banner
 
 
December 2016 - ISSUE 6
 
Upcoming Events
NEPETS Facilitator TR and Committee Meeting
Sheraton Hotel
Jan 07, 2017
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
 
Foundation Committee
Jan 10, 2017
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
RI International Assembly San Diego
Jan 15, 2017 – Jan 21, 2017
 
District Visioning Event
Atlantic Federal Credit Union
Jan 17, 2017
4:45 PM – 8:15 PM
 
Midyear Dinner January 30, 2017
Fireside Inn and Suites
Jan 30, 2017
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
 
NEPETS committee
Sheraton Hotel
Feb 04, 2017
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
 
Pre-PETS
Husson University #105
Feb 11, 2017
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
 
FYI: Maine School vac Feb 20-24
Feb 20, 2017
 
World Peace Day
Feb 23, 2017 – Feb 25, 2017
 
FYI: NH school vac week Feb 27-Mar 3
Feb 27, 2017
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December marks what is officially designated as Family Month in the Rotary calendar.
 
This is a wonderful time of year, and an excellent time to reflect and give thanks for all our blessings.  Your efforts to further your club’s charitable causes is most appreciated, and they have an impact, directly and non-directly, on many individuals.  Our continual devotion of time, talents and financial resources is a strong, positive reflection of your club members.  I am grateful for everyone who continues to place Service Above Self!
 
RI Past-President John Kenny said it best when addressing the family of Rotary—
 
“The idea of the family of Rotary is a simple one, and one that we celebrate every December during Family Month. Every Rotarian is part of the Rotary family – but our family is much larger than just our 1.2 million members. The family of Rotary includes every one of the men, women, and children who are involved in our work: the spouses and children of our members, our Rotary Foundation program participants and alumni, and all of those who are part of our programs, in the tens of thousands of Rotary communities around the world.”
 
Whatever you celebrate in December, I wish each and every one of you and yours peace, harmony, family, friends, laughter, love, nutrition for your body and soul, and happiness in your daily life. 
 
My best,
 
DG Marge
                                                                                                                                              
 
 
 
 DISTRICT HISTORY
 
 
 
 
 
 No stories this month but a promise for one!
 
 
 
 
 
Last Month's District History Question
I have added two new pages to District History. Grants which tells our stories about projects that have been done, and Grants – 2007 WPUD Projects Booklet which lists all 41 clubs in 2007 and the international projects they were involved in at that time.
 
I hope to add two videos about District Grants created by District 7780.  The first one is from the World Peace and Understanding Dinner in 2007 and the second was from the World Peace and Understanding Dinner in 2009.  Wish me luck!

So once again, I am asking you to share your Grant stories as well as pictures which would be great!  We will be celebrating The Rotary Foundation’s 100th Anniversary on November 10, 2016 so let’s share with everyone in the District what has been done with “our” donations to the Rotary Foundation over the years!
 
 
This Month’s District History Request
 
We just celebrated Thanksgiving.  Please send your stories of giving a helping hand to make other people’s lives better, which in turn gave them something to celebrate!  I know it takes some time to write a story, but no matter how short or how long it is, it made a difference in someone’s life or many people’s lives and in some cases a whole village’s life!   We have so much to be PROUD of so please share.
 
PLEASE send your stories 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” will be in next month’s newsletter and their “stories” 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.
 
You won’t hear from me again until next year, so I want to wish you all a Joyous Holiday Season to you and your family and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!  See you in 2017!
 
Marie A. Williams
District Historian
207-439-3761
 
 
Mid-Year Leadership Dinner
SAVE THE DATE
 
 

Current Presidents (2016-2017), Presidents-Elect (2017-2018) and Vice Presidents (President Nominees) (2018-2019) -- plus Assistant Governors and Past District Governors -- are invited to the District's annual Mid-Year Leadership Dinner to talk about club goals and to share successes.  Be there! The event takes place Monday, January 30, in Westbrook Maine.  Registration will be open soon.

 

 
District 7780
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION - A SPLENDID SUCCESS
 
The ballroom at the Marriott Sable Oaks was full of activity and excitement on Thursday, November 10th as a crowd of 150 Rotarians gathered to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of our Rotary Foundation.
 
Several posters of various projects displayed the impact our Rotary Foundation contributions can make when combined with the creativity and passion of Rotarians and clubs to address the needs of others.   Attendees were offered a sampling of foods from around the world as inspirational videos played throughout the evening. 
 
