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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Board Meeting at South Paris Town Office
Aug 29, 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!
The Rotary Theme for June is "Rotary Fellowships"--Rotary Fellowships are International groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
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! Each one, bring one!
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Welcome to our Club!
The 2021-2022 Rotarian of the Year Recipient has been a past president, long time board member, and an active member with many of our club’s activities and community service projects.
He is an active member of our club’s Scholarship Selection Committee and Membership Committee. He always responds and participates in all of our club’s community service activities - whether it’s to help set up and/or take down our club’s tents, preparing and serving food at the OHCHS Senior Class Picnic Day, working at our annual Auction/Yard Sale Day, and helping prep and serve with our club’s annual Lobster Drive-Thru Dinner.
This member’s biggest role with our club’s community service projects is with the SAD 17 Grade 3 Dictionaries Project. As chair of this project, he orders dictionaries, arranges distribution and assists with dictionaries presentations, to all 3rd Graders at MSAD 17’s eight elementary schools.
His biggest role and service with our club is that of “Club Communicator”. He has served tirelessly as our club secretary for many years. He also designs and sends out our club’s weekly Rotary Reader, taking notes at our weekly club meetings and monthly board meetings, ordering pins, mugs, certificates, and special recognition plaques for club members and community members. He also acts as our agent when filing annual reports with District 7780 and Rotary International.
The 2021-2022 Rotarian of the Year of the Oxford Hills Rotary Club is John Griffith!! CONGRATULATIONS! (top photo 2019 ROY Peter Kaurup, John Griffith, and 2020 ROY Dan Hart; middle pic, John with his wife, Shelley; bottom pic John with his special cake)
Oxford Hills Rotary Club is holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 8am to 2pm at Oxford Hills
Comprehensive High School, South Paris, in the bus loop. No auction this year, but there should be
some good bargains at the Yard Sale. If you’d like to bring your own table and join us, for no charge,
please do! We will have a “Fill-A-Bag Sale” for $5.00 from 1-2. BYOB (bring your own BAG). Proceeds
will benefit the many projects OH Rotary supports. FMI contact Paul Thornfeldt, 207-592-4663.
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills was joined at their breakfast meeting recently to recognize the top 5% of the 2022 graduates of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. Their future plans and aspirations are extremely admirable! The Club then honored Retiring Principal Ted Moccia with a Paul Harris Fellow Award to thank him for his interest, dedication and support of their Rotary Club over the years, as well as to the entire Oxford Hills community! A Paul Harris Fellow is an award with a $1,000 donation being made to The Rotary Foundation, the charitable arm of Rotary, and is named after the founding Rotarian, Paul Harris, in 1905, to someone who exemplifies Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”. Congratulations Ted and best wishes on your retirement!
May Day Play Day is back on for 2022! Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 9-12 noon at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School! FREE fun activities for the kids! Please help us spread the word!
It's time again for our Annual Lobsters for Scholars raffle. Tickets are on sale now for $40 with only 75 sold! Winner Winner, Lobster Dinner! Who wants tickets? