Leaders to attend District 7810 training and learn about collaborative Future Visions Grant

During the weekend of November 13-15, 2015, Rotary District 7810, Area One Rotary Club leaders from Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Fort Kent, Limestone, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, and Washburn, along with nearby Rotary Clubs from Houlton and New Brunswick will be gathering at the University of Maine at Presque Isle to learn more about Rotary International (RI) and the process required to be in compliance as a Rotary Club.

After training sessions on Saturday, November 14, the Area One Future Visions Committee will host an informational dinner and silent auction fundraiser for Project GIIVE (Guatemalan Infrastructure Improvement Venture). The public is invited to join Rotarians at the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club, 583 Parsons Road, beginning at 4:30 p.m. for a vegetarian and beef stew dinner, $15 per person, and to hear more about a Future Visions Grant being jointly drafted by Area One Rotary Clubs and several New Brunswick Clubs.

Julia Phelps, Rotary International Director, will bring a welcome and direct message of how Rotary International, even a local Club, is a “Gift to the World.” Peter and Carolyn Johnson from the Rotary Club in Yarmouth, Maine, will tell about projects they have seen in Guatemala and how this involvement changed their lives. Carolyn serves as RI Assistant Coordinator for Zone 32, southern Maine and New England, and recently visited the proposed Project GIIVE communities while overseeing ongoing activities aligned with literacy, work with primary teachers, and small water projects funded through grants received by Districts in Zone 32.

Rotary District 7810 Governor Wayne Wornes and Foundation Chairperson Rick Rogers will also address Rotary’s emphasis on water and sanitation issues.

The planned Future Visions Grant is proposed to meet needs in villages near Monterrico, Santa Rosa, Guatemala, approximately 80 kilometers south of Guatemala City, in cooperation with the Guatemalan Rotary Club de La Ermita. The project funding goal for this initial project is approximately $50,000 with the implementation performed in stages, and Future Visions GIIVE Projects continuing to be developed for years to come.

The initial request will be for water filtration devices to provide safe drinking water and eco-stoves to provide healthy home cooking facilities. The grant will also include improved sanitation facilities with eco-toilets. The GIIVE group of Rotary Clubs is planning to submit its grant application by July 2016. Once approved and funded, the clubs will be sending Rotarians and vocationally-trained individuals to Monterrico, Guatemala, in the Spring of 2017.

The informational event will be held at the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club, 583 Parsons Road, Presque Isle, Maine, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $15/person. Silent Auction items will consist of authentic Guatemalan apparel, jewelry, coffee and other items. Proceeds from the evening will help fund the Future Vision GIIVE 2016 Project. To RSVP, please contact Kevin McCartney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 207-492-4766 by November 8, 2015.

The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club currently maintains a membership of 23 individuals and is part of a world-wide organization of community volunteers. The Slogan of Rotary is “Service Above Self” and the club seeks to live up to this ideal to support a variety of causes for the betterment of the community.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Rotary and its ideals can visit pages on this website or contact any Rotary member.

(left) Rotarians prepare for evening dinner
(right) Little future Rotarian helps out

The club wants to thank its many supporters as we recently held our annual Cash Draw fundraising event. Even the mid-October snow could not deter our friends from coming out for an evening that included a social period, dinner, and dancing to the Common Crossing band. An addition to this year’s festivities was the presenting of a Paul Harris Fellowship to local Rotarian Josefina Lopez-Aragon (see separate article). It’s likely that the photo-set can describe the evening better than this writer. Enjoy.

(left) Decorations are prepared
(right) All is ready to draw winning numbers

(left) Fort Fairfield High School National Honor Society members volunteer at the 50/50 table  
(right) National Honor Society (NHS) member Hannah Holbrook  accepts 50/50 proceeds ($200+) from Rotarian Kerri Watson-Blaisdell that will be used to support the NHS-sponsored Fall Fun Day

(left) Decorations in place and ready
(right) One last check by Rotarian Kerri and Rotary friend Becky

(left) Looking like all is ready for a fun evening   
(right) The Common Crossing Band instruments and amps are ready

(left) Rotarians Rachel Rice and Joy Barrasi-Saucier from the Presque Isle Rotary Club are ready at the Purple Pinkie table. Funds raised will support the End Polio Campaign     
(right) Looks like Rotarian Gary Sirois is getting his pinkie finger "purpled" to support Rotary's End Polio Now campaign

Dancing the night away

(left) Friends enjoy the evening. Actually this is Pat and her Mom       
(right) More friends arriving to enjoy the evening

(right) Rotary District 7810, Area 1, Assistant District Governor Floyd Rockholt chats with a friend

(right) "Turn out the lights, the patry's over, they say that all good things must end..."