The highlight of the evening was our keynote speaker, RI President 2018-2019 Sam F. Owori from Uganda.  A true gentleman, Sam delivered a quiet but compelling message that inspired all in the audience to work each day to change the world.  He reminded us of the importance of our youth and urged the formation of more Interact and Rotaract clubs harnessing the power of tomorrow to change our world and to build Rotary. 
 
 
With a contribution of $26.50 to the Rotary Foundation in 1917, a dream of building a better world was expanded.  And today, 100 years later, Rotarians have spent over $3,000,000,000 making dreams come true, creating hope for hundreds of thousands while addressing the world’s greatest humanitarian needs.
 
In celebration of our Foundation, our district campaign is seeking 100 new major donors and/or bequest society members to honor the 100th Anniversary.  Have you considered making the Rotary Foundation your charity of choice?  It's so easy to do and such a wonderful way to make sure that Rotary remains strong and vital after you've gone. Leave a legacy by making a bequest in your will to The Rotary Foundation. What a profound way to express your passion by giving back to the organization that has meant so much to you.
 
Please consider becoming a Centennial donor today.   FMI: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/take-action/give/planned-giving
 
Ann Lee Hussey
District 7780 Major Gifts/Endowment Chair
annlee001@yahoo.com
 
 
The Rotary Foundation
GIVING WITH GUSTO
 
There are approximately 37,000 Rotary Clubs in the world …
 
Of this number, there are 4,609 clubs in which every dues-paying member contributed to The Rotary Foundation in 2015-16, and the average contribution was $100 or more.  Bath, Damariscotta-Newcastle, Exeter, Falmouth, Oxford Hills and York each reached that excellent level of giving! Congratulations!
 
But wait! There’s more:  Only 2,253 clubs worldwide attained status as a 100% Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Club in 2015-16.  To reach this awesome mark, 100 percent of all active members must personally contribute $100 or more to the Annual Fund, and the members of Bath Sunrise did exactly that! Congratulations to Bath Sunrise!
 
Meanwhile, our Top Three clubs with highest in per capita annual giving in 2015-16 were:  Yarmouth, Portland Sunrise, and Sanford-Springvale.  Congratulations to all three of these great giving clubs!
 
Let’s keep up the great work! Already, we’re nearing the half-way point of the 2016-17 Rotary year.  Is your club half-way to its Annual Giving goal?
 
Marty Helman
District Foundation Chair
 
 
100 for 100 Dinner
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "REALLY GREAT" AND "SUPER GREAT"
 
 
Pictured:  Peter Goffin and Bowen Depke taken at the 100 for 100 dinner
 
Participants at the recent “100 for 100” dinner heard Peter Goffin say that The Rotary Foundation’s score from Charity Navigator was 97.87 (out of a possible 100) and Mike McGovern say that it was an even 100.
 
Turns out both were correct – the difference was one of timing.
 
In ratings released September 1, The Rotary Foundation earned the maximum 100 points for both demonstrating strong financial health and its commitment to accountability and transparency.  Two months later, the rating wiggled slightly on account of a reassessment of The Rotary Foundation’s financial performance metrics.  The difference is negligible; The Rotary Foundation continues to receive a straight four-star rating from Charity Navigator, as it has done for nine years.
 
"Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work," said Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher in a letter to General Secretary John Hewko.
 
Thatcher added that only one percent of charities the organization evaluates have received at least nine consecutive 4-star evaluations, setting "The Rotary Foundation apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness."
 
The ratings reflect how efficiently Charity Navigator believes the Foundation  uses donations, how well it has sustained programs and services, and its level of commitment to good governance and openness.
 
 
Polio Update
 
 
Thanks and congratulations to all of those who participated in the various End Polio Now activities at the end of October. It appears that we raised roughly $11,300, which with the Gates Foundation match, means $33,900 to combat polio. There were also other activities not focusing on raising money, but rather, awareness. All in all, a terrific example of what Rotary clubs can do.
 
