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SEPTEMBER 2018 - ISSUE 3
 
Upcoming Events
Finance Committee 6PM
Sep 24, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:09 PM
 
Vision to Plan Workshop #11
South Portland Housing Authority
Sep 27, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Pre-PETS PE Training #1
Husson University Southern Maine Campus
Oct 22, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Joint Foundation & Membership Seminar
Husson University
Nov 03, 2018 8:00 AM
 
PE Get Acquainted Social (PE Session #2)
Cumberland Club
Nov 27, 2018
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Finance Committee 6PM
Dec 10, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Midyear Dinner
Jan 28, 2019
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Pre-PETS PE Training #3
Husson University Southern Maine Campus
Feb 09, 2019
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Finance Committee 6PM
Mar 25, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
District Training Assembly
Portland area - venue to be confirmed
Apr 06, 2019
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
 
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District Governor's Message
September 2018
 
Happy September!
 
I’m a little more than half way through my official club visits and I’ve been enjoying every minute.  The passion and commitment of Rotarians, and the wonderful work you do, truly is an inspiration to me.  I know I have become a better person by knowing so many of you and by learning from the example you set.  Thank you.
 
I called District Governor Elect Andy Glazier as I was traveling from one visit to the next to tell him that all the preparation is worth it.  The official visits have truly been invigorating and have reaffirmed my faith in this wonderful organization, and in its ongoing vitality.
 
Running into past district governors during the visits is fun too.  PDG Joe Hahn reminded Sue and me that the district used to extend all the way to the Arctic Circle!  Luckily, we don’t have to travel that far anymore, though Rotary travel can be a lot of fun. One of my Rotary friends, Governor Dan Doherty (District 5360), has a great distance to travel to cover his district in western Canada.  Dan and Marlene decided to travel the district in a large RV, colorfully wrapped with the Rotary logo.  Everyone knows when Dan rolls into town!
 
 
District Governor Dan Doherty with Rotarian George Brookman moments before Dan started out on his journeys around District 5360. It will be impossible not to know that Rotary is in town, with this great Bucar’s motorhome.
 
Now is the time to start thinking about taking on a leadership role in your club or in the district.  Have you served as club president yet?  Maybe now’s the time to step up.  You’ll definitely have to put some extra work in to be president — but you’ll always look back on “your year” as president with pride and a sense of accomplishment.  Let your president or nominating committee know if you’d like to serve or would like to learn more.

Also, reach out to me or to one of our past district governors if you’ve already served as club president and want to discuss whether entering the governor track might be next for you. Sue and I have had a wonderful experience and truly value the friendships
we’ve made with my fellow governors and their partners, both in the US and abroad.  I’m looking forward to seeing so many friends from the US and Canada at the Zone Institute later this month in Montreal.  I can’t say enough good things about my experience as governor.  I hope you’ll consider throwing your hat in the ring too!
 
I’ve asked my good friend and fellow club member Nancy Hawes to help me with drafting my monthly message.  Nancy has always impressed and inspired me with the wonderful work she does on our club bulletin.  When I became governor, I wanted to share Nancy’s talents with the district too.  So, Nancy’s fingerprints will be all over my monthly messages to you.  I can’t thank her enough!
 
Nancy prepared the following for me—for us!
 
Rotary has assigned a month to each of the 6 “Areas of Focus” and it’s fitting that the “back-to-school” month of September has been designated as Basic Education and Literacy Month. As you read this, it’s so hard to conceive of NOT being able to read (as the bumper sticker says, “thank a teacher”). But 781 million people in the world over age 15 are illiterate; 60% of these people are women, and 30 million are right here in the United States. Studies have shown that illiteracy keeps people trapped in a cycle of poverty and subjugation, limiting life choices and making it difficult to achieve social mobility. Literacy truly is power – power over one’s own life. 
 
Fortunately, the Basic Education and Literacy area of focus may be one of the easiest for your club to take part in. One of the more appealing projects is a Little Free Library – you’ve all seen them, with the instructions “take a book, share a book.” They can be fun to create, and yes they can be very cute, but they provide a real service. Children growing up in homes without books are on average academically three years behind kids with books in the home. Little Free Libraries were the brainchild of a Rotarian in Wisconsin (Todd Bol) in 2009 and the idea immediately caught on – there are now over 70,000 LFL’s in 85 countries. For more information on how your club can participate, you can go the Little Free Library website or contact our District 7780 Literacy Chair Kerstin Kirchner.
 
 
Please read Kerstin’s article below about the great things that are happening in our district surrounding literacy and education. There are lots of ways that your club can be involved (and many already are)– mentoring and reading to school children, becoming involved in adult literacy programs, supporting school meal programs, participating in Read Across America Day, donating books to your local libraries, and supporting teacher education projects in other countries such as the Guatemala Literacy Project (contact PDG Carolyn Johnson of the Yarmouth club). There are resources on the RI website and the District website, and of course you can always get advice from Kerstin, who is passionate about this area of focus.
 
