Why Become A Rotarian
Rotarians are PEOPLE of ACTION, PROBLEM SOLVERS, & COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Stories
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Mayor Alan CasavantIt is truly a pleasure to welcome you to the City of Biddeford! Over the past several years, our community has witnessed a resurgence of community pride and investment in what has become known as the “Biddesance”. We are emerging from years of simply defining ourselves as a mill town into a modern, vibrant community that is proud of both its past and its present, while excitedly anticipating its future. Our citizens are passionate about the changes we are making here, and the community energy that has been discovered is what makes Biddeford a special place to live, work, and play. With our diverse new local restaurants, shops, and our engaging artistic community, we have something to offer everyone in our growing downtown. Our once-abandoned mills are thriving again, thanks to business owners and entrepreneurs who have found innovative ways to make the space their own. Our growing partnership with the University of New England and its students is helping to bring a youthful vibrancy to the City (our median age is 35), and it is an honor to have Maine’s largest private university call Biddeford home. We are also fortunate to have such unique natural assets like our picturesque sandy beaches, the Saco River, and our diverse set of public parks available right at our fingertips. Because we are so proud of the work we are doing here to make Biddeford better for our residents, we want to make sure information about all that we have to offer is easy for everyone to access. As part of this commitment to transparency, we have recently updated our website to ensure that we are providing the best service to our citizens that we possibly can. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance if you cannot find what you are looking for. Whether you call Biddeford home or are just stopping in for a visit, we hope you thoroughly enjoy your time here. |
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Earl A. Goodwin KINDNESS in the COMMUNITY  Earl A. Goodwin's KINDNESS in the COMMUNITY Day! The Rotarians of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club are honored to have spread lots of KINDNESS in the COMMUNITY DAY on December 7, 2022 and again on March 8, 2023! Rotarians selected a KINDNESS TASK envelope and headed out into the community fulfill an ACT OF KINDNESS in the name of Earl Goodwin. In Rotary fashion, it is no surprise that Earl choose to give back to Rotary when he passed. In lieu of flowers, he and his wife Stasia, have requested donations be made in Earl's name to the Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco's Charitable Giving Fund. Donations can be made to The Earl A. Goodwin Memorial Fund and mailed to The Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco, PO Box 298, Saco, ME 04072. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Earl A. Goodwin Charitable Fund may send their contribution to the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, PO Box 298, Saco, ME 04072. Thank you.
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Meeting Location to Change
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Brenda Pollock the 5th woman to lead the 102-Year-Old Biddeford-Saco Rotary ClubBrenda Pollock the 5th woman to lead the 102-Year-Old Biddeford-Saco Rotary ClubJuly 28, 2022 Brenda Pollack is the new president of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. From left are: Emily Thayer, Maddison Thayer, Hunter Thayer, Brenda Pollock and David Pollock. Courtesy photo BIDDEFORD — Brenda Pollock became president of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club on June 29. She is the fifth female president of the 102-year-old club. Helene Plourde was the organization’s first woman to lead it. Julie Villemaire was the second woman to accept the role in 2010, followed by Karen Chasse in 2012, and Lucie Kay in 2016. Pollock’s first club meeting was held on June 13 where she presented her goals as president of the organization. Her grandson, 7-year-old Hunter Thayer, helped her lead the Pledge of Allegiance at her inaugural meeting. “My family is my inspiration,” said Pollock. “And seeing me lead this amazing group of professionals, committed to make our world a better place, will inspire them to help in our communities where we can.” The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club has made substantial contributions to the Biddeford – Saco area, including establishing the 72-acre Rotary Park on Main Street in Biddeford that offers citizens walking trails, two playgrounds, a lighted softball field, youth football field, a teen center, dog park, skate park, a boat launch, sliding hills, picnic grove with tables and grills, swimmers beach with seasonal lifeguards, sand volleyball court and a 9-hole disc golf course. Each year, the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club actively engages in ways to help its communities. The main focuses are helping children, seniors, and veterans. In 2020, the club organized a raised bed garden project and took addressing food impoverished assistance to the next level. Ken Farley, a past president of the club and a Rotarian since 1987, leads this committee each year. Every Christmas, Biddeford-Saco Rotarians take on Christmas gift wish lists from more than 80 children and make them come true. Adopt-A-Family is a Rotary holiday project designed to assist families who are in crisis because of unemployment, homelessness, medical issues, or other difficult circumstances, and who otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to celebrate the holidays. “Our Club brightens the Holidays for needy children,” said Heather Gendron, committee chair. “This committee organizes the list of families, manage the shopping, organize giftwrapping, and the delivery of presents. It’s a gratifying cause for Rotarians.” Pollock outlined a budget for the 2022-23 Rotary year, that will provide scholarships for seniors, summer camp sponsorships for local youth, an essay contest with prizes for the top finalists for eighth graders from Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach schools; leadership camp grants for teens entering their sophomore year of high school; and more. “Joe Moreshead is chair of the charitable giving committee,” Pollock said. “He and his team review applications from local citizens who sometimes, fall through the cracks for much needed assistance. That’s when Rotarians are able to step in and help.” In addition to the many service projects these Rotarians will sponsor, one of their goals is to invite anyone who may be interested in becoming a Rotarian, to attend a meeting. “It seems like everything is just a bit more difficult today,” Pollock said. “The fun, the fellowship, and the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process is deeply rewarding.” For more information on the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, it’s committees, events, and meeting times, visit www.biddeford-sacorotary.org.
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Week in Review 7/13/2022Fellow Rotarians, Let me begin by thanking you for entrusting me to be your President for the 2022-2023 Rotary year. It is an honorable privilege and a responsibility I accept humbly and seriously. It is indeed a pleasure to be at the helm as we forge into our one-hundred-second year of existence as a service organization. The benchmark is set so that we expect only an upward trajectory in the years to come. I must commend the charter members who had a vision of creating a vibrant club that would act and has acted by Rotary’s standards of contributing positively to the society, and ultimately do good in the world. I look forward to a year of fun, fellowship, and doing good in our community and around the world. This is our time. To share our talents and be a gift to our communities. What we do this year as Rotarians, will endure forever. It may not be carved in granite or marble, but in the lives and hearts of generations. This is our time. I was honored to have my husband David, my daughter Emily, my grandchildren Maddison and Hunter, present for my inaugural meeting. My son, Billy Hanson, joined via Zoom from Los Angeles. Thank you for your constant support and encouragement. You are my inspiration.  The committees of this organization are our foundation. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to chair a committee. Set your goals high. I look forward to your innovative ideas and seeing of your many success stories. At your earliest convenience, please submit to me your schedule of events for the year. I’ll be preparing a calendar of events that will be posted on our website. By the 25th of each month, kindly communicate all committee volunteer hours to our club Secretary. As we look to apply for future Rotary grants, these hours are critical to include in the application. Anyone interested in assuming the role of Assistant Secretary to help our club Secretary this year, please contact either Julie Villemaire or myself. We’ll be happy to discuss with you the duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary role. Joe Moreshead, Sergeant of Arms for the day, was happy to commence fining his fellow Rotarians for any number of reasons. He reminded the group of his infamous declaration; It’s for the children. The role of Sergeant of Arms is a group effort this year, led by Jim Labelle. There is lots of fun to come from this group this year. Reminder – 50/50 Raffle will commence next week. To help with the managing of this event, we respectfully ask Rotarians who would like to participate in the weekly event, to please bring cash. From L to R are : Emily Thayer, Maddison Thayer, Hunter Thayer, Brenda Pollock, and David Pollock. I am excited to announce the COMMUNITY PROJECT I have selected for my year is a SPLASH PAD. More to come on this project. We are excited to have our fellow Rotarian, Bill Paterson as guest speaker next week at our meeting. He will give us an update on the District’s Recovery Initiative Committee and discuss some of the Program Committee’s ideas for the upcoming year.  I look forward to seeing you next week. July 20th at Dizzy Bird’s Rotisserie, 65 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005 at 12:15 pm or via Zoom: Join Rotary Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3330952382?pwd=U0VkVzZ6bW1IMzdhZmFpRHdwUG1aQT09 Choose Kindness. Brenda |
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Rotary Mini-Golf for Good TournamentFellow Rotarians, Planning has begun for our 3rd Annual Mini Golf for Good Tournament on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14 at Raptor Falls, Arundel, Pirate's Cove, Old Orchard Beach, and Martel's, Saco. We will host a special Rotary challenge on Saturday at 3pm at Raptor Falls, with an award ceremony to follow at Bentley's Saloon. Come play a friendly round with a $10.00 ante (in addition to course admission fee). Lowest score takes home 50 percent of the ante money AND the highly coveted Mini Golf for Good Championship Trophy. The other 50 percent will go to the club to support worthy causes in our community. Want to help?? 1. We are asking all club members to find two hole sponsors ($100 each) for the event. These can be your place of business, personal sponsorships or your favorite frequented establishments. Please use the attached form. 2. Volunteer to help set up and take down hole signage at the event locations. You can sign up through this google link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S7-LLJG0pOwefEI7A0bCR2MIRU2eq7svtQBsUGTebXw/edit?usp=sharing 3. Join the Mini Golf for Good Committee and help us make this event a wild success! This is a huge fundraiser for our club and allows us to support wonderful programs for youth and veterans in our community. If you are interested in joining this fun committee, please let Haley Thompson know at haley.thompson@thorntonacademy.org. Thank you for your support! Haley |
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Rotary Committees 22-23Hello all, If you have already shared your committee selection(s) with me, thank you! If you have not, please try to do so by the 18th. Thank you kindly. Brenda
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No Meeting Today 7/6/2022I trust you all had an enjoyable 4th of July holiday! It’s officially summertime!!! Just a reminder, there will be NO BOARD or REGULAR MEETING tomorrow, July 6th. We will commence the new Rotary year on Wednesday, July 13th at 7:45 am for the Board Meeting – In Person at 180 Pool St, Biddeford, ME 04005 or board members may join in via Zoom https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3330952382?pwd=U0VkVzZ6bW1IMzdhZmFpRHdwUG1aQT09 Meeting ID: 333 095 2382 Password: 582182 Regular meeting – July 13th at 12:15 pm - Dizzy Birds Rotisserie (65 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005) or join in via Zoom: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3330952382?pwd=U0VkVzZ6bW1IMzdhZmFpRHdwUG1aQT09 Meeting ID: 333 095 2382 Password: 582182 Presentation: President Brenda Pollock will give an overview of Rotary year ahead. New logo pins will be presented to Board Members & Committee Chairs. Be Kind. Brenda |
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RI President 22-23
Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact. “As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.” As the first woman to be nominated to be president, Jones understands how important it is to follow through on Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion … begins at the top and for us to realize growth in female membership and members under the age of forty — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.” Jones is founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Jones holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.). A current Rotary Foundation trustee, Jones has been a Rotary member since 1997 and has served Rotary as RI vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary’s Advisory Group. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts. Jones recently led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon, which raised critical funds for COVID-19 relief and was viewed by more than 65,000. Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society, Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society. The members of the Nominating Committee for the 2022-23 President of Rotary International are: Robert L. Hall, Dunwoody, Metro Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Bradford R. Howard Oakland Uptown, California, USA; Per Høyen, Aarup, Gelsted, Denmark; Peter Iblher, Nürnberg-Reichswald, Zirndorf, Germany; Ashok Mahajan, Mulund, Mah., India; Sam Okudzeto, Accra, Accra, Ghana; Eduardo San Martín Carreño, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Takeshi Matsumiya, Chigasaki-Shonan, Chigasaki Kanagawa, Japan; Michael K. McGovern (secretary), Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA; José Alfredo Pretoni, São Paulo-Sul, São Paulo, Brazil; Saowalak Rattanavich, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand; Hendreen Dean Rohrs, Langley Central, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Kenneth M. Schuppert, Jr (chair)., Decatur, Alabama, USA; Ravindra P. Sehgal, Belur, West Bengal, India; Noel Trevaskis, Merimbula, Tura Beach, Australia; Giuseppe Viale, Genova, Genova, Italy; and Chang-Gon Yim, Daegu-West, Daegu, Korea. |
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Biddeford Saco Rotary Annual AwardsWelcome to the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club’s annual awards meeting. I know some people are here to make presentations and we will get to them shortly. At the outset I want to thank all the Rotarians who took the time to suggest some incredibly worthy candidates for these awards. Your input to the committee was invaluable and most of this year’s winners came from your suggestions. Unfortunately, we cannot honor all of the people you suggested, but I can assure you they were all worthy of recognition. Stephen King once said: “Don’t let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone.” Our Club has made the effort to say thank you to people or organizations that make a difference in our communities since 1988 in giving out our Private, Public and Humanitarian Awards and since 2000 in giving out our Vocational Service Award. The awards have gone either to club members or to individuals or organizations outside the club whose acts of kindness, generosity and caring help to make our communities and the world a little better. I have had the privilege of chairing this committee for longer than I can remember, and I know that most of our past recipients have not been people looking for recognition, and in fact, most of them would prefer to keep doing what they do away from the spotlight. Our club, however, feels that our award recipients deserve a resounding thank you for their good works and it is our hope that by acknowledging the wonderful things these folks do we will inspire others to get involved and do great things. PRIVATE SECTOR AWARD The Private Sector Award is awarded to a citizen whose good works have been performed independently of their employment usually in the private sector. Recipients work for the public good, outside of his or her employment. 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. In the past I have read off some of our most recent winners of this award but this year I thought I would go back to 2000 and list off some of the winners during the early 2000s. They included: 2000 John Wasileski 2001 Carrie Shaw 2002 Alan Nelson 2003 Joe Grondin 2004 Lou Chantigny Recipient was not able to make it on June 15 so we will give this one later. PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD 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. Read names of Past Winners 2000 Roland “Ron” Michaud 2001 Carl J. Stasio, Jr. 2002 Dick Tryon 2003 Gen. Wallace H. Nutting 2004 William Johnson May Sarton, a Belgian American poet once said: “Do not deprive me of my age. I have earned it.” We are all getting older, it’s inevitable and certainly beats the alternative. We live in the oldest state in the nation. Our elderly deserve our respect and our gratitude, but so often they are an overlooked segment of our society. While they may be getting older many of them are a hardy lot too stubborn or proud to ask for our help. A few years ago Saco took the step of developing Age Friendly Saco, A Community for a Lifetime. The initiative was based on concepts developed by the World Health Organization designed to enable people of all ages to participate in community events while insuring that all people are treated with respect regardless of age. It keeps older people connected while enabling them to remain in their homes. It is a highly collaborative effort involving a separate tax exempt organization, the City of Saco as well as other organizations. Creating and then developing the programs of this organization took true vision and leadership. Such efforts frequently fizzle without strength at the top. Age Friendly Saco is a vibrant action organization thanks in large part to its President who has served in that role since its inception. Her hard work has insured that a concept is now an admirable set of services and benefits for our seniors. For all of her hard work to support our seniors, this year’s Public Sector Award winner is Jean Saunders. While I was researching quotes about aging I came across this anonymous quote that I loved. “I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather, … not screaming and yelling like the passengers on his bus.” HUMANITARIAN AWARD 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. Read names of Past Winners 2000 Ruth Anderson 2001 James Audiffred 2002 Mary’s Walk 2003 Roland Gagne 2004 Thomas Haley Most of you have heard of the Heart of Biddeford. Its mission statement says “Heart of Biddeford, powered by the strength of community involvement, fosters a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable downtown for residents, businesses and visitors.” Started back in 2004 the HOB has worked tirelessly to promote a revitalization of Biddeford’s downtown from attracting new businesses, promoting the arts, improving the overall quality of life and working to beautify the urban core. Mayor Casavant observed of downtown: “This is the place to germinate the rediscovery and renaissance of Biddeford.” As someone who has lived in this area almost my whole life I can tell you the transformation of downtown Biddeford is nothing short of miraculous. All of the HOB’s efforts recently culminated in the HOB receiving the prestigious Great American Main Street Award which recognizes communities for the excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. That is National recognition. The HOB is a volunteer driven group with an executive director and an office manager. Its executive director is the conductor of a huge orchestra which has composed an absolutely incredible symphony. The HOB’s leader has unbelievable enthusiasm for all that is Biddeford. Her ability to promote the area and its arts while respecting and preserving its history and culture is inspiring. There is no question that the heart of the HOB is this year’s Humanitarian Award recipient, a past member of our Club, Delilah Poupore VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD The Vocational Service Award is awarded to a citizen, private or public, who has done exceptional work to promote vocational education and vocational programs. Read names of Past Winners 2000 Carl Goodwin 2001 A. William Kany, Jr. 2002 Ron Gagnon 2003 Steven Foran 2004 Frank Paul Imagine you’re a high school student who doesn’t particularly like school a lot, doesn’t really think traditional college is for them and their goal is to graduate from high school, get a job and make some money. Their family role models, if any, are not always positive. They are not really sure what they want to do. They are frequently late for school, so the concept of being on time is illusive. They have never been taught how to shake hands or how to dress for work, and they definitely don’t like being told what to do. Prime candidates to be good employees, maybe not. However, concerns about making good career choices and improving employability are being addressed at the Center of Technology. This year’s recipient of our Vocational Service Award helped create the COT’s career development program from scratch which is helping students find their career pathways. She is teaching career readiness and working to help students develop the soft skills needed to make them good employees. This person also coordinates real job opportunities with local businesses to expose students to job and career opportunities while providing businesses with potential candidates to fill job vacancies. This person regularly checks in with the employers and holds students accountable when they don’t show up, show up late or have other issues with their workplace. She teaches two classes at the COT which help students select a career and provide them with readiness and employability skills. Those are things many of us take for granted, but in fact they really need to be learned. Paulette Bonneau said of this person: “At home and in her work, she brings compassion, sensitivity, thoughtfulness, intelligence, and humor while holding our students to high expectations and accountability.” Paulette went on to state: “She is always willing to help her colleagues and is a true team player. She is a true professional and I am very proud of her, not only for her contributions to make COT successful, but also for her work ethic and integrity. She is one of the best hiring decisions I have made and truly appreciate her as one of my colleagues.” I have heard from several people that this person has an incredible passion for helping her students succeed while always striving to make her programs better. As parents, employers and civic leaders we all know how important such passion and drive can be. I am very happy to give this year’s Biddeford Saco Rotary Club Vocational Service Award to Tracey Collins. GOODWIN OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD As many of you know, back in 2007 our Club decided to honor all of the dedication and contributions of Carl and Earl Goodwin by creating an award in their honor. In my opinion it is truly the highest honor our club can give to one of its past or present members. Based on the significance of the award I will take a second and share the names of all Past Winners: 2007 Carl and Earl Goodwin 2008 Richard Buffum 2009 David Lowe 2010 Robert Begin 2011 Roland M. Eon 2012 Roland P. Gagne 2013 Helene Plourde 2014 Julie Villemaire 2015 Jim McAllister 2016 Paul H. Deschambault 2017 Karen Chasse 2018 Jim Godbout 2019 PDG Ronald Drouin 2021 Joe Moreshead In 2017 when I gave this award to Karen Chasse I said that if I was ever building a new Rotary Club from scratch I would recruit Karen and just add water. If I was building a Club today I would enlist Karen and this individual knowing the rest would without question fall into place. A relative new member, by my standards, if you look at photos from every Rotary event or every meeting this person is not only there, but this member is getting things done. This person has done it all for the Club while also reminding us week in and week out that family is of number one importance. This person has achieved an incredible balance in life that has enabled them to become friends with just about every person in the State of Maine. While this person has never been the President of our Club, he has been the best friend of every President of this club since he joined the club about 6 years ago with a tireless commitment to doing whatever it takes to help others. When this person received our Humanitarian Award I said: ‘He provides all of this help with an incredible sense of humility and family and with a sincerity that is unsurpassed. For his willingness to put his family, his communities and those in need ahead of all else, this year’s Biddeford Saco Rotary Club Humanitarian Award now cross that out and replace it with “this year’s Goodwin Outstanding Service Award” goes to Conrad Welzel. PAUL HARRIS RECIPIENTS In 1896 a young attorney from Wallingford, Vermont moved to Chicago. He met a man named Bob Frank who demonstrated a camaraderie with local shopkeepers that impressed him and reminded him of his small town in Vermont. That desire for the fellowship of a small town inspired him to have a meeting with 3 other men on Feb. 23, 1905 which was said the be the first Rotary meeting ever. Of course, that man was Paul Harris who went on to create what became Rotary International. Unfortunately, Harris suffered from poor health and passed away in 1947. He asked that in lieu of flowers people donate to the Rotary Foundation. Upon hearing of his death, Rotary created the Paul Harris Memorial Fund which eventually included awards given in Harris’ name. Paul Harris Awards are arguably the highest distinction that can be given to people by Rotary. Our Club has had a practice of recognizing deserving members and non-members for their work in and outside the Club. Each past Paul Harris recipient has been very worthy and this year we have two more equally notable winners of the award. In no particular order: A Rotary Club, as large and as active as ours, requires a lot of hard work to make it run smoothly. It requires people to step up on a regular basis not only to complete hands on projects, but also to keep up with the day to day administrative demands. It is my sense that our first Paul Harris recipient this year is an exceptionally quiet person who took a while to get comfortable with Rotary, but this person has stepped up in a big way to help keep the club running smoothly while repeatedly showing up to help out wherever needed. Her efforts have meant a lot to Marty and to our Club, and therefore I am happy to give this year’s first Paul Harris Award to Kathy Shea. As many of you know, as we give to the Foundation we generate credit toward Paul Harris Awards. Many of our members are multiple Paul Harris recipients because of their Foundation giving including Brian Dallaire, Carl Goodwin, Roland Gagne and Joe Moreshead to name a few. It is always nice to announce when the generosity of our members results in further Paul Harris recognition for them. We have two such announcement to make. Elaine Palmitessa and Jim Godbout. |
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Biddeford Saco Rotary Awards 2022Public Sector Award: Jean Saunders, Age Friendly Saco Humanitarian Award: Delilah Poupore, Heart of Biddeford Vocational Service Award: Tracey Collins Goodwin Outstanding Service Award: Conrad Welzel Paul Harris: Kathy Shea Additionally, we highlighted multiple Paul Harris awards to Jim Godbout and Elaine Palmitessa. |
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BS Rotary President's AwardsFor Mary's president’s awards, we gave: Brian Dallaire: for the Tack, the website, and all the event invites, from wherever he is in the world, 52 weeks a year. Jim Labelle: for serving capably as Sergeant-at-Arms, keeping the mood light and fun, and involving everyone, and offending just enough Susan Gajewski: serving as Treasurer, preparing budgets, monthly reports to the board, and managing the bank account and all Club finances professionally and capably Brenda Pollock: attending to all our district obligations and conferences, overseeing the Essay Contest, getting us all sorted out with new Club shirts and jackets, and serving as President-Elect Richard Guay: for tirelessly and thanklessly serving as crossing guard at Biddeford Middle School, every morning and every afternoon, rain or shine, for 22 years and counting Rotarian of the Year: Karen Chasse. Karen ran multiple programs for the club including Red Ribbon and the Raffle, resulting in raising more than $50,000, as well as helping with communications and outreach, as “CEO Mom”. She has a can-do attitude and dives into any Club project. If Karen is involved in a project, you know it will happen, on-time and on-budget. |
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Essay Contest  |
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Week in Review 6/8/2022What an amazing day we had for Past Presidents! Thank you to PP Keith Jacques in particular for your help pulling this successful meeting together -- it was wonderful to reconnect. Our Club has done, and continues to do, so much for the community. Next Wednesday the 15th is Awards Day -- I'm really looking forward to it and hoping for a good turnout. Please do make a point to join us. So many in the club have gone the extra mile this year. Please come out to honor them. Members of the community that have been nominated will be in attendance as well. And you never know, you could be receiving an award yourself!  |
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Students place flags in Biddeford cemetery Fourth graders Jason Mbele and Mousa Al-Ghezi read a grave stone at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford on Thursday. BIDDEFORD — For many, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and a day off from work or school celebrated with family get-togethers and other festivities. Local students learned this week that the day has a deeper meaning. Memorial Day, a federal holiday observed the fourth Monday of May, was established originally to honor those who died in the Civil War and later became a day to honor all American veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country. For about 30 years, Vietnam veteran Raoul Goulet has helped organize an annual event to put flags on veterans’ graves at St. Joseph’s cemetery. On Thursday morning, Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club members joined fourth graders from Biddeford Intermediate School and fifth graders from Biddeford Middle School in this year’s effort.  Raoul Goulet, right, talks about Memorial Day at St. Joseph's cemetery in Biddeford on Thursday, while Martin Grohman listens. “The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club is honored to be part of this project, as we have been for many years. It reminds us all of the meaning of Memorial Day,” said Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club President Martin Grohman. Goulet spoke to the students about his time serving as a combat photographer and discussed the importance of honoring veterans. Students were given flags after Goulet told them the proper way to place them, and they spread through the cemetery looking for veterans’ graves. Fourth graders Jason Mbele and Mousa Al-Ghezi eagerly scouted out veterans’ graves, flags in hand. As they placed the flags, they paused for a moment to read the graves and learn who they were honoring. “They are so excited. We did a nice presentation yesterday, so they understand why we’re here and what to do,” said teacher Lori Flynn. On Memorial Day, a group will gather at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at the central flagpole at noon to raise the US Flag to full staff, with each grave of a veteran in the cemetery marked with a flag. In all, 2,000 flags were provided by the City of Biddeford. The flags will be removed in late June and reused next year. Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.
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Vet2Vet Maine
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The Week in Review 5/25/2022Our meeting this week was fun and interesting. Chef Tom made lasagna bolognese with an unusual and tasty watermelon salad as a side. We had Judie Alessi O'Malley from Vet2Vet Maine as our speaker. Please take a second (literally, 1:58) to learn how the Vet2Vet program works. (Earlier this year our Board approved a $1000 donation from Company B to Vet2Vet Maine). Recently, we have made a number of other high impact charitable donations as well, with the funds that you have raised from our minigolf, raffle, and syrup events:
Happy Dollars:
There is no meeting on Wednesday June 1. However, the board does have a brief meeting at 745AM on Zoom, we have a couple important agenda items. Past Presidents is at Dizzy Birds on Wednesday June 8. (There is no Zoom option for this meeting. Outdoor seating will be available, weather permitting) Don't miss our Essay Contest winners presentation, on the evening Monday June 6. Thanks to PE Brenda for all your work organizing this. Watch for an invite. |
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The week in Review 5/18/2022We did not have a speaker at our meeting this week. It was a wonderful chance for us all to catch up. Chef Tom made chicken caesar salad. I guess he's trying to get us slimmed down for the summer 😀. It was very good. Happy dollars:
Scholarships: Thanks to Heather Gendron & Paulette Bonneau's leadership, our four $1000 scholarships are going out shortly, to graduating seniors at all the area high schools (Biddeford High School, Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, Old Orchard Beach HIgh School, Thornton Academy). Thanks also to Joe Moreshead for helping out with this. We are blessed to be able to have such a successful Club and help students succeed! Mini-Golf The mini-golf committee is forming up. This is a fun event that raises a lot of much needed charitable dollars for our Club. It is one of our largest fundraisers of the year. It is held in early August. We sell sponsorships to area businesses for $100 to $500 per hole, and the businesses get signage on the course and mention in our promotions. If you can serve on the committee please let Marty or Karen know. We will also need people to staff the golf courses on the weekend of the event, probably the weekend of August 6-7. Then stay and play a round -- minigolf is fun! Upcoming meetings & events: May 25: speaker from local veterans group. Featuring Chef Tom's good food, fun, happy dollars, fellowship and project updates. Guests encouraged. Thursday May 26 at 9AM, place Memorial Day flags on veterans graves at St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Street, Biddeford. Due to construction in the cemetery, park on Marion or Bernard Street and walk in. Rain or shine. June 1: no meeting (holiday week) Saturday June 4: Syrup Distribution at Pension Professionals, 9AM, 180 Pool St, Biddeford (when picking up, you can also help label syrup you sold to others to be shipped) June 8: Past Presidents. Not to be missed. All past presidents of the Club and their spouses invited. Usually our biggest crowd of the year. Note: we don't have working emails for all Past Presidents so please be in touch with any you are in contact with and encourage them to attend. June 15: Awards Day. We will be presenting all of our Club awards, and we have some exciting and very deserving awardees selected. June 22: just us, no speaker. Fun, fellowship. Trivia contest. June 29: presidential handoff. Welcome, Brenda! Note that we do not have a meeting on June 1 (because of the holiday week). Past Presidents, a meeting not to be missed, is June 8, and Awards is June 15 (the committee met this week and has chosen some very deserving awardees). All meetings are at Dizzy Birds, 65 Main Street, Biddeford, at 12:15. Thank you for putting your profession to work for the good of the community! |
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Essay Contest |
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Week in Review 5/11/2022We've been having fun, interesting meetings, with a good core group turning out. We need about 17 people to break even at Dizzy Birds. It's nice if you sign up, to make it easier for me to plan the meeting (such as choosing someone to give the invocation), but it's not a must. Feel free to bring a guest. We had two great guests last week, Brad and Ramin. Chef Tom always makes something good (it's not just chicken). In fact, last week, it was Thanksgiving, which was fun. The week before that, it was fajitas. There's always plenty, and if you're in a hurry, grab a takeout box and bring lunch back to the office. For your calendar, here's our schedule of upcoming meetings (all at Dizzy Birds) through the month of June, as well as other events to get involved with:
Note that we do not have a meeting on June 1 (because of the holiday week). Past Presidents, a meeting not to be missed, is June 8, and Awards is June 15 (the committee met this week and has chosen some very deserving awardees). All meetings are at Dizzy Birds, 65 Main Street, Biddeford. |
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Week in Review 5/4/2022We had a fun meeting last week, although turnout was a little light, and interesting speakers from the 9,300 acre Rachel Carson preserve, which makes up much of our Maine coast from Wells to Scarborough. Our presenters, USAF Veteran Tom Wall, and biologist Rachel Stern from the US Fish & Wildlife Service were interesting. One takeaway is that this is a large preserve with lots of programming for the community, including for children, and they encourage to visit and get involved -- it's a hidden gem (notwithstanding the fact that there is a picture of the preserve on the wall at Dizzy Birds -- $5 from Marty for anyone who can point it out!). We do not want a Silent Spring, except maybe from PP Joe! This week, let's make sure to all turn out for Jen Fullmer & Team Hakim's presentation. Last fall, Jen presented on their dramatic exodus from Kabul, Afghanistan. Now this family of eleven is settled here in Biddeford. You won't want to miss this story; along with our usual good food and fellowship. Today, we are sending $595 from Clynk proceeds to a young student, Onyango, in Kisumu, Kenya. This is an incredible amount of help for her, and will pay part of her high school tuition. C'mon now, I know we all drink four cans of seltzer water a day... please use our Rotary Clynk bags! I will have some bags & stickers at Dizzy Birds this week.  Happy Dollars: Sergeant at Arms Jim led a very interesting challenge, for each member to give the next line of the Star Spangled Banner, as we went around the room. If I asked you right now, could you give the first line of the second verse? I didn't think so. That'll be a dollar!!