Last year, the Foundation and RI President Ravi asked each club to donate at least $1,500 to Polio Plus. Thirteen District 7780 clubs met that goal and will shortly be receiving certificates of appreciation. The clubs are Boothbay Harbor, Bridgton-Lake Region, Exeter, Fryeburg, Hampton, Portland, Portland Sunrise, Portsmouth, Saco Bay, Sanford-Springvale, Seacoast Portsmouth, South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, and York. This year, RI President John Germ has upped the ante and asked each club to contribute $2,650 in recognition of the amount contributed by the Kansas City Rotary Club in 1917 to start the Rotary Foundation. I know that is a significant amount of money, but I’m sure all of you will do your best.
 
The total goal for Polio Plus giving this year for our District is $45,410. As of November 21, 2016 contributions have totaled $18,664.82 so we are about 41% of the way there and we are not yet half way through the year. Keep up the good work!
 
 
Helping From Happenstance.  Great People Making Connections.
 
By Chair Bowen Depke
District Public Relations
 
When you talk about Rotary in public, good things happen!  This was the case at the Fryeburg Fair this year when three Rotarians happened to be talking about various club’s community service efforts.  Deep into their discussion about the various events, a passer-by overheard them (be loud, be proud!)  Tammy Steeves is disabled, and she had been through a long, intense, lower body rehabilitation.  It just so happens she was in possession of a very nice ($3K) recumbent bike, the kind you peddle with your hands.  It also just so happens that she was looking for a new home for it.  Her husband is a Marine and she wanted to give the bike to a veteran.
 
Enter our District Governor Marge, Chris Summers and Deborah Harris (both from the Oxford Hills Club).  Tammy said she was happy to give the bike to a good veteran cause-did Marge know of one? Well, Marge knows people. Marge knows Rotarians! She contacted AG Kris Rosado from the Portland Rotary Club because she knew there were several veterans events happening in his area and specifically at his club’s annual veteran’s lunch.  Kris himself is a vet and has a few connections. One of those is in his club, Bob Trail.  If you know Bob, you also know he’s a WWII vet (see a theme here) and Bob knows everybody; and helps everybody.  Bob connected Kris with Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training (“VAST”) at Pineland.
 
VAST needed a recumbent bike for veterans for their physical training and rehab activities.  The Rotary wheel was turning and its membership connections are once again making good things happen with Service Above Self.  Now instead of helping just one vet, the bike will help hundreds over the next decade. That’s quite a ride!
 
At Portland Rotary’s Veteran’s Appreciation lunch last Thursday, November 10, the introduction and exchange was made.  Kristina Sebasteanaski of the VAST program and Tammy met, and the bike was handed over in a little ceremony.  Thanks Tammy!
 
When two or more Rotarian’s get together we are usually talking about the great work of Rotary.  Remember, you never know who might be listening.
 
 
Pictured left to right: Tammy Steeves, Tina Sabasteanski and AG Kris Rosado
 
 
District 7780
THE 4 WAY TEST SPEECH CONTEST
 
 
 
Council on Legislation
PROPOSAL REMINDER
 
Clubs wishing to propose legislative enactments or resolutions to be considered by the 2019 Council on Legislation are reminded that proposals must be endorsed at this year's District Conference.  Details on how to propose legislation can be found at How to Propose Council Resolutions, and proposals must be sent to PDG Lawrence Furbish by April 19, 2017.  Questions on the process? Contact either Peter Johnson (2013-16 COL rep) or Lawrence Furbish (2017-20 COL rep.)
 
 
2017 District Conference
SAVE THE DATES!
 
 
 
 
                     
Bath Sunrise Rotary Club welcomes its newest member!
 
John Dunn found us at the Bath Farmers Market selling our flower bulbs this Fall and pitched right in, coming back to help several weeks in a row, earning the nickname, "The Bulb Guy".  He came to several meetings and found a home with our club.  He fits right in with our eclectic group.  We look forward to working in partnership with him in Rotary.
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Biddeford Saco
EXPANDS DRUG PREVENTION CURRICULUM TO YOUNGER GRADES
 
 
Earlier this year, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club formed a Red Ribbon Committee to focus efforts on preventing young people from slipping into the devastating grip of drug misuse and addiction. Working in conjunction with local school departments, we have created a curriculum to provide education, promote awareness, and furnish mentoring to the youth in our communities. The Red Ribbon Committee, which is comprised of business people, civic leaders and educators, will continue to serve as a catalyst to mobilize communities, to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. This is critical with the passing of Question 1 in Maine.
 
