Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) recipients Hunter St. Pierre and Sam Butler were recognized at a recent club breakfast meeting. Hunter and Sam were selected based upon their academics, citizenship, and personal development during the Fort Fairfield Middle High School’s November/December 2017 school-year quarter. 

Kelli Koziol - FFMHS, Nancy St. Pierre, Tracy Copeland - RSSA program, Hunter, Jon St. Pierre, Wayne Troicke - President 

Kelli Koziol - FFMHS, Sharon Butler, Mitch Butler, Avery Butler, Nicole Butler, Tracy Copeland - RSSA program, Sam, Fred Everitt, Wayne Troicke - President, Donna Everitt 

 

The club honored Chelsea Ouellette and Malcolm Langner as its September/October 2017 Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) recipients at a recent breakfast meeting. The ceremonies kicked off the seventh year for the RSSA Program at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School.

Each school-year quarter the Fort Fairfield Middle/High School faculty/staff provide girl and boy student nominations for the RSSA. The club’s program committee then selects recipients from amongst these identification-redacted nominee write-ups. The program’s evaluation criteria recognizes that in order to be a productive member in the community the student must be well-rounded in academics, citizenship, and personal development. 

 

Chelsea with proud parents John and Darlene, with (back row) Jamie Selfridge, Principal, FFMHS and Tracy Copeland, RSSA Committee.

Malcolm with proud parents Rob and Tricia, with (back row) Jamie Selfridge, Principal, FFMHS and Tracy Copeland, RSSA Committee.

Rotarians, honorees, parents, and FFMHS Principal listen as Tracy describes the RSSA Program.

 

The club, together with other local service organizations, hosted the 33rd annual Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner at the local VFW hall. Close to 200 dinners were served at the hall and/or delivered to homebound families and individuals. The Fort Fairfield High School Lady Tigers basketball team was there to help serve and put together the delivery meals.   

Early morning preps  

Most of these guys have been doing this since the begining 

Delivery desserts prepared 

All is ready 

Servers are ready

 

Lady Tigers ready to serve up meals and smiles a-plenty 

 

Delivery meals out the door

Future Rotarians already serving

 

 

....and clean-up. Thank you everyone!

 

Here are photos from the recent Cash Draw function in no particular order. Enjoy, and once again THANK YOU!

Who we are and what we are about

All is ready 

Wayne Troicke, President has a couple of announcements

Wally and The Virginians setting up

Rotarian Carl and wife staffing the check-in table

Lauren ready at the End Polio Now Purple Pinkie table

Got the ticket right here

Rotarian Paul Towle and wife check-in table second shift 

                    

Some decorations

Friends and family abound

Enjoying dinner

How about some dessert

Future Rotarian?

Lions Club preps for dinner. Thanks guys!

          

          Steak anyone?                  Or maybe Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Assistant Governor Area 1 Cliff Rhome clearly sat at the right table

FFHS National Honor Society members ready at the 50/50 table

 

Wayne presents 50/50 winnings to the FFHS NHS

 

Lauren joined by Josie at the End Polio Now Purple Pinkie table

Rotarians ready to draw winners

Rotarian Veronica updates the board

 

First, let me thank everyone who supported the club’s 31^st Annual Cash Draw Fundraiser in any way. Without your dedicated support the club would not be able to reach out locally and around the world to improve life’s conditions. For information and transparency a winners listing is provided. Pictures from the evening will be posted as soon as they are processed. Once again, a big shout out THANK YOU! 

 

 

Life is pretty quiet on early morning Main Street

The calendar tells us that the first day of autumn was Friday, September 22, but the recent warm temperatures would belie this notion. However, we now know that the season has officially arrived, at least in Fort Fairfield, Maine. (See photos and descriptions.)

As you may or may not know, the club is in the middle of its 31st Annual Cash Draw Fundraiser. This is our primary fundraiser for the year so please share information with your family, friends, and those where you work. As part of the fundraiser we hold an early bird prize drawing each year with two $200 prizes being drawn. This year's early bird winners are Steve Bubar (ticket 160) and Hillside IGA (ticket 105). Congratulations to these, and we are looking forward to the prize drawings during event night October 21st. Order your ticket now and come out to enjoy the festivities and hear your winning number called! 