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Family Garden ProjectAs we plan the final stages of a great service project we are still in need of volunteers. Many hands make light work and I'm asking all of you to commit to helping at least one day and hopefully more. We need volunteers for the following: Saturday, May 7th from 9 am to noon: Looking for a couple more volunteers to help assemble metal and wood raised garden beds for Biddeford Community Gardens at Rotary Park in Biddeford. Saturday, May 14th from 9 am to noon: We need 5 more volunteers to install raised garden beds for our Family Garden project. The plan is to have two teams of four deliver four raised garden beds each. Additional details will be emailed the week of the event. We will need the following tools for each team; wheel barrow, 2-3 shovels, a steel rake and a cordless screw gun. Saturday, May 21st from 9 am to noon: We need 6 more volunteers to install raised garden beds for our Family Garden project. The plan is to have two teams of four deliver four raised garden beds each. Additional details will be emailed the week of the event. We will need the following tools for each team; wheel barrow, 2-3 shovels, a steel rake and a cordless screw gun. Please let me know which day(s) you can help. Thanks a lot. Yours in service, Ken Farley |
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Week in Review 4/27/2022-Great speaker this week: Have you ever wondered about the Rachel Carson Preserve? It covers more than 5,000 acres and 50 miles of Maine coast. Two members of the staff will attend to tell us more about the preserve and its history and programs. -Thanks to Paulette for running the meeting last week. I hope that some of us can sign up to provide rides for the MaineWorks program. -This Saturday is the first volunteer opportunity for the Raised Bed Garden project. Please see story from Ken Farley with details. -Do you plan to attend our District Conference on May 14? Brenda is attending and hopes others will join. -Remember that we will be placing flags at St Joseph's Cemetery on West Street in Biddeford on Thursday May 26 at 9AM. -It's time to nominate for our annual awards ceremony! Please get your nominations to Bill Kany, in the categories of . Awards Day will be June 15. |
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Annual B_S Rotary Awards-NominationsFor longer than I can remember I have been sending out this annual solicitation for award nominees, and I have to say this may be my last, but I digress. Again it is time for the Awards Committee (whoever that may be) 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 a list of 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. 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 scheduled for June 8, 2022 this year (a tad bit earlier than usual). The committee does 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 4. If you have any questions regarding any of the award categories, please contact me (Bill S. Kany at 602-7381 or email me at bkany@sbsavings.bank) or the other members of the committee, Joe Moreshead, and Brian Dalliare (neither of whom actually knows they are on the committee and note there may be others but I don’t know who they are). If we do not have any suggestions from you the committee is left to its own devices which is never good. The alternative is to not give out one or more awards if we do not have candidates, but that is silly because there are so many worthy candidates out there. Thanks, Bill Here are the award descriptions. I have also 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. PUBLIC SECTOR, PRIVATE SECTOR, HUMANITARIAN, AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES AWARD NOMINATIONS Public Sector Award Nominees NAME(S) Reason for Nomination Private Sector Award Nominees NAME(S) Reason for Nomination Bill Kany Humanitarian Award Nominees NAME(S) Reason for Nomination Vocational Service Nominees NAME(S) Reason for Nomination |
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Week in Review 4/20/2022
This Wednesday, we have a new member induction (Shelley Kane), great food and fellowship as always, and speakers on opioid recovery for Red Ribbon week, as mentioned above. PE Brenda will run the meeting while I get the Zoom experience. |
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Week in Review 4/13/2022Our club is busy and doing great work. The Raised Bed Garden project, led by Ken Farley, is going well. We have 12 applications for the 20 raised bed gardens that we have budget for. Speaking of budget, Moody's Nursery has very generously offered to provide us soil and seedlings at their cost, which will help. Please do save the date for the Saturday mornings of 5/14 & 5/21 to help deliver, set up and fill these great little gardens that help provide food security for area families in need. Very pleased to report that the CK Burns School Ukraine Fundraiser was a great success, with students raising more than $1,000, which our Club will match. We will hold a check presentation at CK Burns on Tuesday April 26 at 1:25PM. All are welcome. The Rotaract Club at UNE has wrapped up meetings for the year, with more than 500 volunteer hours! Next week's speakers are John Bouchard of the Saco Bay Club, together with Margo Walsh of MaineWorks. You won't want to miss this meeting, which will be an interesting discussion of opioid recovery in Maine, what other clubs are doing, and how we can help, all part of Red Ribbon week. Happy Dollars: Heather Gendron: oldest daughter promoted to MRI Tech, and bought first house! Kim: happy $10, for Whimsical ME being such a go-to resource of a store; and happy $5, drove over a pylon (not a Pilon) at Chick-Fil-A... and it wasn't the first time 😀 Jen F: Hakim's son got a great job at RW Gillespie Conrad: had a great 11 day trip to Georgia Karen: daughter is doing great and credits "CEO Mom" Jim L: Diverse Anecdote (Karen's company) joined the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce! Cheri: has been living in the area for 2 years now, found a camper site for the summer, and will do a seasonal rental for the winter, it is a real wakeup call about the lack of affordable housing Bill P: back from Corpus Christi TX, great weather, went to air show Melissa: son auditioned for a play with the Portland Players and was cast in a leading role Ken has been busy with his new hobby of winemaking, sounds like time for an after hours event! See you Wednesday at Jim's! |
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Week in Review 4/6/2022We had an excellent and interesting presentation from Amalie Sonneborn & Lily Collins from The Ecology School. There was very good Q&A and discussion. Here is a link to their website. They are growing and hiring. Happy Dollars (the SAA issued no fines but ordered that all, without exception, must give something they are happy about): Amalie from The Ecology School: has a new puppy Lily from The Ecology School: almost gardening season Melissa: great picture of grandchild Dr. Joe: Grandson Noah is coming to visit Mike Burman: spring is here Jeremy Ray: gave a very generous happy $50 to be back at an in-person meeting Jim Godbout: happy for the spirit of Courage and that we are meeting together Cheri: $3 -- had a great visit to California, and Project Alliance Youth Summit is coming up Joyce Valenti, happy $10, a tribute to her late husband who passed away a year ago today, and was a lifelong Rotarian who led a lifetime of Service Above Self Marty: happy to see everybody, good food, good meeting, good speakers CJ: happy to be back Peggy: happy to be back Joe Fullmer: nice to see the ducks and geese back on Peter Pond Jen: Marty forgot to write it down Kathy Shea: happy for the spirit of kindness and pay-it-forward that the Club exemplifies |
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Thank You Note |
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PDG Sergii Zavadskii of RC KyivOn 3/23/2022, we had a very compelling presentation from PDG Sergii Zavadskii of RC Kyiv. This was our largest Zoom meeting ever, with members of our club, and clubs all over the world, adding up to more than 100 people. We had attendees from at least six countries (USA, Ukraine, Canada, Jordan, UK, & Romania). There are 62 Rotary Clubs in Ukraine, eleven of them in Kyiv alone. During the presentation, Sergii, who is an executive in the chemicals business and has two sons in the military, was not in Kyiv but had taken his grandchildren to a rural, hopefully safer area in western Ukraine near Uzhgorod and zoomed in from there. Thanks in particular to Roland Gagne and Melissa Cilley for arranging the presentation, and to Brian Dallaire for capably managing such a large meeting. Sergii showed this map of where clubs are vs the fighting, and attempts clubs are putting together to supply food and medicine:  Today at noon, we'll have a follow up meeting, hosted by Melissa Cilley on Zoom. Topic: Conversation with Ukrainian teen and her grandmother who fled to Romania Time: Mar 24, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) PS: missed yesterday's presentation from Sergii? Here's how to access the recording: Meeting Recording temporarily on Zoom: Access Code: ?U4Yj#^V Alternatively Rotary Zone Representative Steve Miller posted it on YouTube for us at this link: |
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Week in Review 3/23/2022We will be back at Dizzy Birds this week and for the foreseeable future. Please join us! We'll have good food, and a good meeting featuring a new member induction and a great speaker, Dora Zuniga of RC Tampa. This would be a great meeting to bring a guest, as well. Lunch is just $17, with everything included. Meeting starts at 12:15 and ends by one so you can get back to your day recharged with good idea sharing and good fellowship. Park in the Dizzy Birds lot or on Main St. We've crossed the $10,000 mark in syrup sales! Thanks for all you are doing. Push to the finish line to raise money for Ukraine and our many projects! The Red Ribbon design award contest winner, whose design will be printed on 6,000 t-shirts... has been selected! Stay tuned for the big reveal! Event: Tuesday March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day. The City of Biddeford will hold a brief ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park at 2 Pool Street in Biddeford at noon. Please attend if you can.  |
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Week in Review 3/16/2022Speaking of reaching out all over the world, don't miss this week's presenter, Past District Governor Sergii Zavadskii of RC Kyiv (Ukraine). Here’s a link to Sergii’s Rotary Bio: https://rotary-if.club/en/sergii-zavadskii-gubernator-distri/ We'll use our normal Zoom link. Please do register, it is helpful to know how many are attending. We expect a large attendance including many guests from other Clubs. We recently sent $3910 to RC Oradea (Romania); I wouldn't be shocked if we elected to offer a donation to RC Kyiv. Rotary colors are already blue and yellow, so if you have some blue and yellow, wear it. All of this very meaningful international work is made possible by our fundraising efforts, and one of our most important ones is going on right now, and there is only one more week. Surprisingly, we are way behind last year's sales. Please share your Maple Syrup fundraising page with friends far and wide! I've been so impressed with the student participation in the Red Ribbon program. Did you know that we received more than one hundred design ideas from students? Remarkable. Red Ribbon is the nation's largest and oldest substance misuse disorder in-school program. We are really doing a lot this year, please get involved! Here's our action plan. The Raised Bed Garden project is looking for Biddeford-Saco families in need -- thanks to a District Grant, we can supply as many as 20 Raised Bed gardens, filled with rich soil, delivered together with seeds and starts. Who do you know that we can help? Next week, on the 30th, we'll be back in person at Dizzy Birds! We'll have a great program featuring Dora Zuniga of RC Tampa; a new member induction; a guest prospective member, and some good food & fellowship. Plan on it! |
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Week in Review 3/9/2022Zoom only, this week and next! Starting March 30, we will be back at Dizzy Birds. Thanks for all you’re doing for Rotary. I’m incredibly gratified to tell you that on Friday, our Club wired $3,910 to RC Oradea. This money will be used for mattresses, bed sheets, clothes and food for Ukrainian refugees. If you sold minigolf sponsorships back in August, raffle tickets in December, and are selling syrup now, you made this kind of impact possible. Additionally, many Rotarians added on individual donations, including Julie Villemaire who personally paid the wire transfer fee. The Red Ribbon project is hitting on all cylinders. Red Ribbon is a national effort. It is the largest drug prevention program in the United States. I was traveling this week on a plane to Arkansas and I saw someone else with the Red Ribbon lapel pin. Here is what we are doing right now:
Now for the important part, we got to sell some syrup! Here are the latest stats, let’s get after it, we need this funding for some very good causes. Sales end in only 17 days. Here are the team stats: Here are the individual leaders:  Thank you Roland for all your work to make this a success. Syrup will be available for pickup or shipment on June 4. This would be a good time to email all your friends with your sales link. Looking forward to seeing you on Zoom the next two weeks. On 3/16, we have Anastasia Juma Sinawa, Children's Rescue Center, Kenya, which is a project we are currently funding. See the difference our funding is making! And we expect a big crowd, possibly more than 100, for 3/23, because our speaker will be PDG Sergii Zavadskyi, RC Kyiv-City (Ukraine). Then, let’s get back in the groove of great in-person meetings, like we’re known for – remember, there are three Rotary clubs in Biddeford-Saco. We’re the fun one :) In closing, it’s Pi Day. Back at engineering school, we had a fight song: Secant tangent cosine sine 3.14159 Kick em in the shins Kick em in the knees We got higher SAT’s :) Marty |
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Aid for the Ukraine Dear Rotary friends, Following yesterday's presentation by Dacian Coita, Roland and I discussed ways we could help as a Club. Marty is already working on a Club donation. Additionally, we'd like to make it easy for you to personally support Ukrainian mothers and their children who are escaping the violence. If you would like to help through ANY level of donation, please do so through one of the following two methods before next Tuesday, March 8th: 1) Venmo your donation to @Treasurer-BSRC and add "Ukraine support" when it asks you "What's if for?" 2) Drop off your check at Apex Youth Connection. We have a donation box for donor forms in the back of the building if you come by at night or over the weekend. Please write the check to Biddeford-Saco Rotary (NOT to Apex Youth Connection!), and add "Ukraine support" in the note. I will gather the checks and deliver them to Sue on Tuesday. Your donation of any amount will be combined with all other Rotary gifts and we will send them together for a powerful impact! Please dig deep and give. If you have seen the footage of children pulled away from their fathers, brothers, and grandfathers who they may never see again, you know how much they need us. Just to know we care will give them strength. Thank you! |
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Week in Review 3/2/2022Haley led us in the Four Way test, and Marty gave an invocation about using our professions to improve the world. Guests included speaker Dacian Coita and his son Hobdy of RC Oradea (Romania) and Kathi Perkins of RC Westbrook-Gorham. We were pleased to make this meeting the first use of our new Sales Tax Exemption, which saved us about $1 per guest. Thanks to Bill Kany, Kathy Shea and Julie Villemaire for your diligence. I am told we are the first Club in Maine to receive this! Meeting updates: The Red Ribbon Committee is in full swing, planning for a full April of education and awareness about substance misuse disorder. Thank you to Karen Chasse and Jim Godbout in particular for your leadership, and Cheri Sullivan for all your support. Click this link for the meeting and fundraising schedule to help out. This will be one of the highest profile efforts we've had for Red Ribbon in years! The Maple Syrup fundraiser is going well, although it would appear that the Sap Suckers have pulled into the lead, which we really can't allow. To see what team you're on and visit and share your personal fundraising page, click this link. This is real Maine maple syrup at a good price, we have unlimited availability and we ship, and we need the money for our international programs especially now, so please jump on it. Spring is coming, and with our raised bed gardens, we'll be able to get our hands in the dirt: we're getting underway with our program to build, deliver, fill with soil, and provide seeds and starts for up to 20 Raised Bed Gardens for area families in need. Watch for an email from Ken Farley with details on the next planning meeting. In the meantime, have a look at this great video from last year's program, made by Mike Burman's daughter Calla! Happy dollars (thanks to Jim G for being bag-man): SAA Jim LaBelle ponied up $20 to support the Club being back together Bill P had $10, for heading to Tampa and for the Funsters, his hapless maple syrup team Marty was fined $3 per guest he failed to introduce Karen Chasse was happy to see everyone Dr Joe is happy to be a grandfather Joyce Valenti is happy to be back after a nice visit back to home in wine country in Windham NY Ken had $5 in appreciation of his niece being able to bring home a healthy baby after a stressful time in the hospital Haley was happy for Brenda's birthday Phil Mateja had $5 for a good health checkup Frequent host Conrad had $5 for a family visit over the weekend in a snowstorm, and $5 for all the amazing volunteering the Club is doing (hear hear!) Brenda had $10 for the District's Indigenous People's Project, which is working on a project to benefit the Houlton Band of Maliseet (happy birthday Brenda!) Melissa had $5 for a great meeting she had with the OLPS Childrens Rescue Center. Rotary connections around the world! Dacian Coita gave a moving talk on all his Club is doing to help Ukrainian refugees. Stay tuned for more on this as we will be looking for ways to help, most likely by making a donation. |
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Family Garden Project MeetingAs you may know, last year we started a new community project in partnership with Apex Youth Connection and Biddeford Community Gardens to award raised garden beds, with all necessary supplies and training at no cost to recipients in the Biddeford, Saco, OOB & Dayton communities. We delivered 10 raised beds last year and it was a great success. In late 2021, our club was awarded a Rotary district grant for 2022, so we are looking to do even more this year. Although there has been some advance work done already, it is time to begin organizing our efforts for the 2022 project. We will have a meeting on Monday, 2/28/2022 at 4:15pm. Feel free to join if you'd like. Here is the Zoom meeting link. I look forward to seeing you next Monday at 4:15 pm. Meeting ID: 854 0325 6101 Passcode: 4svk5T One tap mobile +13126266799,,85403256101#,,,, +16465588656,,85403256101#,,,, Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 854 0325 6101 Passcode: 354720 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ Best regards, Ken Farley |
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THANK YOU from Apex Youth Connection |
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Week in Review 2/23/2022Our Maple Syrup fundraiser is underway! You've been assigned to one of 5 teams, with a mix of longer term and newer Rotarians. The Funsters, Sap Suckers, Peace Keepers, Sweet Leaf, and Sticky & Sweet teams are already locked in a close sales competition, with some exceeding $1000 in sales already towards our overall goal of $5000. This is a great community program featuring real Maine syrup which will help raise money for the Club, especially our international programs, which are so needed right now. If you haven't tried before, you'll find this real Maine syrup is in high demand and easy to sell! Good luck to all the teams. Our Red Ribbon Committee, which is our Club's largest Committee, is in full swing. The Red Ribbon program seeks to mobilize the community to encourage healthy and thriving behaviors for students, without the influences of illegal drugs and other misused substances. The month of April will be dedicated to these efforts so now is the time to get involved and help with planning. Please help out by sponsoring here, and join our planning meeting this Tuesday March 1st at 4PM here. Raised garden bed program: this year, thanks to a $2,000 District Grant and Ken Farley's leadership, we have funding to build, deliver, fill with dirt and provide seeds for up to 20 area families who could benefit from a raised bed garden. If you like to get your hands in the dirt, learn more at the kickoff meeting, this Monday at 4:15PM. Zoom here. Happy Dollars: Stand-in SAA Joe M was in a good mood and decided not to fine anyone, so here's what we have for Happy Dollars (please do Venmo them in):
We had a great presentation with PDG Marty Peak Helman, on Rotary Peace Centers. Do you know a college student who would be a fit for this remarkable opportunity? It would be wonderful to have someone nominated by our Club. Please take a look at the presentation here and learn how to nominate a student for this graduate certificate program. |
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Pure Maine Maple Syrup Fundraiser Success! We are now open for sell, sell. sell! We are off to a great start almost $1,000 in the first few days. Here are the stats: Member LeaderboardRANK MEMBER NAME AMOUNT RAISED 01 MG Martin Grohman Peace Keepers $2,584 02 WP William Paterson The Funsters $1,215 03 RG Roland Gagne Peace Keepers $1,287 04 SM Steve Morin Sap Suckers $1,000 05 KS Kathy Shea The Funsters $655 Team LeaderboardRANK 01  Peace Keepers $4,820 02 Sap Suckers $3,959 03  The Funsters $2,466 04  Sticky and Sweet $2,356 05  Sweet Leaf $711 Member PrizesTop Member Marty Grohman Paul Harris Fellow Pin1,000 Paul Harris Fellow Recognition points will be transferred to your name. |
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Rotary MediaDan Reed gave an excellent talk on gaining media presence for our activities. Dan has also been working with the District filming Rotarians with the goal to develop a promotional video. Dan also works at SCORE (if you need help growing your business, SCORE is a great resource https://www.scoremaine.org/). Thank you Dan for your great work!            |
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Week in Review 2/16/2022Karen led the Four Way test and Phil Mateja gave a very nice invocation. Shelley Kane, a prospective new member, joined us. Roland has volunteered to be our club participant in ESSEX Youth Exchange. Thank you Roland! Brenda met w/ UNE Rotaract on Friday to help develop a financial wellness program for college students. Please get involved with the Red Ribbon Committee’s T Shirt design contest. Would you like to sponsor? Find more info here. Happy Dollars: Bill P gives $5 for SAA Jim LaBelle’s good work. Question is, will this head off future fines? Also, Joe M will be SAA on 2/23 because Jim is travelling. This could be interesting. Phil - $5 for his grandson’s success at BC and Duke! Ken – had fun at sledding hill and visiting Common Roots Studio Dan -- $5 for the how much good work we are doing in the Club Justine – fines herself $5 for not getting Bill P his Yankee Swap gift yet (note: Marty is guilty of this too, still has Jess’s, and it’s a drink mix and it’s getting tempting) Melissa -- $5, now offering after school programming at Saco Middle School thanks to recent gift of $1500 we made |
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Opening ThoughtHere is our opening thought, prepared this week by Mark Nahorney of Biddeford City Theatre: As we gather today we are reminded that although we have differences, we are united by our common humanity. When we are together to move our community forward in a spirit of mutual respect and common decency we are showcasing what is best about our organization and being a human. (Would you like to give an invocation/opening thought? Marty is always looking for volunteers). |
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Youth VapingSpeaker: Youth Vaping Cheri Sullivan, Director of CHCC, and fellow Rotarian, invited Alissa Wigglesworth to speak on the concerning rise of vaping products in middle and high school students. Alissa is one of the Tobacco Prevention Coordinators for York County. She works for Partners for Healthier Communities at SMHC, a partner of CHCC’s Project Alliance. Alissa shared the work they are doing in schools to educate youth about the risks associated with vaping, and strategies to empower youth to make healthy decisions. In 2019, the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey, (MIYHS), found that almost 30% of Maine high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. This was a 15.3% increase from the 2017 survey. Maine’s 2021 youth survey was delayed, however, locally our schools report that vaping incidents have increased. We wanted Rotarians to be informed about how vaping is on the rise with youth in our community. Teenagers are attracted to the flavors being offered by manufacturers and may not be as aware of the amount of nicotine they are consuming, which is highly addictive. Legislation has tried to prevent vaping flavoring and marketing towards teens, but loop-holes in the laws have led to the rise in the expansion of flavors in products not as clearly defined in legislation, specifically, disposable e-cigarette’s. 4 out of 5 kids who have used tobacco products (includes vaping), started with a flavored product. You can help by staying informed and talking to others who may not be aware of this rising trend in teens or aware of the risks associated with vaping and nicotine exposure. Encourage businesses, communities, and schools to create smoke-free policies that include vaping to promote healthy environments. And help your legislators to get the information they need to make informed decisions to support healthy outcomes for youth. To learn more you can go to www.mainequitlink.com, www.wearesidekicks.org , www.chccme.org , or email Alissa at awiggleswo@smhc.org.     |
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Week in Review 2/9/2022We have two significant projects that will be ramping up soon -- our raised bed garden project, and our maple syrup fundraiser. We have big goals on both this year! Paulette Bonneau is meeting with students for Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) this week. We have budget to send three students (but if more students are interested, we will find the money, this is a great opportunity. In fact, Emily from Rotaract said RYLA was how she was initially introduced to Rotary. Happy Dollars: Cheri: $5 because Jim Godbout's crew fixed her frozen pipes Conrad: garage door is unfrozen and now he can leave the house Dan: pleased to have a collaboration with other local Rotaries to make videos Dr Joe: enjoyed Rotaract meeting Joe M: having fun, loving retirement, therefore $10 for the children! Marty $10, thanks to Joe M for recommendation on backcountry skis, researching recreational gear is apparently Joe's full time job now $5 from Heather MacLean so many Rotarians have been coming into the store (Whimsical ME, Main Street Saco, seriously good spot for that last minute Valentine's Day gift) $5 Kim R, good to be back. Good to have you back Kim! There was a cutest grandchild contest between Karen and Melissa, it was a tie, they are extremely cute! |
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Week in Review 2/2/2022-Thank you to Joyce Valenti, our guest from the Windham NY club, for a wonderful invocation on the spirit of Rotary and helping others. -Speaking of helping others, our World Community Service projects are going well. Thanks in particular to Roland and Paulette for staying involved with this. We are funding an improved kitchen in Kenya and a survey for a better water system in Uganda. The international spirit of Rotary is very important. A small but meaningful way to help is to use our Clynk bags which you can pick up at Heather's store (Whimsical ME on Main Street in Saco). Every $500 we raise sends another student to school. -The board approved a $1500 donation to APEX Youth Connection (Melissa's very wonderful organization). Happy Dollars -Conrad's cholesterol is at 174. Remarkable, Conrad! -Mike B was promoted, congratulations! -$20 from Dr. Joe to celebrate 20 years of marriage, thanks Vicky for joining us too! -$5 from Jim L, had a great coffee with Justine -Cynthia Giroux thanks Karen for helping with the Esther House -Melissa was very pleased to see the spirit of Rotary happen with a free load of firewood for Winterfest, delivered by Kristen Lane's husband. Thank you! We had a great talk from Dr. Joe. It was a very compelling and moving story. Has Dr. Joe visited Norway 36 times, or did he fail organic chemistry 36 times? Find out at our next meeting.  |
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OLPS CRC Kitchen RenovationDear Roland, Thank you so much for your being so concerned about our needs. We are strong in what we are doing because of your support. About the proposed renovation works at the OLPS CRC kitchen, I am glad to share with you some pictures showing the status of the kitchen and which areas need to be renovated and why. See the photos HERE The kitchen area is about 12m2 (4m in length and 3m in width). This is where we prepare food for 93 children daily, it is also our store and washing area. The primary source of fuel is firewood. The kitchen does not have a separate dining area and the children use the classrooms as dining rooms during mealtimes. Continued and prolonged use of firewood as the primary source of fuel produces smoke, which caused blockage along the chimney resulting in a backflow of smoke into the kitchen and into the main house. The kitchen’s inside wall is now black with a thick layer of soot. The roof is equally in a terrible state. Just like the wall, the inside part of the roof is also covered with a thick layer of soot and has caused serious damage to the iron sheets and timber. The roof is leaking whenever it rains and there is fear that it can crumble because the timber is rotten and weak. The floor has cracks where dirt accumulates and this compromises the general hygiene of the kitchen and the quality of food that is prepared in the kitchen. Cracks make it challenging to clean the floor as well. There is a small corridor behind the kitchen, which we use as the store for firewood. This is also a potential risk as dry firewood can catch fire anytime, resulting in big losses for the CRC. To renovate the kitchen, we need to do the following: -
The kitchen, in its current status, is a serious health and environmental hazard and puts the lives of the children and workers in danger of respiratory complications due to prolonged exposure to smoke from firewood. It is a public health concern that we have been warned by the Public Health Officers to rectify before the center is shut down. At the same time, the ministry of environment and natural resources has also directed institutions that use firewood as the primary source of fuel to seek alternative means, which are friendly to the environment. This is why we are seeking support to transition into LPG as the primary source of fuel because it is clean, efficient, and cost-effective. By renovating the kitchen and ensuring the safety of food prepared at the kitchen, grandmothers whose children are beneficiaries of the center will not worry about the health of their grandchildren. I have shared the photos of the kitchen for your information. Kind regards, Anastasia |
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Week in Review 1/26/2022Kathy Shea led the Four Way Test Dan Reed provided an inspirational thought based on Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" Announcements:
Happy dollars and fines were plentiful:
 Our speaker was Rob Biggs from Saco Cycles. Rob has developed a great program to engage seniors, and acquired an electric bicycle to bring guests around. It's a fun way to keep the community engaged. Every trip needs a cyclist/tour guide, plus a cyclist out front to help navigate traffic. There was good discussion of how we can support the program, perhaps via connections from Rotaract and Apex. Rob says, "Saco Main Street, Age Friendly Saco and I are very excited about bringing this program to our seniors this summer. Our needs are physical volunteers to help coordinate rides and pedal the electric bike, as well as, financial support for volunteer high visibility t-shirts, safety vests and other ancillary equipment. The Michael Goulet foundation is generously going to provide helmets for our team and our clients to wear."  FMY click on the Saco Cycle album at top of Tack Have a great week! Our speaker, on Zoom, this week is Dr. Joe and his remarkable story which you may not know. See you there! |