 
In the Spring and Fall, we held two very successful Drug Prevention Awareness Week featuring “Fatal Reality” mock accidents; national speakers including Pro BMX competitor and recovering addict Tony Hoffman; community forums featuring expert panelists; “Point of No Return” film premieres; distracted driving simulator activities and more.  As we approach 2017, we are now expanding our prevention curriculum and mentoring to students in the transition to middle school with the implementation of the All Stars Program.  This is an evidence-based program targeted at youth during the years of greatest vulnerability (ages 11 to 13) to prevent experimentation with substances, fighting, bullying, and sexual activity. The program focuses on their aspirations and how to successfully reach them while having them partner with a trusted adult.
 
We all recognize the serious problem with drug use and misuse at epidemic proportions in our country.  It costs our country billions of dollars each year through our tax dollars, so we are all affected directly or indirectly by the growing drug problem. One of our long term goals is to create a program that can be replicated throughout the state and country in an effort to significantly reduce the demand for drugs that is ruining the lives of so many individuals. Together, as Rotarians, we can be the change.
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region
25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
 
The Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region celebrated their 25th anniversary on November 18th with a lovely evening of music, food, motivational speakers and friends. 
 
 
Photo on left:  Anniversary Committee Member Emma Bodwell and husband Peter
Photo on right:  DGE David Underhill and wife Linda, AG Cathy Sullivan and PE Joe Barth
 
 
Photo on left: Anniversary Committee Member Carol Madsen, PDG Peter Johnson and Ted Gerber
Photo on right:  PE Joe Barth and PP George Szok
 
Read more...
 
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
ANOTHER BUSY MONTH!
 
 
Pictured left to right:   Past President Lorraine Faherty, Bill Vaughan and John Atwood sell snacks and nuts to raise funds to support local projects 
 
Once again the Damariscotta-Newcastle Club had a busy November.  Thanks to the Central Lincoln County Y, we sold nuts and snacks at the annual Holiday Bazaar.  Funds raised go to support our local programs such as vocational and scholastic scholarships and Ready to Read at Skidompha Library.
 
Speakers included Andrew Fenniman, Director of Lincoln County Theater, speaking on happenings there this winter, Bill Soules of Morang Volkswagen on the troubles at VW and a positive outlook for the future, and after Thanksgiving we look forward to hearing from Michael McGovern, Rotary International Polio Plus Chair.
 
Beginning on the day after Thanksgiving through December, we will be collecting money from two locations to support community efforts to fight food insecurity.  A joint annual program with the Damariscotta-Newcastle Lions Club, many local individuals join in the effort as well as many local businesses, whose employees will take an entire day’s shift.  Truly a community effort.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside
ROTARY CLUBS WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD TRAIL AT
KENNEBUNKPORT'S ROTARY PARK AT BEACHWOOD
 
 
Pictured left to right:  Dave Jourdan, Susan Pope, Joe Everett, Ruth Davis , Bob Wester, Brett Davis, Peg Belanger, and Harvey Flashen
 
Kennebunk Portside Rotarians were recently joined by members of Kennebunk Rotary Club to blaze a trail and build a boardwalk, part of a major project to enhance the visitor experience at Rotary Park at Beachwood. Kennebunk Portside Rotary secured a grant from the Rotary Foundation to build a bathroom facility at the park and construct a nearby walking trail connecting to an existing trail system developed by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. The club has completed numerous beautification and maintenance projects at the park over the past five years.
 
 
Left:  Building framework for boardwalk;  Right:  Finished boardwalk
 
 
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
3RD GRADERS RECEIVE DICTIONARIES
 
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills has been busy distributing 254 dictionaries to all 3rd graders in the SAD 17 elementary schools.  Rotarians share info about Rotary with the students to help them learn about community service and the fulfillment of helping others.  They also learn about what the dictionaries have in them to help them gain knowledge of, not only how to spell words and their definitions, but also the opportunity to lookup the US Presidents, planets, sign language and Braille.  The most popular page in the dictionary is the longest word, with 1,909 letters.  Special thanks to club member Mary Lou Burns, a retired educator, for coordinating all the details with the school principals, 3rd grade teachers and Rotarians. 
 
 
Pictured left to right:  Pat Cook, Mary Lou Burns, Dan Hart (Rotarian and Rowe School Principal) Patty Rice and John Griffith
 
 
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
MONTHLY RECAP
 
 
As we went to press, the club was getting ready to prepare more than 300 Thanksgiving meals. Dinners were to be delivered throughout the greater seacoast by teams of volunteers. There will also be a festive sit-down meal at Portsmouth’s Jarvis center. The entire day is coordinated by Rotarian Priscilla MacInnis. She has had to turn away volunteers.
 
