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MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
As we continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation we’ll examine April’s Area of Focus “Maternal and Child Health. Perhaps your club is considering a District or Global Grant in this area?
Rotary Showcase provided me with information on one such grant opportunity within the US.
The Rotary Club of Cameron Park donated two baby carrier stroller combinations for the new mothers and babies at The Mother Teresa Maternity Home. The Home is a drug and alcohol free, non-denominational facility. In order to qualify for residency in the home the woman must be at least 18 years old or emancipated by a court of law. Reasons for coming to the home are: being homeless or escaping a violent environment. Some of our residents have come from rehab and have no money and no place to go. “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” -Mother Teresa, MC (Missionaries of Charity). Your generosity helped us to continue our services to those in need every minute of every day in its mission of providing a temporary residence, in a safe environment, for pregnant women in need; to help them with referrals to existing community services and agencies, and to encourage communications with their families.
Your District Foundation Team has worked hard to make applying for a Grant easy by taking classes online. Go to rotary7780.org to learn more. Application deadline is June 1.
While you are there…consider signing up for the 2017 District Conference which will be at the Samoset this year. Hope to see you there.
DISTRICT HISTORY
No stories submitted!
Last Month’s and This Month’s District History Request:
There is no specific history request for this month. I would love to see and put on the District History page anyone’s stories about projects, grants, NIDS or other trips that you have taken to help others around the world. Local projects are also welcome. The Rotarians in this district do so much good and should be so proud of what they do to make this a better world. Often times if you don’t “Toot your own horn” no one else will. PLEASE share your stories for everyone to see. Pictures are always welcome along with your stories.
So what is your story? What kind of impact did it have on you and the recipients?
REMEMBER, ONE MEMBER CAN & DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
A NEW TWIST!
I would like to start adding some individual club history to the District Website. Starting with the Club Presidents from day one of your club through 2016-2017 Rotary year. Send me the list of all your club presidents’ names and the date they served. We have 40 clubs and it would be great to have all 40 clubs and their past presidents listed before all that information is lost. This could just be the start of developing the information on our clubs on the District website. By the time you read this I will have the Rotary Club of Kittery, Maine Club Presidents’ names and dates of service listed in the District History. Who will be the next club to be added?
PLEASE send your stories and your club presidents’ names and dates of service to me at mawilliamspdg@comcast.net along with your name and the name of your Rotary Club. The names of all those who share “their stories and information” will be in next month’s newsletter and their “stories and club information” will be posted to the District History on the appropriate page for everyone to read. If you have any District History information, please share it with me so it can be posted to the District History page on District 7780’s website.
Last Call to Book Your Room for the District Conference!
The final Deadline to book your room at the Samoset Resort for Rotary's cost of $164 per night is Tuesday, April 18th. After 4/18, the rooms will go back up to a substantially higher regular pricing!
So don't delay, book your room today!
And, while you're at it, don't forget to register for the conference. Deadline to register is Monday, May 1st.
Deadline to Book a Room: Tuesday, April 18th. To receive Rotary's discounted rate, follow the link on the DC Registration page. Do not call the Samoset directly, as you will not get the discounted pricing!
Deadline to Register for the Conference: Monday, May 1st. Go to: DC REGISTRATION
This year’s District Conference setting at the beautiful Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME will undoubtedly be a memorable experience for all involved. This 230 acre historic resort along the scenic rocky coast of Penobscott Bay will be host to a very informative and motivational conference with the focus being on a critical issue facing us in New England and across the United States: Heroin. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) calls it, “a crisis of historic proportions” as it is revealed that 44 people a DAY die in the United States from opioid overdose.
We will have a multi-faceted panel discussion consisting of experts in the field of substance use disorders and recovery, law enforcement officials and Rotarians to speak on the current status of the crisis, available resources, and as to what clubs within our District are already working on as it relates to the prevention of substance use. In addition we will hear what we as Rotarians can do and become a major proponent in the fight against heroin and substance use disorders.
On Saturday, May 20, 2017, our District Conference will feature a facilitated discussion with a panel of experts in the field of substance use disorder, long-term recovery, law enforcement, and how Rotarians can be involved. It will touch on the current status of our heroin crisis, available resources, and what clubs from around the district are doing as it relates to the epidemic. The goal of this facilitated panel is to encourage clubs from around District 7780 to take action, not only within our own communities, but to come together as a District in order to inspire others from around the world to fight this epidemic. We are over 1.2 million Rotarians strong worldwide with common goals for the betterment of humanity. By working together we can have an enormous impact on reducing substance use disorders, therefore saving lives which are our most valuable asset. Please join us and be prepared to get inspired!