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Week in Review 1/19/20221/19/2022 - Rotary Meeting – led by (and Tack notes by) PE Brenda Pollock ALL ZOOM President-Elect Brenda Pollock welcomed Rotarians. President Grohman shared a photo from the top of Sugarloaf which Dr. Dallaire shared with all at the commencement of the meeting.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the FOUR WAY TEST was led by Dan Reed. Karen Chasse led the invocation. All recognized and thanked Bill Kany for his diligent work on obtaining non-profit status for the club. Going forward, the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club will no longer be required to pay Maine State sales tax which will save a great deal for the organization. Thank you, Bill Kany, for all you do! Announcements: Rotarians: Order your free COVID tests at COVIDtests.gov Dan Reed, WizardlyMedia.com reminded Rotarians that he scheduled a video shoot for Rotarians of this club to talk on camera about what it means to them to be a Rotarian. Please reach out to Dan if you are able to participate in this project. It will be used to promote Rotary, Rotarians, and the local and global work Rotarians provide for their respective communities. Watch your email this week for a note from President Grohman regarding purchasing dinner/lunch from local restaurants. The effort is to help local eateries navigate this second wave of the COVID pandemic. Karen Chasse was congratulated on the launch of her new business: Diverse Anecdote Michael Burman reminded us all of the UNE Rotaract Meeting: Feb 06, 2022 6:00 PM - Feb 06, 2022 UNE 3rd floor of Ripich Commons, 11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, ME United States of America 04005 Roland Gagne updated the group on the Rotary International ongoing work. At the last meeting, the following presenters spoke of international projects Rotarians are working on: • HANWASH - Water Project in Haiti - Dr Robert Chagrasulis • Safe Passage - Current Fundraiser presented by PDG 7950 Stephen Certa • Erik Greven - Water project in the DR • "Connecting the Dots" - Bob Gravino - District Foundation Committee Sergeant-at-Arms – Jim LaBelle Conrad continues his Happy $ Streak. Happy $$$’s were also shared by by Karen C. Melissa C., Dr. Dallaire, Bill P., Dan R. & Michael B. Sergeant-at-Arms had only one fine: To all the men in the club.  Bill Patterson introduced our Guest Speaker: Kristine Taylor – Dietician with Hannaford food store in Biddeford. Your health and nutrition go hand in hand. Our registered dietitians are available to give free advice, in-store or online. They can help with meal ideas, food lists for your pantry and healthy eating tips for a variety of health concerns and topics. For any questions regarding Hannaford’s you can contact Kristin at: Kristine.Taylor@Hannaford.com or Dietitians & Healthy Living | Hannaford |
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Week in Review 1/12/2022Justine provided an invocation. Marty noted he was pleased to see Rotarians collaborating on local projects, such as Jen F and Justine working together on a UNE health care related project. Rotary-related or not, it is nice to see us helping each other out. We are seeking volunteers to help staff the adult sledding hill for Biddeford's WinterFest, on Friday February 4 from 530 to 730PM. The event will be held on Adams Street next to Biddeford City Hall. If there is interest, we may convene for drinks after that. Info about our spring Raised Bed Garden project will be coming soon -- we will need help building, delivering and filling the raised beds. Right now, we need help identifying individuals or families in need. ADG Dennis Robillard was our guest, along with Joyce Valenti from the Windham NY club (Windham is northern New York, she's used to cold :) Happy dollars: Jim L is happy to see such good turnout on Zoom Mike B is happy that his car is back from the body shop after being rear-ended on the way back from skiing; and that the virus has departed his house after hanging around for too long Dr. Joe is happy to see Susan Gajewski, and that he has plans to visit his grandchildren Ken Farley had a great visit to Nashville Conrad happy for his family; including his Rotary family :) Marty happy to see new member Phil Mateja Jen F happy that Hakim's family, including a newborn baby, are all now here in Maine Melissa is happy her granddaughter is doing well, and for the Rotary network which has been helping with some challenges, such as availability of testing, at APEX Bill P is happy that Rotarian Jim G's team helped fix his furnace, brrrrr Justine is happy to be working with Jen Fullmer on a UNE project Brian D happy to have just booked an around-the-world cruise Fines from S-A-A Jim L were copious, at Marty's request: -Can see Don's dusty treadmill in his zoom background -Mark, Marty and Dan R have work branded logos in their background -Phil: welcome fine of a dollar -Ken: featuring ESPN look? Tie up top, sweats off camera -Mike B: looks professorial with books in background, guessing they're probably fake -CJ: fined for being on and off camera -Roland: fined for being cold in Canada  Thank you again for a good meeting. Next week we have a speaker: Kristine Taylor, nutritionist at Hannaford, with dietary Q&A, healthy new year ideas and recipes. We'll be on Zoom at 12:15, join a little early if you like. |
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The week in review 1/5/2022 We started the meeting with a toast to our sister club in Bideford England. The Bideford club is now coming up on their 100th anniversary. Euan and Jill Eddie from Bideford joined us by Zoom. Euan is Scottish, so there was much discussion of who is more Scottish: Euan, or Bill Paterson. Spoiler alert: it's Bill Paterson. On the volunteering front, this coming Saturday morning we will be looking for help picking up the wreaths for recycling. That's 9-11AM on Saturday the 15th at St Joseph's. Join for part or all of the time if you can and dress warm. We were pleased to induct Phil Mateja into the Club this week. Welcome Phil!!! We know you will do great things. If you haven't gotten your receipts for Adopt A Family into treasurer Susan, please do so ASAP. Please save the date for a Rotaract dinner at UNE on Sunday February 6 at six pm. I know you've always wanted to try the UNE dining hall... and this is a great chance to get all three local clubs together with this great group of students. 50/50 was won by visiting Rotarian Joyce Valenti from Windham NY (in the Catskills), who donated it back to the Club. Thank you, Joyce! Happy Dollars: $2: Bill Paterson, because he got a $61 flight to Tampa / St. Pete $2: Melissa: new granddaughter Lydia Margaret $2: Justine: happy her twins came to visit; happy they went home 😀 $1: Conrad: happy 2022 $1: Brian D: happy 2021 10 pounds: Jill Eddie, happy new year! Our own Dan Reed filled in capably as a last-minute speaker and detailed his new role at SCORE. SCORE provides business advising services by pairing experienced volunteer executive mentors with businesses of any type and size, and Dan is the new marketing manager. It was a very good presentation and led to several possible collaborations with Club members. Learn more about Dan's work, including free webinars for small business, here.  |
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Rotary News and Updates for the New YearHappy New Year! I'm excited for 2022, and it gives me a chance to provide some updates on goings-on at our Biddeford Saco Rotary Club:
Internationally, we have two projects underway:
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Christmas |
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Greetings from Bideford! |
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Week in Review 12/15/2021 We were pleased to confirm the following officer slate of new officers was unanimously confirmed for the upcoming year, starting in July. (Brenda's year, in which Paulette Bonneau will be President-Elect): Vice President - Melissa Cilley Secretary - Julie Villemaire Treasurer - Susan Gajewski Director - Haley Thompson Director - Ken Farley Thank you again to our nominating committee for putting this great group together! Brenda, you're going to have a great year! Announcements:
 Happy Dollars: "OK Boomer" Joe Moreshead is happy to see the Club growing. It's true, we have some great new members! Mark Nahorney: happy that Miracle on 34th Street is doing so well, and that his daughter is visiting Jen F: happy that she is bringing her Afghan colleague and his family to Maine! Cynthia: happy for Adopt a Family, and all we are doing with that effort, nice to be making a difference Don: happy to Dan Reed back Mike Burman: happy for Zoom option Jane: happy for Zoom as well, and to be in person next week Kim R: happy to be in touch with her brother, and to help with Adopt a Family Bill Kany: lives near Jeremy Ray, never saw so many Christmas lights Conrad: happy to see 24 people today at lunch! Melissa C: happy to be stepping up to leadership, and to help with Club activities Sergeant at Arms Jim Labelle notes that it is good to practice gratitude, before exacting numerous fines, and setting up Rotarian Jeopardy which was really very good. The top prize went to the contestant who could identify the Rotarian whose name includes all five vowels. The correct answer is, "who is Fausto Pifferer?". A really fun quiz, Jim -- thanks for setting it up. See you Wednesday for the Swap! |
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Week In Review 12/8/2021Why you didn't get a Clubrunner invite for today's meeting? The short answer is, it's because Brian Dallaire is on vacation... in the Bahamas... no, I am not making that up. No, life is not fair. He's the one that knows how to do the fancy stuff like a Clubrunner meeting invite. But we are still meeting at Ricetta's today at 12:15. They are cooking the food now and it will be a nice hot buffet. There will be plenty so just show up. Especially if you are on the slate of new officers, or would like to be. The only thing on the program is to vote on that slate of incoming officers, and a couple announcements, like:
The Zoom link for today's meeting is here. Kathy Shea and Kim Regoulinsky will be greeters. It should be a fun meeting and I'm looking forward to it. Yours in service, Marty |
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Rotary Leadership NominationsThe nominating committee made up of Paul Deschambeault, Kathy Shea, Morgan Stoner, Kristen Lane and myself have met and agreed to make the following nominations at tomorrow's weekly meeting: Vice President - Melissa Cilley Secretary - Julie Villemaire Treasurer - Susan Gajewski Director - Haley Thompson Director - Ken Farley Once these nominations are made, President Marty will open the floor for nominations. Should you wish to nominate anyone for an open position you can do so at the meeting tomorrow or by forwarding the name of a nominee to President Marty prior to the election at next week's meeting. The election of officers is scheduled for next Wednesday, December 15th during our regular weekly meeting. Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me or President Marty. |
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Week in Review 12/1/2021Guests included Joy Valenti – Windham, NY Rotary Club & Joe McKail – Jen Fullmer’s Father Melissa Cilley introduced our Guest speaker - John Reynolds of the Saco Food Pantry. Saco Food Pantry Overview: Hours of Operation Monday-Friday 9:00am-10:30am and the last Tuesday of each month from 5:00pm-6:30pm Closed Weekends, holidays and days when school is closed* or delayed for inclement weather. The pantry is open during our regular business hours during this crisis and following CDC guidelines. The all-volunteer staff have changed their procedures by meeting folks in the parking lot and bringing food out to them. The Saco Food Pantry needs two relatively strong people for early Tuesday's pickup from the stores. 7-8:30. A couple could do it; two couples were doing it alternating weeks. And we need a couple of volunteers for Tuesdays for packing groceries 9-10:30. Contact Lynn lsteed203@gmail.com Thanked the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club for their contributions. Club Updates: • Ken Farley is leading the search for the Officer/Director Slate. We are still looking for someone to step in as VP of the club. Her/his presidency would begin in July 2024. • Adopt A Family: The Biddeford School Department has received multiple donations of new coats recently and just received a sizeable grant for winter wear for Biddeford students K-12. If you were assigned a Biddeford family, let's utilize these resources to save some funds on other items by letting me know what you may need, and I will see if we have them in stock or can get them. Email Karen at: kchasse@biddefordschools.me
• Rotary LOGO Clothing: Posted on the website, you will see some items that have been selected to order from Brady’s Screen printing. Please watch your email for items that can be purchased with the Biddeford-Saco Rotary logo. Items should be ordered by emailing Brenda Pollock bpollock@egcu.org by 12/15/2021 and bring payment by that date. We will ask Sue to cut one check for Brady’s once all the orders have been placed. Thank you. • Save the date- help out Wreaths Across America 12/18 9am St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Biddeford. Next Meeting: December 8, 2021 – Guest Speaker – Don Bisson – Biddeford Food Pantry |
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Saco Food Pantry
Pantry Food Sources: We get food from many sources. < >Good Shepherd Food Bank sells us food – roughly 6 pounds of food for each dollar.Hannaford and Shaws donate perishables that are nearing their Use-by Date.TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program from the federal government) gives us significant amounts of food every other month. We average 20,000 – 30,000 pounds of food yearly in donations through food drives (our own, those sponsored by other groups and individual donations).We pay a small annual fee to Wayside (Portland) and pick up food monthly.For items we cannot get from the above sources, we purchase in Hannaford or Shaws (occasionally Market Basket). A board member studies items on sale. Since the pandemic struck, it has not been possible to buy in bulk the way we once did.Other expenses include transportation, energy bills, maintenance, insurance, and cleaning. On average, 70% of our monthly expenditures go to food.
Open Hands, Open Heart: Open Hands Open Heart is an outreach program located adjacent to the Saco Food Pantry. The organization was founded by Elaine Fournier in 2008. Its mission is to provide clothing for needy children in York County. Location: 67 Ocean Park Road, Saco, ME (next door to the pantry) Hours: Tues., Wed. and Thurs. 9:30 – 11:30 am & last Tues. of the month 5:00 – 7:00 pm Phone: 207-286-9939(during business hours only) Mail: PO Box 246, Saco ME 04072 Web: http://www.openheartsaco.org Volunteers Needed We are always seeking new volunteers to help from 1 or more days a week. Almost all work is done in the mornings. There are 4 main types of jobs - food pickup and storage, perishables processed, shelves restocked, and clients helped. If you are interested, contact Lynn (207) 494-8662 lsteed203@gmail.com and/or Sheldon snight52@gmail.com. Ways to donate: Please specify where donation is to be applied (Saco Food Pantry, or Open Hands, Open Heart) < >By check – mail to Saco Food Pantry, PO Box 246, Saco, ME 04072Website – www.sacofoodpantry.org (can donate by credit card)Amazon – go to smile.amazon.com and select Saco Food Pantry for your charity. Amazon donates a portion of their profits directly to the pantrywww.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1283706There is a secure donation slot outside of the pantry. John Reynolds: My wife and I retired from teaching in independent schools in New York City in 2009 and moved full-time to our home in Biddeford. I taught math and computers to middle school students. We wanted to do volunteering here in Maine and took our therapy dogs to visit folks in local nursing homes.We also volunteered at the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. A dear friend got us involved in the Saco Food Pantry, and I was asked to become a board member around 2015, becoming Corresponding Secretary in 2017. When Covid came along, we had to stop going to nursing homes and AWS, but happily continued with the pantry. We are also part of the Gems (Geriatric Education Mentor) program at UNE, mentoring medical students. We also play with the Village Ringers, a local bell choir. To watch the presentation, click the zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/P6MAT4fVJdN3uw0EXkHCJPZSfEbyI5rU61rZC705n3xMZPvnwYyvJDRHW8lH2S4h.CtbIicl2ejn34BDc Passcode: 1ThpIw@8 |
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Week in Review 11/24/2021There was not a meeting this past week.
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Week in Review 11/17/2021The Movember facial hair growing contest, which promotes awareness of mens' health issues, was won by Brenda Pollock -- no contest! Brenda will donate her $100 winnings to Bravebees.org  Amazing work the raffle this year. We sold every ticket! Karen Chasse, Conrad Welzel, and Heather Maclean deserve a ton of credit for making this important fundraiser a success! $500 Winners:
$1000 Winners:
$5000 Winner:
Rotary Foundation: Brian Dallaire gave us a presentation on Rotary Foundation giving. It is important to give a minimum of $100 per year if you can. This money comes back to our community. You can give with your dues or directly. Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Kathy Shea's sister Natalie (thank you so much Natalie for helping out at the registration desk!); PDG Peggy Belanger; and Saco Sunset member Joanne Landry. Welcome! Happy Dollars: Bill P zoomed in from St. Pete to say he was on the beach in the sun Joe M successfully merged his company with Arch Global. Many congratulations Joe! Karen C has launched a marketing communications business, Diverse Anecdote Kim R landed a great new sponsor for her Keep It Local Maine podcast Dr. Joe is pleased with the Oqunquit Club connection which we continue to build Melissa is happy to add to our tribute to Jim Audiffred, who was a great supporter of APEX Jim L is happy to be volunteering at Window Dressers Conrad is happy that our work moving flooring for My Place Teen Center was so successful PDG Peggy B is happy to be a guest and bring her friend Joanne Landry Brenda gives happy $10 to win Movember and to see the American Miss Pageant do so well! Thanks to the Ricetta's staff for throwing a couple extra pizzas in the oven due to our great meeting turnout, and thanks to you for coming! Please do register for upcoming meetings so we can get an accurate headcount. There is no meeting on 11/24! Happy Thanksgiving! -- |
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Note of ThanksTo: , [bdallaire@usa.net] From: Donna Dwyer [donna@myplaceteencenter.org] Dear Rotary, Thank you so much for tearing up that flooring today - like Legos, I guess, and delivering it to 75 Bacon Street. That was exceptional of you to put in that sweat equity for My Place Teen Center. We are so grateful to partner with you and inspired by your community dedication. Happy Holidays, and THANK YOU, again! ~ Donna, MPTC |
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BS Rotary Club WearablesBrenda has worked to develop a catalog of Rotary Logo Clothing through Brady's of Biddeford. Several items are available for purchase. We will be placing the order with them all at once. Now available and place your individual orders online at http://go.rotary7780gives.org/16a793 so Brenda may make the master order. We would prefer to receive payment via cash, check to club or via Venmo(@Treasurer-BSRC). This will save on the website processing fees. |
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NOVEMBER IS FOUNDATION MONTH – THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that we make the very most of your contribution. Give and become a part of Rotary’s life-changing work! The collective leadership and expertise of our 1.2 million members helps us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally. We are united by common values and vision for the future as we sharpen our focus with targeted specific causes that will reach communities most in need. GUIDING PRINCIPLES For more than 100 years, our guiding principles have been the foundation upon which our values and tradition stand. The Four-Way Test, Object of Rotary, and the Avenues of Service express our commitment to service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. AREAS OF FOCUS We direct our efforts in six areas to enhance our local and global impact. Our most successful and sustainable projects and activities tend to fall within the following areas:
HISTORY OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. GROWTH OF THE FOUNDATIONIn 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals. When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation. EVOLUTION OF FOUNDATION PROGRAMS1947: The Foundation established its first program, Fellowships for Advance Study, later known as Ambassadorial Scholarships. 1965-66: Three programs were launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants. 1978: Rotary introduced the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio. 1985: The PolioPlus program was launched to eradicate polio worldwide. 1987-88: The first peace forums were held, leading to Rotary Peace Fellowships. 2013: New district, global, and packaged grants enable Rotarians around the world to respond to the world’s greatest needs. Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totalling more than $1 billion. |
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Mike Gibney, Commander of American Legion Post 26 and secretary of Vietnam Veterans Post 1044  The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.  Good Afternoon By definition, a veteran is a person who has served in the military. Every enlisted person takes the following oath: "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." Did you notice, the word “until” does not appear anywhere. I am Michael Gibney. I served 6 years and 28 days on active duty with the United States Air Force and an additional 3 years, 5 months and 24 days with the Maine Air National Guard. I spent 10 months and 4 days in South East Asia. I had two major surgeries performed in a military hospital. I am a disabled veteran. My attempt today is to enlighten you about the Vietnam Veterans of America. Ground forces were removed from Vietnam in 1973 and US involvement ended in 1975. When I entered the United States Air Force there were approx. 2,360,000 Americans on active duty with the various military services, as of 2019 that number was approx. 1.360,000. In 2019 it was estimated there were 610,000 Vietnam veterans still alive. Safe to presume that number is lower today. The veteran of today is honored and respected. When I left active duty that was not the case. We kept our status as a veteran a well-guarded secret. Usually, only family members knew of our service. Vietnam was the first war fought with a dinner audience and being narrated by either David Brinkley, Walter Cronkite or Howard K Smith. The news also provided score cards identifying the number killed that day, week, month and year to date. Although the information presented was factual, it was easily perceived and spun with a negative impact. Support of the war waned and unfortunately, the Vietnam veteran bore the blunt of that disapproval. There were no ticker tape parades, no thank you’s, no acknowledgement or appreciation for their service to country. I can tell you from personal experience, I have been spat on in uniform twice, once in a foreign country and once here in the United States. A lot of those veterans felt lost, thus the formation in the late 1970s of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The Vietnam Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered national veterans’ service organization dedicated to serving veterans of the Vietnam war. Using 1975 as the end date, if an individual was 18 years old then, that person would be 64 years old today. Safe to say the youngest Vietnam veteran in at least 64 years old. I acknowledge the Vietnam Veterans of America is a dying organization. We know our days are numbered but to the last person, we continue to honor our motto “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another!” The Vietnam Veterans of America provides support to all veterans with a need. There used to be five chapters in Maine, today only one chapter remains. Chapter 1044 of the Vietnam Veterans of America is housed in the basement of the American Legion building at 508 Elm Street in Biddeford. Currently Chapter 1044 has approx. 180 members. I have the honor of serving as the chapter secretary since 2019. Examples of some past services of Chapter 1044, was to provide an honor guard at funerals and perform a fallen warrior ceremony for the public on Memorial Day. Due to decreasing numbers, we had to disband the honor guard. We provide space for fellowship to allow veterans to speak with other veterans. We have provided and will provide heating fuel assistance to veterans in need. They only have to prove they are a veteran with a need and the chapter will provide up to 100 gallons of heating fuel. We contact a company in the servicing area and supply the fuel, we do not give money to the individual. We have and will provide gift cards from a local supermarket to provide groceries to a veteran in need. We have and will provide warm socks and clothing to homeless veterans. We have two certified service officers who will provide assistance to veterans and their spouses to navigate and file claims for entitled benefits from the Veterans Administration. These are not handouts but entitled benefits earned while serving on active duty. Again, the service we provide is to all veterans, not just the Vietnam veteran. We receive no federal funds, no state allocations. Monies received are through donations and fund-raising efforts. Prior to Covid 19 we manned donation tables at various business throughout the area, we manned donation tables at the Kennebunk service plaza off the turnpike. We had public dinners and such. We have a trailer in front of our location on Elm Street for donated bottles and cans which we process at a local redemption center. Covid has certainly put a damper on our fund raising. Currently we offer a dinner, salad, soup/sandwich for sale every Saturday noon to 2:00. That along with the bottles and cans are currently our only source of income. I am not here to ask for donations, however if you feel the desire to donate, we will not refuse. My purpose today is to make you aware of our existence and what we do. If you have returnable cans or bottles you want to donate, just place the bag in the trailer. If you are looking for a meal on Saturday, stop by between noon and 2pm. If you know of a veteran who is struggling, tell them about us and maybe we can steer them in the right direction. Again, the service we provide is for all veterans. The Vietnam veteran of today bears no ill will towards the recognition today’s veteran receives, in fact we honor it! In opening I provided my service history, how many of you thought I was wounded in Vietnam? I was not. I entered the Air Force in October of 1972, after 6 weeks of basic training at Lackland AFB TX, I was stationed at Charleston AFS, ME. A radar site approx. 30 miles NW of Bangor. In June of 1973 I suffered a serious leg injury while playing on the base softball team requiring two major surgeries at Loring AFB. In March of 1975 I was assigned to a Tactical Unit Operations Center at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. Upon arrival we prepared to support the evacuation of US personnel from Vientiane, Laos; which never happened. Mid-April we supported Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of US personnel from Phnom Penh, Cambodia; end of April we supported Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of US personnel from Saigon, South Vietnam. In May of 1975 we supported the rescue of the SS Mayaguez, a container ship seized by Cambodia. Due to the involvement of the US military stationed in Thailand with the Mayaguez rescue the government of Thailand ordered our removal from Thailand by years end. The rest of my tour of duty was uneventful and I returned back to the states in January of 1976 and was assigned to HQ TACCOMAREA at Langley AFB, VA until my discharge in October of 1978. I then became a member of the Maine ANG at Bangor until April of 1982. In opening, the information I provided was factual, just with a different spin; much like the news presented toward the Vietnam veteran during the time. My disability was awarded in 2017. At the time of my discharge from active-duty veterans were not completely briefed on their benefits. I was not aware I could file for disability. The VVA helped me by letting me know I was entitled because disability is awarded for service connection, not just combat related. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today and thank you for your service to the community!! |
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The Week in Review 11/10/2021Announcements:
Happy dollars: Dr. Joe is happy he got a Custom "Doc" box to go on his dock! Joe Moreshead has a happy $20, as he has successfully merged his company with Arch Global and will be retiring in 6 months! Conrad: his Aunt is doing better and climbing stairs by herself, after breaking her hip a few months back Marty: great community collaboration at West Brook Skating Rink this week, with electrical trades students from the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology helping install new lighting Fines: Jess: for cool new hat she got at the new Sugar Bowl store on Washington Street in Biddeford. Then, Sgt Jim took us back to High School. Really.  Our speaker was Mike Gibney, Commander of American Legion Post 26 and secretary of Vietnam Veterans Post 1044 (both located in Biddeford at 508 Elm Street). His speech covered the work of the Vietnam Veterans of America and his service in the United States Air Force. Returning Vietnam veterans were not treated well. Mike was personally spit on twice while in uniform. He went on to have a successful 40 year career at Motion Industries, but has remained committed to helping other veterans and making sure the experience of the Vietnam veteran is not repeated. We also discussed doing more to work together to coordinate veteran support services in the community, including heating oil assistance, using Company B funds. |
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Rotarian James L. Audiffred Esq. James L. Audiffred Esq.
On Monday, November 8, 2021, James Lee Audiffred passed away peacefully at Gosnell House in Scarborough after a lengthy illness.
Born to Joseph and Mae Audiffred Jim was raised in Festus, Missouri one of five siblings.
Jim graduated from Southeast Missouri State College and Brooklyn Law School and was a member of the bar in Maine, Massachusetts and New York.
Jim’s passion for cooking developed at a very young age when his parents owned a restaurant. He put his skills to good use while providing comfort to many people whether through the Thanksgiving dinners at the Salvation Army, cooking Sunday brunch at the Ronald McDonald House for the individuals staying there, or as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House selling brunches for families to be catered in their homes. Jim was as adept in a fancy kitchen as he was on many of his camping and his white water rafting trips. His passion for camping was only exceeded by his love of family and his dear sweet grandchildren.
Jim was a kind, generous and thoughtful individual with a great sense of humor and was well known for his jokes. He always said when people were talking it would remind him of a joke and he usually told it. Equally he was famous for his banana breads, fudge and chocolate chip cookies.
He was a veteran and a proud longtime member of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club. Extremely active in community service Jim was particularly proud to have received the Paul Harris award and the 6 Who Care award. Jim and his wife, Margo, hosted several Rotary exchange students and had the opportunity to visit them in their native countries. He and Margo loved traveling particularly to St. Martin in the Virgin Islands.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers Joe and David. He is survived by his wife, his sisters Frances Cooper and Rosalie Jackson, his son Jim (Elizabeth), his stepdaughters Michelle Snow (Tom) and Melanie Serrano (Irvin) and his grandchildren Finn, Eli, Maya, Balam and Naomi.
