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District Governor's Message
August 2018
Sue and I began our “official” visits to the clubs in July, and are having a wonderful time getting to know everyone and learning all the good your clubs do. I’ve shared during my talk that my first Rotary meeting was my club’s annual lobster bake. The lobster bake isn’t a recruitment drive – it’s a celebration in which club members and families get together to have a good time in beautiful Fort Williams Park (home of the often photographed Portland Head Light). When I learned at the lobster bake about the good the club did in the community, and saw how nice everyone was, I decided to join Rotary.
I share this story now because August is Membership Month! It is an important time for us to think about how to grow our membership. I’ve asked each club to bring in at least 10% new members this year. Please use August to develop plans on how to do that. We need to give the gift of Rotary to others, just as our sponsors gave it to us.
Membership Month is not only about bringing in new members. If that was the case, it would be called “Membership Recruitment Month.” It is much broader than just a month in which to develop plans on how to bring in new members, it also is an opportunity to celebrate our past, present and future members.
As for past members, let’s think about whether now might be an opportune time to ask some of them to re-join Rotary. Their personal circumstances may have changed or the new flexibility in meeting times and other rules may make it easier for them to be members. I know there are a good number of past members who miss the camaraderie and opportunities for service--and just need to be asked to re-join! Let’s bring these old friends back into Rotary.
We need to celebrate our current members too, and ensure they feel welcome and are engaged in our fellowship and other activities. For many of us, attendance at a Rotary “meeting” does not feel like we’re going to a “meeting” at all -- it’s an integral part of our lives --a time during the week when we gather with friends, with our Rotary family. We need to help all of our members feel this way-- our members are more likely to stay in Rotary when they feel they are part of our Rotary family.
I know that most clubs have some members, usually newer ones, who don’t yet feel this way-- they haven’t yet developed that special connection so many of us feel; they haven’t yet found a way of serving that sparks their passion. So, when we celebrate our members, let’s celebrate all the potential each member has and help each of our members achieve his or her own service potential. Reach out to that new member and find out what inspires him or her and think about how you or your club can fan that inspiration. Sometimes, it is as simple as asking a new member (or any member) to join you in an activity.
In addition to celebrating our members internally, we want non-Rotarians to learn about Rotary and how, through Rotary, they, too, can inspire and transform the world into a better place. When they learn about Rotary, many will choose to join us. They will make our clubs and our communities stronger.
We cannot think of growing our Membership without thinking about our Public Image. Membership and Public Image are inextricably bound together -- when our Public Image is strong, our efforts to grow Membership are made easier. We cannot keep Rotary a secret! When folks see the wonderful work Rotarians do, and how Rotary is a force for good in the world, they want to join us. Rotary, if we take the time to tell its story, sells itself!
I want to thank our District’s Membership Chair, Ann Schieber, and its Public Image Chair Barbara Sutcliffe. They are hard at work. I encourage you to call upon them and use them as resources. Kudos to Barbara and her husband PDG Lawrence Furbish who have started creating a series of incredibly creative and humorous monthly membership videos – here’s a link to the first one.
As you can see from the video (if you didn’t stop reading to click on the link, be sure to go back and do so – it’s worth it!), the Rotary story is inspirational! We have a GREAT story to tell. As I mentioned last month, the Rotary Brand Center has a People of Action public image toolkit that can make it simple for your club to make eye-catching, professional-looking, customized PR materials. For example, here’s one that is on a downtown street in Toronto (near the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is the building in the background):
Please help your club develop its Public Image by creating People of Action ads for print or social media. Show your communities through the People of Action campaign how Rotarians--and, in particular, the Rotarians in your club--make your community and the world a better place. Use pictures and text from your signature activities--these ads will drive new members --new people of action--to your club.
Have fun with this wonderful ad campaign and have a wonderful Rotary month!
I also want to take this opportunity to touch on several other items:
1. Please encourage your fellow club members to download the ClubRunner app onto their smart phones. (See download link at bottom of newsletter.) It is very easy to download the app from the App Store. The ClubRunner app is very robust (and is getting even better all the time) and is a wonderful directory that places phone numbers and email addresses (and much more info) right at your fingertips. It is becoming quite clear that this app is far better than any written directory we might choose to print.
2. Please keep your contact information up to date, particularly phone and email addresses. It also is helpful to include your picture, classification, birth day and other info. For example, birth dates were important when we did a database search to find members between 25-35 so that we can let them know of a program that may be available for them. Classifications can be helpful when we do a database search looking for members who have certain areas of expertise.
3. Shoes are on my mind this month, ever since I saw Durham-Great Bay pass an oversize sneaker around for Happy Dollars. They use some of those happy dollars to quietly buy shoes for youngsters in need. Kudos to them and to all of you who have similar programs. At the Atlanta convention, I came across a shoe that grows 5 sizes for kids in need. I encourage you to check out its website, www.theshoethatgrows.org, and consider whether it might fit into your charitable giving. At the Toronto convention, I came across another worthy organization, Soles4Souls, www.soles4souls.org, which collects new and used shoes and redistributes them through direct donations to people in need and through micro-enterprise partners. Soles4Souls notes there are millions of kids around the world who don’t have adequate footwear. It is another worthy cause if your club is looking to take on another project!
4. Do you have an idea to “pitch” to our district? I’ll be in the picnic area at Hadlock Field, home of the Red Sox AA affiliate Portland Sea Dogs, for the August 19 game against the Altoona Curve. Register for the event at rotary7780.org and purchase tickets at: https://groupmatics.events/event/Rotarydistrict7780. Ticket price includes entrance to the 1 p.m. game plus an extensive buffet from 11:30 to 2:00. I’ll be there at 11:30 to hear your Rotary ideas, get my money’s worth at the buffet(!), and enjoy a ballgame with you.
5. The Montreal Zone Conference is coming up September 20-22. This year’s conference is open to all Rotarians. Come enjoy this wonderful city and Rotary with an international flair! More information about the conference and how to register is available on our website, rotary7780.org.
6. Overdose Awareness Day is coming up on August 31, 2018. Please read more at rotary7780.org. Also, please contact Chief Bob MacKenzie of the Kennebunk club, rmackenzie@kennebunkmaine.us, if you would like to help our district address the intractable problems faced by folks in the throes of addiction and their families. We are at our best when we help those who can’t help themselves. Kudos to Chief Bob and his wonderful committee as we try to figure out how we can best help and save lives.
Polio Plus - August 2018
Happy August 2018 Fellow Rotarians
I certainly hope everyone is having a nice summer so far. I was able to copy this article from the RI website as it had some great information as well as ways each of us can contribute to ending Polio forever. Thank you…
End Polio
Rotary, along with our partners, has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. We are close to eradicating polio, but we need your help. Whether you have a few minutes or a few hours, here are some ways to make a global impact and protect children against polio forever.
Give
Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. For as little as $0.60, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life.
Your gift to the Polio Plus Fund is eligible for Paul Harris Society recognition. You can maximize support for polio eradication within your club and your community by organizing a fundraiser. Get some ideas.
Build awareness
Help get the word out about our efforts to fight polio.
Our District 7780 Rotarians and clubs did a fabulous job of supporting the Foundation this past Rotary year. Final figures are not yet in - it takes the Foundation in Evanston a while to process all of the last minute donations and this year it was slowed more than normal by the water damage to the RI Website servers. Final figures should be available in the September Newsletter and we will try to email the results to last year’s presidents and club Foundation chairs as soon as they are available. But every club contributed to the Annual Fund and all but one club to Polio Plus. Congratulations on a job well done.
This year we had eight clubs apply for a District Grant. Their applications were scrutinized by a screening committee of club Foundation chairs, one from each AG area, under the able leadership of District Grants subcommittee chair Betty Hughes. The screening committee recommended that all eight be approved and the full District Foundation Committee concurred and voted to fund them all. The grants are as follows:
2018-19 District Grants
Club
Area of Focus
Description
Amount of DG
Boothbay Harbor
Education/Literacy
Playground equipment for pre-K to 2nd graders near elementary school
$5,000.00
Brunswick
Community Development
Provide laptop computers for a Brunswick area teen center
$4,496.00
Dover
Education/Literacy
Playground expansion for at-risk children at a local anti-poverty center
$5,000.00
Kennebunk Portside
Community Development
Construct two park benches in the Dock Square section of Kennebunkport
$1,692.00
Portland
Disease Prevention
Recovery coach training and community outreach to combat the spread of Substance Use Disorder
$5,000.00
Saco Bay
Community Development
Provide a beach wheelchair and walker in Saco
$2,180.00
Saco Bay Sunset
Education/Literacy
Obtain and use a World Wide map template for a map project at a middle school and share it with other clubs
$400.00
Yarmouth
Community Development
Develop a sustainable prosthetic hands project using 3-D print technology in Kosovo
$4,500.00
The Portland Sea Dogs
DISTRICT 7780 ROTARIANS AND FAMILY ARE INVITED - AUGUST 19
The Portland Sea Dogs are happy to host Rotary District 7780, as they take on the Altoona Curve, an AA Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sunday, August 19th, at 1:00 pm - (gates open at 11:30 am)
Tickets are $27.50 per person.
Tickets purchased through the link below are for the Coca-Cola Picnic Area in Right Field, and include a buffet that runs from 11:30 am until 2:00 pm, and consists of hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ pulled chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, Coca-Cola products and Sea Dog Biscuits. There is also a cash bar in the area for beer and wine.
What a great way to share an afternoon with fellow Rotarians in the District, and also prospective members!
If you have any questions you can contact bob.wester@icloud.com, District AG from the Kennebunk Portside Rotary Club.
Or, if you would like to order 10 or more tickets, please contact Alan Barker in the Sea Dogs ticket office at 207-879-9500 or by email at ABarker@Seadogs.com
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year. IOAD aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. Overdose Awareness Day has been a key remembrance event for those who have died from fatal drug overdoses since 2001. On August 31, thousands of people worldwide will stand beside the friends and families of fatal overdose victims to reflect on their losses. Hundreds of events are scheduled around the world on International Overdose Awareness Day to spread the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
In Maine, there are events scheduled in Portland and Bangor. The Portland event is sponsored by the City of Portland’s Public Health Division and Needle Exchange Program’s outreach team. This year’s vigil will be held in Deering Oaks Park and will include speakers and education, as well as an overdose response training and narcan kits. The annual memorial wall will be featured to honored the lives lost to opioid overdose in our community. Lantern making and a walk through the park will end the event. For more information on the Portland event visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1857867257849731/ For more on the international cause, please visit www.overdoseday.com
Information about the Portland event:
Event: 5th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil
Date: August 31, 2018
Location: Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine
Time: 6:00 p.m.
"How will your club prepare for Rotary Literacy Month?" See ideas here!
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY - SEPTEMBER 8
September is recognized across the world in Rotary as Literacy Month. In particular, September 8th isInternational Literacy Dayand celebrated widely, not just by Rotary.
To help your club prepare, download the 'flyer' below. It includes information and challenges.
EVERYONE is welcome, in fact we encourage attendance by all and have crafted our extraordinary program to cater to each and every type of Rotarian. We aim to inspire. We aim to engage. And, we aim to have folks take away the notion that Rotary is relevant, exciting, and surprising. The idea is to create leaders, and perpetuate our current leaders' talents. From world-recognized speakers, to an interactive House of Friendship, and even super cool social events...we've got you covered.
This was the last time I will be doing these newsletter quotes. The quotes below were in the July District Newsletter that I had taken from two different clubs newsletters where I had done a makeup.
October 2, 1989 Newsletter - “With just two weeks to go before the annual Rotary Walkathon, members should be receiving an assignment sheet at today’s breakfast meeting….and making space on their calendars to meet necessary commitments.” MEALS ON WHEELS: October 3: Bibber/Margosian.
February 6, 1992 Newsletter – “Everybody welcomed President Craig back who started the meeting by asking Ginny McLaughlin to introduce visiting Rotarians and guests.…”
I got this email on July 1 from Michael McGovern – “Less you think your history is not read, I do read your history but leave others to win. Hope someone from the Wells or Kennebunk clubs win this month...” I received no other reply except Michael’s.
The October 2, 1989 Newsletter was from the Wells Rotary Bulletin. I thought sure the name Bibber would be the giveaway, guess not!
TheFebruary 6, 1992 Newsletter was from THE BUNK. Even with the names of President Craig (Wellman) and Ginny MacLaughlin in there no one got it.
Time for a switch in District History Questions. We had a great Conference at the SUMMIT in May with four other districts which was the first time we were involved in a 5 District Conference. However, we have had several other multi-District Conferences in the past but with fewer Districts. Let’s see who can come up with the correct answers. For all you NEW Rotarians, with less than 31 years in Rotary, if you check out the District History page under ABOUT US on the District 7780 website, you might find the answer!
Send your answers to me at mawilliamspdg@comcast.net with your name and your club’s name. The answer will be in the September newsletter.
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
The Rotary Club of Hampton inducted two new members during the month of July.
On July 3rd, at our very first meeting of the new Rotary year, the club welcomed Sarah Kearney, Director of Community Relations at Cornerstone at Hampton. The following week, we then welcomed Kaitlyn Hamel, a Physical Therapist at Seacoast Spine & Sports Injuries Clinic.
In first picture seen left to right: Geoff Merrill, Membership Director, President Donna Abisi, and Sarah Kearney. In second picture: Geoff, Kaitlyn Hamel, and Donna.
The Rotary Club of Bethel
CLUB PICTURE RECAP
Annual lobster roll booth at Bethel’s MollyOckett Day. Funds raised will be used to support various community causes.
Club changeover meeting in June, 2017-18 President Michele Varuolo Cole presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Rotarian Ellie Andrews
Annual Auction and Yard Sale proceeds are earmarked for scholarship program.
The Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor
WRAP-A-SMILE
On Saturday July 7th, Rotarians from Wells, Sanford-Springvale, and Boothbay Harbor met at the BBH Rotary Clubhouse to pack quilts for Wrap-A-Smile. Terry Hodskins, founder of WAS and Kerstin Kirchner, her “chief packer”, trained a new team of community volunteers to vacuum pack a record-setting number of quilts. Two hundred hand-made cotton quilts, donated by quilters from all over the country, were packed into just 4 boxes. Terry guaranteed that the quilts will burst back to life when they are opened at the Rotaplast mission sites!
Wrap-A-Smile is a district wide project being managed by Ann Demeranville of Boothbay Harbor. Ann is forming “Friends of Wrap-A-Smile” to expand the publicity for WAS and is also seeking donations to help cover the costs of shipping quilts. If you would like to help, please contact Ann at quilts7780@gmail.com.
SUMMER BIKE PROGRAM
The Boothbay Harbor bike program is now underway. Since much of our community income depends upon the summertime hospitality industry, Rotary supplies up to 109 free bikes for international and domestic summer workers use, to get to and from work. This ambassadorial project is a great team-building effort, and a way to advertise the good works of Rotary throughout our community, and to visiting domestic and world travelers. We simply loan bikes, lights, and locks, which have highly visible Rotary tags. This serves many and spreads the Rotary name. For funding, we have partnered with the Congregational Church. Come and see it for yourselves; we would love to help you start a program in your area. We meet Thursday evenings at 6pm.
The Rotary Club of Brunswick
JULY RECAP
July was a busy month for the Rotary Club of Brunswick Maine.
Claudia Frost claimed the title of ‘re-tread’ president as she assumed the gavel. Claudia was president of the club in 2013-14.
The morning of July 4th found the Rotarians in the center of Brunswick with “Fun and Games on the Mall.” Children and adults enjoy old-fashioned games including sack races and a pie eating contest.
SEA DOGS NIGHT
Club members took advantage of Brunswick Sea Dogs night on July 19th. The Sea Dogs rewarded Rotarians with a 10 - 0 win over the Hartford Yard Goats. The weather was perfect!
July 26th, found Brunswick Rotarians volunteering at the Harpswell Food Pantry. This is a monthly commitment to help the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Project.
Brunswick has initiated a new schedule of meetings in July. The last Monday of the month includes a late afternoon board meeting, followed by a social at the Coast Bar and Bistro at The Daniel - 10 Water Street - Brunswick, ME. Join us!
PP Don Kniseley and Rotarian Patty Biggs at the Sea Dogs game
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
CLUB KICKS OFF KAYAK RAFFLE
Rotarians David Swetland, Bill Vaughan and Hugh Riddleberger led off Damariscotta-Newcastle's kayak and paddle raffle sale. Two weekends in front of Sherman's Maine Bookstore & Cafe on Main Street netted almost $2,500 to combat food insecurity. Thanks to all who bought tickets, and all those who braved the HOT days!!! We always have fun at this project seeing friends and neighbors, meeting visitors and socializing with Rotarians from away who stop by to say, "hi."