Our logo this year tells us to “be the inspiration.” It would be hard to think of someone more inspirational than Malala Yousafzai, daughter of a Rotarian and the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace prize. Malala was and is a passionate advocate for the education of women and girls. In her picture book Malala’s Magic Pencil, she says “one child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” We invite your club to provide that book and pen to a child so he or she can change the world!!!
 
Have a wonderful September!  Thank you for all you do.
 
 
District 7780
SEEKING ROTARY LEADERS
 
District 7780 is seeking applicants for our Rotary year 2021-2022 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 2021-2022. If you have a demonstrated 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.
 
Proposals for governor-nominee-designate shall be accompanied by a photograph of the candidate and a biographical sketch of the candidate’s personal and Rotary background. Note that the applicant’s club must attest to and support the application.
 
In addition, the Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the District Finance Committee.  This is a three-year term, to serve from July 1 2019-June 30 2022.  Candidates will be selected from ‘Division A’ (D7780 clubs in New Hampshire).  Applications must include an endorsement resolution of the club, adopted at a regular club meeting and certified by the club secretary.
 
Applications for both positions are located on the District 7780 website under the tab:  Committees/Nominating/Links.  Applications may be submitted anytime before November 1, 2018. The Nominating Committee will hold an interview for each candidate in November.  Applications must be submitted by email to DG John LoBosco.
 
Please direct any questions to: D7780 District Governor Nominating Committee Chair, PDG Carolyn Johnson, cfj2@icloud.com  (207-232-4667) or to DG John LoBosco.
 
 
Polio Plus - September 2018
 
Greetings Rotarians,
 
First a “BIG” shout out to the club’s in District 7780 that had their District Grants approved. The impact on Rotary and the community are more than you might expect. That’s your Foundation giving coming back to our community and making a difference.
 
I was fortunate enough to see first-hand how doing a good deed in the community can make a positive influence. Last week, the Saco Bay Club unveiled their newest beach wheelchair, part of their district grant proceeds, and it was covered on the news.  A WIN - WIN for everyone!
 
I was contacted by Carol Toomey, our Zone 32 End Polio Now Coordinator, to remind everyone to please post your club’s goals as soon as possible for the 2018-19 Rotary year.
 
Here is a simple link to click on to be able to make your tax deductible contribution in your name or the name of a loved one.   https://www.rotary.org/en/donate
 
Bravo to all 40 clubs in the District, for your positive influence in your community and around the world. Keep up the good work and thank you all for what you do, each and every day to make the world a better place.
 
 
Jeffrey Slaton
Polio Plus Coordinator
Rotary Club of Saco Bay District 7780
 
 
 
District Vision and Planning
 
The District Vision and Planning Committee is hosting the 11th in our series of “Vision to Plan” Workshops on Thursday, September 27, 2018
 
 
We have a new agenda! If you answer YES to any of the following you need to be part of this workshop:
  •    My club did the Visioning Program within the last couple of years and
             It Worked!
             We never got to first base!
             It could use a dusting off!
 
  •    My club plans on Visioning in the next year.
  •    What is Visioning?
We are asking clubs that had vision events to join in working dialogues with other clubs.   If your club is struggling with creating a plan, struggling with SMART goals or somehow “road blocked” with planning or implementation, THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!  
 
The training will benefit new and experienced club leaders, committee members, and new Rotarians who are looking to make a difference.  The skills developed will lead to stronger and more engaged clubs.
 
Event Details:
 
Workshop (6-8 pm):  S. Portland Housing Authority, 100 Waterman Dr. South Portland, Maine. The Housing Authority is located just over the Casco Bay Bridge and right around the corner from the Snow Squall.
 
Optional Social Hour (4:45 – 5:45 pm): This is a well-attended “meet and greet” of participants before getting to work. Snow Squall Restaurant, 18 Ocean St, S. Portland, ME 04107. 207-799-0811. Cash bar and appetizers are available.  Located just around the corner from the event location.
 
Registration fee of $10.00 covers a light meal and supplies. The fee can be paid at the door or in advance.  Make checks payable to District 7780 and mailed to:  Bob Reed, 151 Dickinson Rd., Wiscasset, ME 04578
 
Please RSVP by September 15 via email:  reedart@sover.net
 
Sincerely,
 
The District Vision and Planning Committee
C/O Bob Reed, Dist. Coordinator
207-844-0451
 
 

District 7780 Short Term Youth Exchange - Summer 2019

 

Do Not Miss this Exciting Opportunity for Your Family to be involved in Rotary Youth Exchange! 
 
The District is kicking off a Rotary Short Term Youth Exchange for the Summer of 2019.
 
 
This is a great opportunity for your family to send your high school student to France, Italy or another foreign country and host the foreign student from that country for 3-4 weeks here in New England. This is also a great opportunity for your club to get involved in exchange on a short term basis with little expense.
 