JUSTON MCKINNEY is coming to our District Conference on May 20th!
With multiple performances on The Tonight Show, his own Comedy Central specials and consistently selling out theaters, he’s at the top of his game.
Juston grew up living on the border of New Hampshire and Maine. After earning an associates degree from the very prestigious Southern Maine Community College, he was hired as a deputy Sheriff patrolling the same border in which he grew up. But in 1997 Juston turned in his gun and badge and left the dangerous streets of rural Maine and moved to the quiet community of Queens, New York. While living in NYC he worked his way into the weekend line-up at Comic Strip Live, Stand-Up New York, Dangerfield’s, Gotham, Carolines on broadway and the New York Times called him, “Destined for stardom.” Juston would go on to sign sitcom development deals with Warner Brothers, CBS Productions, IFC and Comedy Central.
He has appeared on a half dozen Comedy Central shows including his half hour Comedy Central Presents and his 1-hour special Juston McKinney-A Middle-Class Hole, which was released by Warner Bros. He has appeared numerous times on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as the, Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. He was chosen to be part of the Blue Collar Comedy” Next Generation” Tour, with Bill Engval, which aired on TBS and had his own weekly show on Sirius/XM radio, Live From the Woods with Juston McKinney.
His TV credits include; The King of Queens, the Sidney Lumet drama 100 Centre Street. His movie credits include The Zoo Keeper and Here Comes the Boom.
Juston also wrote, created and starred in the web series Hosed, about a volunteer fire department in the fictitious town of Effingwoods, NH. It caught the eye of Denis Leary and his production company Apostle. Juston then wrote the pilot and it was sold to IFC.
He currently lives in New Hampshire with his wife, kids and dogs.
Yet Another Reason to Attend the District Conference - GOLF!
Are you a golfer? Have you ever played the Samoset Resort course in Rockport on the ocean? It is know as the "Pebble Beach of the East" because of its beautiful, panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a challenging, but not unreasonably difficult course, well within the reach of most golfers. We will be able to make tee times and play during the conference. When I spoke with the head golf professional last summer, he told me that a round of golf would probably be $75 for 18 holes, but he said he could not guarantee that until the spring. I have not yet been able to confirm with him because the course and pro shop are closed for the winter and will not reopen until mid-April.
This will also be an opportunity to join with the Rotarians at the conference who will be doing the walk/run fun 5K and raise some money for Polio Plus. We will be working up some fun side-games for the golfers that will result in increased support for our effort to eradicate polio. Stay tuned.
If you are already registered for the conference, or if you plan on registering, and are interested in playing some golf during your stay, please email me so I can create a list and pass along information when I am able to connect with the pro shop. Believe me, if you have not played this course, when you walk up the 14th fairway and crest the hill and behold the magnificent view of the ocean, you will be so glad you signed up. It is a truly fabulous layout. Many of us had a terrific time playing back in 2009 during PDG Brad Jett’s District conference. My email is lkfurbish@mac.com.
Please Enter Our District Conference Reverse Raffle in Honor of the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation!
We have had a silent auction or raffle for years at our District Conference. This year, District Governor Marge has suggested a reverse raffle instead. In honor of the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation, you will have one ticket entered into the raffle for each $100 you donate to either The Annual Fund or to PolioPlus when signing up for the District Conference. The conference registration form enables you to make contributions to The Annual Fund and PolioPlus at the time you register. You will receive full Foundation credit for the money you donate to The Annual Fund or PolioPlus in connection with the raffle.
As you do not need to be present at the conference to win, contact raffle co-chair George Rice, gwrice@myfairpoint.net, if you wish to make donations and be entered into the raffle, but will not be able to attend the conference.
In a reverse raffle, the first tickets drawn will not win anything, then, depending on the number of prizes we have, the remaining tickets will win prizes. These drawings will take place several times during the District Conference, each time with the earlier tickets drawn not winning anything and the subsequent tickets winning prizes. Our clubs donate most of the prizes. Some of our sponsors and past, present and future governors will be donating prizes too. (The number of winners will be determined by the number of prizes donated!)
While we hope you will attend the conference, our Assistant Governors will ensure that any prize you win is delivered to you if you are not present during the drawing.
Thank you for your support in honor of the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation! Come join the fun at the Conference!
George Rice and John LoBosco, Raffle Co-Chairs
District Training Assembly
Last call! Don’t miss the District Training Assembly, Saturday April 8!
Please come, it’s open to all Rotarians in District 7780. Bring a Rotary friend! We have sessions for the club secretary, treasurer, club protection officer, committee heads, board members, fundraisers, service project teams – everyone who wants to know more about Rotary and hear about our plans for the coming year!
At only $25, it’s affordable and we’ll be very efficient with your time. There’s fun on the agenda too…we promise!
The full agenda is at the link. Breakfast at 8:00, programs begin at 8:45, and by 12:30 we’ll adjourn. Many of us will head to Easy Day for an optional (not included in the price) lunch and bowling party! If you can’t bowl, come for cheer and cheering. This Assembly is often our largest single gathering of Rotarians in the year, we look forward to seeing all forty of our clubs turn out for fellowship and service.
District Visioning
The District Vision and Planning Committee is hosting the 9th in our series of “Vision to Plan” Workshops on Thursday, April 27, 2017.
We will continue our work to help clubs sharpen their vision and planning processes. Focus will be on club vision/re-vision, and defining SMART goals and actions plans. This training benefits new and experienced club leaders and committee members.
Event Details
Date: April 27, 2017
Workshop (6:00 - 8:00 pm): So. Portland Housing Authority, 100 Waterman Dr. South Portland, Maine. The Housing Authority is located just over the Casco Bay Bridge and right around the corner from the Snow Squall.
Optional Social Hour (4:45 – 5:45 pm): This is a well attended meet and greet of participants before we get to the work at hand. Snow Squall Restaurant, 18 Ocean St, S. Portland, ME 04107 - (207) 799-0811. Cash bar and appetizers are available.
The registration fee of $10.00 covers a light meal and supplies. The fee can be paid at the door or (preferably) in advance. Checks should be made payable to District 7780 and mailed to: Tony Wagner, 11 Todd Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107.
This invitation is open to all clubs whether or not they have conducted a vision session. Please plan to join us and RSVP by email to: tony.wagner163@gmail.com
Sincerely,
The District Vision and Planning Committee
C/O Tony Wagner, Dist. Coordinator
207-799-7997
Rotary Foundation Grants
Is Your Club Ready to Make a Difference?
Rotary Foundation Grants are the backbone of Rotary’s humanitarian work – and with “matches” from the District and Rotary International, a remarkable ROI. Are you ready to take advantage of Rotary Foundation grants and do good community or international service in 2017-18?
Your club must be “qualified” to get involved in Rotary grants. And part of that “qualification” requires your club to have two members successfully take the on-line grants management modules. Already, eight of our clubs have done this.
The course is online, completely free, and available anywhere, anytime. How convenient is that? No more heading out for a “terra” seminar on a Saturday morning when you would rather be shoveling snow or working in the yard. Instead, go to Rotary’s learning center: type in learn.rotary.org, and search for the District 7780 Annual Grants Training course. It’s that easy!
And, the first member of each club who successfully completes the course will receive (absolutely free) this year’s 2017-18 Grants Notebook, with all the info you need to successfully apply for, manage and close out your grant.
But remember: The course is only available through April 30! And if you are planning to go for a District Grant, the application must be received electronically at grants@rotary7780.org by June 1. So don’t delay!
Marty Helman
District Foundation Chair
Polio Plus Update
Have you considered joining the Polio Plus Society? This is a group of Rotarians who have stepped forward and pledged to contribute at least $100 each year to Polio Plus until we have achieved our goal and eliminated polio from the face of the earth. This was an initiative of PDG Ann Lee Hussey, begun during her District Governor year. It percolated along for a time and has more recently been revitalized, and lately, we have several new members thanks to the efforts of some Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Saco Bay. Right now, we have 14 district Rotarians who have made this commitment and we are looking for more. It’s really pretty easy. Go to this link, sign the form, give a copy to your club Foundation chair and email me a copy, and sometime during the year, make your contribution. Think how wonderful it will be when we no longer need to donate because we have succeeded in eliminating polio. Thanks for considering taking this small but important action.
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
Sponsors John Van Siclen and Larry Townley, President Bob Topper and sponsor Lorraine Faherty welcome two new members: Roberta McLaughlin and Jen VanHorne. Great to add active, involved members!
The Rotary Club of Bath
The Morse Interact Club, with help from the BRCTC Culinary Arts students, held a Lunch For Leaders sandwich drive on February 10 to raise funds to send additional students to RYLA in June.
The Rotary Club of Bath has been serving the Bath community for nearly 100 years, providing financial and physical support to a variety of programs and causes whose aim is to make life better for people not only in the local community, but nationally and internationally as well. That includes supporting education. The Bath Rotary offers two scholarships for graduating Morse High School seniors who are continuing their education.
The Bath Rotary Trust also gives two scholarships to graduating seniors from the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center who are continuing their education. It was formed in 1973 to provide materials for construction of single-family modular dwellings built by students at the BRCTC under supervision of the school’s instructors. The sale of each modular home provides the seed money for the next construction project. The skills acquired enable the students to become proficient in construction, thus entering the workforce on a more competitive basis. The newest completed modular home is currently for sale and ready to be moved.
INTERACTORS PREPARE FOR TRIP TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
From March 26th through April 2nd, Interact students from the Lake Region High School, Fryeburg Academy, and Telstar Regional High School will travel to La Romana, Dominican Republic, with local Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region to do work at a school and playground in one of the bateys, a settlement where sugar cane cutters live. On Sunday night, March 12th, they had a packing party to load up all the supplies collected over the last months, which will be taken on the trip and distributed to the families.
Bridgton-Lake Region cont'd
COMMUNITY KETTLE
On March 9, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region cooked and served a chili dinner to residents of Bridgton for the weekly Community Kettle.
The Rotary Club of Brunswick
The Brunswick Rotary Club participates in so many local activities due to both member participation and fundraising. Our club’s next major fundraiser is the sixth annual “Midcoast Maine’s Got Talent,” which will be presented on Friday March 31 at the Crooker Theater, 116 Maquoit Road, in Brunswick (Brunswick High School). The program will start at 7 p.m. and will feature Kathi Kacinski from the Maine State Music Theater as the emcee. There are three highly qualified judges who will decide on the three top performers from the 16 contestants. The audience will then vote for the first, second, and third place winners. While the votes are being tabulated, The Meddiebemsters, the famous a cappella group from Bowdoin College, will entertain the audience. Tickets will go on sale at Crooker Theater at 6:30 on March 31. They are also available now at Shaw’s at Cook’s Corner, Riley Insurance (139 Maine Street) and Indrani’s in the Tontine Mall. Proceeds will benefit the Brunswick Community Fund for scholarships as well as the spring Bike Rodeo and the 4th of July Games on the Mall.
What is the Bike Rodeo? Brunswick Rotary has taken over the sponsorship started by the Brunswick Kiwanis Club many years ago. This is a community effort with the Town of Brunswick, Merrymeeting Merry Wheelers, the Brunswick Police department, Walmart, and Lowe’s. There will be bike safety inspections, an obstacle course to ride, food, fire safety demonstrations, more food, prizes, bike helmets for the kids, and lots of fun. The event is free to all.
What are the 4th of July Games? The Brunswick Rotary Club has sponsored this for many years. It consists of some old-fashioned games on the Brunswick Mall. Remember three-legged races, wheelbarrow races, balloon-carrying races, orange handoff relays, pie-eating contests, and watermelon eating contests? All these will be happening, and, once again, it is free to all ages.
Brunswick Rotary cont'd
HONORS PRESENTED TO STUDENTS
Region 10 Students Shelby Bishop and Gwen Roberge flank Assistant Director Cindy Hutchins as they receive Community Service Awards at the February 6th meeting of the Brunswick Rotary Club.
The Brunswick Rotary Club was chartered more than 90 years ago and now meets at The Daniel in Brunswick on Mondays at noon. It has been responsible for many national, international, and local projects in those years. They include fabrication and installation of the playground at the Tedford Shelter, the Fourth of July games on the Mall, the Bike Rodeo at Wal-mart, helping with the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, and Service Above Self Awards (awards to high schools students from Mt. Ararat High School, Brunswick High School, and Region 10 Vocational Ed School students). The club also sponsors students to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a multiple-day leadership program for high school sophomores.
The Brunswick Rotary Club has also provided bronze plaques for 16 sites of historical significance in the greater Brunswick area.
Internationally, the Brunswick Rotary Club has worked with Rotary District 7780 (southern Maine and southern New Hampshire) and Rotary International to obtain a grant for a veterinary clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan, and a major grant for Healthy Kids/Brighter Future in Lusaka, Zambia, which funds training local teachers to improve their hygiene education skills.
Those projects have been funded by local events such as the recent Art Feeds the HeArt and Mid Coast Maine’s Got Talent program. The next Mid Coast Maine’s Got Talent will be held on Friday, March 31.