ROTARIAN RECEIVES RECOGNITION FROM PRESIDENT
Past President Bob Topper (2016-17) was this year's winner of the coveted Step Up Boots from the Damariscotta-Newcastle Club. Chosen by the outgoing president each year, the boots are awarded to someone who always steps up to help when there's a need.
The Rotary Club of Dover
ROTARY GARDENS AND KINDNESS ROCKS
Were you in downtown Dover this weekend? If not, we invite you back to see our fabulous Rotary gardens and Kindness Rocks. Thank you to our Rotarians and their family & friends for keeping the gardens looking so beautiful and for creating each “kindness” rock to be able to share with our community. The Rotary Club of Dover is looking to build that friendship and goodwill with others. Come and visit, we would love to meet you. #kindnessrocks #rotaryrocks #lovewhereyoulive #happy #kindnessrocksdover #doverrotaryrocks.
ROTARIANS ATTEND SENIOR VISIT
Fun times as the Rotary Club of Dover attended the Senior Visit with the residents at Bellamy Fields in Dover. We talked about where the Seniors have been and how they came to Dover along with some friendly competitive trivia. Lots of smiles and a ton of laughs. #coveredbridge #seniorcommunities #serviceaboveself
CLUB WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
We are proud and honored to welcome Noreen Biehl as our new 2018/2019 Rotary Club of Dover President. As Noreen spoke at her first meeting this week, She spoke of “inspiration” and who inspired her throughout her life. She talked about her mother & father, a teacher, and people within her careers of journaling at our local newspaper, in public relations & marketing at our local hospital and her husband, Frank. She shared how these made her who she is today through the many lessons in life. In concluding, Noreen said that we as a Rotary Club can “be the inspiration” to others around us and in our Community and to go out and share your stories. #rotarypresident #betheinspiration
CLUB INSTALLS NEW BANNERS IN DOWNTOWN
Thank you to Ron Richard, the Rotary Club of Dover and to the City of Dover as the new banners were installed in downtown Dover before the 4th of July holiday and the start to the Cocheco Arts Festival this week. #workingtogether #beautifyingthecityofdover
ROTARIANS PRESENTED WITH PAUL HARRIS AWARDS
Congratulations to Norm Heine and Nick Pellman, as they each were presented the Paul Harris Award by our Rotary Club of Dover President, Noreen Biehl, for their dedication and service with our club and the local community. #serviceaboveself
The Rotary Club of Exeter
CHANGE OVER DINNER AND AWARD PRESENTATIONS
On June 25, the Exeter Rotary Club held their change over dinner, passing the presidential role from Rob MacGregor to Kathy Flygare. As Kathy’s first order of business, she presented Rob with a Paul Harris Fellow award for leading the club for two years as president. Since Rob is traveling a lot for his consulting business, he was given a Rotary rolling carry-on as well. We thank Rob for keeping our club momentum going for the last two years.
Rob thanked his board at the change-over dinner.
From right to left: Rob MacGregor, President, Rachel Ela, past President, Tressa Northrup, Vice President, Kathy Flygare, President-elect, Leigh Willett, Secretary, Maureen Pecora and Bob Hamilton, Speaker Co-chairs, Joe Pearce, Interact chair, Paul Sullivan, Club Service chair and Fred Emanuel, Membership chair. Missing were Burt Dibble, Club Foundation chair, Mae Bradshaw, District Foundation (they were in Toronto) and Mark Pendleton, International chair.
KENNEBUNKPORT CHIEF SPEAKS ABOUT OPIOID CRISIS
On Monday, July 16, Kennebunkport Chief Bob MacKenzie spoke at the Exeter Rotary lunch at the Exeter Inn. His message was clear, that the Opioid Crisis can be battled with educating about the disease of addiction and removing the stigma, so that it is looked at as a health crisis like other diseases we respectfully focus on. Chief MacKenzie a Past President of the Kennebunk Rotary Club and a member for the past 11 years, also chairs the Rotary District 7780 Recovery Initiative.
The Rotary Club of Hampton
CLUB CHANGEOVER AND AWARD PRESENTATIONS
On Thursday, June 28th, under the tent at Grill 28 at Pease, the Hampton Rotary Club celebrated the close and beginning of a new Rotary year. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards by outgoing President Bill McGowan to three well-deserving Rotarians.
