Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
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Charitable Foundation quarterly meeting
First Congregational Church of South ParisDec 22, 2021
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM -
Board Meeting at South Paris Town Office
Jan 03, 2022
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
As we honor our Students of the Month, we always ask if any of them still have their dictionaries we gave them back when they were in 3rd grade, and many of them still do! We delivered dictionaries to all of the elementary schools in SAD 17. This year, there are 211 students who will receive a dictionary. This is a project that all club members enjoy participating in by handing them out directly to the students and talking to them about Rotary and the dictionaries. One thing the kids always like to find is the longest word in the English language! A few years ago, we named the Dictionary Project in honor of Mary Lou Burns, a long time teacher and administrator in SAD 17 and a Rotarian for many years who was instrumental in starting this project. Since we started donating dictionaries back in 2004, to date we have given out 4,704!
November is Foundation Month: What impact can one donation have?
* For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio
*$50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness
*$500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children
Why not make a donation today?! Ask us how!
Our Mission statement: The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills is a diverse group of service-oriented men and women providing hands-on and financial support within our community and beyond. We exemplify "Service Above Self" while encouraging high ethical standards, enjoying fellowship and promoting world understanding, peace and goodwill.
Remember our Membership Challenge! The board has challenged each member to propose a new member during this Rotary year. Have you proposed your member yet?? Someone invited you, now it's your turn to share Rotary!
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Welcome to our Club!
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills would like to say ‘thank you’ to 290 Maine Street Bar & Grill in Norway for hosting their 1st Annual Pints for Polio fundraiser. 290 agreed to donate $1 for every ‘pint’ sold at the event, which was held on 10/24/21, World Polio Day. Yes, Polio has been eradicated in the US, but it is still out there in 3rd world countries and only a plane ride away!
When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year. We’ve made great progress against the disease since then. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
Rotary members would also like to thank the entire OH Community, both those who participated in the Pints for Polio event as well as those who made donations at their recent Polio Road Toll held on 10/17/21. Between the 2 Polio events and with the Gates 2-to-1 match, over $7,000 will go towards the eradication efforts. Thank you 290 and the entire Oxford Hills!
It's time once again for our Annual Cabot Cheese Wheel sales fundraiser. Same price at $18 per 2 pound wheel, gets you a nice Cabor Sharp Cheese wheel, wrapped in wax delivered in a nice gift box. We only have 600 to sell, so get your orders in early! Cheese will be available mid-November in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Proceeds help support our Dictionary and Scholarship programs. FMI contact Paul Thornfeldt @ 207-592-4663 or Patty Rice @207-890-2332. Thank you!
Please join us for our 1st Annual "Pints for Polio" on Sunday, 10/24/21 from 2-6 pm at 290 Maine Street, Norway, ME. Door prizes, 50-50 raffle, Patriot's Football and fun!
Our club members (L) Patty Rice and (R) Beth Abbott shown making donations to 2 of the local food pantries, top is Daddy O's, bottom is Oxford Helping Hands. Donations were also made to the West Paris, East Otisfield and Norway Universalist Church food pantries.
World Polio Day is October 24, 2021. In recognition of this day, all District 7780 Clubs are encouraged to participate in "Pints for Polio" to raise awareness in our communities about Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio worldwide, while having a fun social event for the club and community, and raising funds for PolioPlus. Join us for our "Pints for Polio" FUNraiser, to help eradicate Polio, 1 pint at a time! FMI, contact Co-President Peter Kaurup.
Tickets on sale now! 35th Annual Lobster Fest, curbside drive-thru again this year! Must have tickets in advance. $25 pp. Contact Co-Prez Peter Kaurup @ 207.739.1148, pkaurup@gmail.com or contact your fav OH Rotarian! Sat 8/21/21 4-6pm, who wants tickets?!! TICKET SALES ARE NOW CLOSED, THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PURCHASED THEM!
Club members enjoyed some fellowship at the Portland Sea Dogs game on Saturday, 7/24. It was the official "Red Snappers Night" game in honor of Maine's red hot dogs! Governor Dick also joined us. Where's Dick?! Can you find him in the photos?!
Many thanks to Bessey Motor Sales for donating this 2010 Hyundai Elantra SE to our Club. We will be selling it instead of auctioning it this year, price reduced, asking $5,500. It is loaded: AC, keyless entry, power windows & door locks, cruise control, AM/FM & CD, tilt steering wheel, and more, 116,552 miles. FMI contact Paul Thornfeldt 207-592-4663. Shown left to right: Co Rotary President Peter Kaurup, Rotarian Ron Morse, Bessey Motors salesman, Travis Bennett and Co Rotary President Chris Summers. Thank you Bessey Motor Sales!! This one has been SOLD!!