Short Term Youth Exchange involves two high school students, one from the US and one from another country, and their families pair up. The US Student travels to and is hosted by the foreign Family for 3-4 weeks. Then the two students travel together to the US where the foreign Student is hosted for 3-4 weeks before returning home. The students/families pay all expenses for travel, visas, insurance and spending money. Host families provide room, food and activities. Should the families decide, the order of the visits can be reversed.
 
The Rotary Club reviews applications and helps select students, and hosts the students at meetings, service projects and club activities that occur during the exchange time. They also invite the local student to participate in Rotary and Interact activities before and after the exchange. The club provides support for the family and students.
 
District 7780 maintains its Essex membership (http://www.exchangestudent.org/ ), provides support for the district committee, and hosts students to a district sponsored activity if it occurs during the exchange time. The District makes an effort to involve past exchange students in planning and organizing future exchanges, as well as inviting them to participate in Rotary and Interact activities. 
 
Our deadline is January 1, 2019, for applications. There are exchanges available for many northern hemisphere countries and a few southern hemisphere countries.
 
The Essex website http://www.exchangestudent.org contains information on the Short Term Exchange, Information for interested clubs (Prospective Rotary Clubs link), as well as the Short Term Application. 
 
The program is open to both Rotary and non-Rotary students/families.  Clubs can sponsor students outside their own geographic boundaries, if the local club chooses not to participate. Clubs can sponsor more than one student/family.
 
More info will come, or feel free to contact any of the committee members.
 
Dick Hall dickhall@maine.rr.com   (207) 749-9186
Megan Peabody peabody_megan@wheatoncollege.edu  (207) 542-7829
Kathi Perkins kperkins1@myfairpoint.net  (207) 253-1778
Jan Chapman janchapman1966@gmail.com, (207) 408-5802
Kevin Raymond rayquest1@aol.com (207) 450-5082
 
 If you are interested in working on the committee, or want to receive email updates on the committee’s work, please contact any of the committee members.
 
We need representatives outside the Portland Westbrook area!
 
 
 
SEPTEMBER IS ROTARY LITERACY MONTH
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY - SEPTEMBER 8
 
Rotary International’s Literacy Month is September, and September 8th is International Literacy Day!
 
Beginning in 2018, the U.S Department of Education identified 32 million adults (one in six) who can’t read. The current literacy rate is not better than it was 10 years ago. An individual’s ability to read has an influence on financial security, access to healthcare, and the ability to actively participate in community life.
 
Adult literacy measurement applies to the population aged 15 years and older, and youth literacy rate measures literacy among persons age 15 to 24 years old. The illiteracy rate in Maine and New Hampshire is between six and is seven percent.  Amazingly, Literacy Volunteers of America believes that with about 35 to 45 hours of coaching, adults can improve their reading skills by at least one grade level.
 
If you'd like to implement a new literacy project, start by identifying your community needs and involve your local subject experts such as teachers or librarians from designing, implementing, and maintaining the program. Mobilize local assets and strengthen your local community by:
 
  • Increasing adult and childhood literacy,
  • Working to reduce gender disparity in education,
  • Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to basic education and literacy.
 
Here are a few examples of how our Rotary clubs celebrate Literacy Month:
 
  • Each year, the Rotary Club of Dover is providing dictionaries to over 400 third-grade students at five schools and a Back to School program.  
  • The Rotary Club of Kittery is giving $100 to each of the five third-grade class teachers to provide classroom books.  
  • Portland Rotary Club has adopted summer food and reading sites (through their Feeding Bodies and Minds,) and members read to students at Lyseth Elementary School.
 
Our District Governor, John LoBosco, has asked each Rotary club to build and/or maintain Little Free Libraries in the communities they serve. Building a Little Free Library is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with local libraries, Interact Clubs, and other service organizations. Managing and maintaining such a library can be fun and a rewarding experience.  A Little Free Library can be a great marketing tool for your Rotary Club. Consider bookmarks with club information, club activities, and who to contact about membership!
 
 
The Literacy Rotarian Action Group will award two prizes of $500 to Rotary clubs with the most creative or innovative basic education and literacy project.  For more information please check out the flyer below.
 
Consider joining the Literacy Rotarian Action Group to receive newsletters packed with tips and inspirations. Carolyn Johnson, Rotary Club of Yarmouth, is the Vice-Chair of the Literacy Rotarian Action Group. For more information please check out the website www.litrag.org (please note the website is under construction), fill out an APPLICATION, or contact Carolyn Johnson directly.  
 
Promote and celebrate Rotary Literacy Month!
 
Kerstin Kirchner
District Literacy Chair
 
 
 
 
 
People of Action Contest
 
 
For the rest of this Rotary year, we would like to run a People of Action Contest. Here are the rules:
 
  • create your club's People of Action campaign ad (any format will be considered, print ad, FB, Instagram, radio, video)
  • send it in to Deb Marsolais, newsletter editor, or Barbara Sutcliffe, District PR chair for review
  • monthly winning entry will be highlighted in the District Newsletter, District website AND on the rotating GIF on the District homepage.
Let's see what your clubs are all about using People of Action. Go to the Brand Center on Rotary.org and get started!
 
