With autumn in the air, the preparation for Houlton’s Annual Rotary Auction commences. Last year, area businesses and individuals generously contributed over 1,100 items to this essential fundraising event. The auctioning of donated items, combined with additional auction revenue yielded over $25,000 which the Rotary Club gave back to the community and used to fund a variety of worthwhile causes.
This year’s 54th annual auction will again run three days: November 23rd through 25th. Proceeds are earmarked for the Little League’s Field of Dreams Project, Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) for equipment upgrades, Dollars for Scholars programs in Houlton, Hodgdon, Southern Aroostook, East Grand and GHCA, Cary Library, Salvation Army, Student Recognition Day, and the Rotary Club’s Student Exchange Program.
Throughout the past few weeks, Rotarians were in the community looking for donations from area businesses and artisans. All donors will receive recognition in a supplement to the Houlton Pioneer Times that hits the public in the weeks just before the auction. Additional recognition comes when donors give items ranging from $100.00 to $250.00; these items are listed as nightly specials. Those items worth more than $250.00 are listed as 3-Night Specials, and the donor receives recognition each night of the auction. The Houlton Rotary Auction will once again be broadcasted on the radio, television and an internet stream on our web site http://houltonrotary.org/. Please don’t miss this opportunity to participate with a donation today or with a bid in November!
Thank you for your continued support to make our community a better place to live and work!
On September 14th the Houlton Rotary hosted Travis Turner from Louisiana Pacific Corporation. Travis spoke to Houlton Rotarians on the current state of the New Limerick mill, the products the mill manufactures and the bright future of the New Limerick engineered wood products mill. Pictured from left are John Tribou, Houlton Rotary President, Travis Turner, LP New Limerick Mill Manager, Ryan Bushey
On August 31st the Houlton Rotary Club hosted Bob Grove-Markwood to speak about our World Community Service project. The Houlton Rotary club is teaming up with other Rotary clubs for a World Community Service project this year. The funds raised will be given to a school in Africa to drill wells and provide fresh water to the local children and their families. Houlton Rotarians are very proud to be a part of this very worthwhile project. Pictured left to right are Michael Clark, Houlton Rotary Club Chairman, John Tribou, Houlton Rotary President, and Bob Grove-Markwood Presque Isle Rotary Club Chairman.
On Monday August 24th the Houlton Rotary hosted DEP commissioner David Littell. David shared with Rotarians some Aroostook County environmental success stories and areas of opportunity for Maine in the years to come.
Left to right David Littell, DEP Commissioner, John Tribou, Houlton Rotary President, Doug Hazlett, Houlton Town Manager, and Nick Archer, DEP Northern Maine Regional Director.
On Monday August 24th the Houlton Rotary hosted DEP commissioner David Littell. David shared with Rotarians some Aroostook County environmental success stories and areas of opportunity for Maine in the years to come.
Left to right David Littell, DEP Commissioner, John Tribou, Houlton Rotary President, Doug Hazlett, Houlton Town Manager, and Nick Archer, DEP Northern Maine Regional Director.
As autumn nears, the preparation for Houlton’s Annual Rotary Auction commences. Last year, area businesses and individuals generously contributed over 1,100 items to this essential fundraising event. The auctioning of donated items, combined with additional auction revenue yielded over $25,000 which the Rotary Club gave back to the community and used to fund a variety of worthwhile causes.
This year’s 54th annual auction will again run three days: November 23rd through 25th. Proceeds are earmarked for the Little League’s Field of Dreams Project, Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) for equipment upgrades, Dollars for Scholars programs in Houlton, Hodgdon, Southern Aroostook, East Grand and GHCA, Cary Library, Salvation Army, Student Recognition Day, and the Rotary Club’s Student Exchange Program.