We also have a 2008 Ford Focus donated by Ripley & Fletcher Ford. Priced reduced-asking $4,750. It is a 4 cylinder 4 door sedan, silver in color, AC, cloth seats, AM/FM & CD, front wheel drive, and more, 100,481 miles. FMI contact Paul Thornfeldt at 207-592-4663! Thank you Ripley & Fletcher Ford!! This one has been SOLD!!
In lieu of our Annual Auction, and because of the pandemic, we will be holding a Yard Sale/Flea Market instead. Saturday, July 10th, 8-2 at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School at the bus loop under the tent. We'll have lots of items and possibly 2 cars to sell as well. Come join us for some 'wicked good deals'!!
Congratulations to our 2020 Rotarian of the Year, Dan Hart! Presented by our 2019 Rotarian of the Year, Peter Kaurup:
As I pondered drafting the script for this year’s Rotarian of the Year for 2020, a certain Jimmy Buffett song came to mind. Its title is “Quietly Making Noise” and this year’s recipient definitely deserves being considered as an example of the songwriter’s intent. It takes a special person who never seeks personal recognition but instead does their job quietly while getting others involved and making them believe that it was their idea in the first place.
There’s never been a year like 2020 and I know that we can all agree that we never want to see anything like it again during our lifetime. But as we transitioned from the normalcy of our Rotary year beginning in July of 2019 and into the ever increasing challenges of 2020, certain individuals in our club stepped way up to assume the associated additional responsibilities. Luckily, this year’s recipient had just retired from a career that provided him with years of opportunities to make a difference in other people’s lives and this retirement allowed him to give more of his personal time to Rotary. Several of our members noted that “he has really stepped up since his retirement” and assumed even more responsibility in our club’s activities. I believe that at this point everyone here knows that I’m talking about recently retired school administrator, Dan Hart.
Dan has worked tirelessly as our Membership Committee Chair. In addition to keeping the committee focused and relevant he has also “rekindled the spirit of growth” in many of our members. His efforts have helped to bring in several new members as a result and his desire to offer an alternative time and venue at a local restaurant provided us with a much needed change of direction in our meeting schedule.
As Vocational Services Director, Dan has brought new life to our annual Vocational Services Month with new and interesting local business persons who have shared their career paths with us. Dan then recognized them for their contributions via the local media outlets.
As Club Protection Officer, Dan has really made our required annual training fun and informative while discussing topics that can be otherwise be boring at times.
When Covid 19 dramatically impacted our food distribution programs at local food banks and school systems, Dan jumped right into assisting the Bridgton Lake Region Rotary Club at the Harrison Food Pantry as a food packer and delivery driver. His service to this cause continued on for months at his own personal financial expense and during some very interesting inclement weather.
Due to his background within our local school district, Dan continues to be one of our strongest assets on the Scholarship Committee, promoting scholarships within the schools, organizing the selection process and professionally making the award presentations. This is a man that knows hundreds of students and teachers on a first name basis and their scholastic backgrounds. That’s impressive!
Dan also volunteered with Ready Maine to assist at a local Covid 19 Vaccination operation.
He continues to be an integral member of our Board of Directors, bringing to the table many suggestions that can and will make our club more vibrant and relevant to our internal members and our external community.
So, in reflecting on Dan as this year’s Rotarian of the Year, I remember a quote from some previous leadership training – “A leader, aka Rotarian of the Year, is best when people barely know he exists; when his work is done, his aim fulfilled; they will say, we did it ourselves!”
So thank you Dan! Well done!
OH Rotarian Becky Kaurup presented hand knitted infant and adult hats and scarves to Cancer Resource Center's Executive Director Diane Madden earlier today. They were really appreciated!
Jan. 13, 2021 Vocational Service Speakers Program photo of Paul Bickford & John Williams -
The Oxford Hills Rotary Club and Rotary International are promoting Vocational Service and Vocational Service Month every January. At our club’s Wednesday January 13, 2021 Zoom meeting, OHCHS Technical School Director Paul Bickford and Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Williams spoke and presented their respective Vocational Service roles and experiences.
Recently, Rotary club members Tally Decato (club membership co-chair) & scholarship committee rep), John Griffith (club secretary)and Dan Hart (vocational service director) met with and presented Recognition of Excellence of Vocational Service Contributions to Paul Bickford and John Williams.
Left to Right: Dan Hart, Rotary Vocational Service Chair, Paul Bickford, OHCHS Tech School Director, Tally Decato, Rotary Club Membership Co-Chair, John Williams, OH Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and John Griffith, Rotary Club Secretary.
Recently, Rotary club members Tally Decato (club membership co-chair) & scholarship committee rep), John Griffith (club secretary)and Dan Hart (vocational service director) met with and presented Recognition of Excellence of Vocational Service Contributions to Paul Bickford and John Williams.
Left to Right: Dan Hart, Rotary Vocational Service Chair, Paul Bickford, OHCHS Tech School Director, Tally Decato, Rotary Club Membership Co-Chair, John Williams, OH Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and John Griffith, Rotary Club Secretary.