The Rotary Club of Brunswick Coastal
DISTRICT GRANT PROVIDES FOR CHILDREN IN AFRICA
Phila Primary School learners Olwethu Hlatshwayo, Ayanda Ndaba and Sandisiwe Mathenjwa.
SCHOOL learners from Phila Primary School in Umlazi, were treated to an outing to the Phansi Museum in Glenwood on Friday as part of the Phansi Museum School Programme. Of the 97 learners, only one had visited a museum before. The outing was made possible through sponsorship by the Rotary Club of Brunswick Coastal in Topsham, Maine.
Above: McKenzie Ford and Cagney O'Brien collecting donations at Bath Ironworks early in the morning.
On Friday, March 17, members of the Interact Club got up early in the morning to go to Bath Ironworks to raise money for End Polio Now. Their early morning efforts (the bus left LA at 5:15 am) helped them raise almost $800 from the generous donations of BIW employees. "We managed to get to school on time too!" said Club Advisor Jen Anastasio. "We'd like to say a special 'thank you' to Mrs. Lisa Henny, Mr. Sturdevant and Mr. Anastasio for volunteering their early morning with us!"
The Rotary Club of Dover
ROTARIANS - NOBODY SAYS IT BETTER!
At a recent lunch meeting, our Sergeant at Arms asked everybody in the room to write two lines of poetry that would be assembled together into a poem. The topic was Fellowship and what in particular Rotary Fellowship means to them. The final product was both amusing and touching.
A long time ago in a place not too far away
Man and woman gathered together to turn the wheels of a group named Rotary.
Is it the truth? Is it Fair? Goodwill or friendships? Beneficial to all?
4 ways to live life, direct your career and compel others.
Rotary Fellowship comes in many forms
Bing, Meetings, board and community work.
It means caring, service above self, support
A fabulous group of business owners and citizens, yet most of all a place for friendship.
An opportunity to share, to laugh, to reflect, gain wisdom and connect.
It feels great to know we have friends all over town.
Community makes our lives rich,
We weave our tapestry stitch by stitch.
I have met some of my best friends through Rotary
I have had some of my best times as well.
Because of the people in my life
It has been relatively free of strife.
Hanging with Friends is great!
Even if you have a lot on your plate!
Rotary helps me to feel included
With fellowship, friendship and community.
To a new beginning with wonderful friends
The personalities so great, it would be hard to blend.
Wonderful hours with fine people I have spent,
Now I can do the same in retirement!
The Rotary Club of Freeport
The Freeport Rotary Club reaches serves local residents in need with a passion. You may have seen Rotarians recently “Stuffing the Bus” with donated food items in the Shaw’s parking lot in Freeport or selling Christmas trees by the Freeport Fire Station over the holidays. Rotary’s annual Close to the Coast Race is a major fundraiser in June at Winslow Park. Freeport Rotary uses such events to assist residents who need food or heat for their homes through a partnership with Freeport Community Services. Money raised also provides scholarships for local high school students.
Freeport Rotary meets weekly at 7 a.m. Wednesday at Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot Street, to discuss how to assist those in need, both locally and internationally. Rotarians help with multiple local projects, including Habitat for Humanity, Crutches for Africa, and support services for veterans. On an international level, Freeport Rotarians have funded basic supplies and water filters for communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. An international project supported by Freeport Rotary trains Kenyan women on how to grow and market agricultural crops.
On Sunday, March 5th, members of the Hampton Rotary Club met in the early morning hours to collect food donations from the participants of the Hampton Beach Half Marathon, sponsored by LOCO Sports.
As a result, 22 boxes of food were collected for several food pantries within our service area, which were then delivered by Hampton Rotarians to the Hobbs House, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, the United Methodist Church, and the Church of Christ.
Pictured above from left to right: Club President Rich Gibadlo, Hailee (Rich's granddaughter), Will Gonzalez, Dan Dolan, Dave Reid, Barbara Lizotte, Bill McGowan, and Joan Correll.
Lots of food was collected, as well as monetary donations received. Many thanks to the runners and LOCO Sports for supporting the Hampton Rotary, as well as our community!
The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside
KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
A community event: Kennebunk Portside Rotary’s Know your Community program brings together students, teachers, town staff, Rotarians and a popular Cape Porpoise business.
Pictured Above: Regina Graydon, teacher; Ella, student; Christine Faiella, store owner
Fifth grades students from Consolidated School recently visited Bradbury’s Market as a part of this year’s Know Your Community program sponsored by Kennebunk Portside Rotary. Students learned about owning and operating a grocery business from owners Christine and Jim Faiella. In addition to the Consolidated teachers and Portside Rotarians who accompanied the students, Director of Public Health, Judy Barrett, was on hand to talk about healthy food choices. Store owner Christine invited the young people to fill a shopping cart with healthy foods, which were then donated to Church Community Outreach Services (COS).
