As we approach the end of our Rotary year, I just want to extend my gratitude to all of you, the members of District 7780. It has been said many times that “…it’s all about the clubs” and I couldn’t agree more, but what’s implied in that statement is that it really comes down to the members. The seemingly endless passion and energy that club members have poured into their clubs’ activities has been truly inspiring to witness. This year, every club in the District has participated either singly or in collaboration with other clubs in efforts ranging from international and community service projects and food insecurity initiatives to literacy and youth focused activities. As Governor, it has been my purpose and my honor to have supported in some way these efforts, but the credit goes to you, the members.
So as we prepare to gather for our end of the year celebration at the District Conference, I would once again like to express my deepest thanks to all of you, the members of district 7780. Bravo!
Sheila
Sheila Rollins
Rotary District Governor 2015-16
Bridgton Lake Region Rotary
207-956-3786 Cell
207-583-6074 Home
District History Trivia
There were no guesses in May!
Last month’s question: Had multiple questions but the answers could all be found under the District History on the Historical Notes page then click on 7780 Family Tree. The questions were:
How many clubs have had multiple club sponsors beside Saco Bay Sunset?
What were the clubs names?
Who were there sponsors?
How many clubs have been started since July 1, 2000?
How many have been terminated or left the district?
The Answers are:
One other club with multiple sponsors
Kittery After Hours was the first club with multiple sponsors
Kittery After Hours sponsors were - Rotary Club of Kittery & South Berwick-Eliot Clubs
Five NEW clubs have been added since July 1, 2000 – Falmouth May 10, 2001; South Portland Sunrise May 10, 2004; Topsham Expresso April 20, 2006; South Berwick-Eliot June 12, 2008 and Kittery After Hours June 4, 2015.
Unfortunately we have lost five clubs in the same timeframe – Seabrook Hampton Falls, NH turned in their charter in 2003; South Berwick, ME turned their charter in in 2008; Somersworth, NH turned in their charter in 2011; South Portland Sunrise, ME turned in their charter on November 5, 2015.We had one club move to a neighboring district - Newburyport, MA on July 1, 2013.
DISTRICT HISTORY - WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
This Month’s District History Story:
This month I am going to do something very different! Each month I have asked you to find an answer about our district’s history somewhere in the District History pages. This month I am going to tell you a “story” and then ask you to share “your” history in regards to this “story”. I will then post my “story” and “your” history on the NEW District History Rotaplast page.
In 1997, when I first became District Governor, Past District Governor James “Jim” Labrie called and asked me if I could come to his home and asked me to invite then District Governor-elect Bill Skinner and District Governor Nominee Michael McGovern to attend at the same time as he wanted to share something with us. We all went to the Labrie home in Rye, NH and PDG Jim showed us a news clip by Connie Chun about Rotaplast. When it was over and the tears were running down my face, he asked if I would be willing to start the promotion of this program to repair cleft lip and cleft palates in our district but there was one condition – Bill and Mike had to agree to continue the program in their years as District Governor as it would take it several years to get really started. As the saying goes, “that is history”! Needless to say we all agreed and that is how Rotaplast started in District 7780. Jim got then Executive Director Anita Stengl to attend my district conference (Jim paid her expenses to get her here from California but didn’t want it known). Jim recently passed away and this is just one of the many things that Jim supported during his lifetime and it is part of our District History. This had a special meaning to Jim as he had 6 reconstructive cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries by the age of 3.
Many of you have taken part in the many trips to assist in these surgeries around the world at your own expense. Please share with me (and I will share them with the district via the District History with a new page dedicated to Rotaplast) your “story” of why you went on one or more of these trips, what your “job” was while on the trip and how you felt when you arrived and saw all the children in need of this surgery and how this may have changed your life. All of you that went on one or more of these trips are part of the District’s history and it should be shared with everyone in the District permanently via the District History pages. You can see remarks shared by Jim Labrie from a Rotaplast team in Argentina in the May 1998 newsletter.
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 Rotaplast Story” will be in next month’s newsletter and their “stories” will be posted to the District History Rotaplast 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 our District’s Website.
Marie A. Williams
District Historian
The Rotary Club of York
HONORS ROTARIAN FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE
(From left to Right) Club President Steve Jendzejec, Mary Massida, Honoree Bill Massida, and DG Sheila Rollins
On April 30, over sixty York Rotarians and their guests gathered to celebrate the year at a Dinner Dance at the York Golf and Tennis Club. The surprise highlight of the night was honoring Bill Massida for 50 years of service as a Rotarian. Bill has been a member of the York Rotary Club for 8 years, but prior to that had 42 years with the Springfield Mass Club. Bill is very active, leading the members in song on many a Friday morning. DG Sheila Rollins was present for the event and helped York honor Bill and his wife, Mary (of over 60 years). To celebrate the event, York donated $2000 to the Rotary Foundation and bestowed Paul Harris Fellowships on Bill and Mary. Congratulations Bill and thank you for your service!