Our always well-attended feast is complete with live music, decorated tables and delicious food.  Turkeys were to be cooked at home by Rotarians and brought to the Jarvis Center along with numerous pies for dessert.  This massive effort also fills an important holiday need for local, non-profit entities like Cross Roads House and Common Table. We’ll have a complete report next month.
 
 
 
 
 
Also getting ready to launch was the club’s main fundraiser for the year, our Annual Christmas Tree Sales. This traditional three-week-plus holiday marathon is chaired by President-Elect Ben Wheeler, and Vice President Cleo Villaflores is signing up volunteers. Each Rotarian serves 3 three-hour shifts that began November 26 and conclude when the trees are gone. As she has for many years, Janice Cassidy managed the design and production of our 2016 ornament. This year’s edition depicts the new Sara Long Bridge.
 
Read more...
 
The Rotary Club of River Valley
K-5 READERS/HELP NEEDED!
 
Our guest speaker this week at the River Valley Rotary Club's fellowship luncheon held November 21, 2016, at the HOPE Association was Eileen Broderick from RSU10. Eileen spoke of the need to have volunteers to help out in their literacy program at RES (Rumford Elementary School.)  

If you are interested in reading to grade K-2 students, they could use you anytime between 8:30 AM and 11 AM. Grade 3–5 students could use help between 12 and 2 PM. Even a half hour can make a difference.

She spoke about a background check which are required to volunteer. Forms are available at the Rumford Elementary School office!

If anyone is interested, call Eileen Broderick at 207–364–8155 or email her at ebroderick@rsu10.org    
 
 
Seen in the photo is Rotarian Dick Lovejoy, Eileen Broderick, and Dave Duguay, River Valley Rotary Club president
 
 
The Rotary Club of Rochester
UNEXPECTED GENEROSITY
ROCHESTER HAPPY DOLLARS RAISED $400 IN ONE MEETING FOR SHARE FUND
 
Rich Hillow, a Rochester Rotarian, stood up at our November 21st Rotary meeting and said, "2 weeks ago the executive director of the Share Fund called me to talk about a couple things as we do often.  She told me we had only 100 turkeys, when in years past we had 600-800.  We were going to need to spend a lot of additional money for turkeys and side dishes.  Also, we usually give 200+ turkeys to other food pantries and soup kitchens that we had to tell no, and I might expect a call from them.
 
Monday, John Marzinzik from Frisbee Hospital offered to donate 100 turkeys during happy dollars.  I then stood up and thanked him for his donation.  I explained that we appreciate any donations, but did you know that monetary donations go further, sometimes 2X as we can get huge discounts from stores.  A Rotarian at my table gave me $20 (that same Rotarian later said, “that’s not enough here’s another $40”.)  As I was doing fines, people were throwing more money at me for the Share Fund.  I got back to my table and had a pile of money there as well.  Another Rotarian gave me $50 as I was leaving, another came to the food pantry and got a tour , dropping off a check for $30 and another gave me $40 at the meeting Monday, totaling about $400.  WOW!  I was at the food pantry helping Friday afternoon because we had a delivery of 100 turkeys plus another 12, plus at least a dozen car loads (floors and seats filled) of groceries.  In 2 weeks we went from bare shelves and 100 turkeys to having more than enough to give out 600 turkey dinners and donate to the pantries and kitchens we usually do as well as extra for Christmas.  Again, WOW!  Thank you Rotary and community."
 
 
The Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT - REDEDICATION OF THE GEORGE HILL CEMETERY
 
 
Pictured left to right: Sanford-Springvale member Lt. Railene Griffin, Sanford City Councilman Lucas Lannigan, Ron Rivard & Sanford-Springvale President Barbara Sutcliffe
 
The Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club gathered at the George Hill Cemetery on a sparkling Thursday morning to participate in the Rededication of this cemetery site.  The cemetery had nearly been destroyed by trees and brush growing into it over the years. This cemetery was rescued by Sanford Rotarian Elias Thomas and a crew of volunteers who cleared up the plot. Other help/materials totaling nearly $12,000 were generously donated by Joseph Letourneau, David Winchell, John Westcott, Paul Burrows, Tom & Owen Genest (Genest Pre-Cast), Bruce Lamb (Springvale Hardware). Randy White, Ron Rivard, ServPro of Sanford. This was one of six cemetery sites that were part of the Sanford Rotary SunSetters Club's first community service project.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Wells
MONTHLY RECAP
 