The Know Your Community program, now in its third year, was created by Rotarian Bill Leffler to provide young residents with the opportunity to visit and understand the businesses and services that make their community unique.
The Rotary Club of Kittery After Hours
MITCHELL SCHOOL MAINE AUTHOR SERIES AND ROTARY READERS
Kittery Rotary After Hours Club, in partnership with the Rotary Foundation, has been visiting Mitchell School as Rotary Readers to read to students in the classrooms during the school’s Maine Author Series. This is KRAH’s second phase of their three phase grant program to promote literacy in our community.
Four Maine children’s book authors are each scheduled to visit a different grade at Mitchell school this spring. Prior to each author’s visit, Rotary Readers are spending time with the students in that grade, reading books by the visiting author. Rotary Readers have completed reading to 2nd graders on January 23rd-27th for Ryan Higgins’ visit, and kindergarten classes on March 13th-17th in anticipation of Lynn Plourde’s visit on March 24th. Members of the club are enthusiastically looking forward to reading Jeannie Brett’s books to 1st graders on March 27th-31st, and Paul Durham’s books to the 3rd graders on April 24th-28th.
In KRAH’s next phase, they will be working on a Kittery Reads Book Exchange for students along with gifting books to each graduating senior from Kittery’s R.W. Traip Academy.
The Rotary Club of Portland
INTERACT STUDENTS ATTEND NEW GENERATIONS CONFERENCE
Three Portland High Interact members attended the New Generations Conference at Scarborough High School on Saturday, March 25th. Two of them, Safa Mohammad and Aisha Mukhtar, are 10th graders who attended the RYLA breakout session. They were excited about what they learned and are planning to apply to RYLA. They would like to encourage a friend to apply also.
From left to right are Safa Mohammad, Clay Bessire (11th grader), and Aisha Mukhtar.
The Rotary Club of Portland Sunrise
EASTER SEALS THANKS CLUB
Kate Quinn Finlay of Easter Seals Maine paid a visit to the Portland Sunrise club recently to present a photographic memento of the recent playground equipment project. Easter Seals Maine works with special needs children, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The existing playground equipment had to be removed for safety reasons, so the Portland Sunrise club, helped by a District Grant, provided replacement equipment so the kids would have somewhere safe and fun to play at recess.
The Rotary Club of River Valley
A ROTARIAN'S STORY - BY ROGER WHITEHOUSE
If you read this month's Rotarian, on the last page there's a quote:"The Good You Do Comes Back To You!" by Patrick Eakes, Assistant Rotary Coordinator, Zone 33
So here is my example!
A Facebook friend, Elaine Gaudet was talking to the custodian of her Senior Citizen Complex Friday where she lives. He was trying to figure out how to get rid of 20 some odd walkers and canes, and she remembered my post on Facebook about how the local Rotary Club is still collecting them for the "The Crutches 4 Africa" project!
While I was in line at McDonald's this past Friday, he said hi and asked me about it. Long and short of it all ... after I finished my meal I met him at the site and we loaded up my truck with the items! Earlier that same day a lady, Barbara Smith, called me and donated clean towels etc ... for the homeless shelter!
Because I could not unload the items to HOPE Association because they had just closed, as well as the homeless shelter, I had been carrying them around all weekend. Funny how things work out!
While I was showing property pretty late Saturday afternoon, like after 5:00 pm, a nice lady approached me from a house across the street from where I was showing. She asked if I had an extra walker she saw stacked in the back of my truck, because her aging mom needed one! I gave her the best one with wheels and hand brakes! She thanked me and then said ... she would be calling me in the near future to list her mom's home‼
Go figure: "The Good You Do Comes Back To You!"
Thank you Elaine and Barbara for passing on the goodness in your hearts! And yes, we are still collecting crutches, canes and walkers in any condition for the "CRUTCHES 4 AFRICA" project!
Roger Whitehouse
(Roger is PR for the River Valley Rotary Club, as well as the Owner and Designated Broker of Riverside Realty)
River Valley Rotary cont'd
CLUB DONATES TO ROTARY FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
On behalf of the River Valley Rotary Club, the membership took up a collection at our Fellowship luncheon, March 13, 2016 and we are proud to make a donation to the Foundation for the centennial celebration in the amount of over $700.