The Rotary Club of Westbrook Gorham
DONATES TO STROUDWATER FOOD PANTRY
Doug Horner, surrounded here by full bags of non-perishables brought in by Rotarians, a retired IT Executive from Bank of America found his calling August 12, 2015, when he headed up volunteers from The Stroudwater Christian Church to feed hungry people. The first 12 families he fed grew to over a 1,000 people who come every Wednesday and Sunday to receive food to feed their families. This is all done by Doug and others who do this without taking a cent for their efforts or funds from the church for the food.
Their efforts and those of all food pantries are critical in Maine where one child out of every four is meal insecure.
(Left to right) Rotarians Bill Chadwick and Wayne Lopez, Doug Horner of Stroudwater Food Pantry, Rotarian Paul Emery, and President Christine Johnson.
WESTBROOK COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAY
Lynn Leavitt, Sustainability Coordinator – City of Westbrook, Christine Johnson, Rotary, Paul Emery, Rotary, and Julie Hamm, Rotary,
Joining other citizens of Westbrook, The Rotary Club of Westbrook/Gorham members were delighted to spend their Saturday morning picking up paper, plastic cups, bottles and cans, and cigarette butts from the road sides and public places of the City of Westbrook, all in an effort to make beautiful the city they love.
(Left to right) Julie Hamm – Rotary. (Right) Christine Johnson – President Rotary. (Not Shown) Mike Foley, Judy and Ed Reidman, all from Westbrook Gorham Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Wells
True to form, the Wells Rotary Club has been plugging away during the month of May. Following are some of the highlights:
Rotarians Dennis Hardy and PE Doug Bibber pack up more equipment for Crutches for Africa.
The Wells Rotary Club along with the Interact Students presented a $500 check to the “Soups On” organization at the Congregational Church of Wells for a badly needed mixer.
Members of the Wells Junior High School Odyssey of the Mind team receive a $1000 check to assist them with their travels to the World Finals in Iowa May 24-27.
The Rotary Club of South Portland Cape Elizabeth
DONATES TO YOUTH LITERACY PROGRAMS
The Rotary Club of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth has donated $1000 to two local public libraries for youth literacy programs. The Club began this ongoing program in 2007.
Youth librarians at Cape’s Thomas Memorial Library and the South Portland’s Public Library each recently received a check for $500 from Rotary. The additional materials, chosen by the professional librarians at each library, will provide materials they otherwise would not be able to purchase through normal funding.
The money will be used to enhance literacy programs through the purchase of books and materials to promote literacy, reading, and interest in education among young people. Some of the materials will also assist those for whom English is a second language.
The Rotary Club also uses this program to recognize its weekly speakers by having them sign a bookplate that goes into one of the selected books and symbolizes a donation of that book by the speaker.
Rotary Club president Scott Irving says, “We have been making this type of donation for ten years with a view toward increasing the interest in reading and education among our local students. It is representative of our Rotary club’s service to our communities’ youth and our commitment to literacy initiatives.”
AWARDS SERVICE ABOVE SELF SCHOLARSHIPS
The South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club recently awarded Service Above Self Scholarships to 12 very deserving graduating seniors from South Portland and Cape Elizabeth High Schools. These students not only achieved at high academic levels (many taking advanced honors courses), they took time out of their busy schedules to give back to their schools and communities.
Many tutored and mentored younger students in both sports and academics. One young man started an anti bullying campaign in his school. Another young man belonged to a group that promoted an anti domestic violence message and held events to advance this message. Several young women put on weekly events at a local senior center. Many of the applicants were members of their school's Interact Clubs and participated in many events throughout the school year including park cleanups, working at Wayside soup kitchen, putting on food drives and helping our club with our annual Christmas Tree Sale and WinterFest. Many have attended RYLA, describing it as a life-altering event in their lives. Some of these students even return as volunteer staff members.
It is an honor for our club members to interact with these talented and caring young people throughout the year and to be able to award them these scholarships to acknowledge their contributions.
The Rotary Club of South Berwick-Eliot
INTERACT BREAKFAST AT MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Photo above is of the Marshwood High School Interact Club, its advisor Johanne Garfield (far right; co-advisor Lisa Greenblatt unavailable for photo), and South Berwick-Eliot Rotary Club advisors Barry O’Brien (far right, second row) and Helen Goransson (far left). Catherine Mossman (center, in hat), a survivor of human trafficking and founder of Stop Trafficking ME, was the featured speaker.
In a breakfast meeting with the South Berwick-Eliot Rotary Club at Marshwood High School this past week, the Marshwood High School Interact Club recognized its outgoing officers and welcomed new officers. Guest speaker at the meeting was Catherine Mossman, a survivor of human trafficking and founder of Stop Trafficking ME, an organization to raise awareness about this problem in the state of Maine.
