01 April 2021
Speaker of the Day: Ron Howard, Blueberry Farming
01 April 2021
Pre-meeting Chatter! Bob is coming North in a week or so, everyone is getting in their next shots! Happy Birthday April Fools Baby! Golf is beginning in the North! Getting a lot or rain today, >1.5 inches. Lots of members volunteering at the vaccine clinics!
Buckets on the Table: Mid Coast Recovery Coalition (drop off donations to Kim at the bank in Camden –next to Hannaford- or mail to PO Box 1033, Camden 04843 – or website donation site using the donate button).
Poem for the Day: Cindy – West Bay Rotary, Next Week – Tom Peaco
Sponsor Minute: Leamon Scott – William CPA group. Strategic advice and David is an honorary member that works with our club.
Rotary Minute: Bob Williams – Rotary in Totalitarianism. Encourage and foster volunteering and international responsibility. When conflict arises, how do we pick up and carry on? Nazis, in Germany tried to stop what Rotary values. 1937 stopped in Germany because they could not control clubs. This spread across many countries and a lot of clubs were closed or suspended. Great Britain was able to keep going but many Rotarians actually lost their lives during these years. 489 clubs were closed 16K members removed, underground groups were developed.
Speaker of the Day: Ron Howard, Blueberry Farming
Retired from Aldermeer and now farming Hope’s Brodis Wild (not cultivated) Blueberries. Blueberries are a product of glacial retreat a long time ago! 1500 unique plants can survive in a single field! Allows them to thrive over the centuries. Native Americans learned to manage the crops, they are a bi-annual plant, discovered that burning to the ground will prune and product new growth and more berries. Blueberries were critical to the union soldiers, during 1900’s freezing became very popular and expanded during this time. 480 blueberry farms in Maine, 36K acres of blueberries but things are changing.
High bush cultivated berries from New Jersey have been developed. They have been genetically modified for consistency but are not as tasty as the wild. Tougher skins allows for shipping and now are growing all over the US and South America. The market is filling up with these berries.
This product is like Maine’s Lobster…but there are health benefits to Maine’s wild berries. High in antioxidants in 0.5 -1 cup of berries at day, 33% more fiber and other nutrients from our wild friends, they are also anti-inflammatory and slow down cancer in the body. Great for cardiovascular lowers by 24%, weight loss, increase cognitive focusing and assist in wound healing. Basically, Blueberries are Good for You! The white film on the fresh berry is also good for you (it gets washed off during processing). Canada is subsidizing wild blueberry growers, therefore Maine is having an issue competing with them. Selling to Wyatt and wine, vinegar and distilleries! Jams, pies and fresh to public sales. Trying to connect people and vendors to the farmers. Wild Blueberry Weekends during harvest will be open to the public to advance the presence of blueberries in Maine. The Fruit with Grit!
Committee Reports:
Looking for committee leads for next year, looking for interested folks who want to participate. Some Big rolls to replace. Treasurer, Membership, Public Relations, Secretary…Reach out to Mark, Ken or Lisa!
Book Club: (members also include Camden Club) April 13th, Grace Metalious, Peyton Place Contact Kristen for link! Booklist is on the website!
Community: Next Habitat Project will be in April 3rd, 0830 to noon. Let Tim Dresser know if you are interested in hanging out with some builders! (Philbrick Ave, Rockland) Come Join Us
Paul Harris Award: Connie Perret!
Membership: Looking for an interim lead for this. A co-chair is in the wings but still need another chair!
Satellite: Contact JP for the link to attend. Meeting March 25th, 5:15 pm via zoom! Park bench painting coming up!
Next Week’s Speaker: Stephen Huyler/Author-India Expert