A word from Kalyan Banerjee, Foundation Trustee Chair . . .
When you give to the Rotary Foundation you can be completely confident that your fellow Rotarians put those donations to work on life–changing projects in our six areas of focus. That confidencet should inspire our continued support, especially when we consider the remarkable results.
In March and we observed Water and Sanitation Month, let's take a closer look at how Rotarian–led projects are providing millions of people with access to clean water in adequate sanitation facilities. This area of focus has long been high on many Rotarian service agendas, and for good reason – 663 million people do not have access to clean water, and one-third of the worlds population live without access to a toilet.
Think about how different life would be if you had to spend hours each day fetching water or worrying about the threat of dysentery, Cholera, Gunea worm, and host of other waterborne diseases.
Through the club's efforts, hundreds of dollars has been raised, and hundreds of books have been donated!
Photo on Left: Carolyn Johnson received $300 for Literacy project
Photo on Right: Becky Hall accepted a box of books donated to the Children's Ward at the Hospital by the Rotary Club and the HOPE Association as part of their joint Literacy Project!
Photo on Left: Jane Bubar with children
Photo on Right: Fellow Rotarians, Dick Lovejoy, Patty Duguay, Jane Bubar, Gerald Cohen, and Dave Duguay
The Rotary Club of Sebago Lake
350+ TURN OUT FOR FISHING DERBY
The Sebago Lake Club sponsored its 16th Ice Fishing Derby on Feb 25th & 26th, with over 350 fishermen registering for the event and members weighing over 600 fish. Fishermen donated 390 lbs of fish, which was processed by Nova Seafood Processors in Portland, Maine to be donated to a local food pantry. Then on March 23rd, the fish was used to make 300 meals to feed the homeless at the Preble Street shelter.
Pictured with Club President Mark Wasowski is Zack Boucher with his winning pickerel.
The Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ROTARIANS RECEIVE PHF RECOGNITION
During South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club's recent celebration of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International turning 100, a number of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland residents received Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Community Members
Photo on on left: Kathy DiPhilippo, Executive Director South Portland Historical Society
(Pictured left to right: Jack Roberts, Kathy DiPhilippo, Marge Barker)
Photo on right: Jim Gailey, Former South Portland City Manager
(Pictured left to right: Tom Meyers, James Gailey, Marge Barker, Bill Anderson)
Photo on left: Mike McGovern, Former Cape Elizabeth Town Manager
(Pictured left to right: Anne Swift-Kayatta, Mike McGovern, Bill Anderson)
Photo on right: The late Sam DiPietro, Owner of DiPietro's Market
(Pictured left to right: Bill York, Marge Barker, Michael DiPietro, Bill Anderson)
David Lengyel, Owner of Willows Pizza
(Pictured left to right: Bob Danielson, David Lengyel, Marge Barker, Bill Anderson)
SP-CE Rotary Members
Photo on left: Rev. Frances Bagdasarian
(Pictured left to right: Sue Sturtevant, Fran Bagdasarian, Marty Hellman, Nancy Hawes)
Photo on right: Bill Anderson, Current SP-CE President
(Pictured left to right: Bill Anderson, Marty Hellman)
Photo on left: Laurenz Schmidt
(Pictured left to right: Marty Helman, Laurenz Schmidt, Nancy Hawes, Sue Sturtevant)
Photo on right: Dr. David Bagdasarian
(Pictured left to right: Sue Sturtevant and Dr. David Bagdasarian)
Marge Barker, Current Rotary District President
(Pictured left to right: Marge Barker, Marty Hellman)
The Rotary Club of Topsham Expresso TOPSHAM ROTARY CLUB RAISES $25,000 FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
The Topsham Expresso Rotary Club Mustard Seed Award was given posthumously to Dill Paiste and was accepted by his wife, Kitty Paiste. From right: Ron McLaughlin, Robert Davis and Kitty Paiste
The Rotary Club of Topsham Expresso held its eighth annual Early Childhood Development event at the Maine Maritime Museum on Feb 10. The event, known as Music at the Museum, raises funds for and promotes the importance of early childhood development in the Mid-Coast region. The Rotary Club of Topsham organized, managed, and promoted the event under the capable leadership of Robert Davis.
This year, Music at the Museum the YMCA (childcare program) was added, which joined Family Focus and Success by 6/United Way as recipients of the event funding. The amount raised has grown from $3,000 at the original event to more than $25,000 the last few years. Much of the revenue comes from both a silent auction and a live auction with auctioneer John Botero of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries.