 
Pictured left to right: Barry Wolfson, Wells Rotary International Service Chair; Roland Gagne, Saco-Biddeford Rotary Club; Wells Rotary President Doug Bibber with the $1500 Global Grant donation
 
 
“Soups On” Annual Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the Wells Rotary Club.  Pictured are Soups On volunteers, Wells Rotarians and Wells High School Interact Students
 
 
“Soups On” Annual Thanksgiving Dinner “kitchen crew” (left to right) Wells Rotarians Barry Wolfson, Gary Leech, President Doug Bibber
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bethel
CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN
 
 
The Rotary Club of Kittery After-Hours
CELEBRITY WAITER DINNER
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
HOLIDAY CHEESE WHEEL
 
 
For Christmas delivery, order by December 5th
Shipping outside of delivery area is available for shipping cost.
 
 
contact Patty Rice at 207-743-7777


 
In Memoriam
 
The Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth - Jim Russell
 
The Embodiment of Rotary – Because he was a nice, nice guy and a really great friend, Jim Russell offered countless times to take notes for me if I ever needed to miss a meeting. So I took him up on his offer this week and therefore I don’t know what happened this week. So Jim, I have no choice but to write about you. Jim joined Rotary in 1990 when he was almost 30. He had just moved back to Cape Elizabeth with his new wife Vicke to go into business selling janitorial supplies with his father. I didn’t know him then but I presume he joined Rotary for the same reason that Paul Harris did – to make friends with fellow business people, to be part of the community and to give back. He was elected to the Board a few years later and was club president in 1997-98. I was president the year after Jim and he helped me every step of the way. I felt a lot of pressure in being the first woman president of the club and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor and coach than Jim.
    
After fulfilling his term on the Board, Jim took over as our club bulletin editor (I couldn’t find the exact date) and he served in that role for over 10 years. Jim couldn’t type so actually he was co-bulletin editor along with Vicke who did the typing, and then later their daughter Tori. (The club made Vicke and Tori Paul Harris Fellows for their contributions as bulletin editor.) Jim was asked many times if he would like someone else to take over, but he declined because he enjoyed having a shared activity with his wife.
 
About 20 years ago Jim decided he needed to be healthier. Since he loved eating, dieting was out of the question so he started working out and running. He loved running and hiking and will be sorely missed by the Saturday morning running group that also included Bob Danielson and Bill Phillips (sorry, I’m not sure who else). He ran in the Beach to Beacon race every year, and was an instrumental part of the group that resurrected our club’s road race.
 
Jim was also a competitive son-of-a-gun. He loved the poker parties that our club occasionally has, and when he was winning he giggled like a schoolgirl – it would have been infuriating if we weren’t all so fond of him. The last time that I saw Jim he showed me how to trade players in the ESPN football fantasy league – he was quite proud of the fact that last year he joined a league for the first time and beat the pants off the other league members.
 
Besides our Rotary connection, I knew Jim and his family because we shared season tickets at the Sea Dogs. When I used to sit with Vicke at the games we would talk about stuff like the books we were reading, what was on sale at Shaw’s and stupid TV shows that she watched with their daughters that only girls would watch. After she passed away in 2012, when I would sit with Jim at the games we would talk about Rotary and baseball....and books we were reading, what was on sale at Shaw’s and stupid TV shows that he watched with his daughters that only girls would watch. It was like he turned into Jim and Vicke all in the same person. He did an absolutely amazing job of being both father and mother to Tori and Annie.
 
Both Jim and Vicke had great senses of humor and never took themselves too seriously – they were a lot of fun to be around. Jim perverted the Rotary 4-Way Test into “Is it good for me?” Despite this playful approach to Rotary, Jim truly did live out the 4-Way Test in everything he did and was the embodiment of what all Rotarians strive to be. He was a wonderful friend to all of us and he will be missed very much. It was a privilege to know you, Jim – rest in peace.
 
 - Nancy Hawes, Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
 
 
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 January's Newsletter Submissions:  December 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.
 
Thank you for your cooperation.
 
 
www.rotary7780.org … or friend us on Facebook!