WHAT’S IN A THANK YOU?  Thirty years ago on May 23 my oldest child was born.  At that time I set as a goal helping any kids we may have pay for college so they would not have any significant debt when they got to the real world.  This past weekend my youngest of three graduated from UNE’s Pharmacy School.  All three of my kids graduated from college with no or very little debt.  It had been a lot of hard work but it was worth it.

 

            On Sunday, May 21, my daughter Erin got to speak as the Valedictorian of her class.  I had helped her with her speech, but near the end she took a moment to thank her family and specifically talked briefly about both Holly and me, thanking us both.  To be completely honest I could not tell you exactly what she said because the pride was pushing its way out of the corners of my eyes as I listened to her speak, and I was doing my best to hold it together, but I knew that she had thanked me and had recognized all the hard work that made her education possible. Frankly, it was only a sentence or two, but it was all I needed.  Later as I reflected I truly felt appreciated and could never really ask for anything more.

 

            Why do I share this?  Next week on May 31 we all have a chance to go to the Center of Technology and thank a group of men and women who gave their time and money to make our first off site Rotary house happen.  There will be contractors and material suppliers there who, in this housing economy, certainly could have been somewhere else making money instead of giving their time, energy, expertise and materials to our project.  They deserve our thanks. This is one meeting that everyone should try to attend.

 

            Look, I realize about 4 of you read the Tack and of those 4 maybe 2 of you read my musings, but we should all make an effort to encourage every member of our club to make the meeting on May 31 at the Center of Technology.  Sure, it starts an hour early, but your work will wait while we take the opportunity to say thanks to some people who really helped us out.  I suspect those thank you’s will mean more to them than you know.  Let’s all try to be there on May 31.  Thanks.

 

            Have a great week. 

           

President Lucie started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Brenda Pollack.  Past President Roland was asked to do the invocation.  He inquired as to whether or not the president of the Interact Club was in attendance.  After discovering she was in fact there, he promptly passed the prayer/invocation responsibility to her.

 

Past President, Bill Kany, is in need of some suggestions for the public/private sector awards this year.  Please let him know as soon as possible if you have any ideas.

 

Bernice presented the club with a check for $25,000 which represented our half of the net proceeds of this year’s TV Auction!!

 

BINGO is this Sunday, May 21^st. Doors open at noon time with the games beginning at 2:00 p.m.  You can purchase your game cards at the door.  $1,400 in cash prizes to be given to some lucky winner(s) plus a Winner-Take-All game.

 

May 26^th is the Flags for Our Veterans project at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford. Rotarians will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the West Street entrance, near the office building.  There are over 1,400 flags to place.  It usually takes about 1 ½ hours if we have enough help.  The more hands we have, the quicker it will go! This is a rain or shine event.  If you didn’t sign up, you can still just show up and help for however long you are able to.

 

COT House Party on May 31^st.  Reminder that the meeting be starting at 11:15 – one hour earlier than usual!  This is going to be a big celebration that you won’t want to miss!

Jim Godbout said that he is in need of a volunteer cleaning crew of about 12 on Saturday, May 27^th.  If you are able to help out, please get in touch with Jim.

 

Roland Gagne was the lucky winner of the $42.00 50/50 jackpot which I believe he generously donated to the Red Ribbon initiative.

 

SAA were Matt & Sarah so Sarah was unable to write the specifics and fine at the same time. The only item I could hear clearly in the “front room” was the fact that Matt was the recipient of a big hole in his pants from a nail he got hooked on while speaking with Nicole.  PP Ken Farley went in search of a hammer to rectify the situation.

 

We were joined today by some of the senior members of the BHS Rotary Interact Club.  Their advisor Ruth Shaw introduced the officers.  Madison Perry is the President and Mitchell Farley is the Vice President.  Everyone proceeded to introduce themselves, where they were headed to school and their chosen field of study.  This is once again an impressive group of students! 

 

 

 

 

 

Our chairman for the awards committee, Bill Kany has requested your input.

 

Again it is time for the Awards Committee to get together to select worthy recipients for the Club’s public sector, private sector, humanitarian and vocational awards. Included herewith is a description of each award and some past recipients of each award. What the committee needs from you are suggested award recipients in each category. Please note, that in almost every instance, the awards are given to people suggested to the committee by members of our club.

 

Please note that while award recipients are frequently members of our club, they do not have to be members.  In fact,  most of the time the recipients are not members of the club.  I would also point out that even if you do not have an idea for an award recipient for one particular category, please give us as many suggestions as you can for the other categories. We would appreciate it if you would get back to us as soon as possible with your suggestions. Awards day is tentatively scheduled for June 21, 2017. We do need to meet to ultimately decide on the award recipients and then the awards need to be ordered and engraved so please get your suggestions back to us by May 8.