Services will be private. Jim will be laid to rest in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Those wishing to make a donation in his memory may do so by contributing to the Ronald McDonald House, 250 Bracket Street, South Portland, Maine 04102 or the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, Maine 04074
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We Want You! Rotary Leadership NominationsOur club has been in existence for 101 years and the continuity of leadership in our club has been a big reason for our longevity. As Rotarians we are leaders in our community and in the organizations in which we work. Each year, a committee is formed to nominate members to take on the challenging, but incredibly rewarding role of leadership in our club. We will present our nominations to the club at a regular meeting in early December where the club will vote on the nominations. For those of you that may not know, the succession planning for our Club President begins anew each year with the nomination committee. The special individual who is elected Vice President will serve as Vice President beginning in July of 2022, become President-Elect in July 2023, assume the role of Club President in July of 2024 then complete their term as an immediate Past President on the Board of Directors in July of 2025. We are also seeking nominees for 2 Director positions. Directors typically meet monthly to review finances, fundraisers, large charitable requests, community projects and new initiatives among other things. Although we have some individuals willing to continue serving as Secretary (Julie Villemaire), Treasurer (Susan Gejewski) and Assistant Treasurer (Kathy Shea) these positions are also open for nominees if you are interested. Finally, we have an Assistant Secretary position that is open. This is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and supports the Secretary in the many functions they perform. As I often say, this is a Rotary Club not a Country Club - we live by the words Service Above Self. Having served as Treasurer and President, I can tell you that the experience is extremely rewarding and all Rotarians should take advantage of the opportunity. If you are interested in one of the positions please let me or the someone on the nominating committee (Kristen Lane, Kathy Shea, Morgan Stoner, or Paul Deschambeault) know of your interest. Should you have any questions about any of the positions or the nominating process, please feel free to reach out to me, the nominating committee or anyone who is serving (or has served) in these positions. We are all happy to talk with you about these positions. Thank you for your consideration. Yours in service, Ken Farley |
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Week in Review 11/3/2021Committee reports: Raffle: We are only 7 tickets away from having sold every single one! Amazing work. Thank you Karen Chasse and the whole raffle team! Charitable: Jim Godbout will need volunteers on the morning of Monday November 15 to help move foam flooring tiles from XL Sports in Saco to My Place Teen Center's new building in Biddeford. Please watch your email for a signup request. Many hands make light work, especially when moving foam... Joe M has a request from Nick Blunier of Common Roots Studio to help fund his Artbus project. It does not align very well with our charitable giving guidelines. Melissa Cilley or Jess Muise will reach out to see if there's a way to mesh it with their work. Please sign up for a shift at Window Dressers Biddeford Build if you can. Some of us are heading over after the meeting on the 17th. Here is the signup link. UNE Rotaract (Mike Burman/Justine Bassett): Rotaract is having Ann Hussey speak about polio next week. It continues to be a busy and active club. Some Rotaract members may volunteer for the Window Dressers build. Program: next week our speaker is Commander Mike Gibney of American Legion Post 26, on the experience of the Vietnam Veteran. There is no meeting on the 24th (day before Thanksgiving). Happy dollars: Brenda is happy for her husband David's 65th birthday; he looks 45 Ken is happy to have friends who help with construction projects. That's what the Club is for :) Bill P is happy that Susan is back, and his family is getting a new puppy, a Burmadoodle Roland is happy because it looks like snow in Quebec Susan has a happy $20, good to be back, thanks to Club members for attending Chuck's wake and funeral, thanks to Roland and to Heather M for helping out at the last minute when needed... that's what the Club is for... Cynthia is happy to be in the Club, at the $20 level! Conrad is happy to see such great meeting attendance! Melissa is happy to give her last dollar to Rotary! Fines from S-A-A Jim LaBelle: Marty was fined for getting elected to Biddeford City Council, and for driving an EV Mark N was fined for also driving an EV (how did Heather M not also get fined for this, Jim???) Brian D was fined for looking too happy on Zoom, in Florida, surrounded by the beach and palm trees Conrad fined for being happy 52 weeks in a row 50/50 was won by Bill Paterson. Congrats Bill!  Our speakers were Stephanie Eklund and Kasey McDonough, of A Home for ME (a program of Spurwink), promoting foster parenthood. There are currently 2200 children in Maine across all age ranges looking for forever homes. It is a statewide problem. There are hundreds of kids just 8 or 9 years old in the program looking for homes. Many foster families will receive a stipend. If you can help please do -- there are ways other than fostering to help out, as well. Save-the-Date: Wreaths Across America (led locally by Graig Morin of Brown Dog Trucking) has requested our help on Saturday December 18 at 9AM to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford. Here is Steve Morin's invocation for the week, thank you Steve. We are always pleased to have volunteers to give the invocation/inspirational thought, and this is a good one: “To help yourself, help others. Whatever good you do travels a circle and returns to you many times over – but remember, life isn’t about what you get, it’s about you become”- Dennis Gaskill -- |
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Week in Review 10/27/2021Visiting Rotarians and Guests: -Assistant District Governor Dennis Robillard Committee updates: Raffle: sales are going very well. November 3 is the due date. Some members are looking for more tickets to sell. If you do exchange tickets please let Conrad know what number you exchanged so he can track it. We will do the big drawing on Nov 17! Thank you Karen Chasse for your leadership, and I think I heard Carl Goodwin had sold 33 tickets! Amazing! We were very pleased to induct our second new member in two weeks, Justine Bassett! Welcome Justine! Happy Dollars: Jane Foley, $3, one for each of the job offers her daughter, a newly certified Physical Therapist, has received! Ken Farley: $5, for his son getting his Coast Guard Engineer's license Fausto: $10, glad to be back, and apologies for all the "sorry I have to be in Vegas" excuses he gives to miss meetings :) Carl: sold 33 tickets (wow) Brian D: happy/sad -- heading to Florida, so he'll be moving to the Zoom screen for the winter Paul D: me too, same as Brian Jen F: $10, Hakim and his family, who she spoke about last week regarding the dramatic rescue from Kabul, are getting closer to a relocation plan Mike B: happy to see fellow UNE colleague Justine join the club (thanks Mike for sponsoring a great new member!) CJ: happy to be back in person! Kim R: daughter's artwork was a big hit at Saco Pumpkin Fest; and her house is under contract for sale Joe M: took compass navigation class at APEX and very much enjoyed it (note: this happened because Jim LaBelle put together a Chamber bike ride with APEX a few weeks back and Joe met the instructor, thanks Jim that was a cool event!) Brenda: her pageant winning granddaughters had a booth at Pumpkin Fest and it was very helpful. (Marty is happy there was a good reason he was stuck in traffic for an hour :) ADG Dennis: the Saco Bay Sunset Club parked cars for OOB Taco Fest and it was a big success Conrad, $2, happy for family to be together Melissa, happy orienteering classes at APEX are a success Fines from S-A-A Jim L: Marty: $10: Forget to open the meeting with the Four Way Test! That fails the Four Way Test!! CJ: looks too happy and tanned Jane: too cool, drives a truck  Our speaker was Phoebe Little from Window Dressers. Window Dressers measures and makes, with volunteers, interior storm window inserts for low income households. In fact, any Biddeford/Saco resident can order them; but they are free for qualified low income people (including tenants). Oil prices are up, and there's still time to suggest people who could use a warmer apartment this winter. This is an exciting Rotary volunteer opportunity and if you can help with the build, which will be held at the Biddeford Church of Christ at 266 Pool Street in Biddeford from Tuesday Nov 16 to Saturday Nov 20, you can (and should!) sign up here. Closing note: PP Joe has announced a Movember moustache/facial hair challenge, to raise money for cancer treatment and men’s health issues particularly testicular cancer, prostate cancer and mental health: 50 BUCKS goes to the person male / female, they / them to the charity of their choice who has the best facial hair on November 17th as voted on by the club. You must be present to win (Zoom attendees included). Stick on moustaches qualify. Anything goes. Just win that vote. And word is just in that Pierre and Cynthia are matching the challenge, so it's up to $100 for the charity of your choice if you win! Speakers this Wednesday are Stephanie Eklund and Kasey McDonough, A Home for ME (Spurwink), and the food is pizza (Ricetta's is famous for their pizza). Looking forward to it! |
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Help Youth with Vital Life SkillsNow recruiting community members to teach vital life skills to area youth! Are there things that you weren't taught in high school that you wish you knew before graduating? Important knowledge is taught in classrooms every day, but there are also practical skills and life knowledge that students can miss out on. Taxes, credit cards, how to do laundry, and renting an apartment are just a few that come to mind. Typically, we learn these things from trusted adults, Google, or through fumbling along on our own. Now, area youth can learn them through Apex. Apex Youth Connection has launched an ongoing series of workshops around these life skills with the help of people like yourself! Zip on over to our form to see if there's a topic you might have interest in sharing. You can also contact Dave Munger, Job Readiness Program Manager, with questions or for more information. Thanks for your support! |
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Jen Fullmer: Saving friend from Kabul airportTalk from Jen Fullmer: Ret USAF Colonel Jen Fullmer was part of a dramatic extraction of an Afghan military colleague Hakim from the Kabul airport in late August as US operations in Afghanistan ceased. She and other military contacts collaborated to get their former servicemate to the right gate at the right time and brought into the airport to catch a flight to Rammstein Germany. Minute by minute the circumstances changed, just hours before the last US flights left the country. We look forward to hearing more about this riveting story and how our Club can get involved and help with the relocation process for Hakim and his family.  |
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Week in Review 10/20/2021Meeting recap: Guests: Rotary Foundation Trustee Brenda Cressey PDG Peggy Belanger Kathy Shea's sister Natalie Murphy Phil Mateja – Keller Williams – Guest of Heather Gendron Mike Shea – Kathy Shea's son on Zoom Happy dollars: Carl Goodwin, $5, happy to be back (and we're happy to have you back!) Ken Farley, $5, happy to be at Ricetta's, a familiar spot Dr. Joe: happy to see Brenda Cressey Peggy Belanger: happy to see Natalie Murphy! Natalie: happy to be here and see Kathy and Peggy! Melissa: pleased to be collaborating with Biddeford schools and Karen Chasse to help families Conrad: today would have been his father's 95th birthday Brenda P, $10: thankful for being a Rotarian with all these great people (and won $31 in the 50-50 and donated it to Bravebees.org) Kim, $4, appreciates being a member Jen, $10, appreciates the new location and being a member |
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Scholarship Opportunity
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Meeting Venue Change Next week and going forward is at Ricetta's in Saco. Rotarians in the know turn on Hutchins Street by the U-Haul and park in the large lot behind the restaurant, then come in through the Take Out door to our space upstairs... it's a nice spot, seems like it might even work well for Zoom - we did a test yesterday and it worked well. The food will be a buffet with several options including vegetarian and gluten-free. |
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$100 Annual Raffle 2021 THIS IS THE WEEK OF THE DRAWING!Our Rotary $100 Raffle returns and kicked off October 6 with the drawing on November 17th. If you want to support charitable giving while possibly winning some easy money, comment below and we will connect with you or follow-up directly with a Biddeford-Saco Rotarian. We can accept cash, check and Venmo. With fewer Rotarians to sell this year, we need your support to  keep doing our great work! |
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Week in Review 9/13/2021Announcements: Conrad talked to Earl Goodwin's wife Anastasia. Earl is struggling with some health issues. Please keep him in your thoughts. The Rotaract Club continues to be active. District 7780 PolioPlus Chair (and polio survivor) Ann Lee Hussey will speak to Rotaract on the 27th about Rotary's polio eradication efforts. The Program Committee added our own Brian Dallaire to the speaking program on Nov 17, on the importance of our involvement with the Rotary Foundation. This meeting will also include the raffle drawing. Raffle tickets are selling well! Mike Burman is currently in the lead with 5 sold. Please check in with Karen Chasse and Heather MacLean if you need more tickets, and thanks for helping out with this important fundraiser! Happy dollars: Melissa: has a new grandbaby on the way Mike Burman: daughter is celebrating 11th birthday, and they are going to NYC to see Hamilton Steve Morin: brother-in-law is visiting, and the Red Sox are en fuego Brenda: happy that her granddaughter Victoria Bombino was named New England American Miss Pageant winner, and at the celebration, Brenda was seated next to Tuskegee Airman Enoch Woodhouse. Conrad: Wife got booster shot Jess: attended the Maine Association of Nonprofits Executive Leadership Institute, which was very valuable, and made lasting connections Kim: happy $10, for the Keep it Local Maine podcast, and her daughter's continued success in the Thornton Academy arts program, where she drew a great sketch of Harriet Tubman.  Fines: Joe and Mike for having matching haircuts. Was a Flowbee involved? Karen: for being too happy Jess: for using a poem about wooden boats as the invocation, when she also runs a successful & interesting program teaching kids to build wooden boats! |
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Kids Free to GrowOur speakers were Patrice Leary-Forrey and Danielle Gray of Kids Free to Grow. This program was originally known as York County Child Abuse and Neglect Council, run by executive director Marilyn Staples, and Dr. Joe was a founding board member! As the pandemic continues, families continue to face intense stress. We've all heard recent coverage of child abuse in Maine. It is important, now more than ever, to speak up or act if you are concerned for a child. Patrice and Danielle led us through a couple of eye-opening role playing exercises and we had an excellent conversation on when and how to speak up when witnessing or suspecting child abuse, hunger or neglect. Kids Free to Grow encourages us to get involved and as individuals and Rotarians, be a resource to those around you.  |
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Week In Review 10/6/2021Announcements: New member postings: Justine Bassett (sponsored by Mike Burman) Cynthia Giroux (sponsored by Joe Moreshead) Guest: Stewart Smith, guest of Kim Regoulinsky Happy Dollars:
Speaker: Diane Cyr of Biddeford Cultural and Historical Society  Diane's remarks centered on the formation of this interesting organization and their goals. Currently located at the J. Richard Martin Community Center, the team is looking for a permanent space and is fundraising right now. It is not purely a Franco-Americain organization -- as a matter of fact they have celebrated many local heritages including that of recent Iraqi arrivals, and a celebration of Maine's first mosque, which is located in Biddeford. The group also coordinates the Biddeford Hall of Fame event each year and many remarkable local people have been celebrated. (You can see the banners on Main Street). They also have a YouTube channel called Voices of Biddeford, with several interesting talks, please subscribe. FMI: www.biddefordculturalandheritagecenter.org Learn more about BCHC and plan to attend their upcoming Open House on October 23 from 9AM-noon, see details here and consider making a contribution to help this local organization and their dedicated volunteers. Next week is our last meeting at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, before we move to Ricetta's starting the 20th. Our speaker will be Patrice Leary-Forrey, Director of Kids Free to Grow. Kim has volunteered to bring lunch. Please wear black & orange to celebrate Biddeford Schools, and all that Paulette and her team have done for us during our 3 months meeting at BRCOT. Let's close out strong with a good meeting! |
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Week in Review 9/29/2021Meeting was Led by Brenda Pollock (President–Elect) in Marty Grohman’s absence today. 4 Way Test: Led by Haley Thompson Invocation: Led by Dr. Michael Burman Pledge of Allegiance Vice President (Paulette Bonneau) Introduces Visiting Rotarians & Guests: Visiting Rotarian – Rene Menard – Thornton Academy & Justine Bassett - UNE, a guest of Michael Burman. New Rotarian – Kim Regoulinsky. Kim is Co-owner and Sales Manager for Keep It Local Maine. She was welcomed by President-elect Pollock who asked club members to ensure we support and encourage Kim in her new role as a Rotarian. .jpg) Announcements: · Our Club, the Saco Bay Rotary Club, and the UNE Rotaract Club joined forces and took part in the 2021 Beach Clean Up effort happening throughout Maine on Saturday, September 25th, from 9 – 11 am at Bayview Beach in Saco. Led by Rotarian, Dr. Michael Burman, who shared over a dozen volunteers showed up and did a fabulous job cleaning up the beach. · Public Image Committee encouraging you to visit and join the new Facebook page called Rotary District 7780, please like and share! · Oct 6th meeting will be the $100 Raffle Kickoff, one of the clubs’ annual fundraisers, please join the meeting to get your tickets! Sergeant At-Arms (SAA):
 50/50 Drawing: Winner is Dr. Brian Dallaire Meeting adjourned at 1:12pm. Please attend on October 6 for the Raffle Kickoff and speaker Diane Cyr of the Biddeford Cultural & Historic Center! |
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Guest Speaker-Rene Menard of Thornton Academy Thornton Academy is an independent, private day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Thornton is co-educational and non-sectarian. Since its founding in 1811, Thornton Academy has been a center of inspiration, innovation, and community in Saco, Maine. They prepare students for a changing world through curriculum, facilities, extra-curricular opportunities, and student support. Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, to try courses that challenge and intrigue them, and to take deep dives into subjects that spark curiosity. Engagement continues after-school, through many clubs, activities, community service, and athletics. At Thornton Academy, students can express individuality while discovering their future aspirations. Our school community is warm and welcoming. We are a school where students build strong relationships with dedicated teachers and student friendships that last a lifetime. Our faculty and staff recognize that each child has strengths and challenges, and takes into account the well-being of individuals at each stage of social, emotional, and intellectual development. With students from more than 30 local towns and more than 40 countries worldwide, TA values the diversity and multiculturalism of our community. The geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of the student body creates a unique and dynamic learning environment that fosters a greater appreciation of not only our individual differences but also the values we share. Bearing in mind today's competitive global economy, experienced college counselors work with students one-on-one in grades 9-12 to plan college and career trajectories. The Career Center supports real-world experience through internships, job shadows, and part-time work. The university partnerships offer students the opportunity to test out areas of study even before university enrollment. THE BENEFITS OF A BIG SCHOOL As the largest independent school in Maine serving 1,600 local and international students, Thornton offers unique advantages.
FMI: visit the schools website at - https://www.thorntonacademy.org |
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Week in Review 9/22/2021Announcements: 50/50 was won by Bill Paterson, who donated the $18 to the Red Ribbon Fund Oct 24 is World Polio Day. There is the possibility of a joint Pints for Polio fundraiser with the Saco Bay Club. Our next board meeting is Wednesday Oct 6 - please get word to Marty if you have an item to come before the board (a larger than $500 charitable request, etc). Note: Marty will be away on Wednesday 9/29 getting a generator installed at his camp, and Pres Elect Brenda will run the meeting. Brenda is also bringing lunch. We will need volunteers to be Greeters, for the Four Way Test, Note Taker, and Invocation/Inspirational Message. Please let Marty know if you can help. Dan Reed will bring food 10/6 and PP Don will bring food 10/13. Those will be our last two meetings at the Center of Technology before we transition to Ricetta's on 10/20. Thank you Brenda, Dan and Don! Program Committee: Our guest this week is TA Headmaster Rene Menard. If you have TA gear and want to make Mr. Menard feel welcome, please wear it! Rotaract: Beach Cleanup is Saturday at Bayview Beach (as I write this, it has already happened and was a big success!).  The Charitable Committee has approved $250 to go to Recover2gether. Recover2gether will have a Recovery Softball Event this Thursday the 30th at Rotary Park, together with the Biddeford and Saco Opioid Outreach Coordinator (a program which is housed at the Biddeford Police Dept). Rotarians are welcome. Click here for more information. The Charitable Committee is also considering a bigger request that would go to provide reusable water bottles to provide for students, since drinking fountains in the schools are closed. Happy Dollars (apologies for some omissions, and thank you for all the great news and updates): Brian got to visit Bernice Wood $2 from Cheri: one for her guest Morgan Bates of Project Alliance and one for Melissa's guest Biddeford City Councilor Ashanti Williams Brenda for her granddaughter Maddison's continued success in pageants and her remarkable project bravebees.org Also Brian -- $10 for a great trip to Portugal, where he drank plenty of port; and also his wife had successful surgery on her toe $10 Jen Fullmer -- as a welcome to guest speaker, Biddeford Firefighter Chris Aberle $5 Paulette is happy that the COT school's new culinary program has been approved $5 CJ fines herself for not being on mute while pitching some very nice real estate which several in the club were ready to buy! $5 Matt Tuller is happy to have visited his brother in California $5 Mark visited NC for his daughter's white coat ceremony (medical school) $2 Melissa went to a Kansas City Chiefs game; even though they lost it was great to see her team, and pleased to have Councilor Williams as her guest Speaker: Biddeford Firefighter Chris Aberle Chris is seeking assistance, on behalf of the Biddeford Fire Department Relief Association, to improve and update the "Last Alarm" monument at Biddeford Central Fire Station. The Relief Association hopes to raise $75K for this project. Chris showed some project visualizations that were prepared by drafting students at the COT. The team has been selling commemorative bricks in the display to raise money. Please visit here to help out. The EMT program at the COT has a nice tie in with the Biddeford Fire Department. There are currently 14 students enrolled in the EMT program. These students can't graduate soon enough, as hiring has been tough -- at one time, there would be 35-40 applicants per job; now there are far fewer. There are some staff openings at the FD if you know anyone interested. An excellent talk by Chris and we hope to find ways to support this project! |
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Rotarians Organize Beach Clean-up Events Across the StateSACO – Rotarians from the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, the Saco Bay Rotary Club, and the UNE Rotaract Clubs, are joining forces and taking part in the 2021 Beach Clean Up effort happening throughout Maine. Along Maine’s beaches, rivers, and lakes, you’ll find Rotarians and locals taking on the task of cleaning Maine’s beautiful landscapes. Led by Rotarian, Dr. Michael Burman, the clubs are planning the local clean up event on Saturday, September 25th, from 9 – 11 am at Bayview Beach in Saco. “There are many projects that Rotary clubs have adopted to limit society’s negative effects on the planet”, Burman said. “It’s a unique opportunity for the Biddeford, Saco, and OOB clubs to work together to help our community and our environment. We’re especially excited to pair established Rotary members with UNE’s Rotaract students, as they represent the next generation of Rotarians and community leaders.” Located along Seaside Avenue (Rte. 9) and at the end of Bayview Road in Saco, Bayview Beach is a sandy beach that is a popular beach destination in the summer months. In 2018, Age Friendly Saco received an AARP Challenge Grant to provide beach accessibility mats at this location in the summertime to provide ease of access to the beach for all. In 2019, the Saco Parks and Recreation Department acquired beach wheelchairs for visitors to borrow. Anyone interested in helping with the clean-up should plan to arrive for 9am. The city of Saco is assisting with clean-up supplies. Dick Hall, District Governor of Rotary’s District 7780 is excited to see twenty-one clubs organize various clean-up efforts in along Maine’s waterfronts. “Rotarians have always made the environment an area of focus in their respective clubs by adding the environment as our organization’s seventh area of focus, allows a direct channel to global grants, new projects, and innovations tackling this issue”, said Hall. For upwards of 110 years, Rotary has used its vast network to create positive change for its focus areas: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. These six areas act as pillars, each sustaining the extensive global organization by way of focused motivation. On June 25, 2020, Rotary International announced, with unanimous support from the Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors, that it will be adding a seventh area of focus: supporting the environment. For more information on the 2021 clean up event, visit http://www.biddeford-sacorotary.org/or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BiddefordSacoRotaryClub  |
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Week in Review 9/15/2020Program Committee: Next week is OOB police chief Dana Kelley, and the week after that (9/29) is TA Headmaster Rene Menard. Charitable Committee (Joe M, Kristen L, Cheri, Jen F, Dan R): This group can quickly approve donations up to $500. The committee has a couple active donations they are considering. Still looking for more requests. There is one active request: Cheri would like to fund a recovery softball game/BBQ being put together by Recover2gether on Thursday September 30th from 7-10PM at Rotary Park (Rotarians welcome). Rotaract: Our Club, the Saco Bay Rotary Club, and the UNE Rotaract Club are joining forces and taking part in the 2021 Beach Clean Up effort happening throughout Maine. Show up Saturday, September 25th, from 9 – 11 am at Bayview Beach in Saco. Bring gloves and good shoes and wear Rotary gear if you have it. You'll get an email invite to sign up. Happy Dollars: Joe M is happy he has the $7 he owes Brenda, but Brenda is on Zoom, so he can't give it to her Dr Joe has $6: going to Chicago for granddaughter's wedding, and the Oqunquit Club's 2 Cent Sale raised almost $6K Mark N is happy to be back after his hip replacement, and also to be going to a White Coat ceremony for his daughter, who is going to UNC medical school. Also, City Theater has "Ghost Train" starting Oct 13, get tickets now Don P: happy to play in a golf tournament with Doug Willette from PC Insurance, Mark Brown of State Farm, and Matt Thompson, and they won! Karen: happy about new grandbaby boy! Conrad: sad dollar that his aunt broke her hip, but happy to see his grandkids Bill P: happy that he is not matchy matchy with Conrad today... although it was close Marty: $5 happy dollars to see Dan Reed back Paul: $2 (hopefully the last of his two dollar bills!): sister State Sen. Susan Deschambault elected to Franco-Americain Hall of Fame Roland: happy his father is settling in at St. Andre's, happy Bill Kany is ignoring me and thinks Bill's zoom name "Billk" is oddly appropriate Heather Gendron: happy her oldest daughter graduated from SMCC's health tech program and just got promoted to MRI Tech Cory (guest speaker): happy to be celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary Jim G: not happy he hurt his back, but happy to be at meeting Melissa: happy she is going to be a grandmother and will be "nana" Brenda (on Zoom): happy Joe is going to finally pay up the $7 he owes her, she will give seven happy dollars that her daughter-in-law is a writer on the movie Hawkeye and two granddaughters are successfully competing in beauty pageants In response, Joe hands over Brenda's $7 to the Club :) Interesting speech this week from Cory Hutchinson, general manager of Funtown Splashtown (26 years at the park). Introduced by Jim Godbout (Rotarian Jim and his team have done a lot of the innovative plumbing work at the park). Cory talked of staffing challenges and the ups and downs of managing through a year of change, and the economics of park operations. Since rides require a minimum staffing for safety, some rides had to stay closed even when the weather's nice. Many missed the evening opening hours, but there wasn't staff to do it this year. -Had to close in 2020 -Planned to open at 50% this year, then 100% was allowed at the last minute. Made planning difficult and lost momentum -Normally has 550 employees in the summer, numbers were down significantly this year -lack of J-1 Visa availability has been a problem, normally have 120 J-1 employees, only able to get 40 this year -far fewer applications this year than normal, announced across-the-board raise, free family four pack season pass for all employees, which helped -guest numbers were good, but had 11 rainouts in July -The business is an area legend and is doing all it can to succeed in these difficult times. They hope to be open in the evenings more frequently next year. -And yes, they still play ELO's Fire on High in the Astrosphere! We hope to see you next week! Food will be provided by Cheri, and we're looking for volunteers for the invocation and to lead the Four Way Test. We will meet at the BRCOT through 10/13, after which we will switch to Ricetta's from 10/20 onward. As always, make the most of your membership, let us know what you are working on and what you need, and stay involved! |
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Saco City Administrator Bryan KaenrathSaco City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath gave an interesting talk on his work. Brian is a UMaine grad and represented South Portland in the Maine Legislature for 8 years until 2014 (serving with PP Don Pilon), then became town manager in Gouldsboro ME and Northhampton NH before joining Saco two years ago. The City of Saco is seeing fast growth, and are pleased with the voter support for the largest bond issue in Saco history. His goals are to help Saco become more of a destination downtown, and expanding on existing strong growth. The City is promoting their Arts Commission to add interest to downtown, and there are several successful downtown merchants (including Whimsical ME owned by Rotarian Heather MacLean). Bryan also hopes for more civic participation, noting several council seats are unopposed. |
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Week in Review 9/1/2021This meeting was the first posting of prospective new member Kim Regoulinsky. Kim is the owner of Keep it Local Maine. We always welcome new members and guests, if you have an idea for a guest, please bring them! The 50/50 of $13 was won by Conrad, who donated it to the Red Ribbon Fund Food was provided by Paulette. And the leftover cookies went to the students and volunteers at APEX Youth Connection. Four Way test was by Jen Fullmer. This was actually Jen's first in-person meeting, having joined the Club during Zoom-only times, and then needing to be away to help with family in CT this summer. Good to see you in person Jen! Committee Reports: Program Committee: upcoming September speakers (all at BRCOT, 10 Maplewood Ave, Biddeford, at Biddeford High School, plus on Zoom):
Venue committee: Exciting news! After a lot of research, many site visits and meetings and several proposals, the group, consisting of Conrad, Heather G and Heather M, has selected Ricettas in Saco as our new location. We will start there on Oct 20! We will have an excellent buffet, and good Zoom capabilities. Thank you team! We are looking forward to our new location. Charitable Committee: Joe Moreshead has a request from the Biddeford Golf Team for support. He sent the charitable request form to fill out. We have a budget to support the community and are looking for deserving people and projects. Rotaract: Mike Burman is working with Emily Birdsall of Rotaract at UNE. They had a good Volunteer Fair at UNE and expect to have as many as two dozen students ready to volunteer. The first project will probably be a beach cleanup, date TBD. The members would like to hold a get-together with us, possibly a dinner. There is also a possible connection to the Rotaract Club of Amman Jordan developing. Lunch volunteers: when meeting at the Center of Technology, which we will do through October 13, we need volunteers to bring in food. You'll receive a projected number of attendees on Monday, and then you can order and bring in food, for which you'll be reimbursed. Joe M volunteered for our next meeting, which is on the 15th, and is going to bring sandwiches from Part & Parcel... which will be a major treat. Cheri Sullivan volunteered for 9/22. If you can arrange lunch on 9/29, 10/6, or 10/13 please let Marty know. Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Labelle coordinated the Happy Dollars: -Haley Thompson gave $5 for five-days-a-week school -Mike Burman described how his daughter has focused on her acting career and has been cast in her first movie! -Dr. Joe was happy to see his grandson Noah, and is pleased that the Oqunquit Club's 2 Cent Sale is going better -- please buy a raffle ticket! They are close to their $6000 goal! -Roland gave $31 for his thirty-first anniversary with Paula! -Ken Farley gave $2 as a thanks for all the help with the raised beds -Jen Fullmer gave $20 as a thank you to the Marines, who helped her bring a friend out of the Kabul Airport to safety (be sure to attend our Oct. 20 meeting for a presentation from Jen, who is a retired USAF Colonel, and will share this remarkable story of veterans working together to help Afghanis) -Conrad gave $2 as a thank you to the Venue Committee, who worked so well together -Joe M gave a dollar as a thank you for the great meeting turnout! -Karen gave a dollar, her stepson has a great new job -Paul D gave $2, because he is retired and feels great to have a day with nothing on the schedule! -Marty gave $5 as a thank you to Paulette and the BRCOT team for hosting us so well -Cheri gave $5 as a highlight of the Naloxone anti-overdose training that is coming up. We may have this as a topic at a future meeting. Fines: Bill Paterson and Conrad Welzel were fined for being all matchy-matchy. Get out the wallet Conrad, and hang ten Surfer Bill: |
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Week in Review 8/25/2021Meeting notes:
Happy Dollars:
We had a fun speaker: artist and teacher Nick Blunier of Common Roots Studio (which is located in Biddeford next to the former Wonderbar). Nick also teaches at behavioral school Sweetser in Saco, and brought us an art project to complete. Our assignment was to draw either a cheeseburger playing baseball, or a banana skydiving. Here are some of the results!    Finally, to wrap up, a request. We need volunteers to bring lunch to upcoming meetings on Sept 15, 22, 29, Oct 6 & 13. If you'd like to bring in something fun and local to feed your fellow Rotarians, it would be a help. Members of the Board: we're on Zoom, Wednesday morning at 7:45AM -- agenda items welcome. -- |
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Week in Review 8/18/2021The Venue committee of Heather Gendron, Heather MacLean, and Conrad Welzel continue to research options for us. Spaces under consideration include Ricetta's, Ferry Beach Conference Center, and the Center of Technology (where today's meeting was held). The goal is to have a decision made at the Board meeting on 9/1. Note:none of our venue choices will be available until mid-October, due to staffing shortages and other reasons. So the venue committee has agreed that we will meet at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology through Oct 13. The Program Committee has an excellent upcoming slate of speakers. September is focused on Saco. Next week 8/25 our guest will be Nick Blunier, Biddeford artist, of Common Roots Studio and the Art Bus. This meeting will be held at the COT and also on Zoom (the COT space works well for hybrid meetings, thanks Paulette for making it available!) Guest: Chris Soulias, Middletown CT Rotary Happy dollars (apologies for any I missed!):
Guest speaker, Community Advocate-Holly Culloton "Why I Do What I Do"