Rotarian Kerri Watson-Blaisdell, Program Hostess, introduces Jay Kamm, Northern Maine Development Commission who makes a point during the Brownfields Program presentation.

Jay Kamm, Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), recently spoke concerning the northern Maine Brownfields Program. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website provides the following Brownfields definition and benefits statement:

(left) Rotarian Bill Campbell, Sponsor, presents Jim's Rotary pin, and (right) Carl Young, President, presents Jim's induction certificate as Bill and Floyd Rockholt, District 7810, Area 1, ADG look on.

James (Jim) Risner, Fort Fairfield Town Manager, recently became the club’s newest member as he was inducted as a new Rotarian. Rotarian Bill Campbell, Sponsor, presented Jim with his Rotarian’s pin, and Floyd Rockholt, District 7810, Area 1, Assistant District Governor was on hand to read the Rotary induction citation. Jim was welcomed by club Rotarians and is looking forward to a number of community and international service opportunities.

Know it has just slipped your mind, U.S. holiday weekend and all, so a quick reminder that there are only a few short weeks left to order your 2015 Cash Draw fundraiser ticket. This is the club’s primary fundraiser and it’s only through your generous support that it is possible for the club to support many worthwhile and important programs and activities throughout the year.

This year we are introducing a new activity at the Cash Draw event. That night the club is going to recognize the club’s Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Paul Harris Fellow recognition is the highest honor that a Rotarian may receive from the club.

Order your ticket now and come out to honor this year’s Paul Harris Fellow recipient while enjoying social hour, dinner, dancing to live music (Common Crossing band), and collect your winnings when your ticket number is called. (Of course you need not be present to win.)

Save, print, mail in. (FFRC, P.O.Box 181, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742) Ticket(s) promptly returned. Thank you!

The Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) Program partnership with the Fort Fairfield Middle/High School kicked off its fifth year as Rotarians Tracy Copeland, Program Chairman, and Carl Young, President, visited with faculty and staff at a recent staff meeting. The Rotarians revisited the program’s purpose and procedural points, and answered staff’s program questions. The RSSA Program seeks to recognize students in grades 9 through 12 who display exemplary performance/characteristics in the areas of academics, citizenship, and personal development both at school and in the community.

Rotarian John Kaletta, Fort Fairfield Middle/High School (FFMHS) - Principal, recently spoke at a regular weekly meeting addressing some exciting changes at the school.

The first change is the transition from the familiar letter-based grading system, i.e., A, B, C, D, F, to a proficiency-based evaluation system. In a proficiency-based evaluation system students work towards graduation by demonstrating proficiency in subjects rather than accumulating credits to qualify for graduation.

Dear Friend of Rotary,

It is time for the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club’s exciting 29^th Annual Cash Draw fundraiser. On behalf of our club and its many supported-programs’ recipients, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your dedicated support.  It is only because of the generous support from friends like you that this event continues to be an annual success allowing our club to continue giving to the many important organizations and causes we support.

Over the years this annual fundraiser has allowed the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club to support several Community Projects, College Scholarships, Aroostook County Youth Camps and Programs, Maine Veteran’s Projects, Special Olympics, various Student and Athletic programs, and projects supporting the County’s underprivileged, to name but a few, as well as International Service Projects.

For the 29^th Annual Cash Draw, prizes include: 1^st prize $3,000; 2^nd prize $2,500; 3^rd prize $2,000; 4^th prize $1,000; 5^th prize $500; 10 prizes of $200; 18 prizes of $100.  Additionally,two early bird prize drawings of $200 each will be drawn from amongst all tickets purchased by September 2, 2015.  (Early bird winning tickets will then be returned to the ticket pool for an opportunity to win additional cash prizes.)

This year’s annual fundraising event is on Saturday, October 17^th at the Fort Fairfield Community Center, 18 Community Center Drive in Fort Fairfield.  Festivities will include a social hour (5:00 p.m.), a buffet-style dinner (6:00 p.m.), and dancing to live entertainment with "Common Crossing" during the cash drawings.

With only 350 tickets being sold and 35 prizes awarded, it gives our supporters terrific odds with a 1 in 10 chance of winning a prize! You might also consider teaming up with friends or coworkers to collectively purchase a ticket and share the winnings.  You do not need to be present to win.

This year Maine residents can take part in the exciting 29^th Annual Cash Draw and Social Event by:

• Ordering your ticket(s) today ($100 per ticket) using the Mail-in Order form
  • Each ticket allows admittance for two to attend the evening’s events
  • All tickets must be paid in full on or before October 17, 2015
• Complete the Mail-in Ticket Order Form
• Please make checks payable to – Fort Fairfield Rotary Club.
• Return Mail-in Ticket Order form and payment check
  • Your ticket(s) will be promptly mailed back to you. 

Once again, thank you for your generous support and best of luck in the 29^th Annual Cash Draw!

Sincerely,

Fort Fairfield Rotary Club

• Orders using this Mail-in Order form are restricted to Maine residences and must contain a Maine, USA Postal Zip Code in the purchaser's address
• Save ticket image - Print - Fill out - Mail in with payment (US Dollars)
• NO CASH PLEASE
• Please type/print legibly since ticket(s) will be sent by return mail to the address shown on the order form
• Mail-in orders are handled on a first-come-first-served basis
• USPS mark is used to determine Mail-in Order date
• Orders/payments received after all 350 tickets are sold will be returned to address shown on the order form

Rain, what rain? The only reigning was by the Maine Potato Blossom Festival’s reigning princesses as they enjoyed their ride on the club’s Princesses’ float. Certainly no spirits were dampened and smiles were plentiful as participants and spectators alike enjoyed the afternoon.

Smiles aplenty and royalty waves

Special thank you to Theriault Equipment for the tractor

New bikes waiting for their new riders

The club’s annual Bike Rodeo was held during the 2015 Maine Potato Blossom Festival. During the rodeo youngsters ages 2 through 12 are given bike safety instruction by Officer Jim Cerrato, ride the riding skills course, receive a free new helmet, are eligible to win a free new bike, get to ride with police escort down Main Street, and receive a free hotdog/French fries/soda lunch. This year’s bike winners were Trey Zetterman (ages 2-5), Kyriah Zetterman (ages 6-8), and Isaac Fox (ages 9-12).

Preparations - Rotarians Effie Murchie (by bike), Kerri Watson-Blaisdell (at table), Ryan Cormier (ball cap)

Registration and ready to ride the skills course

Bike inspections and rules of the road from Officer Jim Cerrato

Bike winners - Trey Zetterman (ages 2-5) and Kyriah Zetterman (ages 6-8)

Bike winner Isaac Fox (ages 9-12) and Main Street ride

Main Street ride and hotdog/french fries/soda lunch

More lunch

Dalton Cassidy accepts a totebag from Carl Young, President, as dad Joe and Rotarian Gary Sirois (left), program host, look on.

Dalton Cassidy, local Boy Scout, visited the club at a recent regular weekly meeting and gave a presentation concerning an Eagle Scout project. Dalton’s project involves building two dugout structures for the Fort Fairfield schools. These structures are going to be constructed in such a way as to allow them to be moved from location to location around the school’s athletic fields. Additionally, it will be possible to move them inside during winter months thus prolonging their useful life span. Dalton also spoke about other scout experiences that have helped shape him as a young man and upon which he can call throughout his life.

Wayne (left) and wife Sylvie accept a Fort Fairfield Rotary Club tote bag from club President Carl Young (right) as Floyd Rockholt looks on.

Rotary District 7810 Governor, Wayne Wornes and wife Sylvie, accompanied by Area 1 Assistant District Governor (ADG) Floyd Rockholt, recently visited the club during a regular weekly breakfast meeting. Wayne spoke about Rotary International goals, an appreciation for the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club’s community and international service, and his Rotarian experiences.

The Fort Fairfield, Maine and Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, Canada Rotary Clubs once again recently joined together for their Combined Annual Meeting. The clubs have been enjoying this time of Rotarian fellowship for many years. Along with an evening meal enjoyed, each club and Rotary District 7810 Governor, Mike Walsh, presented member awards and recognitions. In addition to club Rotarians and spouses attending Rotary District 7810 Governor Mike Walsh and wife Francine, Governor-Elect Wayne Wornes and wife Sylvie, Governor-Nominee Ginny Joles, Area 1 Assistant District Governor (ADG) Floyd Rockholt, and Area 1 Immediate-Past ADG Nancy Fletcher also attended.

(from left) Rotarians Kerri Watson-Blaisdell and Josie Lopez, and District 7810 Governor Mike Walsh and wife Francine

(from left) District 7810 Governor-Elect Wayne Wornes and wife Sylvie , and (from right) Rotarian Larry Plant and wife Narda

(left front) Jane Towle, and (from right) Rotarian Paul Towle, unidentified, Rotarian Paul Cormier and wife Sandra

(far table end) Rotarian Vince Bernier and (to his right) wife Kathy, and (from front right) ADG Floyd Rockholt, Margie Brooks - Perth-Andover President, District 7810 Governor-Nomiee Ginny Joles (blue jacket)

(second from left) District 7810, Area 1, Immediate-Past ADG Nancy Fletcher, and [back center (burgundy polo)] Rotarian Tracy Copeland 

(front center and right) Rotarians Kerri Watson-Blaisdell and Josie Lopez, (back center) Becky Young (this writer's wife)

Bill Campbell, Program Host, (left) welcomes Jim Risner, Town Manager, Fort Fairfield and presents Jim with a club totebag.

Jim Risner, Town Manager, Fort Fairfield visited the club morning meeting. Jim spoke about his new position as Town Manager and gave an overview of his past experiences in municipal government in Culpeper, Virginia.

Claudia Stevens, Executive Director, United Way of Aroostook accepts a donation check from Carl Young, Club President. The funds will be used to support various needs throughout The County.

The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club’s 2014-2015 club-year is coming to a close at the end of June. To say that this has been a very successful and satisfying year would be a huge understatement.

As you may know the club holds only two fundraisers during the year, the annual Cash Draw ticket sales and event (August-October) and the Vidalia Onions sales (April-May), to support the many club-sponsored/supported activities. Both fundraisers were very successful this year thanks to you, our many faithful supporters.

May I take a minute to mention but a few of the supported activities right here in our local area? Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp, Rotary Bike Rodeo (during the MPBF), Fort Fairfield Library equipment upgrades, Fort Fairfield Middle/High School: ABC golf tournament, basketball tournament, Project Graduation, “Tiger” hoops camp, graduating senior’s scholarships, Rotary Spirit Student Award program. Also, the annual Community/Seniors Thanksgiving Day Dinner (over 30 years now), Special Olympics, TAMC Survivor Camp, and United Way of Aroostook.

Of course this year the club, together with the PI, Caribou, Washburn, Mars Hill, Limestone, and Perth-Andover clubs, began work towards a World Service Project in Guatemala. Over the next two to three years we will be working to raise funds to provide water filtration systems, Eco-stoves, and Eco-toilets to disadvantage villages in outlying areas in Guatemala. This effort will culminate with a team of 10-12 local Rotarians traveling to Guatemala, planned for 2017, to link up with a local Guatemalan Rotary club to help the local villagers install these devices in their homes and schools. It is hoped that this will be but the first such project involving local-area Rotary clubs.

One last thing, may I invite you to join us in the aforementioned service activities? You are cordially invited to join us at our weekly meetings, Wednesdays, 7-8AM, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 170 Main Street to see if what your local Rotary club is doing matches your community/international service aspirations. Oh, by-the-way, our Rotarian chefs whip up a fantastic breakfast meal.

Visit and "like" us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Fairfield-Rotary-Club/201228719900441 .

Students enjoy Rewards Day activities at the Fort Fairfield Middle High School as part of the Positive Behavior Intervention Program. Each quarter classes are given student body behavior goals, e.g., 80 percent of all the students in the class will have one or less behavior incidents. If the goal is achieved the class gets to enjoy a Rewards Day afternoon which might include off-campus activities at a local university’s indoor pool or roller skating. The current quarter activities were conducted in the school’s gymnasium and included inflatables, dodgeball rings, and many other activities. The club was this quarter’s primary sponsor, donating funds to cover a significant portion of the Rewards Day activities costs.

This writer once again had the privilege and honor to represent the club at the Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 2015 graduation ceremonies. It was truly a pleasure to see the outstanding graduates and present $1,000 scholarships to the well deserving recipients Kendra Ireland and Sarah Owens.

Rotary Spirit Student of the Year (2014-2015)
Chris Giberson

Rotary Spirit Student Award (RSSA) (2014-2015)
(left to right) RSSA Program Chair - Tracy Copeland, recipients - Antonio Gracia, Laura Woodman, Sarah Watt, Rotary Spirit Student of the Year – Chris Giberson, recipients - Autumn Parady, Kaley Norsworthy, Club President – Carl Young. Not available for photo, recipients - Tyler Emerson and Nathan Boulier

During the Fort Fairfield High School Honors Program for the 2014-2015 school-year, the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club had the privilege and honor to recognize its Rotary Spirit Student Award recipients and announce its Rotary Spirit Student of the Year (SOY). Congratulations to all the recipients and Student of the Year, Chris Giberson. Chris received a recognition certificate, a monetary award, and his name engraved and picture posted on the club’s SOY perpetual plaque that is displayed at the school.

Autumn Parady and Antonio Gracia were honored as Rotary Spirit Student Award recipients for the school-year quarter April/May 2015 at the club’s weekly meeting. Family, friends, and nominating faculty joined Autumn and Antonio as they received recognition certificates and iTunes awards for their academic achievements, citizenship, and personal development. Both, together with the six other quarterly award recipients, are now eligible to be selected as the Rotary Spirit Student of the Year (SOY). The SOY will be announced at the Fort Fairfield Middle High School Honors Night and receives a $500 cash award, has their name engraved on a perpetual plaque at the school, and has their photo posted on the plaque for the coming school year.