Invocation: Joe Mooreshead led the invocation with a YouTube video.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Earth Day – on April 22nd and Rotaract would love to participate but they don’t have any specific plans. Discussion was on cleaning Clifford Park, planting a tree, and collecting cans. Marty mentioned all members could enter into a Green Pledge Agreement which Melissa supported. Marty will look further into this.
Veteran’s Flags - at St. Joseph Cemetery Friday May 28th from 9:00 AM to 11 AM. Brenda mentioned she would like to make sure we have enough flags since we ran short last year.
New Members – Second posting for the following two new potential Rotarians: Jessica Muise, Executive Director of Engine sponsored by Roland Gagne and Cheri Sullivan of CHCC at UNE sponsored by Bill Patterson.
Fireside Chat – Don will sponsor a fireside chat for all new members in June at his house.
Maple Syrup Fundraiser – Brian Dallaire announced we have made over $5,000 for this fundraiser. Good job everyone.
CLYNK Bags – Roland explained how this fundraiser support the educational tuition for Antoinette & Judith who attend a school in Kenya. The cost is about 112,000 shillings which is a little over $1,000. Contributions are very meaningful and will allow the girls to continue their education. Roland has graciously been paying out of his own pocket when we don’t raise enough money for this cause. Don has bags and Heather has bags at her store. Bill mentioned neighbors are willing to take bags as well.
Foundations Invoice – please pay within the next two weeks. Send Sue an email if you’re not sure if you have given yet or Brian suggested logging into Rotary International. The goal is to get to 100% participation with preferably at least a $25 donation.
COVID-19 Committee – The community has been moving forward with their gardens. There will be a COVID-19 Committee meeting after this meeting.
Sargent at Arms Joe Mooreshead
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Bill P.’s $5 happy for the great weather at his son’s wedding.
Dr. Joe’s $5 happy for his cat attending the meeting, for finishing his reading for the reading retreat, and for having the cleanest everything; house, deck, boots, etc. because his wife is using their new power washer.
Conrad’s happy his grandchildren, his daughter, and her husband are visiting.
Jen’s happy Joes YouTube invocation video ended.
Don’s happy it’s sunny day to play golf.
Melissa’s happy there are little buds on the trees.
Randy ‘s happy he had a new bed delivered yesterday after waiting two months.
Brian D.’s happy it was Joe’s birthday yesterday.
Matt’s happy he received his first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination this week.
FINES:
Conrad & Don are fined for besmirching Morgan Stoner’s name for his Maple Syrup.
Marty is fined for blowing the meeting at the beginning.
Don suggested Joe be fined a dollar for his birthday
Brian D. is fined because he needs to go to audio video school so he can learn to put up videos on time.
This is the only OZ museum in the U.S., and she believes in the world which was created because of the wildly popular movie “The Wizard of OZ.”.
The Wizard of OZ movie was loosely based on L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. This was first book of a series of that grew to 40 books. And now the series has grown to 80 books.
L. Frank Baum traveled often to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. When he returned, he would tell a fairy tale to his children every night. His inspirations for the story came from his visits to the World Fair and the questions his children would ask. This is how Emerald City was born.
In 1893, J.C. Rogers came from Spring Hill to Wamego. He was an entrepreneur and established the first national bank in Wamego. He too visited the Chicago World’s Fair and wanted to recreate a first-class music hall in his hometown. So, he built the Columbian Theatre.
These two attractions, the OZ Museum and the Columbian Theatre draw 40,000 visitors annually from around the world. Many visit in costumes and consider themselves OZies. And many local businesses such as the OZ Winery have developed because Wamego has become a tourist town.
In May of 1970, MGM studios auctioned many of the props and wardrobe. Some items were junked. Screen tests, film outtakes, and songs ended up in the Pacific Ocean. Other items were tossed into the studio trash. A lot of history was lost, but the items that could be salvaged can be viewed at the Museum.
Brenda Pollock’s son is a movie producer and she shared with us when her son attended college, the students had to list their favorite movie, and more than half the students listed The Wizard of Oz.
The original cast of the little Munchkins have visited the museum as special guests. The last munchkin, the Lollipop Boy, passed in May 2019 at age 98.
Their annual OZtoberFEST is held on the first weekend of October. Highway 99 is closed for 3 blocks for this 2-day street festival of music, hot air balloon rides, Yellow Brick Road Bike Ride, and much more. People come in costume as far as Australia to celebrate.
There is an annual firework display name “Over the Rainbow.” And the most popular attraction may be the full-size Glenda the Good Witch, as well as, the Wicked Witch of the West.
If you are ever in the area, Mary would be happy to show you around.
Here is a video link they can watch it at their leisure to get an overview of what is in the museum, after the presentation today.
Go to ozmuseum.com. Click on Visit, then About to access the latest virtual tour video. We are on facebook as well, with our monthly video blogs by OZ Historian John Fricke. Check it out!
The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club awards a Scholarship of $1,000.00 for either a four (4)-year or two (2)-year degree to a Senior graduating from Biddeford High School, the Regional Center of Technology, Thornton Academy and from Old Orchard Beach High School who is planning to continue his/her technical or academic education at an accredited certificate or degree granting, post-secondary school and who is not an immediate family member of a Biddeford-Saco or Saco Bay Rotarian.
SELECTION PROCESS
An Application form shall be completed by the candidate and submitted to his/her guidance department no later than Friday, APRIL 17th, 2021. All applications will be submitted to the Scholarship Committee by all Guidance Departments by Monday, April 27th, at 3:00 p.m.
The Scholarship Committee will select three seniors from each school and notify the Guidance Offices of their identity by FRIDAY, MAY 3rd, 2021. The final selection will be by personal interviews of the three Finalists done by Members of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club's Scholarship Committee.