The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club recently recognized Rotarian Carl Young for five years of dedicated service as club President during Rotary International club-years 2012 through 2017. In addition to many other initiatives during his presidency Carl introduced the club’s social media presence on the World Wide Web ( www.fortfairfieldrotary.org ) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Fort-Fairfield-Rotary-Club-201228719900441/?ref=hl ) as well as Rotary wheel symbol  signs at the town’s four highway entrances. Carl is also a member of the Rotary District 7810, Project GIIVE 2017 planning team (Guatemalan Infrastructure Improvement Venture) that is bringing clean burning eco-stoves, clean privy eco-toilets, and fresh water filtration systems to Guatemalan villages. In appreciation the club presented Carl with a Rotary jacket and commemorative President’s plaque. Carl plans to continue his Rotary service working in the community and being part of the club’s international outreach. 

The club was honored and pleased to receive a visit from Rotary District 7810 Governor, Iris Sullivan, during its most recent meeting. Iris extended her well wishes to the club and its members for their community involvement and international outreach. Iris presented the club with a Rotary International 2017-2018 President Ian Riseley banner. Iris also invited Rotarians to participate in the upcoming District 7810 Annual Conference to be hosted by the Rotary Club of Chatham in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada, September 22 through 24, 2017. 

District 7810 Governor, Iris Sullivan presents a Rotary International 2017-2018 President Ian Riseley banner to club Secretary, Carl Young 

Iris accepts a Fort Fairfield Rotary Club appreciation tote bag 

 

It was a magnificent ride for the five Fort Fairfield Misses. Many smiles and waves were exchanged between the Misses and the many friends, relatives, and well-wishers who lined the parade route. A smooth ride was provided on the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club float by Mitch McLaughlin guiding the Theriault Equipment-provided tractor along the parade route.  

Alexis Doroen - Junior Miss Fort Fairfield 2017

Fort Fairfield Misses joined by the MPBF Misses

Many waves and greetings along the parade route

Mitch McLaughlin in the Theriault Equipment-proviided Tractor

Raffle bikes for some lucky winner in three age groups

The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club once again sponsored the Bike Rodeo event during the Maine Potato Blossom Festival. Children ages two through twelve were invited to participate in a rider safety course and within three age groups have the opportunity to win a free new bike. Additionally, all participants received a new bike helmet and were able to ride down Main Street (local police-escorted of course) for a free hotdog, french fries, and drink lunch at the Knights of Columbus Hall. 

Preparations begin

Bikes need to be tested. Oh-oh, looks like these two didn't listen to Officer Jim. No helmets! 

Chief Newell and Officer Jim ready to help

Joined by Rotarians Carl Young, Effie Murchie, and Kevin Murchie.
(Not in picture: Stephanie Beaulieu, Macenzi Charette, Ken Hensler, Gary Sirois)

Registration

Practicing on the safey course

Officer Jim Cerrato provides safe riding instructions

Checking that the new helmet fits properly

 

Riders demonstrate stopping skills after navigating the safety course

 

Demonstrating riding skills on the safety course

  

 Age Group 2 - 5: Bike Winner - Jaxen Barnes 

 Age Group 6 - 8: Bike Winner - Ryder Leavitt 

 Age Group 9-12: Bike Winner - Graedon King 

 Volunteers at Knights of Columbus (KOC) prepare bikers lunch 

 Where are all the riders? 

Enjoying lunch at the KOC Hall 

The End

 

Graduating seniors Ryan Player and Chris Caldwell are the Fort Fairfield Middle/High School Class of 2017, Fort Fairfield Rotary Club $1,000 college scholarship recipients. Ryan and Chris were presented their scholarships at the recent graduation ceremonies by club President, Carl Young. Club Rotarians want to take this opportunity to congratulate Ryan and Chris on their successful secondary school-level efforts and wish them the best as they move on to their college-level endeavors and beyond. 

Ryan accepts his scholarship and is congratulated by Carl 

Chris accepted his scholarship and is congratulated by Carl 

(Photos courtesy David Deschesne, Fort Fairfield Journal) 

Laura Woodman has been selected as the school-year 2016/2017 Rotary Spirit Student of the Year (SOY). The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club had the privilege (for the sixth year) to recognize all 2016/2017 Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) recipients and Laura at the recent Fort Fairfield High School Honors Night ceremonies. Laura received a recognition certificate and a monetary award. Additionally, the club’s SOY perpetual plague at the school will display Laura’s picture for the coming school year with an engraved name plate attached.