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Week in Review 8/11/2021We had a great ice cream meeting on Wednesday, featuring guest speakers from Sweet Cream and Garsides. They are welcome at our meetings anytime! Unfortunately, there were some free samples left over, and I had to take them....  Our Mini Golf for Good event is this weekend! We have had a great response, thanks to your efforts. Come on out to play some mini-golf at Schooners, Raptor Falls, or Pirate's Cove, and say hi to your favorite Rotarian! Next week's meeting: Please join us on Wednesday the 18th at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology with guest speaker Holly Culloton, Biddeford's 2020 Volunteer of the Year (I think Holly would win this award every year if that was possible). Holly is a big part of the reason why downtown Biddeford has flowerboxes and gardens, and was the founder of Bebe's Burritos, one of the businesses that brought back Main Street. We'll be in person, but Zoom works well for meetings at BRCOT too -- the Biddeford School Department is set up for this. In person, you do need to wear a mask when entering and exiting the building, but not while you're eating. We'll have sandwiches and drinks. |
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Week in Review 8/4/2021Quick Updates from Marty:
Meeting recap (thanks to note-taker Jess Muise of Engine): Guests: Guest Speaker Dr. Don E. Hoenig, consultant and former State Veterinarian Invocation by Melissa Cilley including a land acknowledgement Next week’s meeting is 8/11 @ Sweet Cream at noon, ring bell at 12:15 Pepperell Center, 40 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005 Fellowship, not a formal meeting – but will include Q&A with the business owners from Sweet Cream and Garsides No lunch, but there is ice cream! The week after that (8/18) will be at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology/hybrid meeting and feature Volunteer of the Year Holly Culloton Announcements and updates • Program Committee Update - welcoming program ideas. • Venue committee working on a space to land. They are touring Ferry Beach Association next week • Mini Golf Fundraiser - 57 hole sponsors, goal is 60 o Two new $1k sponsors o We need volunteers – we made 3k last year from the collection jars at the events alone - sign up sheet o Most of the $$ comes from Raptors and Pirates Cove, those are the target markets • Rotary Park Garden Bed Project cutting party Thurs Aug 5 - have enough people to handle the cutting but please come by for fellowship • Expect to assemble the garden beds at Rotary Park TBD pending corrugated metal materials delivery and location preparation • Today is the first posting for a new member approved by the board the morning: Kim Regoulinsky, owner of Keep it Local Maine • Michael Burman - discussing goals for the Rotaract Club please send suggestions • Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce had a great Chamber Fest event August 3 in Mechanics Park Happy dollars and fines by Sergeant-at-Arms Jim LaBelle:
Presentation on bees • Our food systems rely on bees for pollination. • Bees are insects. Without humans insects would be fine; without insects, humans cannot survive. • Why do bees need a veterinarian? Bees as a food animal are regulated by the FDA. • What is in the smoke used when approaching a beehive? Pine needles in the smoker alert them that something is happening • Colony collapse disorder is likely a multifactor issue, not just RoundUp - many threats to bee populations including American Foulbrood, mites, viruses Of note: Thank you to Paulette and her team at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. The hybrid meeting worked well and everyone on both sides could be seen and heard with the Owl microphone and cameras, even from across the room. And thanks to Dr. Hoenig for a very interesting presentation! |
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From the Peanut GallerySupplement to August 4, 2021 Tack Okay, so the people gallery has been fairly dormant over the last bunch of months, but when it sees or hears an injustice it must wake up and throw a few peanuts. On August 4th, Sergeant at Arms, Jim Labelle, arguably exceeded his paltry authority (for similar actions in excess of one’s authority see Joe Biden) by declaring that since the departure of Jackson Brown Joe Moreshead is now the best looking man in the club (I believe I saw President Marty shed a tear into his mask). First of all, I don’t recall voting on this, and secondly, if voting was employed, clearly ranked choice voting should have been used. Anointing Joe the McDreamy of the club creates two issues. The first was immediate in that Paulette Bonneau needed to demo a wall so Joe could get his inflated head out of the building. Such demolition is not cheap and the State only has so much money to go around. The second problem is that such an announcement objectifies Joe and frankly all men in the club. That point is not diminished in the least by the fact that the announcement was made by Jim Labelle who was clearly serving as a mouth piece for the women in the club. We all need to remember that Joe may actually have feelings and he may actually be more than a pretty face. Those facts are yet to be determined, but we have to leave open the possibility. Jim clearly did not consider the fact that labelling Joe as the club hunk might temporarily boost his spirits, but as his looks quickly fade, where will he be? Sure, Joe occasionally wears the pink (he calls them cranberry, but we all know pink when we see it) canvas pants spotted with ducks or some other form of fowl and he skips wearing socks to accentuate his ankles, but such clothing is not an invitation to ogle. Joe is a man, he is not an animal (the Elephant Man paraphrase is merely a coincidence). Perhaps it is time to start the #mentoomovement. Please remember that every time you compliment Joe’s appearance his head grows in size and his neck can only hold up so much, and the local chiropractors are only so good. So let’s not be so free to throw around such reckless pronouncements unless one is going to consider the inner man as well. We all deserve a recount. |
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Rotary Park Raised Bed ProjectThe BS Rotary Club is having a wood cutting party on August 5th at 30 Gooch St at 5:00PM- BYOB ( my shop ). We are cutting material to make 15 raised bed boxes. We will help assemble those boxes on Saturday at Rotary Park at a time to be determined by the Biddeford Community Garden Committee. Bring a chop saw too if you want- – we already have two to set up. Attached is the plan for the boxes. We are making 15 of the boxes. We hope some Rotarians can come and help. Thanks Joe MoresheadBiddeford Saco Rotary Club |
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Mini-Golf Event Click here to watch video ad: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14z82vPVtLq0NZ4KB-CRcvuQgTx3Khq47/view?usp=sharing |
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Week in Review 7/28/2021Biddeford Saco Rotary Meeting July 28, 2021 4 way test - Matt Tuller Pledge - Marty Invocation - Kristen Lane Guests: none Announcements: Marty - We have established a venue committee of Conrad Welzel, Heather Gendron & Heather MacLean. Please get your venue suggestions to this great group. Suggestions today included McArthur Library, Elks Club, and Blue Elephant’s new facility on North Street in Saco. Thank you for your patience as we find a lily pad to land on. Marty - Next meeting, Wednesday August 4th, is at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, 10 Maplewood Ave, Biddeford. We will have sandwiches. There is a ZOOM option. Please sign up ASAP. Masks required when entering and exiting the building. Don - Golf fund-raiser update Going well with hole sponsors - could use a few more Sign-up sheets are out Dan's video ad is great; Click here to watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14z82vPVtLq0NZ4KB-CRcvuQgTx3Khq47/view?usp=sharing Brian - Please sign-up for next meeting ASAP. Sergeant at arms - not held this week in order to get directly to the essay contest video. Note: the Chamber is holding a mixer on Tuesday August 3rd at 5PM at Mechanics Park. Info here. Essay Contest: Brenda 26th Annual Essay Contest Impressed with all the young folks who participated Next year’s event will be Wednesday June 8th at TA All who participated in the last 2 years will be invited to attend. The participants found it very valuable to participate with our program. Excellent Video of the contestants was shown. Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJbWCTcA5PE After watching the essay video - final thought from Bill Paterson - Don't pen it in - pen it out... Meeting adjourned at 1pm |
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Week in Review 7/21/2021Rotary Meeting Notes July 21, 2021 Meeting Location: Thornton Academy Welcome: President Marty welcomed club members, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, 4-Way Test by Melissa Cilley, and invocation by Paulette Bonneau. Brenda Pollock introduced visitors – Dick Hall, our District Gov., his wife Andi, and Past District Gov. Peggy Belanger. President Marty presented Past President Don with his Rotary Chair, honoring his service to our club. Announcements: Golf for Good – Don reported that the committee is currently fundraising for hole sponsors. The locations have been confirmed (Raptor Falls, Schooners, and Pirate’s Cove). We need volunteers to be at the locations on August 14 and 15. Marty encouraged folks to volunteer to help with the fundraiser. You can sign up at this Google Sheet. Venue search – The club is currently looking for a new venue for weekly in-person meetings. If club members know of any such spaces, please let Marty know. Next week’s meeting – The meeting next week will be via Zoom. Brenda shared that it will be a video featuring the essay contest finalist. The theme of the essay contest was “what family means to me”. Please tune in! Community gardens – Joe shared that he has been working with Holly Culloton to provide support for a project to build raised beds in Rotary Park. He is looking for volunteers to help build the beds on August 3 and August 7 – more details to come via email. 50/50 Drawing: Winner is Kathy Shea! Happy Dollars and Fines: Jim LaBelle led the group in presenting their Happy Dollars. Some highlights were Karen, $5 for becoming a grandmother, and Jim Godbout a very generous $50 for having missed meetings. Don gave $1 for his new Rotary chair, Joe and Jim contributed for getting 10th place in the Adventure Race and having a ton of fun doing it, James Audifred who appreciated an in-person meeting, PDG Peggy Belanger for the warm welcome from our Club, Melissa Cilley $2 for APEX kids getting involved with Rotary, and lastly, DG Dick Hall as a thank you for our raised bed project that the Covid committee developed. Jim then issued fines to Joe (for wearing fancy shoes), Mark (for overpromoting the very wonderful City Theater and all their amazing upcoming shows), Susan (for overpromoting Venmo as a way to pay Happy Dollars), Haley (for having the easiest commute to today’s meeting, across the hall), Dan Reed (for having cool hair) and Brian Dallaire (for being too nice). Speaker: Marty introduced new District Gov. Dick Hall.  Dick started off his presentation sharing a video by Playing For Change – Everyday People. He said that is what Rotary is…everyday people all around the world working to make the world a better place. Dick shared that his focus this year will be on the club – service, meetings, fun, public image, foundation and Polio, and membership. The theme for Rotary this year is Serve to Change Lives. Dick encouraged club members to introduce someone new to Rotary. Current Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta has issued a challenge – Each one, Bring one. Worldwide Rotary membership is 1.2 million – the goal is 1.3 million by the end of Shekhar’s year. Dick also reminded folks of the importance of Foundation participation. Some upcoming opportunities/activities to support: Pints for Polio in October and Interact’s Purple Pinky Project. Meeting Close: Please sign up to volunteer at Golf for Good! Information to come on volunteering to help build the raised garden beds – stay tuned! Next week’s meeting (the 28th) is via Zoom, the following week (8/4) will be in person at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology at Biddeford High School, featuring Dr. Don Hoenig on the crisis facing pollinators and how we can help. There will be a Zoom option for this meeting as well, and we’ll be testing some new equipment to make a better hybrid experience. |
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Week in Review 7/14/2021Biddeford Saco Rotary 7/14/21 meeting via Zoom Presiding: Marty Grohman, President Pledge: Marty 4-Way Test - Nelly Rabadi Invocation - Nasri Rabadi Guests: Nasri and Nelly Rabadi from Amman-Cosmopolitan (Jordan) Rotary Announcements: Brian - Please use the registration link on the meeting email announcements, we need head counts - next week we are in person at TA. Marty - District Governor Dick Hall will be at next week's meeting. Bag lunch provided @$6 please reserve your lunch by responding to the appointment email from Clubrunner Bill Patterson - August 4th meeting, in person at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology - featuring presentation on bees & pollinators by Dr. Don Hoenig Conrad - programming:.July 28th on Zoom. Rotary Essay Contest winners will present to us. Don - Mini Golf event...meeting today at Chamber at 4:30 pm. Courses - Pirates Cove, Martels & Raptor Falls. This event is the weekend of August 14-15 Need sponsors #50 $100 hole sponsors needed Need members at the courses to engage the public Will collect donations again at the courses - raised over $3,000 last year GOOGLE sheet will be sent for sign-ups  Sergeant at Arms - Paulette Happy Dollars
FINES by Paulette:
Speaker: Dennis Robillard - Crutches for Africa  The need is great and hates to see things go to waste. Started the charity in 2004 with small shipments in cars - packed the insides with crutches. Last shipment went to Afghanistan - as will the next. Shipped at no cost to recipients 30k assistive devices sent from our district from 2011 - in 2019 sent 2 40' containers Need new space to store crutches before shipping. Do we know of any space? Monday the 19th from 6 - 8pm at 20 Gooch Street need help packing items Greatest need - new space! Approx 1500 sf. Next meeting at TA - 3rd meeting in our 101st year. Meeting adjourned at 1:03 pm |
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In The Courier |
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Jordanian Rotarians Visit July 11-15, 2021 We have 2 Jordanians visiting us from our sister club in Jordan this month. They arrive late on Saturday, July 10th and fly to NYC on Friday, July 16th. Nelly and Nasri will be staying with Roland & Paula. We have planned the following for their visit and would love to have as many Rotarians as possible join us! Event invitations will be sent out, so please register for which ones you would like to attend. Sunday, July 11th 11:30am-1pm Lunch at Freedom Cafe in Naples (Lunch at your expense) 1pm-3pm Songo River Queen cruise. Tickets are $30/pp and are rain or shine (non-refundable). 5 pm BBQ dinner at Roland’s in Standish (11 Busque Blvd). Steak, lobster, steamers, hamburgers and hotdogs. $15/pp to BS Rotary Club. BYOB Monday, July 12th 8am Departure for Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor $22/pp. Lunch and shopping on your own in Boothbay Harbor - van leaves BH at 5 pm. 7:30pm Dinner at TIQAs in Portland (Dinner at your expense). Tuesday, July 13th The Jordanians will spend the day with family. 5pm Potluck dinner at Susan’s in Hollis (Please bring your favorite traditional dish to share so we can show our guests a wide variety of yummy foods! BYOB, no cost for the meal. Wednesday, July 14th 8am Tour of UNE with Mike Burman 10am-12pm Tour of the Biddeford Mills $20/pp. 12pm Rotary Meeting (Jordanians Zooming from Pension Professionals’ Office) 2pm Freeport Trip with dinner on your own Thursday, July 15th 8:30am Saco Train Station - Join Roland and our friends on the Downeaster for a fun day in Boston. (Train tickets, meals and venue admissions at your expense) We need to pre-purchase tickets for the Songo River Queen cruise, BH Botanical Gardens and the Biddeford Mill tour so please let us know by Friday, July 6th if you’d like to attend any of these. We will also need to purchase food for the BBQ at Roland’s in Standish on 7/11 so let us know how many will be attending at $15/pp. Deadline is Thursday, 7/8 to sign up for this dinner. If you’d like to join us at TIQA in Portland on 7/12, we need to finalize that reservation by Thursday, July 8th. Also, by Thursday, July 8th, please let us know if you can come to the potluck dinner at Susan’s in Hollis on 7/13 and what you’ll be bringing for food. BYOB. |
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2020-2021 Swan Song/Year in Review /Week in Review 6/30/21The following are my humble observations related to our June 30, 2021 Biddeford Saco Rotary Club meeting held live and in person (unless you were on ZOOM) at the Run of the Mill (more on them later). Pledge of …………….. Allegiance: The meeting started, as usual, with a resounding version of the Pledge of Allegiance led for the last time (we can only hope) by President Don. The ZOOM attendees were out of sync with us so I intentionally tried to lag behind and speed up just to make them feel welcome. I finished several seconds before Don. Can I Hear an Amen?: Bill Patterson, or who I like to call (at this very moment) the “Master Bill P” led us on one of his original, inspirational, soul crushing, “I wish I were Joe Bassett” prayers that lacked only a Hallelujah. Amen my brother Billy P. Four Way Test: Marty “I’m starting as President tomorrow?” Grohman demonstrated his reading ability by leading us in the four way test. Maybe it’s just me, but I find the 4 way test to be both redundant and cult-ish. Honored Guest: We were visited by Kim Regoulinsky, one of the owners of Keep It Local Maine. Kim mentioned that it was her first Rotary meeting. You always remember your first. You’re nervous, it hurts a little and you’re glad to have it over with. I am taking the time to mention our guest because I was proud I asked how to spell her name. Mini-Golf: One of Don Pilon’s many obsessions (the others include stand-up comedy and the breeding of therapy hamsters) is mini-golf. He has asked me to play golf with him a few times. Of course, he usually mumbles the name of the mini-golf course to hide the fact that he does not play actual golf though he does have a tour sized bag with one rubber-headed putter in it. Well, in any event, the mini-golf fundraiser is back and will be held on August 14-15 at the Raptor Course in Arundel, Schooner’s in Saco and Pirate’s Cove in OOB. Don is a member at all three courses which is how he gets them to participate. We will need to solicit hole sponsors, venue sponsors and volunteer to be at each location to beg for money, I mean ask for donations. The next meeting of the committee will be on July 8th at 4:30 PM at the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce offices. JULY SCHEDULE: I AM TYPING THIS IN ALL CAPS LIKE I AM YELLING BECAUSE I GUARANTY YOU PEOPLE WILL SHOW UP AT THE RUN OF THE MILL NEXT WEEK OR TRY TO TUNE IN ON ZOOM. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURRY FAVOR WITH US ALL MARTY ANNOUNCED THAT WE WILL NOT MEET NEXT WEEK, JULY 7 ANYWHERE. WE WILL NOT MEET ON ZOOM, WE WILL NOT MEET AT THE RUN OF THE MILL, WE WILL NOT MEET IN MARTY’S LIVING ROOM (AN OPTION WE SHOULD CONSIDER GOING FORWARD). THE BOARD, HOWEVER, WILL MEET ON ZOOM ON JULY 7. CONFUSED YET? THEN MARTY ANNOUNCED WE WILL MEET ON ZOOM ON JULY 14 (DENNIS ROBILLARD WILL TALK TO US ABOUT CRUTCHES FOR AFRICA) AND WE WILL MEET IN THE DINING COMMONS AT THORNTON ACADEMY ON JULY 21ST (ASSUMING THORNTON HAS ITS DOWNED TREES CLEANED UP BY THEN). DISTRICT GOVVERNOR, DICK HALL, WILL BE OUR GUEST THAT DAY SO PLEASE TRY AND ATTEND. THEN WE ARE BACK TO ZOOM ON JULY 28 AT WHICH MEETING THE ESSAY CONTEST, OR SOME ELEMENT OF IT WILL BE BACK. YOU NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE MEETINGS WHEN BRIAN SENDS THE INVITES BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE TAKE ATTENDANCE (GIVEN OUR “IS IT THE TRUTH” THING PLEASE RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO REGISTER AND NOT SHOW UP). REGISTRATION FOR THE MEETING AT THORNTON IS KEY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ORDER THE FOOD FROM A CATERER. Dues: Dues are technically due on July 1, but if you are like me you will wait for the invoice. It’s Not You, It’s Me: I guess the Run of the Mill wants to see other people this summer so they are breaking up with us for now. Run of the Mill, I am not sure if “our love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer are gone” (sorry Don Henley). In any event we are going to get our freedom to see other venues this summer (I feel so dirty). Marty is working on all of that and we may get back together with the ROTM this fall but who knows. Please try not to drunk text the Run of the Mill at 1:00 AM if you can help it. Run of the Mill, if you want me back you have to do better than a $14.00 wrap. 50/50: Apparently, for a large enough investment you can get unlimited 50/50 tickets these days and Dr. Joe parlayed his investment into a win. Mademoiselle Sergeant at Arms: Heather “where’s the rest of my skirt” McLean then welcomed happy dollars as Sergeant at Arms. Dr. Joe was happy about winning 50/50 and for being able to see his grandson, Noah, after a two year wait. Steve Morin welcomed his second grandchild, Charli, who is the sister of Maverick. I don’t make this stuff up. Was Charli a Top Gun character as well? Don Pilon was happy to be getting done and happy that he celebrated his 42nd wedding anniversary. Linsey Pilon did not give a happy dollar (uh?), but it was announced that Saint Linsey medals were available for sale in the Run of the Mill gift shop. Conrad was happy he is having another 4th of July bash at his house. Heather then fined Brenda for being adorable (I am still waiting for my “adorable” fine). Steve Morin was fined for simply being at the meeting (Steve was just released from the witness protection program). Paulette Bonneau got a congratulatory fine but for what we are not sure. Marty was fined $5.00 for becoming the new president. No announcement of a new Sergeant of Arms was made. Paul Harris Points: I thanked Joe Moreshead for donating some of his accumulated Paul Harris points (like Brian did last year) to enable the Club to give out its Paul Harris awards. The Club used to accumulate lots of Paul Harris points to be able to give out awards, but apparently RI’s (that’s Rotary International and not Rhodes Island) accounting practices have changed so the Club accumulates fewer points so club members who have hoarded more than their share of points have been good enough to share so that the Club can give out the honors. Thanks Joe (and Brian). More Gifts: President Don forgot to recognize Julie Villemaire for all that she does for the Club as secretary so he made up for the oversight with a gift this week from Whimsical Me (where’s that?). He also found some golf balls in the trunk of his car and wrapped them for me. I do actually appreciate the gesture (or Don’s weak moment). Swan Song: A swan song is apparently a song of great sweetness sung by a dying swan. Keep in mind swans are mute and allegedly only sing just before they die. To my knowledge Don has never been accused of being mute and as for his final speech, it was not of great sweetness though it had the intrigue of a recipe for a bunt cake. Brian has inserted Don’s entire spread sheet, I mean speech, below which was recited with the same passion and feeling as the spread sheet itself. To acknowledge Don out a little bit, our Club did a lot in a year of significant challenges. Don ably led us in a pandemic year of virtual meetings, almost impossible fundraising conditions and isolation that affected every one of us. We welcomed several new members to replace those who chose to resign. It was a year of successes at a time when we all needed them and for that we have Don to thank. If anyone repeats what I just wrote I will deny it. Changing of the Guard: In the time honored tradition fit for Buckingham Palace, we then witnessed the changing of the guard which is also referred to as “guard mounting”. Because of the image that conjures up I will not be referring to it as “guard mounting” again. Of course, the changing of the guard is when one group of sentries relieves others on duty while wearing silly furry hats which are impossible to fight in but do make them look really tall. Changing of the guard has a different meaning when one is either really young or really old, but I don’t think Don is quite there yet. There were no hats (other than a Rotary golf hat) involved in the civil transition of power from Don to Marty, but there was the requisite bestowing of the new gavel from Don to Marty and the giving of the gavel plaque from Marty to Don. Marty’s Inaugural Speech: I am guessing Marty came up with his opening speech while he was eating lunch. I say that because during lunch he was asked about his goals for the year and he admitted he had not given that any thought. Did they teach you nothing at PETs? Marty did graciously acknowledge all that the club accomplished in Don’s year and thanked the club members and Don for their hard work. He acknowledged the great publicity we received this year, thanks to Brenda, as he held the cell phone up to make sure all the ZOOM callers could see and hear him. His goals included making sure we can meet in a fashion that will allow hybrid meetings so people can be in person or attend by ZOOM (I was happy to explain to Paul Deschambault what ZOOM is). He wants to continue to use ZOOM so we can have international participation at our meetings. He wants more interaction with Rotaract and Interact. He again explained the July meeting schedule (see above) and expressed his hope that we will be able to complete: the mini-golf fundraiser, our $100.00 raffle in late fall, our adopt-a-family program, another maple syrup fundraiser and a RV raffle in the spring. That will be a busy schedule. He encouraged people to look at our committee list and get involved. Marty then asked what he was missing which elicited a bunch of responses. Marty also announced that the Jordanians are coming for a one week visit and Roland Gagne will be hosting a BBQ for them on July 11 after which there will be a week of activities planned for our guests. Stay tuned for more details. Marty, we wish you the best of luck in your upcoming year. Don’s Song: The following is Don’s “speech”. It has a great beat but it is tough to dance to.   All as respectfully submitted by your lowly scribe, Bill Kany. |
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Annual Awards MeetingPresident Don started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance which was then followed up with the invocation by Joe Bassett. VP Brenda Pollock then led the group in the Rotarian 4 Way Test. President-Elect Marty Grohman introduced visiting guests and Rotarians. Dennis Robillard stopped by from the Saco Bay Sunset Club. Past President,and FIRST woman President of our Club, Helene Plourde was in attendance today with her husband John McDonough, Tricia Heidelbaugh, Roland Rousselle, Buffy Rousselle, Tyler Rousselle, Aaron Rousselle, Ann Marie Martin Rousselle and Ryan Sommer. The 50/50 drawing ($26) was won by Joe Moreshead who quickly donated his winning proceeds back to the club! There was no Sergeant at Arms today as it was “Awards Day”. Have your wallets ready for next week! Also, if you’d like to bring a little extra cash with you, we typically “pass the hat” for a collection “tip” for the waitress who served us at the few on-site meetings. We normally do this around the holidays but seeing as we were “Zooming” then, this would be the next best time as we finish up this Rotarian year. This is one of the easiest weeks to take the minutes for the TACK because Bill Kany happens to do all of the work! Thanks again Bill for sharing your awesome notes!! From the Desk of Bill Kany: Welcome to the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club’s annual awards meeting. At the outset I want to thank all the Rotarians who took the time to suggest some incredibly worthy candidates for these awards. Your input to the committee was invaluable and all of this year’s winners came from your suggestions. Unfortunately, we cannot honor all of the people you suggested, but I can assure you they were all worthy of recognition. I firmly believe that two of the most powerful and yet under-utilized words in the English language are “thank you”. In an effort to say thank you, each year since 1988 (except for last year) our Club has given out our Public, Private and Humanitarian awards and we have been giving out our Vocational Service Award since 2000. The awards have gone either to club members or to individuals or organizations outside the club whose acts of kindness, generosity and caring help to make our communities and the world a little better. I have had the privilege of chairing this committee for longer than I can remember, and I know that most of our past recipients have not been people looking for recognition, and in fact, most of them would prefer to keep doing what they do away from the spotlight. Our club, however, feels that our award recipients deserve a resounding thank you for their good works and it is our hope that by acknowledging the wonderful things these folks do we will inspire others to get involved and do great things. PRIVATE SECTOR AWARD The Private Sector Award is awarded to a citizen whose good works have been performed independently of their employment usually in the private sector. Recipients work for the public good, outside of his or her employment. 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. In the past I have read off some of our most recent winners of this award but this year I thought I would go back to 1988 and list off some of the early winners. They included: 1988 Tobie Nathanson 1989 Robert Melville 1990 A. William Kany, Jr. 1991 Myra Van Fleet 1992 Conrad Crepeau The singer, song writer and activist, Harry Chapin performed a song called “Mr. Tanner”. In that song he describes a dry cleaner who is a talented singer, saying of Mr. Tanner that “music was his life it was not his livelihood, it made him feel so happy, it made him feel so good. He sang from his heart, he sang from his soul, he did not know how well he sang, it just made him whole.” Fortunately for all of us, many people develop talents during their lifetimes that give their lives meaning. Some, like this year’s private ward sector winner, use their beloved talents to help others. This year’s private sector award winner developed a talent for sewing and knitting at a young age and has used those talents to help others for a long time. She has helped make hundreds of quilts to provide comfort for kids at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital; she has knit hats to keep the less fortunate warm and she has collaborated with others to make dresses for young girls all over the globe for “Dress a Girl Around the World” which makes those girls safer and helps them to feel loved and better about themselves. She also works to garner support for those efforts when she is not sewing. Her commitment to her creative talents and using them to help others is truly an inspiration. We are pleased to recognize those efforts by giving this year's Biddeford Saco Rotary Club Private Sector Award to Anne Marie Martin Rousselle. PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD 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. Past Winners Include: 1988 Joan Susi 1989 Clayton Cartmill 1990 Dennis Dutremble 1991 Robert G. Dodge 1992 Debra Choroszy It is said that when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Over the last year life, in the form of COVID, has certainly given us a whole lot of lemons. Not only have thousands died from the pandemic, but it has had other impacts as well including incredible isolation, lost jobs and businesses, hunger and a sense of hopelessness. Some people have had the vision to not only see these problems but to come up with creative solutions designed to help as many people as possible. This year's Public Sector Award winner is a person with that kind of creative vision to help fight local hunger and isolation while helping local restaurants that struggled so mightily during the pandemic. This person found local sponsors to pay restaurants to provide meals and then collaborated with volunteers and resource officers to distribute those meals to people in need of not only a meal but company as well. Those efforts addressed so many needs at the same time including providing residents and businesses in our communities with hope. This person took lemons and made a proverbial lemonade stand. In the midst of a crisis such creativity has to be applauded and encouraged, and as a result I am happy to announce that Biddeford Saco Rotary Club's Public Sector Award is given to Amelia Meier, the Assistant Director of Saco’s Parks and Rec Department. HUMANITARIAN AWARD 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. Past Winners Include: 1988 Richard Nason 1989 Dr. Andre Fortier 1992 Agnes Flaherty 1994 Dr. Francis J. Kleeman 1995 Donald W. Charland Recently the Marathon Bomber, Tsarnaev was back in the news and I again saw the film footage of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The thing that struck me was when the bombs went off the instinct of most people was to run from danger, but for the first responders in the area their instinct was to run to the danger to see if they could help. That image has always stayed with me. This year’s Humanitarian Award winner is someone who is always willing to go where he is needed and he is always willing to work to get things done. It seems instinctual to him as well. I have known a lot of doers in my day, but this person not only says he is going to do things but he gets them done every time. Furthermore, when it became clear that COVID was here to stay for an extended period of time, he stood up and directed our efforts to support our communities in such a time of need. He provides all of this help with an incredible sense of humility and family and with a sincerity that is unsurpassed. For his willingness to put his family, his communities and those in need ahead of all else, this year’s Biddeford Saco Rotary Club Humanitarian Award goes to Conrad Welzel. VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD The Vocational Service Award is awarded to a citizen, private or public, who has done exceptional work to promote vocational education and vocational programs. Past Winners Include: 2000 Carl Goodwin 2001 A. William Kany, Jr. 2002 Ron Gagnon 2003 Steven Foran 2004 Frank Paul Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, said that “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” This year’s recipient of our Vocational Service Award is such a quiet leader who quite frankly has had an incredible career as an educator that many of us probably don’t know about. Jeremy Ray said that this leader “has been a respected educator and leader in the Biddeford’s School District for over 27 years. Starting as a School Social Worker at John F. Kennedy School, she worked with children from kindergarten through high school. Anyone who knows her will tell you she has a big heart, and her compassion and ability to see behind the behavior are key elements in her success as a leader and colleague today.” While, by now, most of you know who I am talking about, it is hard to believe this person has been the Director of the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology for 8 years. During that time: “She not only fixed a broken culture shepherding a team of leaders to move BRCOT towards standards-based assessments and expanded programs but she also established unprecedented collaborative relationships among other school districts, community stakeholders, state agencies and legislators, and more.” Those added programs include upgrading the precision machining program, an Emergency Medical Technician Program, plumbing and heating, new engineering programs and the creation of Career Pathways and Student Services positions to support student success. At a time when technical education and a renewed commitment to our students have become so important this person has shined in providing the leadership and vision to move the COT into the 21st Century. This year’s Vocational Service Award goes to the Director of the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology and the newest member of Maine’s State Board of Education, Paulette Bonneau. GOODWIN OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD Back in 2007 our Club decided to honor all of the dedication and contributions of Carl and Earl Goodwin by creating an award in their honor. In my opinion it is truly the highest honor our club can give to one of its past or present members. I should note that the committee’s nominee is not here, but I have decided to go ahead with the award anyway. Based on the significance of the award I will read the names of Past Winners 2007 Carl and Earl Goodwin 2008 Richard Buffum 2009 David Lowe 2010 Robert Begin 2011 Roland M. Eon 2012 Roland P. Gagne 2013 Helene Plourde 2014 Julie Villemaire 2015 Jim McAllister 2016 Paul H. Deschambault 2017 Karen Chasse 2018 Jim Godbout 2019 PDG Ronald Drouin If you think of the Goodwin brothers you know that they always stepped up when the Club needed them to do so. This year’s recipient is no different having done what was needed time and time again. A true veteran of the club, this person has been a regular Board member, was a huge part of our TV auction on air and behind the scenes, but most importantly when we needed a President with essentially no time to prepare, this person stepped up big time and took on the job. This club member has provided a voice of reason to the club while always making us smile. His commitment to Rotary cannot be questioned, after all it’s all for the children. This year’s Goodwin Outstanding Service Award winner is Joe Moreshead who had no idea about this even though he is on the Awards Committee. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!! |
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Essay ContestRotary club announces essay contest winners The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club announced the winners of its 26th annual Rotary Essay Contest. Eighth-graders from five middle schools were asked to write a 500-word essay on the topic, "What the Word 'Family' Means to Me," with the faculty at the schools judging the essays. The top three winners of the contest, placing from first to third respectively, from each school, include: •St.James School, Biddeford: Samuel Allain, Anya-Ava Allain and Daphne Blake.
