From Your District Governor – November Is Foundation Month
By DG Emma Bodwell, Bridgton-Lake Region RC
November always gets me thinking about gratitude. And in Rotary, there’s a lot to be thankful for — especially when it comes to The Rotary Foundation.
If you’ve ever seen a local project happen in your town — something that made a difference in real people’s lives — there’s a good chance the Foundation helped make it possible. That’s why we celebrate November as Foundation Month.
Let me give you a few examples. And I also want to acknowledge you for being part of the Highest Overall Rotary Foundation Contributions District. More on that as well.
We need you! District 7780 is seeking applicants for our Rotary year 2028-2029 District Governor and candidates for the District Finance Committee.
One of the most important decisions we make as a District is choosing our future leaders. We are seeking the most qualified person for the position of District Governor for the Rotary Year 2028-2029. If you have a history of leadership and collaboration as a Rotarian and are willing to share your passion and talents as our District Governor, please seriously consider this opportunity. If you know a Rotarian with these qualities, please encourage them to consider serving in this important leadership position.
Believe! Not in Santa Claus but in Polio Eradication!
By: Nancy Hawes, SPCE RC
Nubble Light in York
Ed Galkin, Peter Teahen, Brenda Cressey, Dick Cressey
Believe! – Not in Santa Claus or in the Polar Express, but that we will eradicate polio!
That has been the message that Iowa Rotarian Peter Teahen, along with New Jersey Rotarian Ed Galkin have been spreading as they flew around the Atlantic Ocean. District 7780 was their last stop before heading home, and they spoke to District 7780 Rotarians whose schedules were able to accommodate the last-minute date change. Past Foundation trustee Brenda Cressey welcomed the pilots and reminded us that when we hear about “cases” that each case is a child who has been afflicted with polio.
You would probably never guess from the photo but Ed is 89 ½ years old and holds a record as the oldest pilot to fly around the world (he’s done it 4 times for other nonprofits!).
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, about 30 Rotarians and friends attended the latest International Café on Zoom. The Café started with DG Emma introducing this year’s International Outreach team, which will be travelling to the Bangalore region of India in February 2026. Next Interactor Nellie Young introduced her project Empowering Peru Through Culinary Education. Elias Thomas presented a video on Dam projects in rural India. Emma mentioned the wealth of Project Fairs in Africa and Central/South American. Finally, Dave Underhill indicated that the Portsmouth Club is working on a Peace and Conflict Resolution project in the Pune Region of India. More details on these presentations follow and can be found at this link: https://vimeo.com/1130761247?fl=tl&fe=ec
On October 30, 2025, the University of New England Rotaract Club laced up their sneakers for a spirited Walkathon in support of PolioPlus. With smiles, determination, and a shared sense of purpose, 20 enthusiastic participants circled the campus center track, raising an impressive $545 to help end polio worldwide. The event wrapped up with excitement as one lucky walker took home a donation basket from Aroma Joe’s (Saco) — a perfect reward for a day of fitness, fellowship, and service above self!
Pictured: Winter Webb, President(right) with other UNE Walkers
In Memoriam Harold “Hap” Moore September 13, 1943 - October 5, 2025
Hap was a charter member of the South Berwick/Eliot Rotary and was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of all his services to the community and the world.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Eliot / South Berwick Rotary under Hap’s name per the information below: South Berwick - Eliot Rotary Charitable Fund P.O. Box 11 South Berwick, ME 03908.More atObituary | Harold "Hap" Moore | J.S. Pelkey and Son Funeral Home
In Memoriam
Tracy Hunter
Passed September 27, 2025
Tracy loved her Newcastle/Damariscotta community and was active in the Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club where she was one of the instigators of its Decadent Desserts fundraiser. More at http://www.eatonfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Tracy-Hunter
November 2025
Club News
Click HEREfor news about projects and fundraisers from around our district.
Bethel
Bridgton - Lake Region
Damariscotta-Newcastle
Dover
Fryeburg Area
Hampton
Kittery
Ogunquit
Oxford Hills
Portland
Portsmouth
River Valley
Saco Bay
South Berwick-Eliot
South Portland/Cape Elizabeth
Westbrook-Gorham
If we missed your club,
please know that your work is appreciated. Please send your stories next month to:
By: Tim Moyer (Kennebunkport RC) and Jacey Chavez (Portland RC), RYLA 7780 Co-Camp Directors, ryla7780.org
The 4th annual RYLA Coordinator Summit will take place on Saturday, November 15th from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the Thornton Academy Performing Arts Auditorium in Saco, ME. If you are a RYLA Coordinator, this event is for you! If you cannot make it, please try to send another member of your club. You'll come away with crucial resources, including the 2026 RYLA Coordinator Playbook, an effective plan to recruit and register campers from your communities, brochures and posters to market in schools, testimonies from our incredible RYLA alumni, and connections to a network that can support you in your role. Register at the link (click RYLA logo) or at the QR Code. We look forward to seeing you!
District 7780 2025 Philippines Outreach Team—PDG Dick Hall (Portland RC), AG Joanne Landry (Saco Bay RC), and PP Carol Madsen (Bridgton-Lake Region RC)—has been on the road for a few months now. The Team is available and eager to share their experience.
For those clubs still holding hybrid meetings, the Team is often able to bring in partners from the Philippines to talk about their projects and answer questions. To schedule a visit to your club or for other questions, reach out to dickhall7780@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your interest.