 
Hands On, Interactive, & Exciting
Montreal Zones 24&32 Conference
September 20-22, 2018
 
Everyone is Invited!
 
 
It's not just for Governors....
 
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.
 
Read more...
 
World Polio Day
SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 24
 
 
District History for September
 
Patty Rice from Rotary Club of Oxford Hills emailed me on August 1st at 10:41AM with the correct answer!
 
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, if you check out the District History page under ABOUT US on the District 7780 website, you might find the answer!
 
The first District Conference for our NEW District 778 in 1990-91 was held in Quebec City.  When we split from District 779, it was with the understanding that we would hold our first district conference as a joint conference with our former District 779.  It was at this conference that Michael McGovern and yours truly checked in the attendees from out district.  Michael and I were seated at the first check in desk and neither of us could talk French – an interesting day!  Our signage even said we were the check in for District 778 and if I remember correctly – it was a VERY HOT day and we were seated in front of these very large glass windows!
 
Fall of 2003-2004 Trisha Hunter and the Boston District had a joint conference in Montreal.  This was the second conference to be held in the fall.  Yours truly and her husband had a police escort to this event!  There were two more in later years that were also held in the fall.
 
New History Question
 
Can you tell me how many clubs were chartered between 1905 and 1929 and the names of these clubs?  If you check out the District History pages, you will 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 October newsletter.
 
Marie
 
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bethel
 
Rotarians Mike Steven (on left, President of Club) and Secretary Steve Smith (on right) welcome our newest club member, Scott Lane.
 
The Rotary Club of Dover welcomed our newest members, Doug Locey and Zack Swicker, as we continue to grow our friendships and fellowships in our community.  We are honored to have you both join our club. #serviceaboveself
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise
CLUB UPDATE
 
Bath Sunrise is Our Name and Collaboration is Our Game. One of our favorite things is to collaborate with other organizations and other Rotary clubs.  This summer has had more than a few opportunities for us to share, work and learn with others:
 
Bath-Tsugaru Student Exchange program
 
In 1889 a ship called The Cheseborough, built on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, sunk off the coast of Japan near a town called Shariki. Villagers came out to help save as many of the crew as was possible. Since then the two towns have become sister cities. Twenty-eight years ago, a student exchange program was started by the governor of Shariki and mayor of Bath. Since then over 660 students from Japan have visited Bath and over 360 students from Bath have visited Japan. The sharing of these two cultures has enriched both the town’s lives and heritage. Two generations of students have traveled between our countries. Shariki has since joined with 4 other small towns to become Tsugaru City in the prefecture of Aomori.
 
This month the Bath-Tsugaru Student Exchange program sent 7 students and 3 adults, including a Bath councilman, from the Bath area to Japan where one of their activities was joining the Tsugaru Rotary Club for lunch. Bath families hosted 15 students and 2 city and program officials and 1 interpreter from Tsugaru a week after the Bath students returned home. We were delighted to sponsor a lunch for our Japanese visitors at the Georgetown Warf during their stay and have them visit us at our August 17 breakfast meeting. 
 
We are busy making plans to help sponsor the expense of the trip for Bath students next year. During next year’s anniversary activities there will be a tree planting to replace the tree planted 11 years ago in front of Brackett’s Market dedicated to the Mayor of Shariki who started the exchange program.  His granddaughter had traveled to Bath that year. You can see the plaque for the tree just across from Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine. The tree died last winter and was cut down several weeks ago.
 
Read more...
 
The Rotary Club of Bethel
CLUB RECAP
 
Our club was fortunate to have a fantastic presentation given by three Telstar HS graduates, RYLA attendees and now passionate RYLA counselors.
 
Rotarian Jim Mann does a presentation on his life long hobby and profession mining and cutting Maine gems. He has been instrumental in helping the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum obtain important collections for their exhibits.
 
Austin Bear, Telstar HS graduate and President of the Interact Club is now attending St. Joseph’s College In Standish and shared with our club the news that he has recently started a Rotaract Club at the college. Looking on is President Mike Steven.
 
 
Above left: Rotarian Jim Mann, Above right: Austin Bear
 
 
The Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor
CLUB RECAP
 
Thanks to the volunteers from other district clubs and our local Friends of Rotary, our club sailed into success on the 61st Rotary Auction and Flea Market held on August 4th. We believe that the new venue has brought us more funds than in previous years. Many thanks go to PDG Peter Johnson, who worked harder than most to put in two special days for us. Our AG, Bob Reed, was there to spirit us on!
 
We identified our Corporate Sponsors as “Founding Friends of Rotary” and we established a category of “Friends of Rotary” for all of our 50 community volunteers. At our recent Volunteer Appreciation Night we celebrated these Friends with citations, which were heartily received. We now have a Friends of Rotary data base for future events.
 