 

If you have any questions regarding any of the award categories, please contact me (Bill S. Kany at 602-7381 or email me at kanyw@sbsavings.com) or the other members of the committee, Rollie Eon, Joe Moreshead, and Keith Jacques.

 

Here are the award descriptions.  I have attached a list of the past recipients of each award.

 

The Private Sector Award is awarded to a citizen whose good works have been performed independently of their employment in the private sector. Recipients work for the public good, while being privately employed or not employed by a government or community entity. An example of a past recipient would be a building contractor who works towards helping the hungry through setting up a self-supporting meal program.

 

The Public Sector Award is awarded to a citizen who, in the course of their employment or funding, serves the public with government and/or public monies. Recipients are usually employed by a government agency, hold a political office, or have their good works funded in the course of their employment. An example of a past recipient would be a state senator who has worked towards promoting the good of the community.

 

The Humanitarian Award is awarded to a citizen, private or public, who has done exceptional work to further the good of humanity in the community. Past Recipients include a nurse who set up a hospice program in the area.

 

The Vocational Service Award is awarded to a citizen, private or public, who has done exceptional work to promote vocational education and vocational programs.

 

 

NAME(S)                                                                   Reason for Nomination

 

 

 

 

NAME(S)                                                                   Reason for Nomination

 

 

 

 

NAME(S)                                                                   Reason for Nomination

 

 

 

 

NAME(S)                                                                   Reason for Nomination
 

 

 

From Bill Kany

 

Please see the attached invitation to the Rotary House Celebration on Wednesday, May 31st.  We will have tours available before and after lunch and present plaques to those businesses who have graciously donated their services. Here is what is needed from you:

Thank you,

Karen

 

 

 

 

A single family home on Main Street in Biddeford sat shuttered for years. The abandoned home was less than 1000’ from the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT), and despite its woeful condition and back taxes owed, Superintendent Jeremy Ray saw a perfect educational opportunity.  As a member of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, he worked with their Board of Directors to consider sponsoring a renovation of the house.  They agreed and the city deeded the property to the Club for the duration of the renovation.  A year later, a celebration with an open house will take place on May 31 between 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. followed by lunch.  Park and gather at the BRCOT.

 

“It’s a win-win-win,” Ray said of the renovation project undertaken by Club volunteers and BRCOT students.  “The club has generously supported our Building Trades programs for over 20 years.  We have constructed several modular homes, sold them for a modest profit, and the funds have supported both the Rotary’s community work and the Center of Technology.  The benefits of a project like Main Street are even greater: our students get real-life, on-the-job experience in a challenging build environment.  The neighborhood is improved by our work.  Volunteers and those who have donated services and materials feel proud of their investment.  The city is paid the back taxes, and when the home is sold, it returns to the tax rolls.”

 

“The Rotary House is an exemplary model of technical, hands-on training for our students,” said BRCOT Director Paulette Bonneau.  “They are learning valuable skills, working side-by-side professionals in the field, seeing their success first-hand, and enthusiastic about their learning.  We are extremely proud of the students in this project from Biddeford High School, Kennebunk High School, Old Orchard Beach High School and Thornton Academy.” 

 

 

 

Rotarian and major project sponsor Jim Godbout agreed.  “The kids are working so hard, sustaining a months-long effort, adapting to conditions ranging from weather to codes to working with the various trades.  This project is solely managed by the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, logistically and financially, so we are grateful to our Rotarians and local businesses who have volunteered hundreds of hours and contributed countless thousands of dollars.  It’s truly a community investment with a community payoff.” 

 

Major donors to the project included: Master Level – Anderson Insulation, BRC Bedard Roofing and Construction, Maine Granite & Marble, Spang Builders, Tremblay Kitchen Cabinets, Moody’s Nursery, and Coastal WinAir Company; Journeyman Level - Quality Floors, Kevin Bedard Construction, and Distinctive Tile; Apprentice Level – Nate Libby Masonry, Kamco Supply, Biddeford Painting, Ventura Staircase & Woodturning, K&S Overhead Door, Deering Lumber, Southern Maine Builders, Parent Drywall, Boise Cascade, and Woodman Edmands Danylik Austin Smith and Jacques; and other donors - Taylor Rental, Dupuis Hardware, Builders Supply, Maine Street Design, Hydronic Alternatives and Ray Dusseault Masonry.

 

The house is in the final stages of renovation and will culminate with a celebration recognizing all those who contributed. Local businesses who contributed will be honored during lunch at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology.  “The City was so impressed with the work of our students and volunteers that they’ve agreed to deed another property in arrears to the club.  In September, a new group of Building Trades students will again partner with Rotary volunteers to restore a shuttered property and improve our community,” Ray said.