The Interact Club at Marshwood High School was chartered several years ago to provide high school students with opportunities to serve the local community and the world. With the assistance of advisors from the South Berwick-Eliot Rotary Club and Marshwood faculty advisors, the students organize projects throughout the year. This year, for example, they organized a food drive, made and delivered sandwiches to Crossroads House in Portsmouth every month, manned the local food pantry, helped with the town’s Easter egg hunt and Valentine’s Day dance, organized a blood drive, and fund-raised for international causes, especially Safe Passage in Guatemala which helps educate children and families who live in the city’s solid waste site, which this club has supported for many years. All high school students are welcome to join this club which meets weekly before the school day begins. For those looking to fulfill community service graduation requirements, this is a fun way to find projects to undertake in the company of a group of great kids that wish to make a difference.
Over 400 attend this successful fundraiser which offers over 15 pizza makers the opportunity to not only have folks taste their products, but offer them the opportunity of bragging rights for an entire year as the Best in the Region. This is one of the clubs most fun events where locals start asking about it months in advance.
The winner of this year's challenge was a repeat winner, the Crazy Stallion Pizza Pie Factory in Naples, inside the Umbrella Factory Supermarket. Stop in and tell them you heard they offered the BEST PIZZA!
The Rotary Club of Saco Bay
LET THE MAGIC BEGIN
In July 2015, the Rotary Club of Saco Bay received a District Grant for an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) approved ramp at the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach. The ballpark was built in 1984, and has a seating capacity of 5,500; however, it lacked any accessibility for individuals who are wheelchair bound or use a walker. Even though the Ballpark is no longer a Major League Baseball stadium, it is still used for many baseball games and for other activities such as concerts, festivals, and community events.
The estimated budget for this project was $4,000 and anticipated financial contributions for this project were as follows: Rotary Club of Saco Bay ($1,000) and District 7780 ($3,000). During a long process of obtaining permits, many changes to the ramp design were necessary. These required changes increased the estimated budget to $8,000. The long process of dealing with the budget and increased cost caused many members additional work to resolve this situation.
Kennebunk Portside Rotarians and family members recently participated in a CPR training program leading to a certification that qualifies them to assist adults, youth, and infants in emergency situations. EMT Dean Auriemma and two assistants from Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services (KEMS) trained the group in hands-on CPR techniques, including how to deliver compressions and how to use the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) while working on mannequins as patients.
Organized by Harvey Flashen, Community Service Chair, fourteen members and friends signed up for the two and a half hour training. “I am amazed at how much we learned in a short period of time. It feels good to have that knowledge and know that I could respond in a emergency”, said Rotarian Rand Gesing.
EMT Auriemma stressed the importance of having defibrillators available in public places and noted that they are not readily available in many local places like supermarkets and public meeting spaces where crowds of people gather. He urged Rotarians to advocate locally to make this vital piece of equipment available.
Above left: David Jourdan demonstrating compressions on an infant. Above right: Kirk Butterfield demonstrating compressions on a youth.
The Rotary Club of Hampton
SHOPS FOR $6,500 WORTH OF FOOD FOR LOCAL PANTRIES
Over fifty members of the Rotary Club of Hampton along with friends and family members went on a food-shopping spree at the Market Basket in Seabrook, NH to purchase needed food items and then delivered them to six local food pantries that serve Seabrook and the greater Hampton area along with the End 68 Hours of Hunger organization.
Event Recap
We bought over $6,500 in food and related products.
We had 50 volunteers that was made up of Rotarians, Winnacunnet High School Interact students, friends and family members.
We could not have been able to do this without the financial support of Loco Sports who provided the $1,500 donation used to purchase the food items.
The Rotary Club of Hampton added $5,000 to Loco Sports donation of $1,500 for a total of $6,500.
We delivered food to six local food pantries and the End 68 Hours of Hunger program.
Food Pantries Shopping for:
Rockingham County Community Action - Seabrook
Hampton Village Preschool
Hampton – Town Welfare Office
First Baptist Church Food Pantry
God’s Baby Closet (First Congregational Church)
United Methodist Church Food Pantry
End 68 Hours of Hunger
7. Partner/Financial Contributor: Loco Sports
According to John Nyhan, Hampton Rotary Club member and the food shopping event chair, "The Rotary Club of Hampton has had a long standing partnership with Loco Sports and we are thrilled to help coordinate the purchase and distribution of food items to food pantries in Seabrook and the greater Hampton area." Nyhan went to say, “Loco Sports supports the communities where they hold their road races and thanks to their generous donation of $1,500 along with Rotary’s contribution of $5,000, we again were able to help those in need by purchasing and distributing food items this morning.”