 
We are excited to promote our literacy mission by partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, which will implement a community wide challenge to build and install little libraries.
 
Thanks to the leadership of Rotarians Ann and Steve Demeranville, and a district grant, we are moving quickly to implement our community service project; an elementary school playground and MAP, just in time for this school year!  More later..
 
The Rotary Bike Loan Program has been providing the needed bikes for workers during the summertime hospitality industry.  We can say that it served the business community well and protected summertime workers.
 
 
Brunswick
TEEN CENTER THANKS ROTARY
 
 
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcaslte
RETURNING ROTARY FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT SPEAKS TO CLUB
 
 
 
President Jane Gravel welcomed Barnaby Olson as a returning Rotary Fellowship recipient.  A 1991 graduate of Lincoln Academy, Barnaby went to Argentina via Rotary, had some interesting adventures, and now is an entrepreneur in renewable energy.  He spoke about the path that developed with the assistance of Rotary.
 
 
KARL'S KIDS
 
 
VP Roberta McLaughlin and PP Michael Hall at the CLC Y open house spreading the word about our Karl's Kids program to assistant Lincoln County youngsters participating in sports activities.  See KarlsKids.org for further information.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Dover
KIDS RECEIVE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACKS
 
 
Thirty-nine students who completed the Seymour Osman Community Center Back-to-School Clothing Program were rewarded for their efforts with a gift card, backpack and school supplies sponsored by the Dover Rotary Club.

Nineteen of the recipients attended a free barbecue of hot dogs, burgers, and grilled chicken at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Dover, THE Wednesday prior to getting their program completion certificates and backpacks.

According to Dover Rotary President Noreen Biehl, student recipients had to attend SOCC’s after-school program at least three days a week, complete several community service projects, maintain good grades, and be of good behavior.

Director of Family Services for SOCC Stacey Kearns, who is also a Rotarian, congratulated all the students. “It was a lot of work for you to get here, you didn’t just have to walk through the door,” she said, also noting most of the kids did more than the minimum requirement.

 
 
TRAVELING TALES VAN RESTORED FOR DOVER SUMMER READING KIDS
 
 
Minor miracles are taken for granted every day, but once in a great while the application of  lots of elbow grease and a generous dollop of money create a big miracle.  Such is the restoration project of the Dover School’s Title 1 Traveling Tales Van (TTV) and Rotary Club of Dover, NH.
 
Back in the early 1990s, the Dover School Department and Title 1 launched a program to bring books to kids in disadvantaged Dover neighborhoods who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them over the summer.
 
A year or so after the program kicked off, Dover secured a Federal Title 1 grant to fund buying an especially outfitted Dodge Ram van complete with shelving for the books and a carpeted reading area.
 
It’s hard to believe, but a quarter of a century later, the TTV was still on the road, although not nearly as roadworthy as it had been when new.
 
This spring, TTV driver/teacher/librarians Jacquie Tromba and Wendy Nassman and Dover Rotarians  Marion Cheney, David Drucker and Ron Richard came up with an action plan to restore the TTV.
 
With funds provided by the Dover Rotary club, arrangements were made for the work to go ahead. The mechanical status of the vehicle was updated with labor provided by the Dover DPW garage crew under the supervision of Sam Crowley.
 
The finish work for the project has been made possible by Key Auto Body of Rochester who sanded, prepped and painted the TTV white, and many consultations with Sander Falzone of AMI Graphics of Strafford who applied the new graphics decals.
 
This summer if you think you hear the bells of an approaching ice cream truck, take a closer look.  It might be the newly refurbished TTV coming to your neighborhood.
ROTARIAN RECEIVES PHF AWARD
 
 
 
Congratulations to Rotarian, Dennis Cote, recent recipient of the Dover Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow Award for consistently exemplifying the club’s Service Above Self ideals and always working with a smile. 
 
 
 
 
CLUB PRESENTED CHECK FOR DISTRICT GRANT
 
 
 
 
 
Congratulations to our Rotary Club of Dover for receiving a $5000 District Grant presented recently from Andy Glazier, District Governor-Elect, member of Kittery Rotary and representing the District 7780 Grants Committee presented the check for the Early Childhood Playground Expansion at the new Strafford County Community Action Partnership site. Andy congratulated Jim Munro and the club on our submission.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Exeter
 
 
 
ROTARIAN RECEIVES MULTIPLE PHF
 
Leigh Willett, Past President of the Exeter Rotary Club received her 7th Paul Harris Fellow.  Congratulations and thank you, Leigh for your dedication to Rotary International and the work done around the world.  Your are an inspiration.
 
Pictured to left:  Multiple PHF Leigh Willett and Club President Kathy Flygare
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RYLA ATTENDEES SPEAKS TO CLUB
 
Nicole Jones and Jack Rademacher from RYLA spoke to the Exeter Rotary Club. The enthusiasm they each expressed about the camp and their involvement made a significant impression on our members.
 