The first-prize essay winners received $100, second-place winners, $75, and third-place winners, $50. Watch the students read their winning essays at youtube: |
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Week in Review 6/16/2021Presiding: Don Pilon Pledge: Don 4-Way Test: Kristen Lane Prayer: Marty Guests: Brad Favreau, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Biddeford Mayor William Doyle of Saco Announcements: Don - Next week's meeting is at Run of the Mill @12:15pm. Lunch will be $14. with $2 for 50/50 raffle. Zoom will be offered - not sure how yet. Sign email will be forthcoming...please RSVP quickly. Bill Kany - Awards Ceremony next week - please attend and see other people get awards. Don - Pick-up your Maple Syrup at Roland's office on Pool Street. Marty reports we will do the sale again next year. Conrad - No covid of gardening meeting. Covid Committee folded in charitable projects committee. Heather - Scholarships have all been given out at the recipients awards assemblies. Marty - July meetings - none on the 7th...14th & 28th are Zoom...21st at Thornton Academy. We will not be going back to Run of the Mill this summer. Heather mentions Ferry Beach as a possible option. Jim LaBelle - Live Business After Hours 5 pm Thursday at Attache Business Center. Dan Reed will be there and Blue Elephant will be catering. Sergeant at Arms - Heather Maclean Happy Dollars - Conrad - $5 - Nicolle Carroll says "hell" and he got see his grandkids. Don - $1 - Happy the Mayor of Saco is here Dan Reed - $5 - happy he is doing a project with HOB Karen - - sold house to daughter and all the feelings that go with that... Jane Foley - $2 - daughter graduated Jim LaBelle - $5 - son is out of the army and coming home Cheri Sullivan - $5 - son graduated from USM and heading to Toronto Fines: $1 - Jim LaBelle - back away from your computer screen $1 - Bill Kany , for making people laugh $1 - Bill Kany - for his comment on Heather's hair $1 - Heather Gendron - for using the non-word idear and not idea... Guest Speaker: Mayor William Doyle of Saco Conrad introduces the Mayor - elected in 2019..councilman for 4 years...lived most of his life in Saco...Thornton grad. Two areas of concern and work - mil rate decrease and work on food insecurity program. Areas of work as Mayor - Business Relief program of $10k loans with SMFA Outdoor seating ordinance for restaurants etc... Camp Ellis plan Oak Point to work on new school siting Superintendent search Planning staff increase Events - Saco Scoop anniversary Sidewalk Arts Sale Q&A Conrad - turnpike interchange change Don - homeless issue - given the county shelter is closed Don - noting children also couch surf Dan asked about affordable housing for young families. Meeting adjourned at 1:05 pm |
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Week in Review 6/9/2021Welcome-President Don Pledge of Allegiance Four Way Test-Jim Labelle Introduction of Guests-Guest Speaker-Mayor Allan Casavant Announcements; Fireside Chat on 6/8/21 at President Don’s house was well attended. Thank you to all the speakers: District Governor Peggy Belanger, Bill Kany, Sue Gajewski, Brian Dallaire, Jim Godbout & Roland Gagne. Thank you to Haley Thompson for arranging with Thornton Academy the use of the table and chairs as well as pick-up and delivery. Conrad the grill master for cooking all the food.       Maple Syrup has arrived and is ready for pick-up at Roland Gagne’s office, 180 Pool Street in Biddeford. Please contact your customers to encourage them to stop by to pick up their syrup. The Maple Syrup Fundraiser netted the club $4,000.00. Thank you Roland. Great Job! June 23rd is our clubs Awards Ceremony. Everyone should attend. You may be a recipient of an award. It will be at Run of the Mill. Meeting will begin at 12:15pm. Lunch will be available. Cost will be $13.00PP. Brenda Pollock reported on the Essay Contest which will be zoomed on 6/9/21. Conrad reported on the Raised bed garden project. All gardens have been installed. One recipient gave the club a $100.00 donation as a thank you for their garden. Mike Burman’s daughter did a video of the club members and the APEX volunteers installing the gardens. It was an exceptional video by Mike’s daughter showcasing everyone’s effort with this project. Happy Dollars; Dr. Joe, Sad Dollars- recently lost his cat $16.00. $11.00 from Brian for 100% club participation to the Rotary Foundation. Conrad $1.00 3 weeks in a row with his grandchildren having lots of fun with them. $5.00 Mike Burman for Fireside Chat. $3.00 from Sue has 3 new goats. Bill Paterson $16.00 for the loss of Dr. Joe’s cat, $5.00 for Mrs. Maisel, $3.00 23rd B Day. No Fines. Today’s speaker is the Mayor of the City of Biddeford, Mayor Allan Casavant. Next week the speaker will be the Mayor of Saco, Mayor Bill Doyle. Please attend. Don Pilon editor |
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Scoop Event 6/20/2021LOCATION & TIME CHANGE to the SCOOP EVENT! VOLUNTEERS needed...arrive by 9:15 Filling starts at 10:00 Email or text me at 207-318-7330 to confirm SACO MAIN STREET is celebrating the 3 year anniversary of The Saco Scoop! To mark the occasion, we are building the largest banana split in Maine. It will be 120 feet long, breaking the current record of 60 feet, held by the City of Portland. Maine's Longest Banana Split Date: Sunday, June 20 Location: Post Office Park beside the SCOOP Time: 10-12 We expect to start "loading the Banana Boats" at 10 am... the volunteers will work fast and as soon as the last cherry is placed, the official measurement will be taken and then the individual banana split boats will be passed out to all! This will be a great opportunity to get out in the community again.... we are excited to share this time ( and Ice cream) with you!! Thank you, as always Kathie Purdy |
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Past Presidents LuncheonThe following PP attended the luncheon at Run of the Mill: Al Carignan 1973-74 Richard Reny and his wife Rachel 1079-80 Steve Fennell and his wife Cathy 1990-91 Mark Tuller 2000-01 Keith Jacques 2001-02 Paul Deschambault and his wife Carole 2004-05 Rollie Eon 2005-06 Denis Elie 2007-08 Frank Gooding 2009-10 Steve Morin 2009-10 Karen Chassse 2012-13 Roland Gagne 2013-14 Jackson Brown 2017-18 Joe Moreshead 2018-19 Fausto Pifferrer 2019-20         |
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Biddeford sixth graders to help Rotarians place flags at veterans’ graves Sixth grade students from Biddeford Middle School will help Biddeford-Saco Rotarians place flags at veterans graves at St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford on Friday, ahead of Memorial Day. In this 2019 photo, Rotarian Martin Grohman helps Biddeford Intermediate School fourth-grader Madison Colomb place a flag. Liz Gotthelf/Journal Tribune file photo BIDDEFORD — Biddeford-Saco Rotary club President-elect Martin Grohman said the annual Rotary event which honors fallen veterans by placing flags on their graves will have a little extra help this year. On Friday, May 28, between 8 and 10 a.m., club members will gather to place an American flag on the final resting places of veterans at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford, beginning at the West Street entrance. “This year, the club will be joined by sixth-grade students from Biddeford Middle School who will learn firsthand, this event is a symbol of respect, a thank you, and a reminder of the price of war,” said Grohman. “Sometimes it is not the big or large things that we give to others that mean the most, but rather the small or the little things that linger long in our hearts and in our minds.” Rotarians from the Biddeford-Saco Club will arrive at 8 a.m. and the first group of BMS students will arrive shortly after, organizers said. Each student will be taught how to properly place the flags at veterans’ graves and will be assigned an area within the large cemetery to place flags. “There are many hundreds of veterans buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, going back generations,” Grohman said. “It is even more exceptional this year, to have the sixth-grade students from Biddeford join us for this very important mission.” The event precedes annual Memorial Day services in Biddeford and Saco. This year’s event, which is open to the public, takes place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, at 10 a.m. at Mechanics Park, at the intersection of Main and Water streets in Biddeford |
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Week in Review 5/26/2021Don Pilon, Prescient presiding Pledge - Don Prayer - Joe Bassett 4 Way Test - Marty Guests: Jim Labelle introduced Jess Knowlton of Key Bank Announcements: Don - The board has voted to use $5k of Company B funds to support Honor Flight Maine with their September veterans flight to Washington DC. The check will be presented Friday at the Memorial Day flag placement at St, Joseph's Cemetery. Don - June 23rd at Run of the Mill will be our Awards Ceremony - more info to come. June 8th - New Member Fireside Chat at Don's house June 2nd - Past President's meeting - Live & Zoom at Run of the Mill. Brian will send out invites - we need a count. Dan Reed has offered to video record the meeting. Keith will be the master of ceremonies. Marty - Memorial Day flag placement at St. Joseph's Cemetery - arrive at 8 am. Biddeford middle school students will be assisting. Plenty of flags. Sign up is going out. Heather - Scholarship award letters have gone out. Awards will be given at the respective awards events. Conrad - 2 days of raised garden delivery and set-up have gone well. Aex students have been great. There are 3 more beds to deliver. Ken has been coordinating. Sergeant at Arms - the Honorable Joe Moreshead This is Joe's last meeting as Sergeant at Arms and he is concerned for the children as we are $250 short of our/his budget. In addition, folks are not sending their fines to the treasurer in a timely fashion. We need the money for the children... Biddeford Saco Rotary PO Box 298 Saco, Me 04072 or Bill Patterson - $10 - for the children Dr. Joe - $10 - the dock is in! Melissa - ?$ - youngest child's graduation Conrad - $10 - daughter born on this day Don - $10 - for the board giving $ to Honor Flight Maine Jim LaBelle - $10 - Happy Jess can join us Karen - $10 - purchased a kayak, met a financial advisor and attending a Chamber event tomorrow. Marty - $5 - in celebration of his wife's birthday...I will help keep Marty out of the dog house by not reporting that he gave her age. Dan - Thank you all for Happy Dollars! Guest Speaker Conrad Letellier Bidderford Vietnam Vets President Presenting on what they do to assist Vietnam era vets. They conduct a fuel assistance program Every Saturday they provide a full meal for a very reasonable price for vets. Open Memorial day with a free meal for vets. Assist vets in finding resources and benefits. They are a phone call away for help. They are the only Vietnam Vets organization left in the state. Still supporting the MIA mission. The club thanks Conrad and his organization for the work they do. Final remarks and information: Brian - Maple syrup will be delivered soon...pick-up at Roland's office. Joe asked if he was still shipping out from his business? Brian - Foundation contribution to be sent out soon to RI. Conrad - Covid meeting to follow Meeting adjourned at 1:04 pm |
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First In-Person Meeting 6/2/2021The annual Past-Presidents Luncheon will be held in-person at Run of the Mill on June 2 at 12:15PM. 22 Members have signed up to attend. So plan to join us at Run of the Mill for lunch on the patio. We will also have the meeting available via Zoom. Hope to see you all there! |
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Join the Bideford Club for a toastIt is our Charter celebration meeting This week - 27th May - via Zoom of course, and we thought perhaps you might like to drop in? Your club’s was one of the first letters of congratulation we received, 95 years ago! I know it’s a bit early for you, though...😊 We have a speaker, Nahla Summers, who will talk about being happy and positive,I think. The link is below - it’s always the same, by the way, which is useful. “See” you soon. YiR Jill Meeting ID: 694 543 6937 PASSWORD: 1175 |
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Week in Review 5/19/2021WELCOME-PRESIDENT DON PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-DON PRAYER- JOE BASSETT 4 WAY TEST-HALEY INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS-NONE (DELAYED INTRODUCING OUR SPEAKERS UNTIL THEIR PRESENTATION) ANNOUNCEMENT-CONRAD AND KEN FARLEY ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS ABOUT THE RAISED BED GARDENS TO BE INSTALLED TODAY. THE 3 RAISED BED GARDEN INSTALLATIONS ARE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS; 167 CLEAVES STREET IN BIDDEFORD. 1 FORTUNES ROCKS BEACH ROAD IN BIDDEFORD (DONATION TO THE DYER LIBRARY/SACO MUSEUM FESTIVAL OF TREES ONLINE AUCTION IN DECEMBER 2020), 20 FOX FARM ROAD IN BIDDEFORD. PLENTY OF ROTARIANS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM APEX WERE ON HAND TO INSTALL ALL THREE RAISED BED GARDENS. A GOOD START TO A GOOD PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES. MARTY REMINDED EVERYONE TO GATHER AT SAINT JOSEPH’S CEMETERY MAY 28TH FROM 8:00-10:00AM TO PLACE AMERCIAN FLAGS ON THE GRAVESITES OF OUR VETERAN’S. THE CEMETERY IS ON THE CORNER OF WEST STREET AND GRANITE STREET NEXT TO RAY’S MARKET. PLEASE PARK ON MARION AVE., OFF OF WEST STREET AND WALK INTO THE CEMETERY. NEW MEMBERS’ FIRESIDE CHAT JUNE 8TH FROM 6:00PM TO 8:00PM AT PRESIDENT DON’S HOUSE AT, 16 GLENHAVEN CIRCLE WEST IN SACO. (FERRY ROAD ONTO GLENHAVEN CIRCLE BEAR TO THE RIGHT). LOOK FOR THE BLUE & YELLOW BALLOONS ON THE RIGHT. WE INVITE ALL NEW MEMBERS TO ATTEND FOR FELLOWSHIP AND LISTEN TO BILL KANY TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BIDDEFORD SACO ROTARY CLUB. OUR DISTRICT GOVERNOR PEGGY BELANGER EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT 7780 AND ROTARY INERNATIONAL. ROLAND GAGNE WILL DISCUSS HOW HE BECAME INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR HIS FIRST INTERNATIONAL ROTARY GRANT AND JIM GODBOUT WILL DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED. PLEASE BRING YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE AND A SALAD OR DESSERT. PLEASE RSVP BRIAN BY JUNE 4TH . HAPPY DOLLARS BRIAN DALLAIRE MADE IT BACK FROM FLORIDA WITHOUT RUNNING OUT OF GAS. FOUND GAS ALL THE WAY HOME $1.00. DR. JOE HAPPY TO BE WITH HIS SISTER WHO CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY AT AGE 92. CONRAD $5.00. Mike BURMAN $5.00 UNE GRADUATION WAS SUCCESSFUL AND OVER. BILL KANY HAS A NEW CAMERA AT THE BANK (WE CAN SEE HIM CLEARLY NOW) $5.00. KEITH $1.00 FOR T-SHIRTS. JOE BASSETT SPECIAL FAVORITE GRANDDAUTHER GRADUATED FROM MANHATTEN COLLEGE RECENTLY. FINES MIKE BURMAN A DOLLAR FOR NO GUEST INTRODUCTIONS. HALEY AND BRIAN A DOLLAR EACH. JESS A DOLLAR FOR NO PERSONAL EMAIL OTHER THAN THE ENGINE EMAIL ACCOUNT. BRENDA $5.00 CANADIAN/MACHINE? MARTY GROHMAN NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT HIMSELF IN THE PAPER. CONRAD AND KEN FOR THE CONFUSION OVER WHEN AND WHERE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE GARDEN PARTY RAISED BEDS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. $2.00/EACH. IN SPITE OF THE CONFUSION A GREAT START AND CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED ON THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU ALL! Speakers were from Saco STEAM: Dr. Mike Burman (club member), Tony Palleschi and Christina Michaud. About Saco STEAM The Saco Alliance for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (Saco STEAM) is a 501c3 non-profit corporation designed to support K-8 education in Saco, Maine. It was founded when a small group of parents and other interested Saco residents started noticing each other repeatedly at school board and city council budget meetings. As we realized that Saco Schools lacked the strong public advocacy foundation seen in our neighboring communities, informal conversations become formal meetings. We went full speed ahead and SacoSTEAM was born. With a passion for supporting our kids and their teachers, Saco STEAM has a three part mission.
Our primary activity is distributing grants to fund teacher-initiated projects. Sometimes the school budget just isn’t enough. A teacher may have an initiative that just doesn’t fit into the normal system. Innovative, small scale or high-risk projects can sometimes fall through the cracks. This is where we step in. Raising funds from the community, we will fund small to medium sized teacher-initiated projects that are likely to have an impact on STEAM education in Saco K-8 schools. Adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Don Pilon, Editor |
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Week in Review 5/12/2021Don Pilon, presiding 4 Way Test - Don Pledge of Allegiance - Conrad Prayer - Marty Guest; Jeannie Jackson, NYC Rotary Member visiting Announcements: Don - Fireside Chat - All about Rotary, local, national and international - with new Members on 6/8 at Don's house. Presentation by Roland. Cookout & byob Marty - Memorial Day flags at St. Joseph cemetery, Friday May 28th from 8 - 10am. The envy will open with a presentation and a photo. Two middle school classes will join us. Rain or shine event. Evite sign-up will be sent out. Brian's question about one flag per grave site...Yes one flag. Brian noted his family plot has 8 vets buried there. Don - speaking with Honor Flight Maine about a check presentation on 5/28 with TV6 present. HFM is looking to do a flight in September. Brian - Foundation news - our club is at 100% contribution! Ken - Raised bed project news . Good response from volunteers. They will need to bring rakes and shovels for delivery. There will be 2 & 1/2 yds of loam for each bed. Delivery is on 19th and 21st, Ken will have a dump truck to use . The 3rd date no dump truck - looking for ideas? Wood is precut and delivered are seeds and starter plants. Volunteers will : 1. assemble the beds 2. line the beds with paper 3. load loam 45 - 60 minutes per delivery. Apex members will participate. Bill Kany - Awards report. Deadline is Monday. Private Sector Public Sector Humanitarian Vocational Many good nominations received Heather Gendron - Scholarship update. Committee met and selections were made from each school. They will find out at their school awards assembly. Conrad -- Covid Committee - meeting after this meeting. Saco Food Pantry sign up is out, please consider. Sergeant at Arms - the esteemed Joe Morshead Welcomed and issued a warning to Jeannie Jackson. She gets a pass today but if she attends again she will certainly be welcomed but Joe will fine her. Joe is removed from consideration for a Rotary Humanitarian award. Happy Dollars: Joe - $5 - Son Evan started an adventure race in Oregon. Conrad - $5 - new dishwasher arriving hopefully today Dr. Joe - $5 - 100% participation in the Foundation Brian - $5 - asking the club to pray for Brian to get gas to drive back to Maine Karen Chase - $10 - First vacation in yeats Wedding of daughter sold her house to her daughter I moved in with my boyfriend In the new house all appliances need to be fixed. Don - $ 5 - Foundation contributions Roland - $5 - Members of the Jordanian club are planning a trip in July to see us. Jeannie - $5 - NYC club does Happy Dollars and sends it to a local not for profit. Happy she Googled local Rotary and found us *Venmo was mentioned for donations - send to - treasurer-bsrc Cheri - $10 - saw parents in CA. Stopped in Ithaca NY to see my daughter. Went to her first native american casino. Mark - $5 - City Theater is reopening in July and will have a full 21-22 season Announcement - June 2nd meeting will be Past President meeting - IN PERSON - on the deck at Run of the Mill. Fines: Cheri- $1 Fausto - $1 Marty - $1 - for the amount of $$ as Sergeant of Arms last week! Heater - $2 - Scholarship committee could have met in person CJ - $1 - use of false Zoom background Guest Speaker : Jess Muise Executive Director of ENGINE Shared powerpoint presentation Jess asked us to remember a time you have been inspired by art in your community. Write the occasion down on paper. Don - City Theater Marty - building mural Brian - Saco museum large mural Conrad - La Kermesse Don - BHS and Thronton jazz bands ENGINE does: Community development arts education provides workspace for artists collaborates in sponsoring events Art Walk sponsor Public art display guidelines IGNITE - turn your ideas into reality Compass Project - boat building Maker Faire $1 investment in the arts returns $8 to the local community in spending Riverjam and Fringefest will return in some form this August ENGINE is located at 161 Main Street - Gallery will be open in June. Don asked what is new with the marble Block building. Jess reported that it is under contract with a buyer...soon they will know what the building might be and if renovated will be a phased approach. Meeting was adjourned at 1:20 pm |
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Family Garden Project
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Week in Review 5/5/2021Don Pilon, President presiding meeting began at 12:15 pm 4 Way Test - Marty Pledge - Don Prayer - Conrad Guests - none Announcements: Mike Burman - UNE Interact has been busy...classes are over but the club has been thankful for our support. They did the greeting cards for Maine VA, volunteered at the vaccine clinic in Biddeford and they are working on their charter with the Rotary District Governor. Marty - at the FEMA vaccine clinic in Biddeford (BHS) the club had over 8 members involved taking various shifts. Paulette reported that it was a very productive time for the community and club. Mike - he was there for the 1000th shot of J&J. FEMA members were from all over the US. Don - Club data - 7 new members....4 resigned...net of 3 new members 59 active club members Don is going to have a fireside chat with the new members in June at his house - TBD Marty - Flags at St Joseph's cemetery for Memorial Day on May 28th at 8:30 am. Club info and sign-up to come. There will be student participation this year and it will rain or shine. Heather Gendron - Only 5 applications for scholarships. Conrad - Raised beds to be placed at 10 locations in May - help will be requested. Sergeant at Arms - Marty - filling in for Joe Marty - $5 - for Randy's article about the club $5 - for all of Carl Goodman's help at the Westbrook skating pond. Matt Tulley - $5 - for being vaccinated Dr. Joe - $5 - great call with grandson Conrad - $5 - spend nights at hotels with his wife Jess - $5 - happy to here Jen - $5 - for sitting in her car and listening to all the things Marty does Bill Paterson - $5 - family birthdays and Cinco de Mayo Randy - $5 - celebrate the return of his newspaper column in Saco Bay News Jim LaBelle - $5 - More Chamber Activities coming...bike ride today starting from behind TA @5:15 pm Don Pilon - $5 - for Randy stepping up as a new member Brian - $5 - on the island of St. John and being rested Melissa - $5 - new staff started at Apex Keith - $5 - not happy - "I'm a lawyer." But happy about club activities. Bill Kany - $5 - father would have been 90 - happy and sad. Guest Speaker: Kate Colby, epidemiologist to speak about ticks Mt Holyoke grad Emory U - global health degree Worked at US CDC Powerpoint presentation on Tick borne diseases in Maine 2021 14 different tick species found in Maine in spring to fall and they are moving north/east through Maine Cautioned to do tick checks every day - use products to repeal and/or kill ticks - she reviewed how to remove ticks. Careful ticks are not falling off in your house For more information go to Maine CDC of UM cooperative extension The powerpoint was shared with club members via e-mail. Meeting adjourned at 1:12 pm |
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Help the Food Pantry |
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Week in Review 4/28/2021Don Pilon presiding Pledge of Allegiance - Don Pilon 4 Way Test - Bill Patterson Prayer - Jen Fullmer Guests - none Announcements: Mike Burman - UNE Interact volunteered at the Covid vaccination site. Last week the club met with the Bideford UK club Heather Gendron - Scholarship update... getting the application out but so far only 4 submissions - very low. Wondering if the lower amount per grant is the problem - wne from $4k to $1K. Don asked if we need to redo our process. Also the possible effect of remote learning. Place applications online and allow online submission? Mark mentioned contacting area colleges financial aid offices, they are always alerting students to p[ossible aid. Also mentioned the change on amounts given the price of attending college. Dan offered the idea of video submissions. Roland said if we open applications to kenyan students? Don will discuss with the board. Roland Gagne - Maple Syrup Sale reaped over $11k (estimate) - way above expectations. Conrad Wetzel - Covid meeting today Raised garden beds - 9 -10 families to get beds. Food pantry sign up - tbd Bill Patterson - Ocean Park Org. needs masks New Member Induction - Don with Cheri Sullivan..sponsored by Bill Patterson Sergeant at Arms: Joe Morshead Don was fined $? from promoting the use of paper which has been known to kill trees. Happy Dollars: Joe - $5 - went to his bank and made a deposit of $89 million - didn't have $89m blames the bank for the error. Dr. Joe - $5 - cut a meeting and outside robins are nesting. Bill - $5 - Welcome Cheri $5 - Sheriff King to speak Heather McClain - former member Ellen Ford gave $5 to the club Conrad - $10 - for a lunch with 2 clollege buddies Jess - $5 - brother had surgery Julie - Cold hear her?? Wrote later - $20 for honest bank customers (Joe?) Dan - $5 - 91 year old grandma had surgery FINES: Marty - to be fined every week until he becomes president. Conrad - no excuse for no sign up sheet Roland - syrupy smile? Jen - for having a prayer ready Jess - new member Cherie - new member Mark - for supporting education Guest Speaker - Sheriff Bill King Introduced by Bill Patterson Sheriff since 2014 Powerpoint presentation Last August the county jail experienced a significant covid outbreak. Since then they have become the model on how to manage a jail outbreak. Mitigation measures still in place. Spoke quite a bit about the difficulty in the recruitment of officers. Drug trafficking is still a problem in York county. Only jailing serious offerners - diverting minor offences. Covid has been a major contribution to overdoses - isolation during the pandemic. Cornad asked how Rotary can help...Sheriff mentioned the possible building of a walking tail - he will be in touch. Mike Burman asked about the $40 mil coming to the county from Covid funds. Joe asked questions regarding hiring - marijuanna use - case by case ...High school diploma - yes...how long at the academy? 5 weeks... Joe adjourned the meeting - cause Don left early - @1:17pm |
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Week in Review 4/24/2021Don Pilon President, presiding (noted: term ends June 30th) Zoom meeting comes to order at 12:15 pm Pledge of Allegiance - on Pilon 4 Way Test - Brenda Pollock Prayer - Bill Patterson Guests: None The new member Jessica Muise was sponsored by Roland Gagne. Jessica is the Executive Director of Engine. Announcements: Marty - Earth Day is tomorrow and we will not have any organized thing to do but maybe something in future years. Rotary is focused on sustainability. Marty - Volunteer day at Westbrook Skating Pond this Saturday. Also cemetery flags for Memorial Day will be done again this year. There may be an expansion of the places. Day and time to be announced. Conrad - Covid committee is meeting after and had met last week. Saco Food Pantry is seeking volunteers - Jen Fullmer, who volunteers there, added information about the possible tasks and times.Sign-up sheet will be sent. She said they need help from folks on a consistent basis for tasks that most can find easy to do. Garden Committee, Ken Farley reports that 10 raised garden boxes, 3' x 8' , have been made. Seed list done and loam secured - thanks to Rob Moody. The approach is - pre build the boxes, deliver to site then loam and seeds on another day. Ken will send out information and a volunteer sign-up sheet. Don Pilon then presided over the induction of new member Jessica Muise, sponsored by Brenda Pollock. Sergeant at Arms: the esteemed Joe Morshead... Joe noted that though close to the budgeted amount he is to raise, we aren't there yet. He said that just $42 dollars a week, until the end of June, is all he has to raise to meet the budget for the club and the children. Brenda - stepped right up and offered the $42 for time spent with her grandson. Also for the volunteer work of her granddaughter, Madison. Madison created the Brave Bees .org to raise support and money for the New England Shriners Hospital. She invited us to visit the website. Brian - $2 - for the 2 newly inducted members - and that these new members significantly lowered the average age of our club. Which Brian said was a good thing. Jill Eddie - will give us some amount $$ when she visits us in the colonies for being able to make a hairdresser appointment. Dan Reed - ?$ - cause he was vaccinated! Bill Paterson - $10 - for all the folks doing Zoom meetings Brian Dallaire - $10 - for 2nd vaccination and heading off to the Virgin Islands. Dr. Joe - $5 - grand daughter's wedding in September and Peggy is at the Zoom meeting! Marty - $10 - the Biddeord solid waste committee has 2 new members. Conrad - ?$ - time with grandchildren Mark - $5 - just got back from visiting the daughter at UNC Med school and for the vaccine 2nd dose +14 days Jen - $10 - just to join in the fun of giving! Randy - $20 - Yeah new members! Guest Speaker - Conrad introduces Lori Gosselin speaking on Creating Community Powerpoint presentation on the basics of community building. Made special mention of building community within the workplace. Noted the importance of building not only physical communities but emotional ones as well. Shared the 7 characteristics of community... Outcomes of community building are always relationship building! It makes everyone part of "us." Q&A Bill noted the Robert Putnam book, Bowling Alone - Lori recommended his later one - the followup to Bowling Alone. Conrad noted that Rotary is a solid community... Brenda mentioned her granddaughter's work in Brave Bees .org in building a community. Don adjourned the meeting at 1:13 pm |
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Mary Glasglow-Oz Museum GUEST SPEAKER: Mary Glasglow Curator of the OZ Museum in Wamego, KA 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! |
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Week in Review 4/14/2021Meeting Opened: 12:15 PM Pledge: Vice-President Marty Grohman. 4 Way Test: Jim Labelle Invocation: Joe Mooreshead led the invocation with a YouTube video. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sargent at Arms Joe Mooreshead HAPPY DOLLARS:
FINES:
Meeting adjourned 1:16PM |
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Week in Review 4/7/2021President Don Pilon led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the 4-way test somewhat led by Heather Gendron. Joe Bassett led us in the invocation and Vice President Marty Grohman was muted so we had no guests to announce.
Dates to Know/Announcements: · Rotaract: Mike Burman noted they do not have any plans for Earth Day – Thursday, April 22nd and we would like to participate in anything Rotaract may have planned. · CLYNK Bags – Help support the children attending the school in Kenya. Let Don know if you need any bags. · New Members - First Posting for the following two new potential Rotarians: Jessica Muise, Executive Director of Engine, sponsored by Roland Gagne and CHCC by Bill Patterson. · Scholarships – Heather Gendron gave an overview of the Scholarship Program to area high schools. She gave a shout out to Paulette Bonneau for already getting the information to the school counselors ahead of schedule. · Maple Syrup Fundraiser – Roland Gagne reported we had sales over $11,000 (22% OVER GOAL!). The Gold Medal goes to Bill Patterson with sales of $1401 raised and Fausto at $1,388 and Joe at 1332. Profit margin is about 47% so we generated over $5,000 net to the club. Participation was 33 members with 141 purchases. · Essay Contest – Mark your calendar for this year’s event which will be held on June 9 at 6pm.
Conrad was the featured sub for SAA Joe Moreshead Happy Dollars: · Bill P.– 10 happy dollars his son is getting married this Saturday. · Marty – He has the official district flag to hang if we ever back to in-person meetings. · Don – Congratulated Roland and a great job by everyone on the Maple Fundraiser. · Morgan – 5 happy dollars for the spring weather and being beautiful outside. Fines: · Everyone who has not given a Happy Dollar in the last 6 months – you must be awful to live with and should be fined – pay up! · Heather – That 4-way test was BAD! · Don – Gracious in giving CLYNK bags but you have been promosing Heather a nuch of bags to hand out and you haven’t yet delivered them? · Bill P. – Being so competitive in the fundraiser (but thank you!) · Morgan – Welcome Back! Heard one of our members received some bad product from you (talk to Joe on that one!). · Jen – For stealing the show with your dogs · Conrad – Fined himself for sharing more than he should have (refer back to Morgan’s fine). Meeting adjourned @ 1PM |
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The 26th ANNUAL ROTARY ESSAY CONTEST |
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PAST PRESIDENTS' SCHOLARSHIP AWARDGUIDELINES FOR BIDDEFORD - SACO ROTARY CLUB PAST PRESIDENTS' SCHOLARSHIP AWARD ELIGIBILITY 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. |
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Command Sergeant Major Gretchen EvansPresentation: Conrad introduced our speaker Command Sergeant Major (RET) Gretchen Evans. Gretchen started out by thanking us for our support of Vet2Vet Maine and noted now that many veterans have received their vaccine, they are able to get out and volunteer again which is paramount to their mental health and wellbeing.