The first presentation of Paul Harris Fellows was to Stephanie Santos and Ray Tweedie, who have done an outstanding job as our Service Project Directors this past year.
The second presentation, Rotarian of the Year, was awarded to Barbara Lizotte, who is a Past President and current PR Director of our club. Barbara's dedication to the club is evident, as Bill pointed out her involvement in most (if not all) Hampton Rotary events this past year.
Congratulation to all three dedicated Rotarians!
And then, of course the "Changing of the Guard." Donna Abisi assumed her role as Hampton Rotary Club President, 2018-19.
Pictured above is President Donna Abisi and her family, who joined us in wishing her a successful year!
The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside
RECYCLING ADDS UP TO BIG MONEY
Kennebunk Portside Rotary recently donated $1000 each to the Town of Kennebunkport’s Health and Police Departments. The money comes from Recycling of Maine Returnable Bottles throughout the year. In addition, money is also put in the Rotary Park fund for future needs.
Pictured above: Portsider, Harvey Flashen, presents checks to Town Nurse Alison Kenneway, and Chief Craig Sanford at a recent meeting. Thousands of dollars have been donated to both of these departments over the years.
The Rotary Club of Ogunquit
CLUB HOSTS 44TH ANNUAL 2 CENT SALE
The Rotarians of Ogunquit turned out in force on Thursday, July 19th, to host the club’s 44th annual 2 Cent Sale at the Dunaway Center. President Bob Cruickshank formally welcomed the large crowd to kick off the evening. Assistant District Governor Larry Marsolais joined us and pitched in as ticket seller, ticket collector and gift courier. Many thanks Larry! We were very fortunate to also have the volunteer assistance of several Wells High School students, several recent graduates of Wells High School and one college roommate from Syracuse, NY! Members and volunteers were very active in selling grand prize raffle tickets, tickets for gift baskets and tickets for table prizes. Then those tickets had to be collected and delivered to the stage where they were placed in the tumbler, a sturdy device built years ago by late Rotarian Howard Case. Past and current presidents of the club bore the responsibility of spinning the tumbler, calling winning numbers and distributing table prizes. Some Kennebunk Savings Bank staffers under the guidance of Past-President and KSB branch manager Lisa Aubin volunteered their time to manage the cash flow for the entire event. After all prizes and gift baskets were distributed, the silent auction winners were announced and the grand prize winners were drawn. The three-hour event deposited about $10,000 into the club’s contribution fund. The motto of the 2 Cent Sale is “Having fun helping people.”
Pictured left to right: Pete Woodbury, AG Larry Marsolais and event chair Tracy Smith
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills recently presented over $5,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors at the Oxford Hills Class night.
Shown above is President George Rice congratulating a recipient, and Scholarship Committee Chair Dan Hart speaking to the crowd.
The club also held another successful Rotary Auction that raised substantial funds to help support our many projects including 300 dictionaries to 3rd graders, May Day Play Day-a free fun day for area elementary kids, local food pantries, scholarships and many more.
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
CLUB RECAPS ROTARY YEAR
President Ben finished his term with 3,100 community service hours, $200,000 dollars in funds donated locally and $30,000 dollars given away in goods and services. Over that period we also raised $20,000 dollars for the Rotary Foundation and $100,000 dollars more towards October’s Rotaplast trip.
”When you are surrounded by a group of people like the Portsmouth Rotary Club,” Ben said in his farewell address, “anything is possible.”
We didn’t allow him to exit gracefully, however. Using a hijacked copy of Ben’s “diary,” the club spoofed some of his achievements. Especially a memorable trip to White Island as part of a hands-on Rotary repair team. The Rotations, our club's singing group, dressed in foul weather gear, added their take on things in an outrageous song. The ballad was loosely based on the “Gilligan’s Island” theme.
President Cleo Villaflores took over in as smooth a transition as we have ever seen. One of the key milestones ahead will be choosing this year’s non-profit partner. The club has enjoyed a successful and enlightening year partnering with Stratham’s Ritchie McFarland Center.
The Rotary Club of River Valley
GUEST SPEAKER
Immediate Past Club President and Rotarian of the Day Randy Therrien, Allie Butla, Melissa Harding, and current Club President Dr. Paul Dory
The guest speakers at the River Valley Rotary Club fellowship luncheon held at HOPE Association was Project Director Allie Burla, and Program Coordinator Melissa Harding of River Valley Rising (a drug funding coalition.)