The Guidance Offices will be notified of the specific day and time for each Finalist to be interviewed, which will be either Tuesday, May 11th at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. OR Wednesday, May 12th at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.*Please note these interviews due to COVID-19 may need to be conducted via Zoom or Skype. If we meet in person, the personal interviews for two schools will be held in the Conference Room of Bangor Savings Bank, located at 270 Main St. in Saco.
The Guidance Offices will be notified of the Scholarship Recipient by Friday, May 21st, 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Candidates will be selected based upon:
1. Community activity and involvement;
2. Academic Standing;
3. Interview rating; and
4. FINANCIAL NEED - a photocopy of EFC Determination should accompany the application, providing the “Estimated Family Contribution” (EFC).
CONDITION OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Scholarship Recipient shall furnish a transcript or other proof of successful completion of the first semester of post-secondary education for each year. That documentation should be mailed to: ATTN: Sue Gajewski, Treasurer – Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, P.O. Box 298, Saco, ME 04072. A check for the $1,000.00 scholarship awarded will then be forwarded directly to the Student at his/her home address for payment toward the Student’s second semester.
These same Guidelines also apply for the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club Scholarship of $1,000.00 to a student who attends York County Community College as a full-time student the fall semester of 2021.
Would you or someone you know like a small garden to grow vegetables? The Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco has partnered with APEX Youth Connection and Biddeford Community Gardens to offer 10 residents of the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach areas an opportunity to win a free raised garden bed. We will provide all of the materials including a raised garden bed (choose between a 3'x4' or 3'x8' bed), soil, nutrients, seeds and/or starter plants and the training to grow the best garden with healthy and fresh vegetables. All you need to provide is a space for the garden (approximately 10'x10' with plenty of sun), a commitment to help install the raised bed (volunteers will help you install) and approximately 15-20 minutes per day to water, weed and harvest your garden.
Do you rent your home? No worries, get written permission from the property owner and we will be happy to consider your request. Applications will close on February 28th - click on the link on the Club's Home page or on the link below for an application and submit to the email addresses or mailing addresses on the form.
Gingerbread Man, Maple Leaf and Bourbon Barrel have sold out! Thank you for your support!
If you have sales not made on the website, please send you sales sheet to Brian Dallaire at bdallaire@usa.net. Also please record the purchasers email. Funds should be given to Treasurer Sue G.
Thank you for supporting the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club's Annual Maine Maple Syrup Fundraiser. The proceeds from this fundraiser will allow us to continue supporting the many needs and causes within the Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach communities.
The fundraiser runs through the month of March each year ending on Maine Maple Syrup weekend (March 27-28). The items you purchase will be filled with Maine Maple Syrup freshly harvested this season by Dole Pond Maple Products (organic certified), located deep in the woods of Jackman, ME; where they maintain 37,000 taps on 600 acres of land producing around 13,000 gallons of syrup each year.
Your items will be available for pick up on Saturday, June 5th. We will notify you of the location once the items are available.
In March of 2020, the Rotary Club of Biddeford Saco launched a COVID-19 Crisis Subcommittee to address the immediate needs the pandemic caused in the communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach. In phase one of their response program, the committee addressed the immediate need for food and PPE supplies for the elderly, at-risk youth and for our veterans.
In the second phase of their crisis project, the committee will continue their focus on ensuring food and PPE supplies are available to our seniors, at-risk youth, and veterans. In addition, the project will support organizations and small day cares that will be overwhelmed by an increased demand for basic needs: PPE supplies, food and other requirements or changes to their facilities as a result of executive orders. They will also add an education initiative for children and at-risk families, that will address food insecurities by teaching small scale agriculture in the production of crops and livestock.
To volunteer, donate to the Rotary Club or for more information on the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, please email us.
To apply for crisis assistance and consideration for help with food, PPE supplies or for more information regarding the agriculture education initiative, download the COVID CRISIS Subcommittee Request Form.
The Biddeford Saco Rotary Club now accepts Venmo! You can pay your dues, the golf fundraiser, fines & happy dollars, foundation giving or anything else you’d like to pay directly to our bank account.
If you don’t have Venmo, please download the app and set up an account. It’s very easy. And it’s especially helpful that you can pay with your phone while we don’t meet in person.
Please send payments to @Treasurer-BSRC and put a note with your name (if it’s not identifiable) and what you’re sending money for. I can also try to answer questions if you respond to this email.
CLYNK bags are available at Whimsical Me on Main Street Saco. Stop into Heather’s store to pick-up several bags. Drop your bags off at the CLYNK DEPOSITORY In the Hannaford Shopping Center. Scan the bag tag on the outside of the door and place the bag inside Help us support Roland Gagne’s school in Kenya. A few cans and bottles goes a long way to improve the lives of these children. Let’s fulfill our commitment. .
Thank you
Roland & Don
UPDATE: Clynk requests that you hold you bags for 3 days before dropping them off and tie a string or ribbon to show compliance.
Our Club is in first place of 10 Rotary Clubs who participate in this program! But Saco Bay is gaining on us.
Total Raised
$2,823.05
Containers CLYNKed
50,518
Saved enough energy to light 69.9 lightbulbs—24 hours a day—for a year.
Saved the emissions equivalent of driving a car 13,227 miles.
Diverted enough containers to fill 514.1 lobster traps.
Saved the emissions equivalent of driving a car 13,070 miles.
Diverted enough containers to fill 508 lobster traps.
Fill up those green bags. If you need more bags and/or labels, just let Julie Villemaire know and she can hook you up…no charge!
Simple fill with returnables and drop off at any Hannaford.
Alternately, if you already have a CLYNK account of your own, you can designate you funds as a donation. Hit the Donate button and search for Rotary and you'll find our account.
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