinner in late June.

Penny shared news of the two scholarships that were given by the club to students for this year’s Camden Conference, one to a Unity College student and another to a Venezuelan in high school. Their essays were shared on the tables at the meeting. The topic was food and water.

Heidi reported for the Youth Exchange committee, which has 5 short term exchange students, 4 from Camden Hills and one from the Watershed School.

Noel reported that Deb Hitchings has written from Africa, and will be back to share with the club the progress of the two students the club sponsors and the village in Lesotho.

Duck Derby planning with meet Friday March 7 at 7:30a. Be in touch with Peter Berke if you want to help.

Next week’s speaker is from The Pitch, a new indoor facility on Route 90.

Jay Foster on Camden, Lincolnville and the Statue of Liberty, Plans for Duck Derby and Amori Prefecture, Japan 8th Grade exchange

Mary Carver Moriarty, and reports on a successful Toboggan Nationals Weekend

 

 

Jane asked for brief moment of silence for Douglas Green, former member of the club and Paul Harris fellow, who passed away recently.

Joe Curll from the Coastal Opportunities program, which since 1971 has been providing community support and residential services to adults with intellectual disabilities, was the guest speaker. Their thrust is to get their clientele out into the community as employees and volunteers. They employ 90 people and have a budget of over $1M annually.

They have residents, and also have arranged for volunteer opportunities at Tanglewood in the summer, the John St. Methodist church, Hope Animal Shelter, Meals on Wheels,  Windward Gardens, Lutheran Church and Owls Head Transportation Museum. They also have recreational programs like Tennis for Fun that involves local high school students as volunteers, Weaving and Yoga.  At the Coats Center, they do physical therapy work with those who have physical challenges, and occupational therapy.  Volunteer readers also lead a reading program. The Y is also used for physical therapy and exercise and building coordination. There is a woodshop that is used for projects, one of which is walking sticks made from limbs cleared at Tanglewood.

CO holds an annual Fishing Derby, begun in 2008.  The Lions Club hosts an annual day for people with disabilities which includes the clients of Coastal Opportunities.  The schooner Olad has taken the group out for the past several years.

They operate 8 residential sites in Owls Head, Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Thomaston, Hope. They are supported by Medicaid and private philanthropy. They would like to find an accessible camp for residents to use in the summer. They have a Special Olympic team that competes.

They are one of the four agencies that will benefit from Pop the Cause this summer.

Joe is past president and member of Camden Rotary.

The club recognized Melvin with a mug, for his service to the club, and his birthday.

 

Buckets for February will benefit New Hope for Women.

Etienne Perret tried to present Rotary Information, but the technology equipment was not able to share a video about a water project in Tanzania.

Deb Hitchings is returning to Lesotho later this month, and the hat was passed to give her funds for school supplies and other supplies for the children.

 

 

Sandy Cox presented Mary Sargeant and Jim Potter with EREY stickers. He also shared a video on the work of Rotary to relieve suffering and build peace and understanding around the world to encourage support the Every Rotary Every Year Campaign.

 

Next week’s speaker is Mary Moriary, a novelist and wife of Bob Stiehler.

Toboggan Nationals this weekend:

Chili Challenge (11a – 2p) has 8 vendors, could still use a few volunteers for parking from 9:30a – 1:00p and 1:00p – 3:30p.

Let Steve Dailey or Sandy Cox know if you can help.  Down the Chute is welcoming more volunteers, 3-7, set up at 2p. Ken Gardiner announced sponsorships of about $1,400 .

 

Mid Coast Interact, Shelter Boxes, Christmas Tree Sales, Holiday Dinner Plans

   

Chick Carroll, The Gathering Place, Brunswick

  

Amy Root, LifeFlight Foundation, LifeFlight of Maine, report on Polio Walk, Holiday Dinner plans and Down the Chute 2014

  
 

 

  

  

On July 11, 2013 Jane Lafleur presided over her first meeting as President of West Bay Rotary. 

 

 
  After introductions of visiting guests, Chase Lasbury was presented his active member badge.

 

 

 

 

 

President Jane's Project for the year will be to help Hospitality House, which helps homeless families in our community.  Money in the buckets on the tables for July will be donated.  As it was a club assembly, all committee chairs discussed their plans for the year and how members can help by getting involved.

The August 9 - 11 Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show is coming up quickly! Volunteers get a free t-shirt and entry to the show.  President Jane also reviewed the current calendar of events for the year, and mentioned ongoing: Bottle Return at Coastal Opportunities for WBR, Gary Walker did Rotary Information on the history of the case involving the Duarte (CA) Rotary Club that ultimately resulted in the Supreme Court decision requiring service clubs to allow women.

 

At the July 18, 2013 meeting, Elaine Nutter gave her classification talk, after Kristen Lindquist read a poem by Mary Oliver. 

 Read it here: http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/133.html

  

 

She presented a slide show of photos she titled "As Time Goes By" and told 3 stories demonstrating three aspects of her life, her work ethic and her perspective on education and how even one teacher can change a child's life.

  

 Sign up for MBH&H Show August 9 - 11, being organized again this year by Rodney Lynch.

A Progressive Dinner is being organized by Roberta Walker, for either September 21 or 28.  Stay Tuned.

Gary Walker gave Rotary Information speaking about the current make up of the Rotary Board and the Rotary Foundation Board.  The Foundation Board includes District 7780 PDG Mike McGovern of the So. Portland/Cape Elizabeth Club.

Terry auctioned off a polo shirt and fleece vest donated by PP David Wiggin.  Sandy is assembling a work crew for August 27 8-12 to build four 6' picnic tables for Fernald's Neck.

  

Exchange Student events to which WB Rotarians are invited:  Sunday, July 21 from 12-2 at Laite Beach and at 3p at Lincolnville Beach.

Next week: Cate Lamb's daugher will speak about her exchange experience in Japan

At the June 14, 2013 Meeting, Dan Bookham gave his classification talk, describing growing up as the son of a member of the RAF, moving alot, attending boarding school, college and then finding his way to the US and Maine, meeting his wife Jess, having their daughter Scout, working in radio, non profits, the Chamber and now the Allen Agency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noel Cox attended District Conference in Quebec and she and the club were recognized for service to the Group Study Exchange Programs.

A plaque was presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members are encouraged to register for the Club Dinner at the Samoset on July 2, 2013 where we will have cocktails with the Rockland and Camden Clubs before having our annual club dinner.  Sign-up is available at club meetings.  Cost is $30 pp.

 

On June 21, President Sandy organized and treated the club to a hot breakfast, with lots of help from Lisa, Mark and others in the kitchen.