The River Valley Rising mission state: Working together to reduce youth substance use and abuse by aligning existing resources, facilitating education, and supporting families, schools and communities!
Recently the Saco Bay Sunset held a "changeover" BBQ to celebrate Dennis Robillard, who had just finished his 2nd term as the club's president. Incoming President, Bob LePauloue remarked, "This club would not exist if not for one of our founders, our Past Presidents, and the glue that holds this ship together, Dennis Robillard. I may be this year’s president, but Dennis IS Saco Bay Sunset. He epitomizes all that we believe Rotary is and can be. So Dennis, please accept our sincere thanks for stepping up after the untimely death of fellow Rotarian, Doug Hooper, and for leading us to where we are today. You are a tough act to follow up."
Also this year, Dennis and his wife, Mary Beth, were recognized as major donors to the Rotary Foundation.
Our club thanked him for his service with a weekend getaway along with a "throne" that represents his passions of the Crutches for Africa program, bottle redemption fundraisers, and his daily flag-raisings at Veteran's Park in Old Orchard Beach.
The Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale
PEOPLE OF ACTION
Sanford-Springvale Rotarians at work weeding the Sanford Rotary landscape project at the Route 4 and 109 roundabout. Making a difference in our community - that's what people of action do. That's Rotary. #peopleofaction
Over 600 people have seen this People of Action ad that I posted to our club's Facebook page just last week. The People of Action campaign materials available at MyRotary make it easier than ever for clubs to share their Rotary story. One image of your club members in action and a few minutes at the computer is all it takes to show your community what Rotarians are all about. Go to the District website Public Image to look at more information about the People of Action campaign, or contact me directly for help getting your club going with People of Action.
The students at the Windham Elementary School, 2nd grade class, took the challenge presented by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club to read 500 hours in exchange for contributions to Heifer International.
Heifer International is an organization that provides livestock to villages in third world countries to raise for food, and to exchange with others in their communities that will provide a local economy of barter or trade.
The 62 children who participated have been reading since they returned from Christmas break and met the challenge. The animals they choose were pigs, lambs, chickens, and a gardening basket which provides seeds and other items to create a garden.
Representing their fellow students are: Lily Edmond and Josh Arbour with Windham Elementary Principle Dr. Kyle Rhoads. John McGinnis is from the Sebago Lake Rotary Club President Elect.
The Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
CLUB MAINTAINS GARDENS AT HISTORIC SITE
Portland Head Light, is a historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The light station sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, which is within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The SPCE Rotary Club maintains the gardens that surround the very popular picnic shelter at Ft Williams. The gardens were designed by Catherine Callahan, who is a professional landscape architect and a club member. Creating these gardens are a beautiful addition to the location. A small group of "garden-loving club members" join in to make the task go quickly.
Phil Dube and Bill York working on the gardens at Ft Williams in Cape Elizabeth
The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham
PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS AWARDED
During his visit, DG John Lobosco awarded Paul Harris Fellow recognition to the following members of the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club: Jason Beever PHF+5, Woody Beach PHF+3, President Deb Shangraw PHF+1, and Nelson Harmon PHF+1.
Thanks to all of these folks for their generous ongoing support of our Rotary Foundation.
L-R: Deb Shangraw, Woody Beach, John Lobosco, Nelson Harmon and Jason Beever
The Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor
61ST ANNUAL AUCTION AND FLEA MARKET - AUGUST 4TH
Boothbay Harbor Rotary invites everyone to visit us for our 61st Annual Benefit Auction and Flea Market to be held onSaturday, August 4th, on the playgrounds of the Boothbay Harbor High School. The club has partnered with many local businesses to engage local leaders and to help cover overhead costs. Half of our grant monies are realized through this auction.
We are short on person power and hope that, with the help of Friends of Rotary and visiting Rotarians, we can easily get set up on Friday, August 3rd after a 6:30 am complimentary breakfast at the Rotary clubhouse at 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. It is amazing fun! Wear your Rotary At Work shirt on Saturday, and you may pick up some new members who are visiting attendees.
The Annual Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary/Lions Auction is coming soon! Lots of great silent auction items, fabulous live auction items, hors d'oeuvre, cash bar, and fun.