Throughout the next few weeks, Rotarians will be heading into the community looking for donations from area businesses and artisans. All donors will receive recognition in a supplement to the Houlton Pioneer Times that hits the public in the weeks just before the auction. Additional recognition comes when donors give items ranging from $100.00 to $250.00; these items are listed as nightly specials. Those items worth more than $250.00 are listed as 3-Night Specials, and the donor receives recognition each night of the auction. The Houlton Rotary Auction will once again be broadcasted on the radio, television and an internet stream on our web site http://houltonrotary.org/. Please don’t miss this opportunity to participate with a donation today or with a bid in November!
Thank you for your continued support to make our community a better place to live and work!
On August 10th the Houlton Rotary was honored with a visit from District Governor Gordon Dempsey. Dempsey shared his vision as District Governor of Rotary with Houlton Rotarians and how we can grow our district and make an even greater impact in 2010 in our communities and with Rotary International. Pictured from L to R are Rotarian Mike Clark, District Governor Elect, John Carkner, Houlton President, John Tribou, District Governor, Gordon Dempsey and Houlton Rotarian, Leigh Cummings.
Pictured from left are Houlton Little League Board Member Joe Porter, Board Member and Rotarian, Ben Drew, Houlton Rotary President, John Tribou, and Board Member Cheryl Gentle.
On July 27th, 2009 the Houlton Rotary welcomed three board members of the Houlton Little League. Rotarian, Ben Drew, spoke about the Field of Dreams project and their great success in making this project reality for local youth.
It was Rotary Balloon night at the McGill’s Community Band concert in Houlton on July 9th, 2009. We had a great turn-out from Rotarians and were able to introduce our new Short-Term Youth Exchange Students for 2009 .
Take a look at the video created by Rotarian, Andy Mooers!
It was a stormy day on Monday; however, we had a larger crowd than expected. There were several people who could not attend due to the weather so we took the opportunity to record Monday’s meeting for the entire club’s benefit. Monday’s meeting was conducted by the Membership Committee and the topic was appropriately titled “Membership”.
This is an important topic for our club and we are asking that all Rotarians take an active part in expanding our membership. To help coordinate the club, we have put together the attached document and video that outlines our request of the membership. If you have any questions please feel free to email either Fred Grant or Mike Howard.
Need a makeup?
If you need a makeup, please read the attached document and view the video. Once you’ve completed it, email Debbie Clark to let her know and she’ll record your makeup. All we ask is that you include names of possible future speakers that you think would have broad appeal to Houlton business community.
written by Scott Dionne – picture courtesy of Mike Clark
Mildred Madigan recently visited the Houlton Rotary Club to highlight the efforts of St. Mary’s Food Pantry. For over ten years, the pantry has been assisting local folks who struggle to find enough food to sustain themselves and their families. Madigan, who manages the program, claims, “No one ever asks personal questions of those seeking assistance, and religion and church is never discussed. The need for food is the only prerequisite for coming to the pantry.”
St. Mary’s program is engineered only to supplement the needs of individuals and families, limiting visits to once every six weeks. This approach encourages people to look for other, more long-term sources of support, such as food stamps. Many times a family will take advantage of the pantry’s service but once or twice a year to help get through hard times. When people look to St. Mary’s for assistance, care is given to maintaining their privacy; program volunteers strive to schedule food pick up times fifteen minutes apart.
The food given by the program per visit is enough to fill two large grocery bags. The bags contain cereal, juice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and other items. The food makes it to the pantry from a variety of sources. Donations come from the USDA and Catholic Charities, along with those pooled by students from local schools who conduct food drives. Local grocery stores also give products. Shop-N-Save makes weekly donations from its deli, and County Yankee has been a consistent supporter of the program.
Though the generosity of community members and other organizations is great, Madigan does need to fill holes by using the monetary donations garnered throughout the year. She shops locally for many items, but also, whenever possible, takes advantage of a large food bank in Brewer. In Brewer, she can buy first-quality food for $.13 per pound. Able to purchase food for such reduced prices, Madigan stretches even the smallest donation into a meal for a needy family. St. Mary’s Food Pantry, under her guidance and because of the effort of many volunteers, assists over ninety-five different area families per month. Madigan and all the people who support the pantry truly understand Rotary’s guiding principle of placing service above self.