Jan. 27, 2021 Vocational Service Speakers Club Program and Recognition photo of Norway Police Chief Robert Federico & Norway Fire Chief Dennis Yates -
Rotary International annually promotes January as Vocational Service Month. Recently, the Oxford Hills Rotary Club recognized club speakers and honorees Norway Fire Chief Dennis Yates and Norway Police Chief Robert Federico for their quantity and quality of contributions and service, for both the Town of Norway and the greater Oxford Hills area.
Left to Right: Dan Hart, Oxford Hills Rotary Vocational Service Director, Norway Police Chief Robert Federico, Abbie Earle, Oxford Hills Rotary Scholarship & Club Membership rep, Norway Fire Chief Dennis Yates, and Peter Kaurup, Oxford Hills Rotary Club Co-President Elect.
Our Club members had some fun for Christmas with a Secret Santa Zoom meeting. Members were randomly assigned a member's name, a $10 limit was set, and 1 gift was to be mailed or delivered without getting caught! The gift had to be unopened until the scheduled Zoom meeting. A lot of fun was had by all! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We recently welcomed 2 new members to our Club. Shown here L to R: George Rice sponsor of Mike Morin of Mike Morin Property Management, OH President Lynne Schott, Ed Millett salesman at Ripley & Fletcher Ford with sponsor Glenn Huntley. Welcome!
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills has donated PPE face-masks to area schools as well as the First Congregational Church of South Paris and Western Foothills Land Trust. Rotary’s Million Mask Challenger Tour consists of one million PPE face-masks, donated by the Rossi Family Foundation, that have been distributed to the Rotary Clubs throughout New England in 6 states. More than 100,000 masks were donated to first responders, essential workers, schools and community organizations throughout southern and western Maine and Coastal New Hampshire by the 41 Rotary Clubs of District 7780. Local Rotary Clubs include Oxford Hills, Bridgton-Lakes Region, Fryeburg Area, Bethel and River Valley Club. 1st photo: Linda Smith from 1st Congo Church of SP and OH Rotary Club President Lynne Schott. 2nd photo: Lee Dassler of WFLT and Rotarian Becky Kaurup. Contact us FMI or find us on FB.
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills recently inducted 2 new members to our club, Warren Spencer and Alice Paul. Warren was a former Rotarian and Past President of the South Berwick-Eliot Rotary Club. Alice is a brand new member to Rotary. Both are looking forward to serving the Oxford Hills Community and beyond.
Shown L to R: President Lynne Schott, Sponsor Ron Morse, New member Warren Spencer, New Member Alice Paul with sponsor Tina Fox, as they are getting their Rotary pins and materials. Welcome Warren and Alice!
At our Club board meeting tonight, it was announced that we have to go back to Zoom meetings for the month of November, beginning with this week's meeting Wed, 11/4/20. This is at the request of the church and is due to the dramatic increase in recent COVID cases in Maine.
The church will re-evaluate the situation at the end of the month and make a determination as to whether we can go back to meeting in person in December or will have to continue with Zoom.
Please help spread the word to fellow Rotarians. See you on Zoom!
It's time for our annual Rotary Cheese Wheel Sales! The wheels are 2 pounds of Cabot Sharp Cheese and are $18.00 each. They come in a decorative box and make GREAT gifts! Order deadline is 11/18/20 for delivery before Thanksgiving. Or if you want them for Christmas, still order by 11/18/20 and we can store them for you. We also can ship the wheels, and will add the postage cost to your order. FMI contact Patty Rice 207-890-2332 or Paul Thornfeldt 207-592-4663. All proceeds go to help support our scholarships, May Day Play Day and 3rd grade dictionary project. Don't delay, place your order today! Thank you!
Members at a recent meeting attached labels to each of the 212 dictionaries that were donated to all 3rd graders in SAD 17. The label has a place for the student to write their name and it also honors long-time member and educator, Mary Lou Burns who was instrumental in starting this project. Some members joined us via Zoom!
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Co-president
Co-president
Treasurer
Secretary
Immediate Past President
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Rotary Foundation
Membership Committee Chair
Scholarship Committee Chair
Club Protection Officer
Public Relations
Interact Advisor
Web Administrator
Sergeant-at-Arms
Interact Advisor (Member)
Hybrid Meeting Coordinator
Hybrid Meeting Coordinator
RYLA Coordinator
Leave no girl behind
In his address to the RI Convention in June 2021, Shekhar Mehta urged Rotary members to put improving girls’ futures at the forefront of their work.
Rotary Projects Around the Globe December 2021
Rotary Projects Around the GlobeDecember
Community Spirit
Community
Women and polio
Women and polioWhy it’s important to consider gender at all levels of eradication
Why vaccinations matter
Why vaccinations matter
South Paris, ME 04281
United States of America