Friday, August 10th - 6pm - Lincoln Academy Dining Hall - (Newcastle, Maine)
Tickets are $16, or a table for $90, and may be purchased on-line at LionsRotaryAuction.com.
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
LOBSTER AND STEAK FEST - AUGUST 18
For more info or tickets
contact President George Rice at 207-890-3122
or Past President Dave Preble at 743-7836
The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham
24TH ANNUAL ROTARY CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT- SEPTEMBER 18
The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham invites you to sponsor and play in their 24th Annual Rotary Classic Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held at Gorham Country Club, 93 McClellan Rd, Gorham on Tuesday September 18, beginning at 11:30AM.
Proceeds will benefit Westbrook-Gorham Rotary’s local high school scholarship programs, as well as the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program and other local youth, literacy, and community projects and programs in the Town of Gorham and the City of Westbrook.
KITTERY, Maine - Lezlye G. Shea, 85 of Kittery died peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
Born in Yonkers New York on May 9, 1933 she was a daughter of the late Susie ( Shattuck ) Canfield Ames, Lezlye graduated from Portsmouth High School with the class of 1951 and furthered her education at Fisher Junior College in Boston. She managed Shea's Oil with her former husband for fifteen years. She worked with John W. Durgin and Sons Inc in 1979 and continued with successor companies retiring as business manager from James Verra and Associates Inc., in 2002 and remained on a part time basis till 2010.
Active in her community Lezlye was a cornerstone member of the Second Christian Congregational UCC Church in Kittery since 1963 and was a former member of the North Church in Portsmouth.
She was a Past Worthy Advisor of Portsmouth Assembly #2, Rainbow Girls, Past President of Rye Junior Woman's Club, a member of the Kittery Rotary Club for nineteen years , 1991 Kittery Rotarian of the Year, past bulletin editor for ten years; served as President 1997 to 1998 and secretary for eight years, and was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. She was a Past Secretary and Chairman of the Board of the Seacoast Crime Stoppers, Past President and Secretary of Zeta Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority; Past Secretary of the Friends of the Rice Public Library. She enjoyed serving on planning committees for several PHS '51 class reunions, keeping classmates updated via email, and organizing luncheons for the women classmates in the area.
Lezlye was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in September of 2010. She refused to believe she only had a short time left and went to battle. She received 220 doses of chemotherapy as she waited for a cure. Cancer never defined nor defeated her, it did not take her from us. Cancer did not win this war, she left her way, deciding it was time to rest.
Lezlye is survived by her sons, Michael L Shea ( Kelly) of Rochester, N.H., Harold B. Shea III and his partner Kris Kidd of York, daughters, Elizabeth M. Bowden of South Berwick, Maine, Nancy Shea of Loveland, Colo.; beloved grandchildren, Michele Langelier, Scott Bowden, Michael P. Shea, Cassandra Shea, William Shea, Ashley Komor, Madison Oatsvall, Erica and Brian Shea; great grandchildren, Brenden Goodwin, Olivia Langelier and Cody, Paige and Kali Bowden and a great great granddaughter Kinsley Goodwin and many cherished and loving friends.
SERVICES: A funeral will be celebrated on July 7, 2018 at 11am in her church, the Second Christian Congregational UCC Church 33 Government Street Kittery Maine 03904. Casual dress is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to her church or to her Rotary Club at PO Box 678 Kittery Maine 03904.
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 September Newsletter Submissions: August 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.
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Everyone’s Phone Number at Your Fingertips . . . and Much More!
Have you done the easy ClubRunner download yet?
How would you like to have not only your own Rotary Club members contact information but also the entire District at your fingertips? You can and so much more by downloading the new and improved ClubRunner Mobile App. You can also access club and district leadership, stories and events all with just a few clicks. Connecting to them is as easy as clicking on the phone number or email address.
You can download it on the AppStore or GooglePlay and be on your way in minutes. Now would also be a good time to make sure that your profile is current, and if you do not have a picture saved, or your birthday listed, considering updating your information now!
Reach out and collaborate with other like minded Rotarians from around our district and be the People of Action that your are!
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How would you like to have not only your own Rotary Club members contact information but also the entire District at your fingertips? You can and so much more by downloading the new and improved ClubRunner Mobile App. You can also access club and district leadership, stories and events all with just a few clicks. Connecting to them is as easy as clicking on the phone number or email address.