Gretchen served 27 years in the United States Army and endured nine (9) combat tours! In 2006, she was the Command Sergeant Major and later became the Ambassador for Afghanistan. She painted a picture of the moment that changed the trajectory of her life at age 46.
“The most dangerous time for a soldier is the last 30 days before they return home. They start counting down, known as the short-timers calendar because they lose focus they are in a dangerous place.” On this particular day, she told us of the story about getting her troops into the bunkers during an attack. Unfortunately, a rocket landed to her right and, within moments, killed her two security-detail officers. The blast flew 105-pound Gretchen horizontally onto the top of the bunker causing a serious head injury. She was flown to a hospital and placed in a medically-induced coma.
On the day they woke her up, they wrote on a white board, “You are deaf.” At that moment, she realized her military career was over and didn’t have a back-up plan. She was unsure how she would take care of herself and readjust to civilian life after 27 years in the military and nine tours of duty. She had no landing place, no permanent address, no life beyond being a soldier. She thought, “Who would hire a deaf veteran with a traumatic head injury and PTSD despite my prestigious military career?”
She began Rehab and did everything she could think of to get better. She was told she would be better off learning how to read lips at age 46 than learning sign language. She did. She tried medications, No Barriers, swam with sharks, and more. She has a dog named Rusty who alerts her to sounds and has been a game-changer for her adjustment to living with hearing loss. Upon looking for a job, she was right - she couldn’t secure one. She felt she was cast aside and decided it was time for a new passion.
Gretchen began advocating for others whose life was altered by trauma, injury, combat, etc. to engage in their community and continue to serve their country. She started with veterans but expanded beyond. She formed the team UNBROKEN and entered the world’s toughest race (still viewable on Amazon Prime). Her mantra: Don’t let your disabilities define who you are and what you can accomplish.
If you would like to read more, Gretchen has a book on Amazon titled Leading from the Front about the soldiers she served with and the legacy she hopes to leaves about leadership.
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Invite from Bideford England |
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Week in Review 3/31/2021Rotary Meeting Minutes March 31, 2021
Sergeant at Arms - Joe
 SPEAKER
District News
Public Relations
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Past Presidents 2021 |
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Vaccine Clinic Helpers Sign-upThank you for sharing Volunteer Local. For those interested in helping at the Sanford Clinic. Thank you once again for all your support of this clinic. It is much appreciated. Diane Hartwig York County Emergency Management Agency 149 Jordan Springs Road Alfred, Maine 04002 C: 207.468.4749 |
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Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club: Thinking outside the boxBiddeford-Saco Rotary Club: Thinking outside the box and serving their communities pressherald.com/2021/03/25/biddeford-saco-rotary-club-thinking-outside-the-box-and-serving-their-communities/ SACO — The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club has never let the pandemic slow them down. If anything, it helped solidify their motto — Service Above Self, according to an organization press release. A year ago, they were re-allocating funds and organizing a new COVID crisis sub-committee that still today helps provide food and funding for community members with food insecurities and other needs. Led by Conrad Welzel, he believes this committee will be around for the foreseeable future. “If we learned anything from helping our follow citizens during this crisis, is that when something causes a state to shut down, the needs are even greater for the most vulnerable,” said Welzel. “This committee has learned a lot over this past year, and we’re much better prepared to assist in the face of any other crisis.” The old phrase, give a man a fish, resonated with the group. And so, members developed the Family Garden Project 2021. The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, Apex Youth Connection and Biddeford Community Gardens partnered to award a select 10 families with the necessary materials; lumber, soil, nutrients, and seeds and starts, for a three by four foot or three by eight foot raised garden bed to be placed at their home. The Rotarian’s goal is to help families acquire the materials and tools they need to grow and prepare healthy food for less money. To be eligible, families must reside in either Biddeford, Saco, Dayton, or Old Orchard Beach. They will require an approximate 10 by 10 foot area available with lots of sunlight and have access to an outside water source. “For many of these families, they will need to gain permission from their landowner before we can set up their raised garden,” said Ken Farley, the Rotarian heading up this project. “They must also be willing to learn. Information, help, and materials are provided, but they will be the gardeners.” Participants can select from a list of vegetable like celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion, peppers, radish, swiss chard, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, and spinach. Also, they can select he size of the raised garden bed. As part of the program, Rotarians will be checking in on the gardens from time to time and will offer recipes for the vegetables they are growing. Melissa Cilley, executive director of Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford, said “Like Rotary, Apex also has a focus on service and our youth and were already planning a garden project. This collaboration, however, has taken the project to an entirely new level. Our youth can serve side-by-side with Rotarian mentors … we are very excited to be part of this project.” For more information on this project, email Ken. In a year of challenges for the club, Rotarian Roland Gagne launched a new project that could help raise money to support community projects and provide a traditional Maine treat. Together with Rotarian, Dr. Brian Dallaire, they coordinated a new event, the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club’s Annual Maine Maple Syrup Fundraiser. “With the pandemic, our club had to come up with other ways to raise funds. Our in-person sponsored events were not possible so we created an event with limited human interaction,” said Gagne. “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.” Maine maple syrup can be purchased on the club’s website: https://go.rotary7780gives.org/6aff17. The fundraiser runs through the month of March ending on Maine Maple Syrup weekend (March 27-28). The items purchased online will be filled with Maine Maple Syrup freshly harvested this season by Dole Pond Maple Products (organic certified), established in 1990. They are a family run bulk maple syrup producer located in deep in the woods of Jackman. They maintain 37,000 taps on 600 acres of land producing around 13,000 gallons of syrup each year. The items through the fundraiser will be available for pick-up/delivery on Saturday, June 5. Anyone purchasing items will be notified with location information or with shipping instructions. For more information on the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club and their COVID-19 subcommittee, contact them at: www.biddeford-sacorotary.org or on Facebook: Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco. Courier Community © 2021 |
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Week in Review 3/24/2021Don Pilon Presiding Pledge - Don 4 Way Test - Jen Prayer - Joe Announcements: Don - Face masks are still available 500 children's too Who needs them? Marty - Mary's Walk Team Rotary raised almost $900 Bill led the Ocean Park 5k walk Joe enjoyed his time with Bill - now bff...learned a lot about Ocean Park and Chautauqua movement. Good community involvement. Roland - Maple Syrup Fundraiser at 144% of the goal Bill P. in the lead with $810 Can all members make at least a token purchase Thanks to businesses like Neil Motors Conrad - Covid Committee meets next week Give out masks...and we still have grant money left Community Garden ...Channel 13 did a great piece on the initiative - great press for us and Apex (interviewed Rebecca Cote) Apex students will be building the box garden structures Don - Sanford Rotary is involved in the vaccine distribution in Sanford(see story if you would like to help) Roland - Josh Ellis's mom died - club connection - Don will send something to the family from us. Brian - Question on past fruit sales vs what we are making with the syrup sale Brenda - Spoke with Fausto about the Club's 100th anniversary events - no new date yet Don - Induction of Randy Seaver will be next week Sergeant at Arms - Joe Happy Dollars -Joe - $5 - for time spent with his new bff Bill and $1 for being pissed off at Dish TV for the difficulty in cancelling the service Kathy Shea - $1 - got the vaccine today Conrad - $5 - for the garden project & silent time with the family Bill - $5 - for his new bff Joe Bill Kany - $1 - pissed off that Bill Patterson has help selling his syrup Don - $1 - Pay yours dues folks!! Brian $5 - moderna vaccine, tooth out, maple syrup goal and something about Biddeford Internet and an extra $5 for having two BD's on Zoom today CJ - $1 - vice came back and a grandson visit Brenda - $1 - binge watching Monk and a grandson phone call Fines: Joe thinks he is over budget - so none. Meeting adjourned 1:20 pm |
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Margaret F. Norbert MSW, LCSW, LICSWGuest Speaker: Mellissa introduces Maggie Norbert, social worker and a consultant at Sweetser to speak about; Urgent youth mental health during the pandemic In spring 2019 Maine had the highest rate in the country, per capita, of school children with some mental health issue or already in mental health crisis @ 1 in 4. Suicide rates are up in the 10-34 year olds, now the 2nd leading cause of death in Maine in that age group From past major world wide events Maggie says we know a bit of what to expect in our children's lives. Food insecurity was brought up as an underlining problem. Mental health for all should be supported in these difficult times - discussion about resilience. Resource offered - "Intentional living for balanced life"   Her bio is below: Margaret F. Norbert MSW, LCSW, LICSW Maggie received her Master of Social Work from Boston College in 1992, receiving a degree focused on clinical work with a minor in Family Therapy. She is currently licensed as a clinical social worker in Maine and New Hampshire, and she teaches at the Graduate School level for a variety of Social Work courses, but specialize in Field Work. Maggie enjoys supervising and developing clinicians as they work towards their independent licenses. Maggie has a rich background working with children and families and has collaborated in school systems throughout her career providing outpatient therapy; Individual Education Plan social work support; training; supervision and consultation. Over the last 7 years working at Sweetser, Maggie has been a Supervisor for not only School Based Clinicians but also those working in Primary Care Offices. Currently, she works with Sweetser providing consulting and training, utilizing her certifications in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychological First Aid. Maggie also volunteers for the FrontLine/WarmLine through the State’s Maine Responds system supporting health care workers. In June, 2019 Maggie was recognized by the Choose to be Healthy Coalition at York Hospital, for her work in the community. The organization’s director, Sally Manninen, noted, “Maggie is our North Star when it comes to teaching and reminding us of the importance of good mental health. She collaborates with us on many projects including providing training to schools and parents on the connection between youth mental health and substance issues. She is a relentless advocate for understanding the true harms of adolescent marijuana use on mental health. Maggie is helping change our local culture by providing Mental Health First Aid to schools and to all York Hospital staff. She serves on our Advisory Board and the Opioid Round Table. Above all, Maggie role models that relationships matter, and that we all need to take time for each other.” |
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Margaret F. Norbert MSW, LCSW, LICSWOur speaker tomorrow, March 24, will be Maggie Norbert from Sweetser who will present on youth mental health during these difficult times. Her bio is below: Margaret F. Norbert MSW, LCSW, LICSW Maggie received her Master of Social Work from Boston College in 1992, receiving a degree focused on clinical work with a minor in Family Therapy. She is currently licensed as a clinical social worker in Maine and New Hampshire, and she teaches at the Graduate School level for a variety of Social Work courses, but specialize in Field Work. Maggie enjoys supervising and developing clinicians as they work towards their independent licenses. Maggie has a rich background working with children and families and has collaborated in school systems throughout her career providing outpatient therapy; Individual Education Plan social work support; training; supervision and consultation. Over the last 7 years working at Sweetser, Maggie has been a Supervisor for not only School Based Clinicians but also those working in Primary Care Offices. Currently, she works with Sweetser providing consulting and training, utilizing her certifications in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychological First Aid. Maggie also volunteers for the FrontLine/WarmLine through the State’s Maine Responds system supporting health care workers. In June, 2019 Maggie was recognized by the Choose to be Healthy Coalition at York Hospital, for her work in the community. The organization’s director, Sally Manninen, noted, “Maggie is our North Star when it comes to teaching and reminding us of the importance of good mental health. She collaborates with us on many projects including providing training to schools and parents on the connection between youth mental health and substance issues. She is a relentless advocate for understanding the true harms of adolescent marijuana use on mental health. Maggie is helping change our local culture by providing Mental Health First Aid to schools and to all York Hospital staff. She serves on our Advisory Board and the Opioid Round Table. Above all, Maggie role models that relationships matter, and that we all need to take time for each other.” |
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Maine Maple Syrup Fundraiser 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.  Member Leaderboard for Sales (Top Five) |
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Week in Review 3/17/2021St Patricks Day Don Pilon President presiding Pledge of Alligence - Don 4-Way Test - Conrad Prayer - Joe Bassett Guests: Cheri Sullivan of Coastal Healthy Communities @UNE...possibly a member in the future Announcements: Don - Rotary District Newsletter - How many folks read it? Our club was featured in a recent edition regarding our twinning with teh Aman Jordan Rotary Club. Roland was mentioned too. Don - Rotary House report that 24 folks attend the open house. It sold for $400k with the club realizing $25k from the sale. Don - we have 2700 more masks to give out - asking Jim LaBelle to see if any Chamber members might need some. Roland - Maple Syrup Fundraiser update... Bill Patterson is WAY in the lead. The Gingerbreadman has sold out Questions about out of state shipping...cost, who pays, how they will be packaged. Brenda offered information on USPS prepaid small boxes @$12.95. Joe offered to help with UPS shipping from his place of business. Marty - Mary's Walk $705 has been raised (target was $500) by the Rotary Team of Mike Burman, Bill Patterson, Jen Fullmer & Matt Teller Conrad - Covid Committee Met Monday discussing - reaching out to Food Pantries Mini grants of $100 each are still available - total available is $1000. Jim mentioned the Sanford vaccine clinic is looking for volunteers Sergeant at Arms: Joe Moreshead Brian cues the music - I'm a Little Leprechaun song... Happy Dollars: Joe - $2 - got his first vaccine shot Bill - $5 - some important male in his family ( I could hear) was born this day 15 years ago Dr, Joe - $20 - 1st B&S Rotary meeting in 5 weeks& 45th year as a Rotarian Conrad - $10 - Irish for 1 day a year & daughter bought a house Karen - $5 - Happy to have her own money...??? Haley - ?$ - today's speaker is from Thornton Academy as well as Giselle Tardiff who is listening in Joe B - $? - Scarborough Downs a great place to get a vaccine! Melissa Cilley - ?$ - for youth presentations Fines: Don - late meeting start Don & Roland - using facebook to sell syrup Marty & Fausto & Rueben because of a facebook picture Brenda - Happy Birthday - she got a vaccine shot for her birthday! Brian - for his looks Bill - who mentioned the guest speaker before he should have Haley - for inviting Giselle Karen - for multi-tasking Mike - for selling syrup...? Guest Speaker: Julia Pisani, Dayton resident Thornton Academy Student Topic: How Covid-19 has impacted me as a high school senior Powerpoint presentation Discussed have the modified learning environment affected her and her classmates. Shared her experiences and thoughts on her home life, school, church, social and extracurricular activities in a pandemic. Also spoke about the effect on her college application process. Q&A: Joe mentioned that Julia should apply for a Rotary scholarship Brenda asked what she will study in college and where? Elementary education hopefully at Mcgill, St. Anselm or Assumption Don asked if she was able to maintain friendships? Julia thought the silver lining was that she got to forge a closer bond with family and was grateful for little things. Meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm |
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Week in Review 3/10/2021Marty Grohman President Elect chaired the meeting Pledge of Allegiance was led by Marty Prayer was offered by Joe Bassett 4-Way Test, Dan Reed No Guests Announcements: Marty - 2nd posting of Randy Seaver as a potential member Paul reported on the Rotary House Open House. The original building was razed and a new structure built on it's foundation. The yard was cleaned and goes right down to the river. All new inside and it is under contract for $400k. Great job by Jim Godbout and ALL involved. Roland reported on the maple syrup fund raiser. Leader in sales is now Bill Patterson passing Joe. Conrad reported on the Covid-19 committee work. Mini grants are still available and there are 700 masks still to distribute. Also the community garden is proceeding. Marty reported on the blood drive - 35 regular blood donors and 5 power donors. Kudos to New Life Church for their work. Marty spoke about the club's new effort with regards to Mary's Walk, a fund raiser for Maine Cancer Foundation. Check out the Rotary team's page. Roland asked Brenda about the club's 100 anniversary celebration. Brenda reported that she thought the best dates for it would be summer of 2022. Board needs to decide. Sergeant at arms - Joe: Happy Dollars: Marty $10 for those helping out at the blood drive Brenda $10 for getting the first shot of the vaccine and getting to see her grandson. Bill $5 - 1st vaccine Dan $5 his parents were vaccinated Conrad - sorry I missed his amount and item Mark $5 for 1st vaccine and $5 for the Rotary House project Paul $10 for the vaccine experience Jen gave a $1 for all the folks who got their vaccine already Joe Bassett $5 for his son arriving in Saudi Arabia for a year of deployment Fines: Marty - for bullying Joe into giving blood but Joe couldn't because of a medication he is taking. Roland - calling him on his comment about Brenda..?? Jim LaBelle for being in the newspaper Joe was kind - that was all.... Guest Speaker: Sharon Trace Network Coordinator Biddeford Ready (since 9/2020) United Way, Maine Community Fund and Sam Cohen Foundation supported Gave a PowerPoint presentation on: Community wide efforts to help the youngest members (birth to 5 years old) of our community Purpose - Increase access to affordable, high quality early childcare increase awareness of social readiness address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) supports social and emotional readiness besides academic 90% of brain development occurs before the age of 5 1000 school children in Biddeford are under the age of 5 ACE's issues have effected 27% of those in Biddeford under the age of 5 Childcare offerings in Biddeford have fallen with cost as a major barrier. Avg. cost of childcare is $12k a year. Recent actions: Covid grants to childcare providers Helped 3 childcare providers move up the quality scale Gave free ACE's identification training. Meeting adjourned at 1:13 pm |
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Week in Review 3/3/2021First posting for new member Randy Seaver. Marty Grohman sponsor. Roland introduced Jess Muise the new Executive Director of Engine in Biddeford. Apex Youth Connection introduced students who discussed Cocoa Loco a bicycle beverage cart they will use to sell refreshing drinks at various functions this Spring and Summers season throughout Biddeford and Saco to attendees. Cocoa Loco is the entrepreneurial creation of Apex Youth Connection's Trek2Connect 9th grade cohort. The group decided they wanted to start a business to help pay for the activities they do through Trek2Connect. (Trek2Connect is a mentor-based aspirations program starting with a cohort of youth in 7th grade and staying with that same cohort through high school graduation. At this time, there are cohorts for the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027.) Last Wednesday, four members of the Cocoa Loco team presented to Club members about their roles in the business, their experiences starting it up, as well as the mentors that have helped them so far. Included in their mentors are two Rotarians, Roland Gagne and Matt Tuller. The youth shared their plan to take Cocoa Loco to community events like sports games and Music in the Park, as well as their availability for hire at staff appreciation events and/or other business gatherings. For more information on Cocoa Loco, contact Apex's Trek2Connect Program Manager, Rebecca Cote, at t2c@apexyouthconnection.org. At the end of the meeting the Club decided to award Cocoa Loco a grant to start up the program in the amount of $500. |
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RC/Red Cross Blood Drive The blood drive was a big success! 35 units of whole blood, and 5 of power reds were collected. Joe , Paulette, Mike B, Jim L, Bill P and CJ were wonderful volunteers Jim L and Heather M donated blood. They had to tap Jim twice,  he’s an old tree. Paulette gave blood for the first time ever. Joe tried to give but they rejected him. Jenn Leech of New Life Church was wonderful and deserves our appreciation and thanks |
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RC Project House 202124 people attended the Rotary house Open House on Saturday March 6, 2021. The house has sold and the closing is on March 15. Great job to Jimmy Godbout, his crew and all the in-kind work from local contractors!        |
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Week in Review 2/24/2021Welcome – all Rotarians and Jordan Friends Pledge of Allegiance 4 Way Test led by: Martin Grohman Invocation by: Joe Bassett Announcements:
Dan Reed – new member, sponsored by Jim Labelle. Don inducted & welcomed Dan into Biddeford-Saco Rotary. SAA Happy Dollars & Fines: Sad dollars – Joe $5 Happy dollars – Conrad - $1; Don Pilon $5; Brenda Pollock $5; Marty $1; Roland Gagne $1; Jen Fullmer$5; Fines – Conrad $1; Bill Patterson $1; Bill Kany $1; Jim Labelle $1; Mike Burman $1; Roland Gagne $1; Dan Reed $1; Paulette Bonneau $1; Guests – Steve Dalvet – friend from Melissa Cilley teaching at Kings Academy in Jordan Speaker Summary: Nasir Robadi/Ibrahim Kattan – Jordan Twin Club Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to all Rotarians 116 years! Jordan is a haven of peace in the troubled Near and Middle East. Jordan maintains good relations with all of its neighbors. It is about ¾ the size of PA. Ahlan wa Sahlan - in English “welcome” “make yourself at home” Population 10.2 million 98% are Arabs 2% ethnic minorities 2.9 mill not citizens 2nd poorest country in world in terms of water – shortage is worsening year by year, under the effect of population growth and global warming (other contributions chronic drought; high consumption of water by agriculture To find out more about the National Water strategy: http://www.mwi.gov.jo/sites/en- Every few years they get snow in Jordan. Olive Tree – most important tree in Jordan 10.5 million olive trees planted in Jordan. 24,000 tons of olive oil in 2020. Plays an important role in their food Jordan national dish Mansaf – rice/lamb/special sauce – dry yogurt/water Civil war in Syria has caused a mass influx of Syrian refugees - 1.2 million Syrian people have moved to Jordan mostly woman, children and elderly. Al Zaatari Refugees camp is considered one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Jordan diplomacy- 3 pillars:
Very advanced health care services in the country. They have built field hospitals to help deal with the COVID pandemic- only for COVID patients. These field hospitals are very modern and were built in only 2 months. Unemployment rate 23.5% with COVID Excellent friendship between US and Jordan and our clubs! Rotary of Amman Cosmopolitan – 6/23/1995 – only English speaking club in Jordan 20 members -7 females, 13 males |
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Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club linking locally and internationallyBiddeford and Saco Rotary Club linking locally and internationallyFebruary 18, 2021BIDDEFORD — Donald Pilon, president of the Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club, officially signed a twinning agreement with the Cosmopolitan Rotary Club in Amman Jordan. The two Rotary groups met via Zoom to officially join as sister clubs. This is the second twinning outreach of this sort for the Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club. The other sister club is the Rotary Club of Bideford, England. “It’s an honor for us to connect with such a talented group in Amman,” Pilon said. “We have a great deal we can learn from one another.” Rotary clubs around the world have a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures and foster goodwill through the global family. Establishing a twinning partnership can involve forming relationships, arranging international exchange visits and programs, and cooperatively undertake international and community service projects. Roland Gagne represented the BSRC on a previous Rotary International Outreach mission and travelled to Amman, Jordan. “I am thrilled to witness the formation of a Sister Club relationship with the Amman Cosmopolitan Club in the middle eastern country of Jordan. This will allow us to form a long-term relationship in the promotion of international understanding, goodwill, fellowship and likely result in continued service projects between our two countries.” Donald Pilon introduced the president of the Amman Rotary Club, Ibrahim Kattan, and the District 2452 Governor Shawkat Tadros. Maine Rotary’s 7780 District Governor Peggy Belanger was also on the Zoom call to welcome the group and commend both clubs for joining together. “District 7780 is comprised of 41 clubs and 1,500 members throughout southern Maine and New Hampshire,” Belanger said. “Our Rotary District remained very active throughout the pandemic and I couldn’t be more proud of the way Rotarians stepped up to serve their communities through this crisis.” Lawrence Furbish, District 7780 Foundation chair, was also present on the call celebrating this new relationship. “I am looking forward to seeing what future projects your clubs will work on and thank everyone for supporting The Rotary Foundation.” As the 100-year-old club continues to expand their reach globally, additionally, they continue to be major contributors in their communities. Club President Donald Pilon, along with the chair of the COVID sub-committee, Conrad Welzel, recently delivered 1,000 masks to Hailee Flaherty, communications director for SMHC. These masks were donated from the Rossi Foundation of East Hampton, Connecticut, as part of round II of the Million Mask Challenge. More than 100,000 face masks were delivered to local Rotary clubs and for the first-time, children’s face coverings were also provided. “It’s a commendable contribution and important for our communities,” said Pilon. “Local Rotary clubs contribute so much in goods, and services. This pandemic hasn’t slowed our club down at all. It added to our motivation inspiring us to expand on the services we already provide to our communities.” “Volunteer service hours have risen by 452 hours in January alone,” said Julie Villemaire, secretary of the club. “The total service hours recorded since July 1, 2020 through January 31st, 2021 is at 2,415 hours. That truly is commendable and demonstrates Rotarians are available to help whenever and wherever possible.” For more information on the Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club, visit their website: http://www.biddeford-sacorotary.org/ or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BiddefordSacoRotaryClub filed under: © 2021 |
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Week in Review 2/17/2021Don opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance The invocation was done by Joe Bassett The 4-Way Test was led perfectly by Mark Nahorney. Marty Grohman introduced the guests; Randy Seaver Marty Helman President Pilon announced: There will be a new member induction at next week's meeting. Don then reported that Mike Burman and he had met with the UNE Rotaract Club. They were pleased with their interaction. The UNE club begins their meeting with Happy Thoughts. Among the involvement and activities they wish to engage in are - volunteering at Rotary APEX, making cards to send to vets at the Scarborough Vet Center and have connections with the international clubs we do - Biddeford and Jordan. Don then asked Marty to report on the Blood Drive. It was announced that we have a good amount of volunteers but need more power red donors. Roland then reported on the Maple Syrup Fundraiser. Order form will be shared in the next Tack. There will be a Rotary information tag on each bottle. Our website has all the information on the sale. Conrad mentioned that the Covid Committee will meet after this meeting. He also reported on the garden project - a garden to table initiative with families. To provide nutritious home grown food and education on nutrition. Conrad also reported that we will donate $500 to Saco Parks and Rec to support their meal delivery program. Sergeant of Arms: Joe magnanimously pronounced a Fine Free Meeting...but all must pay last week's fines. Happy Dollars; Conrad - $10 - for his granddaughter visiting Randy Seaver at the meeting and that there are 2 Conrads at the meetings. Dr Jpe - $5 - granddaughter still visiting Bill - $5 - for the tv story on West Brook Skating rink story - shout out to Marty. The Sergeant of Arms asked when the Buxton roof would be replaced? Mellisa $10 - for her work with children and $5 for the guests Don - $5 - granddaughter visit & $5 for the guests...mentioned that this might be the largest attendance at a Zoom meeting - 57. Presentation: Guests are from the Kajjansi Club District 9214 Presentation by DGN Peace Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm. |
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RC Garden Project for the UnderservedWould 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. Financial needy applicants will be considered. https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000006953/en-ca/files/homepage/family-garden-application-form/Family-Garden-Project-2021-Application.docx |
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RC Home Garden Project for the UnderservedWould 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.  |
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Mary's Walk 2021Mary's Walk and the Kerrymen 5K! This year's event will be held VIRTUALLY on Sunday, March 21. In the interest of everyone's safety, and with no way to be certain what March of 2021 will bring, the Mary's Walk Committee made the decision to transition to a virtual run and walk again for year 23. We hope you will join us as recognize that cancer has not stopped in the midst of the pandemic and the people of Maine need our help more than ever. Register to walk or run on or before January 31 and you'll receive a free long sleeve t-shirt. Here is the link to our Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club Mary's Walk team: |
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Rogelio Teran of RC Playa Coronado in Panama Rogelio and his Club are the hosts of a Virtual Project Fair - Uniendo America - that will be held on February 18th - 20th, 2021. This virtual fair allows Clubs from countries throughout Central America to post projects, recruit volunteers, and gain financial support. Rogelio explained that Playa Coronado is in the "Pacific beaches" area of Panama and offers gorgeous, clean beaches and urban attractions. He lives in that community. Just outside Playa Coronado is a mountainous "district" where many of the indiginous people of the region live. RC Playa Coronado spends much of its time and resources supporting the people of those mountain communities. In those communities, access to education is inconsistent as is access to health care and other necessities. RC Playa Coronado helps particularly with food distribution to these communities and has made special efforts through COVID-19. Rogelio shared the pride of the people on the mountain; in fact, the pride of all the people in that region. Panama is an extremely culturally and racially diverse country -- many people in Playa Cornonado are "expats," moving there from around the world and making it their home. RC Playa Coronado is an English/Spanish-speaking Club comprised entirely of expats! While each country in the region experiences unique challenges and opportunities, they also share many which is part of why they join one another to learn about regional Rotary projects (e.g. projects in Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica). If you are interested in learning more about the projects shared through the Virtual Project Fair, visit their website at https://projectfair4240-4250.org
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Week in Review 2/10/2021Welcome by President Don Pledge of Allegiance Prayer of the Day-Joe Bassett Four Way Test-Brian Dallaire Introduction of Guests-Marty-No Guests Presidents Announcements; Second Posting for Membership of Dan Reed UNE Rotaract. met online February 2/5/2021. In attendance was Emily Birdsall, UNE student coordinator and a half dozen students, Mike Burman, Biddeford Saco Rotary Member, Faculty Member and Rotaract Advisor. Phil Hatch PE of the Saco Bay Rotary Club, Tyler Stewart Rotaract Advisor and myself. The UNE Rotaract Club has been very busy electing it's executive committee and board of directors. They have 17 members as of this report. The club members are identifying projects that will have the greatest impact on children and residents in the Biddeford/Saco communities. American Red Cross and The Biddeford Saco Rotary Club will be sponsoring a Blood Drive March 3, 2021 at The New Life Church, 551 Alfred Street, Biddeford across from HomeDepot. Begins at 11:45am until 6:00pm. It's best to call the American Red Cross to schedule a time. No walk-ins. Our Club's CLYNK account supports a one room school house in Kenya. These children are dirt poor. Please make an extra effort to take your bottles and cans to the CLYNK depository in Hannaford's parking lot with the special green bags available from Whimsical Me on Main Street Saco or call me. We'll deliver you bags and cart your cans and bottles away. Biddeford and Saco only. Happy Dollars and Fines. Everyone enjoys listening to our happy events and occasions. Also Joe's quick wit and Heather's charming sense of humor but we have to send the money in folks. I'm guilty too. I write a check each month for $20-$40 dollars to cover this. Lastly, 6 members have sold close to $1,000 of maple syrup. There are 54 members in our club. If all members sell 5 bottles we will surpass $10,000. Please look at the order form Roland has created. It looks just like the Girl Scouts order form. If you just ask your neighbors, family, friends and children we'll surpass the Girl Scouts. And we know how many cookies they sell. Don't wait until the last minute to ask. It may be too late. If you have any questions please contact Roland. Thank you for your help. . |
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Blood Drive Sign upHere is Marty's Google sign up link for the March 3rd blood drive: Blood Drive Volunteering Sign up Sheet: Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns! Thank you, Jenna Palladino Account Representative American Red Cross Blood Services - Northern New England Region 524 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101 Mobile: 207-274-0371 jenna.palladino@redcross.org  |
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Rotaract @ UNE .jpg) Hello Fellow Rotarians: Last week was our first informal meeting with the Saco Bay Rotary Club's PE Phil Hatch, Tyler Stewart, Mike Burman from the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club and Associate Professor of Psychology at UNE and myself. We had a Zoom meeting with Emily Birdsall a Sophomore at UNE and the lightning rod who has been anxious to launch a Roteract program at UNE. Already she has formed an executive committee and has accumulated a dozen members. They are continuing to recruit members and have begun to discuss projects to support the Biddeford Saco communities. Mike Burman will be a good resource for them and will be able to keep us informed of their projects as well as keeping them informed of our fundraisers. They will be a pool of volunteers for both clubs as we offer events throughout the year. Mike, will for sure email all of them the Maple Syrup order form for their parents. This is an opportunity to partner with the Saco Bay Rotary Club and impact the lives of these young people. Yours in Rotary Don |
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Week in Review 2/3/2021Rotary Notes February 3, 2021 ZOOM Meeting Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance: President Don 4-Way Test: Conrad Invocation: Joe B. President Don welcomed everyone. Special guests Steve Wight and Assistant District Governor Bob Wester. Roland Gagne gave a brief update on the Maple Syrup project. Sales should be commencing soon. Kuddo’s to all who have worked on this project. Brian has just made the site to purchase the syrup live, so Rotarians are encouraged to test the site up. The launch is scheduled for now. If you have any questions, please reach out to Roland. First posting for Dan Reid new member, sponsored by Jim LaBelle. We have a contract for main street building Jim Godbout has spearheaded. The project will close on or about March 15th. The project is a beautiful project, and we plan to hold an open house prior to closing. The BSRC is working with Saco Bay Rotary to introduce on a new Rotaract Club with UNE. President Don mentioned a meeting to discuss setting up a new start up in conjunction with both clubs and UNE is scheduled for later in the week. The Rotaract club requires students engage in community service, so pursuing this prospective joint project could be a great addition for both clubs. Superbowl weekend so as a reminder, please take some clynk bags to support the Kenya projects. All the funds raised through this program helps the children in Kenya. You can get some of the bags in Heather’s shop Whimsical Me. Stop by there or reach out to Don for Rotary clink bags. Thank you. Mary’s Walk is coming up this year. If anyone wants to participate, reach out to Marty, and see if we can get a small Rotary group together to support this event. The virtual event is scheduled for March 17th. Blood Drive: March 3rd. Watch for links to sign up or donate coming soon. It will be held at the New Life Church from 11-5. More to come. Heather – Sergeant of Arms: Happy dollars:
Fines:
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Zambia Water ProjectMelissa C. is honored to introduce today’s special guest speakers: Dickson Ngoma, 23 years old, a student living and studying to be a math teacher in Zambia. He is founded a clean water project in Nsefu found in Mambwe district of Eastern Province of Zambia. Since he was in secondary school he has wanted to make his water dream a reality. He was introduced to Steve Wight, a Rotarian with the Bethel Rotary Club who quickly was on board to help make his water project dream a reality. The Bethel Rotary club group and has worked on many international outreach missions and is in contact with the local Rotary Club in Zambia to help raise the funds for this well. Wells in the area are 27 – 30 meters deep. The group is looking to raise $7k for the first well and use it as a model for other community water projects. To date, they have raised $500 for the initial project. Water and sanitation hygiene education is essential to the members of these communities. Approximately 9 households, each with about 7 family members, make up the 31 villages affected by inadequate and unsustainable clean water. They share the only water supplies found in the streams and rivers with wildlife. Peter Mazombwe spoke of the economic benefit that the Malaila Kunda traditional ceremony has proved to be for tourism promotion. He shared that villagers can provided a role in tourism activities. Isaac Given Njobvu also was on the call and is part of this team to help bring fresh water to the community. This one well project is critical to the entire region and will serve as a model for many others well projects in the future. Steve Wight from the Bethel club shared the remoteness of the village. The Bethel club has been working with Dickson and his team to help bring water and sanitation to his community. They currently share their water supply with the many animals in the region. Donations can be made to the Rotary club in Bethel who coordinates fund raising efforts with the local Rotary Club. It is a 100% pass through Rotary initiative.   To listen to a partial presentation by the group click here: |
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February is International Month for B-S Rotary Club Programs! As you may have noticed, the Program Committee has developed a calendar for 2020-21 that has a different theme for each month -- February's theme is International! With the magic of Zoom, we all have a unique opportunity to learn from people across the globe who would not otherwise be able to present in person. This email will hopefully serve as a tease to get as many members as possible to sign on for meetings, and will provide you with some additional information. |
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Week in Review 1/27/2021Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance: President Don
4-Way Test: Roland
Invocation: Bill P.