Pictured to right:  RYLA students Jack Rademacher and Nicole Jones
 
 
 
DISTRICT GOVERNOR VISITS CLUB
 
 
Pictured above:  District Governor John LoBosco with Club President Kathy Flygare
 
John and Sue LoBosco visited Exeter Rotary Club on August 13, 2018.  Many comments by members was that it was inspiring and helped the club see the bigger vision for our district.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hampton
AMERICAN RED CROSS RECOGNIZES CLUB
 
 
A special Recognition was given to the Hampton Rotary Club by the American Red Cross in acknowledgement of their ongoing partnership with the quarterly Blood Drives held in Hampton, NH. The club was given a Certificate of Recognition for the total number of units collected. In addition, a special pin recognizing the effort and commitment of this project was presented to Debora Marsolais who has unwaveringly given of her time and resources to support this cause. Congratulations to Deb… and thank you!
 
Pictured above:  Hampton Rotarian Barb Lizotte presented Deb with a Recognition Pin from the American Red Cross.
CLUB SUPPORTS CHALLENGER DIVISION
 

Stephanie Santos, Service Projects Directors, accepted a plaque on behalf of the Hampton Rotary Club from the Portsmouth Little League Challenger Division, for our ongoing support of their program, which provides athletic opportunity to challenged youths in our communities.

Pictured left:  Stephanie Santos displays the plaques presented to the club from the Portsmouth Little League.

 

FRIENDS FOREVER VISITS CLUB
 

On August 1st, the Hampton Rotary Club once again hosted a delegation of 10 young people from the Middle East through a program called Friends Forever International. This independent, 501 (c) 3 organization utilizes a grass roots approach to help youth from around the world build lasting friendships across cultural, religious and political divides. The participants’ stories are amazing as they share with us what they have learned during their time in our country and within themselves as they journey through the FFI program.

If you are not familiar with this organization, plan a visit to our club and treat yourself to an uplifting experience on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. At that time, our club will be hosting a visit with 10 youths from Northern Ireland.

 
 
The Rotary Clubs of Kittery and Kittery Rotary After Hours
CLUBS HOLD JOINT SOCIAL
 
On months with fiveTuesdays (the meeting date for the Kittery Rotary Club), an evening social is held instead of our regular morning meeting. For several years we have also been having a joint social during the summer with the Kittery After Hours Club (KRAH). This year we combined both events and the two clubs had a joint gathering on July 31st, at the new Frisbee's Wharf at Pepperrell Cove in Kittery Point. Friends and family joined us as we enjoyed the fantastic views and great appetizers, while watching the boats and sharing stories.
 
 
Pictured above left:  PP Mike of Kittery, VP Nancy of the KRAH, Immediate PP Linda of Kittery, PDG Marie of Kittery and husband Bruce enjoying the sunshine.
 
Pictured above right:  DGE Andy and Pam share a moment in the joint club gathering.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside
26TH ANNUAL RIVERFEST DUCK RACE
 
Kennebunk Portside Rotary held its 26th Annual Riverfest Duck Race on Saturday, August 11th.  This is the club’s largest fundraiser, which netted $10,000 this year. The club has been adopting ducks throughout the summer. The ducks were put in the river and the first-place finisher received $1,000, while other winners received gift certificates to area venues.  We were lucky to have a young man from an Interact Club in PA help with the race!
 
BENCHES INSTALLED THROUGH DISTRICT GRANT
 
 
Kennebunk Portside Rotary installed two benches through a District Grant.   In the photo, a family from CT was enjoying some downtime.
 
In cooperation with District 7780, the Town of Kennebunkport Highway Department and Kennebunk Portside Rotary, these composite material benches will be enjoyed for years to come!
 
 
The Rotary Club of Ogunquit
FLYING HIGH AT OGUNQUIT ROTARY CLUB
20TH ANNUAL CAPRICCIO KITE FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 20
 
What: 20th Annual Capriccio Kite Festival
When: Saturday, September 8th, 9:00-2:00pm
Where: Ogunquit Main Beach
 
On September 8th, the Ogunquit Rotary Club, in conjunction with event sponsors Crickets Corner Beach & Toy, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Ogunquit Performing Arts, the Town of Ogunquit and That Place in Ogunquit, will hold its 20th annual Capriccio Kite Festival from 9:00-2:00pm at Ogunquit Main Beach.  The club will give away 300 kites to decorate and fly, followed by awarding 80 prizes for most creative kids’ kites.  Club members will be selling festival t-shirts, assisting with kite decoration and also collecting donations to support Cam Cousins, a recent Wells-Ogunquit High School graduate who is battling Stage 4ae Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. 
 
Local kite club members from Kites Over New England and the Nor’Easters will also be in attendance to fly their kites.  This year, the Ogunquit Performing Arts will have musician Andy Happel perform live music at the event from 10-11:30am.
 
 
As last year’s photos portray, the kite festival is a fun, community building event that brings people together on a beautiful, sunny September beach day.  Hope to see you there!
 