The Rotary Club of Biddeford Saco
ROTARIANS CLEAR TRAILS TO BENEFIT COMMUNITY BICYCLE CENTER YOUTH
On Saturday, May 21st Rotarians from the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club and Community Bicycle Center (CBC) volunteers spent the morning clearing trails leading in to Clifford Park for youth to enjoy. The work consisted of clearing branches and brush, chipping wood and raking the paths. The area cleared behind CBC will allow youth to ride their bikes into the park, enjoy time in nature and host overnight camping ventures onsite.
(Above, left) Biddeford Saco Rotary Club President Bill Kany of Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution and Rotarian Ray Demers of Saco Police Department. (Above, Right) Group at work.
The Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region
TEAM TRAVELS TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
On April 18th, a group made up of five Rotarians, 13 students from Lake Region Interact Club, Fryeburg Interact Club and Fryeburg EarlyAct Club, along with four professionals satisfied a District Grant in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Gender specific bathrooms were built at two schools in very poor neighborhoods, washing areas were installed, proper handwashing was taught to the children and teachers, a level playground area was built at the largest school, buildings were painted and 1100 pounds of supplies were delivered to these schools as well as one other. It was a wonderful week and the team got everything accomplished. They partnered with the La Romana Rotaract Club to coordinate the project. While in La Romana the group also attended a Rotary meeting, went to church on a Batey (company housing for sugar cane workers), visited a government run school and toured the Good Samaritan Hospital.
A Finished Bathroom (left), and Kids Holding Gift Bags (right)
Making Cement (left), and New Signs (right)
Painting (left), and Getting a Bag of Supplies (right)
The Rotary Club of Bethel
MAY DAY 5K RUN/WALK RAISES MONEY FOR LOCAL YOUTH
Robin Zinchuk, President 16-17; Kevin Finley, President 15-16 and Rotarian Ian Blair
In its inaugural year, with the help of generous sponsors, the Rotary Club of Bethel’s May Day 5K Run/Walk raised nearly $5,500 in funds to provide scholarships for after school and summer enrichment activities for students in the Bethel area.
DG Sheila Rollins, with a running buddy.
The Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise
NATHAN CARPENTER RECEIVES 2016 SCHOLARSHIP
Friday morning, May 20th, at our annual Culinary Arts Department breakfast at BRCTC, Nathan Carpenter was officially recognized as the 2016 recipient of our Emily McMann and Ethel MacNeil Culinary Arts Scholarship. As usual, the food was excellent! Thank you to Chef EB and the students who prepared the food and who got up early to serve our club.
The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who has successfully completed culinary arts courses through the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center, and has demonstrated a high commitment to community service. The scholarship is $500 a year for two years.
We are honored to be of service to such a compassionate and caring young man. Congratulations, Nate!!
WORK DAY AT BATH AREA FOOD BANK
On Saturday, April 30, Bath Sunrise Rotary members had a work day at the Food Bank to assemble the fresh produce display stand, do some painting and perform other miscellaneous chores.
The Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise received a $3500+ grant last year for their project to assist the Bath Area Food Bank. The goal of this project is to help the Bath Area Food Bank in executing a plan to create the "Model" Food Pantry "Supermarket" that can be duplicated by other organizations. The Food Bank is in the process of physically transforming into a place where clients choose the items they want in each food category rather than being given a box of food. This has led to less waste and a better experience for the recipients.
The project includes the building and installation of a fresh produce storage and display unit. Students from Morse High School’s Interact Club will assist Rotary members with the installation. Club members will also do the maintenance of existing shelf units and perform one day of maintenance annually for the Food Bank.
At a recent club meeting, Club President Caelie Smith read an email from Willow Sylvester, who has been in France since August. Willow is the only exchange student from our district this year.
Hello!
I'm Willow Sylvester, the exchange student that left from your club in August 2015 for District 1790 in France! Today I've been here for 271 days, and I have 57 days left (but who's counting?) so I wanted to contact my Rotary Club back home!
Since I'm the only outbound from our district this year (Except for Gracie who went back home) and for our club it was a totally new experience, I thought I would explain a little bit about my exchange to you guys!
Honestly I'm a little at a loss for words right now, because there's so much to my exchange, I have no idea where to start, it's been such an amazing experience.
Every exchange student (typically) has 3 host families, one for each trimester of school. In France we line it up with the school vacations, where they have two weeks off every two months. So we pass one vacation with our family, often travel, and then switch families during the next vacation, which is easier than switching families during school, and gives you time to get situated in your new house, town, and family.
TO HOLD GOLF OUTING TO BENEFIT LOCAL YOUTH PROGRAMS
The Rotary Club of Bethel
ANNUAL AUCTION AND YARD SALE
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 July Newsletter Submissions: June 24th
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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