President Don Last week we had a twining event. The Amman Cosmopolitan Rotary Club, Amman Jordan. It will be a great opportunity for our clubs to share ideas and join with them in creating international projects in the future. Roland Gagne is working on building an tourism academy north of Amman, Jordan. We met with a university and signed a management contract to get this academy up and running. We are working on the funding part of this grant now. There are several clubs that have already signed on to help. The goal is $200k. Contact Roland if interested in helping on this international project. Morgan Stoner and Dana each received a Paul Harris Award. Congratulations for this Rotary honor. Roland showed the update on the Maple Syrup project. He and Brian created a website to help with the sales. Please take a look at the site and feel free to call Roland and Brian a call if you have any questions. Start date: March 1st. Delivery date: June 4th. https://go.rotary7780gives.org/6aff17 Well done Brian and Roland!!! Conrad mentioned the meeting for COVID sub-committee. Ken Farley has taken the lead on a community garden project which will be announced shortly. Thank you also to Melissa and her staff for their assistance in this project. If you’re interested, please reach out to Conrad, Ken, or Melissa if you would like to be involved. Don complimented the committee members for all of the good work Sergeant At Arms: Heather M. Happy Dollars: • Dr. Joe – Happy because I was able to receive the Paul Harris +6. • Mike – $5 for Ed Bilsky is my friend • Bill P. - $5 for Ed as well. • Conrad – Very excited about the fact that he connected • Don – $5 For all the Paul Harris Awards and the work Conrad, Ken are doing. • Mark – Happy for Ed to be here as well. FINES • Don – Message in tack. Happy joining anniversary for another dollar • Brian –$5- For being in Colorado skiing. • Bill K – For your join anniversary. And pay for Keith as well. Jan. 1stentry. • Dr. Joe – fined for your cute cat. • Whoever was playing the 80’s music. • Marty – for your new TESLA - $5 • Morgan - $1 for not seeing you forever.
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Dr Ed BilskyGuest Speaker: Dr. Ed Bilsky –With the constant stream of information about COVID-19, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction.Dr. Bilsky presented an evidence-based understanding of COVID-19 and its impact specifically on people with chronic pain.
SARS-CoV-2 Air b Coronavirus caused by 5g about COVID-19 on YouTube Scitable by nature Education Be careful of people’s opinions in the news and on social media.
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Dana Lane Achieves +2 PHFDana Lane receives his +2 Paul Harris from President Don today!  |
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Masks to SMHC Conrad and I delivered 1000 facial masks to Hailee Flaherty Communication Director for SMHC today. The masks are a donation to our district from the Rossi Foundation and the East Hampton Rotary Club in Connecticut. This is the second round of masks donated to New England Rotary Clubs by the Rossi Foundation.  |
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Morgan Stoner Receives PHF President Don awarding Morgan Stoner a Paul Harris Fellow Award at his business today. Morgan said his grandfather would be proud to see him receive this Award because his grandfather was a past recipient of a Paul Harris and a longtime member of Rotary.
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Club Twinning with RC of Amman CosmopolitanRecording of the Club Twinning ceremony between the Rotary Clubs of Biddeford-Saco and the Amman Cosmopolitan, Jordan held on 20 January. Presidents Don Pilon and Ibrahim Kattan signed an official Certificate of Recognition establishing this new bond between our Clubs. Please find a link to the Twinning Ceremony. https://1drv.ms/v/s!Ap8IAZC8sogzhIpsOVJR2Q6lWtLMXA?e=bmw9bJ  |
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Week in Review 1/20/2021Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance: President Don
4-Way Test: Marty
Invocation: Bill P.
President Don welcomed everyone for this very special meeting. On this day, two Rotary Clubs will join as sister clubs. The Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club, Biddeford, Maine and The Amman Cosmopolitan Rotary Club, Amman Jordan. Roland Gagne who traveled to Amman, Jordan on a Rotary International outreach project, introduced Rotary royalty participating in this twinningevent:
Lawrence Furbish, District 7780 Foundation Chair, was also present on the call. He celebrates the relationship shown here today and was honored to see these two clubs, come together to work on future projects together as well as continue to support the foundation. Ibrahim Kattan, President of the Amman club, stated he was optimistic about the new twinning agreement and hoped this new relationship would bring these two partners together. He also is hopeful about developing tourism projects between the two clubs. Also in attendance was 2452 Past District Governor, Shawkat Tadros. The Rotary Club of Amman Cosmopolitan was founded 25-year ago and is to be the only English-speaking club in Jordan. This district is more than 84 years old and bridges three continents, nine countries, and four languages. Bashar Haddad, 2452 Assistant District Governor, was also present for the twinning ceremony. Lawrence Furbish presented the Paul Harris Fellowship Award to the President of the Amman Cosmopolitan Club, Ibrahim Kattan, on behalf of the Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club. The Presidents of both clubs then participated in the signing of the Twin Club Program Agreement. Twin clubs are two clubs from different countries that have established strong ties and have agreed to team up to complete a special program, be it an international service project, Rotary Youth Exchange, or Friendship Exchange. Goals are: • To emphasize the International avenue of Rotary service and friendship • To establish a long-term relationship with another club that will lead to complex ongoing projects • To enhance understanding of another culture • To further international understanding and foster goodwill Sergeant At Arms: Joe M. Happy Dollars: • Brian – Was happy to see 40 Rotarians participating on this Zoom meeting. • Don - $10 for our new Rotary Friends from Aman and for the Paul Harris award recipients from our club. • Jim L – Chamber Annual Meeting was scheduled for the following day via Zoom and invited anyone interested in participating, to please contact him for a link to the event. Also, they were to present the Kany Award and looked forward to hosting the annual event. • Brenda – $10 to celebrate the first female Vice President of the U.S. and how this momentous occasion celebrates women. It is a historic moment that serves as an inspiration for young woman everywhere. • Conrad – Honored his father and was grateful for a peaceful transition of power at our nation’s capital. • Nadia – Guest from Jordan, Happy to be here to participate in this event and to see the US protecting democracy. The international vision is one that promotes peace and celebrates women. If the USA democracy is protected, it is so around the world. • Roland – Happy thoughts of his trip to Jordan and is reminded of Susan G. attempting to get on and off her camel.
No Fines were issued at this meeting: Additional Comments: • District Governor Peggy Belanger congratulated Susan Gajewski for stepping into a position on the District Finance Committee. Guest Speaker: Amelia Maier & Ryan Sommer – City of Saco Food Sharing Project Contact: ameier@sacomaine.org In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Saco Parks and Recreation Department offered a free meal for senior residents in the Saco community. From March 2020 to June 2020, the group raised $15k and served more than two-thousand meals. their goal was to offer a weekly to-go meal program in partnership with local restaurants to support and highlight their business. Meals were distributed as take-home meals at the Saco Community Center. Following social distancing recommendations, individuals were able to easily pick-up meals curbside in our parking lot. They are also focused on seniors and homebound citizens regarding isolation. They are working on a new program that will offer home deliveries in addition to the drive through service available at the community center. They are currently seeking sponsorship. For more information or to volunteer, contact Amelia.
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Maple Syrup Fundraiser Minutes   |
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Tack 1/13/2021 Rotary NotesJanuary 13, 2021 ZOOM Meeting Welcome: President Don 4-Way Test: Brenda Invocation: Joe B. Announcements: Follow up on Vets Wreaths: Pick-up wreaths at St Joseph Cemetery on Friday morning. Million Mask Initiative: President Don received 1000 PP Masks from Rotary District, 1000 will be donated to SMHC. Don asked members to let Conrad know if they know of any organization, nursing home, non-profit that needs masks. Don awarded Joe M a +4 Paul Harris pin at his business. Don has a multiple Paul Harris pin for Jim Godbout and Dana Lane to award. Also, a new Paul Harris will be awarded to a member.  Does anyone need CLYBK bags? Sergeant At Arms: Joe M. Happy Dollars:
Fines:
Fines were brought to you by Hard To Port Fishing Company. Guest Speaker: Chief Bob MacKenzie of the Recover Initiative Committee Contact: MacKenzie@Kennebunkmaine.us M. 207-604-1339 There have been 28 deaths due to substance abuse. The Options Program has recently appointed a new representative for York County. They are currently looking for office space, preferably in the Biddeford – Saco area. Please contact Chief MacKenzie if you would like more information about their program or if you are interested to become a volunteer with the Options Program. |
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Publisher's Note Originally the Tack was distributed in printed form at the following meeting. Then came ClubRunner and the ability to publish online. This version has been known as the e-Tack as we had both forms distributed for a while. It now has been several years since the printed version has been issued. Therefore we will now rename the online e-Tack to plainly "THE TACK" Thank You |
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Week in Review 1/6/2021Attendance: Joe Bassett, Paulette Bonneau, Joe Boyle, Michael Burman, Karen Chasse, Melissa Cilley, Sarah Curley, Brian Dallaire, Paul Deschambault, CJ Dubois-Cote, Jane Foley, Jen Fullmer, Roland Gagne, Susan Gajewski, Heather Gendron, Martin Grohman, Bill Kany, Jim LaBelle, Kristen Lane, Heather MacLean, Joe Moreshead, Mark Nahorney, Bill Paterson, Fausto Pifferrer, Donald Pilon, Brenda Pollock, Kathy Shea, Kaitlin Tito, Matthew Tuller, Julie Villemaire, Conrad Welzel President Don welcomed everyone Pledge of Allegiance Invocation by Joe Bassett Haley led the 4-Way Test New Year Toast to Bideford, England Club, led by Paul Deschambault Announcements: GENERAL DISCUSSION
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO BY-LAWS Paul makes motion to accept Marty seconds the motion Approved by majority HAPPY DOLLARS
FINES
MATT TULLER - CLASSIFICATION Talk
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 1/6/21Attendance: Melissa Cilley, Brian Dallaire, Paul Deschambault, CJ Dubois-Cote, Ken Farley, Donald Pilon, Kaitlin Tito, Conrad Welzel FAMILY GARDEN PROJECT
MISCELLANEOUS
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Club Meeting Minutes 12/23/20Attendance: Joe Bassett, Mike Burman, Brian Dallaire, Jen Fullmer, Mark Nahorney, Joe Moreshead, Bill Paterson, Donald Pilon, Kaitlin Tito, Matt Tuller, Conrad Welzel President Don welcomed everyone Pledge of Allegiance Invocation by Joe Bassett Conrad led the 4-Way Test Announcements: GENERAL DISCUSSION
Everyone is immune from fines this week. HAPPY DOLLARS
HOLIDAY TRIVIA GAME Meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM |
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 12/23/20MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Thank you, |
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Adopt-A-Family Program For Immediate Release Contact: Brenda Pollock, VP Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club M. 207-653-4358 The Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club’s Adopt-A-Family Program Makes Christmas Lists for 81 Local Children Come True Biddeford-Saco – Every year, the 100-year-old-Rotary Club reaches out to local schools who connects them with local families with children, who may need a hand during the holiday season. It is a tradition that has been shared with these Rotarians and their families for centuries and one of the staples of this organization that continues to impact everyone involved. Each December, Rotary club members gather as part of the Adopt-A-Family event for an evening of shopping where committee organizers distribute the wish lists of local children in need. For those children, Christmas without gifts is their reality. Heather Gendron and Karen Chasse, co-chairs of this Rotary event, recognized there would be no opportunity for gathering as a group this year but the club was determined to find a way to make certain this event happened. “The Rotarians really stepped up this year and our club was able to deliver Christmas presents to 81 children in the Biddeford and Saco Communities,” said Gendron. “That was the most number of requests we ever received.” The Rotary club allocates spending $100 per child. Rotarians who participate, can choose to contribute any amount on top of that. “We partner with school faculty, community members, friends, business owners and family members to make this possible,” added Gendron. Each of the children selected for the Adopt-A-Family program are asked to complete a Christmas wish list of clothing, toys, and other items they wished for. Then, organizers distribute the wish lists to volunteer Rotarians and other local volunteers who went to work making wishes come true. “Many of the volunteers who participate in this program, offer to sponsor these children on their own, without Rotary funds. Their generosity allowed our Rotary Club to adopt even more children,” added Gendron. Julie Villemaire, Secretary of the Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club and longtime member stated “This is one of the most heartfelt and rewarding programs that I’ve been honored to take part in with my fellow Rotarians. Being able to help put smiles on the faces of these families, during what can often be a very difficult time of year for some, gives you this incredible feeling and truly opens your heart.” Vice President of the club, Brenda Pollock said, “My twelve-year-old granddaughter wanted to be involved in this project. It was important to her that we purchase everything on their wish list ... and then some. It was an experience that reinforces gratitude and the importance of helping those less fortunate.” This year, every Rotarian had to be responsible for every aspect of shopping, wrapping, and delivering on their own. Karen Chasse, co-chair of this program stated, “This year certainly is different in how we served the many families in our Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program. We were not able to work together as a group but, that didn’t deter our Rotarians. Once the Biddeford and Saco School Departments identified families in need, we assigned them to those willing to help.” Family and friends of volunteer Rotarians who learned of the program also wanted to volunteer. “It was no surprise that the need this year was significant,” added Chasse. “We are grateful for the help of school department staff, local businesses, Rotarians, and local citizens who sponsored a family on their own so all the families identified would have smiling children on Christmas morning." In addition to the providing children’s wishes, the Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club also delivers a $100 Hannaford food gift card to the parents/guardians. “So many people are struggling to put food on the table,” Gendron added. “The grocery gift card will help ensure these families also can enjoy a holiday dinner.” The club budgets $5,000 each year for the Adopt-A-Family program. The gift lists received by families each year always exceed that. “It’s a tribute to the Rotarians and other volunteers who step up and graciously give generously each year,” Gendron commented. “Without them, this would not be possible. We are fortunate that we can come together as a community to make a positive impact in the lives of so many of our community’s children this holiday season.” For more information on the Rotary Club of Biddeford and Saco or to learn more about the Adopt-A-Family program, visit: http://www.biddeford-sacorotary.org/ or visit their Facebook page at: Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco. |
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Holidays |
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Toolbox for Vet |
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Club Meeting Minutes 12/16/20
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Guest Speaker on ZoomThe Sanford-Springvale club will be welcoming guest speaker – Vitaliy Bezrodnov, Founder of the Rotary Children’s Fund, 501c3 and Coordinator for the Cultural Youth Exchange “Golden Gates” program next Thursday December 17, 2020 via Zoom at 7:45am We welcome you to join us! Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85207599139?pwd=Z0dBa3lIVjl2c1p4bE1jSW5PM2RoQT09 |
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 12/9/20YOUTH FULL MAINE
FAMILY GARDEN PROJECT
MEALS ON WHEELS / SACO FOOD PANTRY
Have a great weekend! Thank you, |
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Club Meeting Minutes 12/9/20
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Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed!Hello Friends, We have more Meals on Wheels openings available! Please see the information below and feel free to contact us if you are interested: Drivers needed at Biddeford Biddeford Meals on Wheels is in need of delivery drivers on Tuesday mornings from 10:00AM-12:00PM. These delivery routes would be primarily in the Biddeford/Saco area. The site is located at 189 Alfred Street in Biddeford. Packagers needed at Portland/Westbrook (Temporary) Portland/Westbrook Meals on Wheels is looking for two volunteers to assist with packaging food on Thursday mornings from 9:00AM-12:00PM. Please note that this is a temporary volunteer role from 12/17/20 – 1/28/21. This role does require volunteers to work in close proximity with each other in the kitchen – so for safety purposes we encourage members of the same household to contact us with their interest. The site is located at 426 Bridge Street in Westbrook. SMAA Volunteer Services 136 US Route One Scarborough, ME 04074 207-396-6595 Also please ask if they could choose to help out to include myself or Julie on the communication so that they can be recognized for their service hours. Thanks Conrad Conrad Welzel <cwelzel2017@gmail.com> Julie Villemaire <JVillemaire@sbsavings.bank> |
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2021-2022 RC OfficersIncoming officers for 2021-2022 Year
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Club Annual Meeting Minutes 12/2/20
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Annual Salvation Army BellringingHappy Post Thanksgiving Greetings to all, Attached is the sign up sheet for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing to take place on December 12 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Walmart in Biddeford. There are two entrance points to the store that we will cover. The sign up sheet allows for two people to be at each entrance. However, Salvation Army is recommending one person especially if social distancing is not possible. The shifts are one hour long. If you want to participate this year the Salvation Army is requesting that you watch the attached, https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metro/volunteer-today-be-a-bell-ringer/ video regarding Covid protocols. Hope to see you at the bell ringing!!! Contact Joe to sign up at jmoreshe@psmp.com Warm Regards, Joe Moreshead PP |
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Thanks from Vet2Vet |
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Festival of Trees Auction is NOW LIVE! 2020 Auction Benefitting the Dyer Library & Saco MuseumI just wanted to give you a heads up that our online auction is live and open for bids! Here's where the action is: Thank you for the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club's donation of the Raised Bed Garden. Here is the direct link to your auction item: Note the icons, upper right, enabling you to copy to the link to emails (feel free to share with the Club!) or post it on your Facebook or Twitter. Please share these links on your Facebook page as well as with friends, associates, and people who might be hankering for your item or might do some shopping at the auction. Be loud and proud of your support for the Dyer Library/Saco Museum's Festival of Trees! Bidding closes on Sunday, December 13 at 5:00. Thanks so much again. Linsey ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Linsey Pilon Chair, Festival of Trees Online Auction 2020 President, Board of Trustees, Dyer Library Association linsey.pilon@gmail.com |
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Rotary Annual Meeting December 2Good evening fellow Rotarians! President Don asked me to send an email out to remind everyone that this Wednesday, December 2nd, is our "Annual Meeting". This is the meeting where the nominating committee presents the list of candidates for the slate of officers for the 2021-2022 Rotarian year. This is another opportunity to voice your opinion and/or propose additional candidates for office for the upcoming Rotarian year. After the discussion is complete, the club will vote in the new slate of officers. We need to have a quorum of 1/3 of the membership in order for the vote to be valid. Please do your best to attend this Zoom meeting on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 12:15 p.m.to show your interest and support in electing next year's leadership team. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me at jvillemaire@sbsavings.bank or call me at 207-602-7850 (after 11:00 a.m.). Thank you! |
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 11/24/20FAMILY GARDEN/APEX YOUTH CONNECTION
GIFT CARDS
Next meeting 1pm Dec 9. Thank you, |
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Toobox for Vet We were going to buy it from Harbor Freight in South Portland and have them ship it to him in Bangor. HF said we had to buy it in Bangor. Short of driving to Bangor I contacted our district governor Peggy Belanger to ask her for the president of the local Bangor club. She put me in touch with Caroline King of the Bangor Rotary Club. I called Caroline to ask her if she could buy the tool box and deliver it to this veteran. She did all of this. We sent her a check for the cost of the tool box and all is good. She and I talked afterwards and she was grateful I reached out to her. She replied this is the power of Rotary. The ability to network within the organization for situations like this and support our communities. Service above Self Don Toolbox update - the Bangor Rotary Club purchased and delivered the toolbox Vet: I just picked up the tool box it’s in a huge box I am going to open it up this Sunday to put some of my tools in it. So on Sunday when it is nice and flashy I’ll send you a good pick. Thank you so much. I just got my tool box delivered to C&L aviation today. I can’t thank you guys enough for all you have done for me. This is a professional tool box for a professional aircraft mechanic. Best regards, D.Ryan Neville |
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Presidential Volunteer Service Awards  |
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Week in Review 11/18/2020
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Volunteers for Biddeford Middle School food distribution Wed. 11/18 For our food distribution happening at the Biddeford Middle School next Wednesday, Nov 18, we're looking for 2-3 volunteers from the span of 10:30 until 11:30 (knowing Rotarians will want to attend your weekly meeting at noon); and then to be on stand-by after the distribution to make any local home deliveries if requests come in from folks without transportation or for whom the timing doesn't work (say, 1:30-2:30). The distribution runs from 11am-1pm and the earlier group would be helping us to steer traffic or load boxes into cars during the anticipated rush at the beginning. Rotarians can contact me at katiebrownmaine@gmail.com or call or text me at (207) 409-0327 if available. Details of this and the Saco distribution is attached. Thanks for getting the word out to members if you're able to do so. Katie Brown Youth Full Maine (207) 409-0327  |
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Hampton Cornhole Raffle |
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GUEST: PATRISHA MCLEAN OF FINDING OUR VOICES
PS: I very much enjoyed meeting you and your Rotary Club and thank you again for the invitation. I am excited about the assistance that was offered to bring domestic abuse awareness to the Saco/Biddeford community in 2021. Thank you for sharing my contact info with the group from today, and particularly the two men that said they will help me with legislators and the downtown group. My email address is hello@findingourvoices.net and cell number 207 322 6460. On the web at: https://findingourvoices.net Kindest regards, Patrisha McLean Founder/President Producer/Host Let's Talk About It on WERU |
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Week in Review 11/11/2020
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 11/11/20
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Week in Review 11/4/2020
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Week in Review 11/4/2020
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November is Rotary Foundation Month PLEASE SEND ME YOUR PLEDGE FORM TO INDICATE YOUR INTENTIONS FOR THIS YEARS CAMPAIGN bdallaire@usa.net A Foundation to build onThe Rotary Foundation is recognized as one of the most effective and well-managed charitable organizations in the world, with 12 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator and an A-plus rating from CharityWatch. We know that the Foundation is helping Rotarians do good in the world, but it can be difficult to convey the full scope of its work. So we’ve put together some figures from the past five years — 2014-15 through 2018-19 — to tell the story of the generosity of Rotarians and the good work that the Foundation supports. November is Rotary Foundation Month; to make a contribution, go to rotary.org/donate. As a convenience, we have included a line item of $50 for the Foundation in your semi-annual dues statement allowing you to pay them together. Feel free to adjust the amount! Amounts up to $100 are matched by your club.
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Club Mailing AddressSince many of you keep asking: PO Box 298 Saco, ME 04072 |
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 10/28/20
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Week in Review 10/28/2020
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Thanks from TA  |
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Week in Review 10/21/2020
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Note of Thanks |
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Volunteer Opportunity - Saco Food PantryIt has come to our attention that the Saco Food Pantry could use some assistance with Friday morning donation pick-ups from Shaw's and Hannaford, from 7 AM - 8 AM. A sign up sheet is available here: If you are unable to view the spreadsheet but would like to sign up for a time slot, please let me know and I will add your name. Volunteer opportunities are also available at the following times - The Saco Food Pantry has 4 distinct jobs during 3-time frames.
Thank you, |
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Week in Review 10/14/2020Attendance: Joe Bassett, Paulette Bonneau, Karen Chasse, Melissa Cilley, Brian Dallaire, CJ Dubois-Cote, Ken Farley, Jane Foley, Roland Gagne, Susan Gajewski, Heather Gendron, Martin Grohman, Bill Kany, Kristen Lane, Heather MacLean, Bill Paterson, Donald Pilon, Brenda Pollock, Haley Thompson, Kaitlin Tito, Matthew Tuller Guest: Roger Louiselle President Don welcomed everyone Pledge of Allegiance Joe Bassett - Invocation Ken Farley led the 4-Way Test Announcements: GENERAL DISCUSSION
Heather MacLean - Substitute Sergeant-at-Arms HAPPY DOLLARS
FINES
SPEAKER: ROGER LOUISELLE OF RUTLAND, VT ROTARY CLUB Meeting adjourned at 1:10 PM |
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 10/14/20SACO FOOD PANTRY
MASK DONATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS
Thank you, |
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SPEAKER: ROGER LOUISELLE OF RUTLAND, VT ROTARY CLUBSPEAKER: ROGER LOUISELLE OF RUTLAND, VT ROTARY CLUB
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Father & Son   |
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Week in Review 10/7/2020Attendance: Joe Bassett, Joe Boyle, Karen Chasse, Melissa Cilley, Brian Dallaire, Jane Foley, Keith Jacques, Bill Kany, Kristen Lane, Heather MacLean, Joe Moreshead, Bill Paterson, Fausto Pifferrer, Don Pilon, Brenda Pollock, Kathy Shea, Kaitlin Tito, Matthew Tuller, Conrad Welzel Guest: Erin Sheehan of Lorne Wine President Don welcomed everyone Pledge of Allegiance Joe Bassett with the invocation 4-Way Test led by Joe Moreshead Announcements: MISCELLANEOUS
 HAPPY DOLLARS
FINES
SPEAKER: ERIN SHEEHAN OF LORNE WINE 
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM |
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100th |
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World Polio Day |
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COVID-19 Subcommittee Notes - 9/30/20MISCELLANEOUS
VICTORY GARDENS
YOUTH FULL MAINE
GIFT CERTIFICATES / FOOD PANTRY
Thank you, |
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Week in Review 9/30/2020
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pressherald.com/2022/07/28/brenda-pollock-the-5th-woman-to-lead-the-102-year-old-biddeford-saco-rotary-club/
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary International, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into 