 
The Rotary Club of Portland
ROTARIANS VOLUNTEER AT FOOD SITE
By Juliana L'Heureux
 
Portland Rotarians joined children at the North Deering Gardens food site as volunteer readers. About 20 Rotarians volunteered to read on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during the children's lunch, served at the neighborhood's welcome center. This is the fifth year Portland Rotarians have read to these children in the summer, which is a collaboration of the United Way of Greater Portland and the Portland School’s Food Program. This program is part of the Portland Rotary's ongoing support to prevent childhood hunger and to promote education, or "CHE" - meaning, Childhood Hunger and Education.
 
As I was one of the volunteer "readers", I met a lovely 9 year old girl named Sarah. She was excited to select a book for us to read together, about the planets in our solar system. Each page in the book ended with a question about a particular planet. To my delight, Sarah knew all the planets by their names, their locations in the series circling the sun and most of the names of their respective moons. We enjoyed testing each other's knowledge while answering the various questions posed on each page. Of course, I was curious about why Sarah was so keenly aware about the solar system's planets. Therefore, I asked why she was so curious about this particular subject? Well, in fact, Sarah wants to be among the astronauts who will one day travel to the planet Mars. I believe she can do it, because Sarah certainly has a scientific mind. Reading to children like Sarah was a gratifying experience. 
 
 
Pictured above:  Past President of the Portland Rotary Club, Laura Young, displays some of the many books a child can take home.
 
Each child who participates in the summer reading program is encouraged to take home a free book, from the selection offered. 
 
Leading the summer reading program were Jan Chapman, Laura Young (past president of the Rotary Club of Portland) and Dave Small. “We Portland Rotarians look forward to this opportunity to read to the children each summer. Seeing the smile on the faces of the children who get to pick their own book to read and take home is such a treat,” said Laura Young.
 
 
CCAR RECOVERY COACH ACADEMY
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
DISTRICT REPORT 08/19/18
 
It’s hard to believe that almost two months have gone by under the flawless leadership of new president Cleo Villaflores. Even a $2 increase in our lunch costs happened without comment.
 
The club has unearthed a rich collection of memorabilia dating back to 1923. The collection speaks to the membership’s post-World War II/Korean War culture, when absent members were described as “AWOL.” We even produced an annual Rotary play! Unearthed was a photo of the 1954 Portsmouth Elementary School basketball squad. There at the end of the top row is a youthful Basil Richardson, dozing off.
 
Our own Craig Taylor, partially sponsored by the club, rode in the Pan Mass Challenge. He raised an astounding $13,000!
 
Seen at top right:  President Cleo Villaflores shows off club history.  Bottom right  Craig Taylor and President Cleo
 
The club said good-bye to our year-long co-partnership with the Ritchie MacFarland Children’s Center. In so doing, we noted the wide variety of services provided by a talented staff of educators, therapists and engaged parents.
 
 
Pictured above:  Friends Forever graduates from Northern Ireland and the Middle East
 
A particularly well-received program involved Friends Forever graduates from North Ireland and the Middle East. Our club actually founded the program back in 1986 under the guidance of the late Robert “Bob” Raiche.
 
 
Chief Pat Sullivan, executive director of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police and a Goffstown Rotarian, visited in July. He gave a disturbing program on the state’s gun laws or lack thereof.
 
Pictured on left:  Chief Pat Sullivan
 
 
With 11 Democrats and two Republicans competing in the state’s September 11 congressional primary, we hosted several candidates. Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican Eddie Edwards, both acknowledged front-runners, spoke in the same program. They refrained from comparing and contrasting viewpoints. Democrats Lincoln Soldati and Deaglen McEachern also had lunch with us.
 
 
Pictured above left to right:  Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican Eddie Edwards
 
 
The Rotary Club of Rochester
THANK A POLICE OFFICER DAY - SEPTEMBER 15
 
The Rotary Club of Rochester NH, along with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Rochester Main Street and the American Legion Auxiliary is gearing up for National Thank a Police Officer Day on Saturday, September 15, 2018.  Visit us on Facebook for details or the event page at www.rochesternh.org/NTPOD
 
The Rotary Club of Sebago Lake
SUMMER RECAP
 
The Sebago Lake Club has been busy this summer, no down time for them. Collections of crutches and other mobile devices were collected and brought to the warehouse for packing, Don Drew spear heading that project. The club purchased items for the weir project that the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is putting into place for the salmon health in Sebago Lake. 
 
A food drive Stuff the Bus on Sat. Aug 25th helped the local food pantry with their needs just as school is about to start.
 
 
And the Philippine Relief and Educational Golf Tournament held at Point Sebago resulting in thousands of dollars for that effort.
 
 
Pictured above  left:  Club President Tony Plante, James Pellerin of IF&W, Cyndy Bell, and Past President Tom Hartwell. 
 