The Topsham Expresso Club is pleased that the event not only raises funds for early childhood programs, but has increased the exposure and importance of early childhood development in our region. Each year we honor a volunteer community leader or organization who has provided passionate and dedicated support to early childhood development. This year’s award went posthumously to Dill Paiste, and was presented to his wife Kitty Paiste.
Last year Mid Coast–Parkview Health became an important part of the event as our Lead Sponsor. As the event has grown over the past several years we have been able to assist the United Way’s Diaper Project, Best Start program as well as Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention’s Backpack Program.
Our first year, all of the proceeds went to Success by 6. In the second year we expanded our base with the addition of Family Focus and moved our location to the Maine Maritime Museum from the Topsham Grange.
The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham
ROTARY SAVING LIVES
International Project - Rio Dulce, Guatemala
The Westbrook-Gorham Maine Rotary Club recently sponsored a District Grant project in Guatemala to equip Emergency First Responders with well-stocked Trauma Bags.
The bags were designed to maximize proper care of an accident victim within the “Golden Hour” – the first 60 minutes following an event. “The first care given on the scene can greatly effect recovery,” stated Rotarian and Wilderness First Responder Dr. Bill Chadwick.
Westbrook Fire and Rescue Chief Andrew Turcotte, a Rotarian, headed up the acquisition of the bags. “Sometimes we take for granted the equipment that we have here in the United States,” Chief Turcotte commented, “but for other, non-industrialized nations, access to this caliber of equipment is unheard of.”
Dr. Donald Van Nimwegen from Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, MN conducted a Rotary sponsored training session instructing the EMT’s on the proper use of the equipment. Three bags, valued at $2700.00 each, were presented to Guatemalan medical clinics in Montericco, Cuatro Cayos and the Rio Dulce Fire Department.
Two hours after receiving their bag, a text and picture from Captain Juan Duarte of the Rio Dulce Fire Department was received, showing a little boy who was hit by a car being securely transported using this equipment. “We saved a little boy tonight, thank you.”
The Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at 11:30 in the Vocational Culinary Arts dining room at Westbrook High School.
The Rotary Club of Bethel
2ND ANNUAL MAY DAY 5K RUN/WALK
WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 2017
WHAT: 5K Run/Walk (All ages) (Registrants 18 yrs and under are free)
This is the 2nd annual event of the Rotary Club of Bethel presented by the Bethel Family Health Center, and created to promote healthy pursuits and fun competition. Our intention is to keep the cost of registration low to reduce barriers to individuals to participate! In fact, all participants 18 and younger are free!! The 5K run/walk race is open from ages 2 – 85 and older! The 1 mile run/walk is open and free to all Youths 12 and under. Expected attendance 200-300 participants and accompanying family & friends. The Rotary Club of Bethel will commit the net funds to provide scholarships for area youth for after-school enrichment programs, including music, art, physical fitness and other creative pursuits.
Early registration ends Friday May 12, 2017 at 5 PM
George Moore, who last resided in Dover, NH but spent many years living in South Berwick, passed away at 4 a.m. on March 6th. He was a dedicated Rotarian until very recently when failing health kept him from attending our meetings regularly, although he still kept abreast of activities and events via our weekly newsletter which we mailed to him. He lived a most unusual life and traveled all over the world when he worked for international agricultural companies. He got his start in this field working for the Rockefeller family managing their ranch in Venezuela. He and his late wife Barbara experienced life abroad and many adventures with their family in the process. He personally enjoyed being involved in our Rotary Club’s international projects, understanding well the needs of people in other countries.
Have Something You'd Like to Share with Us?
Updates and short articles with images or videos, and the names of new members and those who have passed, may be submitted to our Newsletter Editor, Deb Marsolais, at deb.marsolais@comcast.net to be included in our Monthly Newsletter. The District Newsletter is a means of communicating to other clubs in our district; items of interest, upcoming events, fundraisers, opportunities of service, or member news.
Deadline for MAYNewsletter Submissions: APRIL 23rd
PLEASE NOTE:
As a precaution, unless you have obtained a written consent from a parent/guardian, every child’s face which appears in a picture submitted for the newsletter or website, will be edited so that it is blurred out in the picture. Since there may be situations involving abuse, neglect, custody dispute, etc., and parents wouldn't want their child's picture to appear in public, this is being done for the child's privacy and protection.
If you have a submission for the newsletter or website, and would like to have us post a picture with a child (children) in it, please let us know if you have received a consent, otherwise we will edit it accordingly.
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