Rotary Spirit Student of the Year perpetual plaque

Laura Woodman and Chris Caldwell were selected as the March/April 2017 Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) recipients. Laura and Chris were honored at a recent Rotary Club breakfast meeting with family and Fort Fairfield Middle/High School faculty in attendance. Laura and Chris received recognition certificates and iTunes gift cards and are now eligible for Student of the Year honors along with all school-year 2016/2017 RSSA recipients.

Many peoples locally, regionally, and internationally are saying “Thank You” in many languages as you our valuable, dedicated supporters, have once again put us over the top in our annual Vidalia onions sales fundraiser. The funds raised are used to support many right here in our community, others across the region, and international projects that bring clean water, improved sanitary facilities, and clean air inside homes with efficient wood burning stoves. 

Amber Stedt accepts a Fort Fairfield Rotary Club tote bag
from Wayne Troicke, President-elect. 

Amber Stedt, Program Coordinator, AMHC Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp (ATLC) presented information on the ATLC Program 2017 and provided a video from the 2016 program at a recent club meeting.

The ATLC program is an award winning leadership development and drug prevention program available to all interested Aroostook County teens in grades 5-9.  The ATLC program goal is to prevent or delay early teen alcohol and other illegal drugs use by decreasing past 30-day drug use, increasing positive attitudes about not using drugs, involving teens in leadership development activities, and providing a drug-free lifestyle support network. 

FMI visit http://www.amhc.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=59702 or http://www.atlc-camp.org/ . You may also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 498-6431. 

Emily Everitt, sophomore, and Ryan Player, senior, were selected as the January/February 2017 Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) recipients.  Weather and scheduling once again coming together, Emily and Ryan were recently honored at club regular morning breakfast meetings. Emily and Ryan were selected by the club’s RSSA committee from faculty-submitted nominees on the basis of her academics, citizenship and personal development.

Emily is surrounded by proud family members with John Kaleta, FFMHS Principal (left), James Smith, Faculty nominator (back left) and Tracy Copeland, RSSA leader (back right). 

Ryan with Tracy Copeland, RSSA leader (left), Kelly Koziol, Faculty nominator (second from left) and proud family members. 

With the snow mostly gone and ice out nearly upon us, it can only mean one thing. The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club Annual Vidalia Onion Sale Fundraiser! Yes, it is that time of year. Time for sweet Vidalia onions fresh from Vidalia, Georgia and onto burgers, into salads, and enjoyed in those special dishes for your family and friends. And can you believe it, this year it is still only $25 for 25lbs? Talk about sweet! It can’t get any sweeter than this for both the onions and the price. If you haven’t heard from your favorite Rotarian and want to be sure you don’t miss out this year (remember last year it slipped your mind?) then just pick up the phone and call 207-540-0599. If Wayne doesn’t answer someone there will transfer you or take your order. Or call Carl at 207-551-1495. Order before the end of April and your onions will be here about the second weekend in May. Of course these dates are Georgia weather dependent but have usually been pretty close. Oh, and don’t forget, not only will you be enjoying these sweet treats you will also be supporting a wide variety of community, regional, and international needs. Rotary is a volunteer organization and after minimal admin costs the proceeds go towards helping those with needs. Order now, ENJOY, and a big THANK YOU in advance!  

                        SWEET                                                         YUMMY

The weather finally cooperating with scheduling, the club honored the November/December 2016 Rotary Spirit Student Award recipients Mikaila Flanagan, senior, and Colby Giberson, freshman, at a recent club breakfast meeting. Mikaila and Colby were nominated for the award by the school’s faculty on the basis of academics, citizenship, and personal development and selected by the club’s spirit committee from among all nominees.

ANWR located on the former Loring Air Force Base complex in Limestone, Maine 

Veronica Plourde, Program Committee, introduces Wayne Selfridge, Volunteer, Aroostook National Wildlfe Refuge (ANWR) 

Wayne tells about the wildlife varieties and exciting activites available at the ANWR

Wayne Selfridge, Volunteer, Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), spoke at a recent meeting and introduced Rotarians and visitors to the exciting and interesting adventures that await visitors to the refuge. Wayne related personal and visitor encounters with the many wildlife varieties that one can view while visiting the ANWR. Wayne also expressed his appreciation for the many refuge volunteers and the need for additional to help with the many year-round refuge activities including tours, cross-country skiing, trail and facilities maintenance, and varied workshops for both adults and children, to mention but a few. Additional information and directions to the ANWR, located on the former Loring Air Force Base complex, may be found at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/aroostook/ .