 
The Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
FRIED DOUGH, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FUNDRAISING
 
On Saturday August 11th, Rotarians of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth club served fried dough at the annual South Portland event, "Art In The Park." This is a great community event that enables local artists to display their work, and community members to connect. Funds raised will be used to support various community causes.
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Wells
DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S VISIT
 
 
Above is a picture taken on August 18th, during District Governor John LoBosco's visit to the Rotary Club of Wells.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Yarmouth
A DISTRICT GRANT...
YARMOUTH ROTARY HELPING TRANSFORM A FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY
 
yarmouth Rotary successfully applied for a District Grant in 2017 - our goal was to assist a First Nations community in British Columbia.  Inspired by Rotarian Shirley Pat Chamberlain, who spoke with us (and at NorthEast PETS) about her work with Write to Read, a Rotary endeavor to provide libraries in First Nation communities in rural, western Canada.  As a result, Yarmouth Rotarians reached out to the the Tl’esqox (Toosey) community in central BC. We found that through W2R, a new community center was being constructed. The youth of the community voiced concern that their native language and the tribe’s stories were being lost. To address this loss of their culture, they requested recording equipment for a small studio where they could interview and record the elders, record their stories, music, and language. Yarmouth Rotarians jumped on the opportunity - a chance to assist a community, support this initiative of the youth, and be a part or preserving history!
 
Led by the Class of 2017, Rotarians who joined Yarmouth during that calendar year, the project was headed by Justin Coffin with with coaching by Past President Sarah MacGillivray. This team of our newest Rotarians researched the project and presented it to the club - who enthusiastically endorsed it and encouraged maximizing club resources by applying for a district grant. 
 
 
In July, Yarmouth Rotarians Peter and Carolyn Johnson traveled to British Columbia to participate in the grand opening of the ‘Painted Sky’ Community Center. The celebration was presided over by Chief Francis, head of the Tl’esqox nation, and included a ceremonial cleansing of the building, songs of thanks, and drumming by the elders. Young and old attended to celebrate this beautiful resource. The local community was actively involved in the design and construction of the center, which was supported by the Rotarian-led NGO, Write to Read. The pre-school will be a first for the community; previously the teacher visited each child’s home a few hours each week to provide lessons. Now the children will become part of a learning community. The library for children and adults (previously, the closest library was an hour away) will be a huge resource to support literacy and learning. The new gathering space will welcome youth and seniors. The recording studio, supported by Yarmouth & D7780 Rotarians, will become a library of history and heritage, preserving the stories and traditions of the tribe. Our plan is to stay connected with the Toosey and W2R, potentially connecting our Interact Club with the youth so that we all become more familiar with their history and culture.
 
 
This is an excellent example of Rotarians transforming communities. The stories and history of the First Nations people was unfamiliar to us before we began this project. We learned, first hand, of the critical importance of the stories - many going back centuries and accurately describing historical events that are now being discovered through archeological digs and the rediscovery of historical documents. Until recently, much of this history had been hidden or forgotten by the European settlers, though kept alive through the stories of the tribes. It is an honor for Yarmouth Rotary to be a part of this preservation of history and an honor to assist this community in its transformation to sustainability while honoring traditional culture. 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Please follow this link to reach the event page on their website to download a brochure with more information: 24th Annual Rotary Golf Classic of Westbrook Gorham Rotary
 
The Rotary Club of Rochester
28TH ANNUAL  PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT - SEPTEMBER 25
 
The Rochester Rotary club is looking for people to sponsor and play in the 28th Annual Rochester Rotary Pro-Am Fall Classic Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held at Rochester Country Club, 94 Church Street, Rochester on Tuesday, September 25, beginning at 9am (registration at 8am).
 
Proceeds will benefit Rochester Performance & Arts Center and Rochester Rotary Charities. For more information or to sign up please contact Donna Claveau 603-332-6840 or dclaveau@hrcu.org.
 
This is one of our biggest fundraising events and we look forward to seeing you on the course!
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hampton
19TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT - OCTOBER 1
 
 
Click here to REGISTER FOR THE EVENT 
For more information, contact our Event Chair, David Longo, at david@hamptonrotary.org
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise
OCTOBER BULBFEST - EVERY SATURDAY IN OCTOBER
 
This month the order went in to Van Engelen for our annual Flower Bulb Sale.  Each Saturday morning in October you can find us at the Bath Farmers Market at Waterfront Park and in front of Brackett’s Market.  When the order comes in at the end of September we will be busy repackaging and labeling for your gardening delight. We included yellow tulips in our order again for another Hope Garden to be planted at one of the school’s in RSU1.  Last year’s garden at Morse was beautiful when 300 tulips burst through the ground in 3 waves of bloom. We will also be working with the Yarmouth Rotary as they have their first BulbFest this year. At our bulb tables, you can also pre-order your holiday wreaths.
 
 
The Rotary Club of York
CAR WITH A CAUSE - OCTOBER 14
 
 
 
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 October Newsletter Submissions: September 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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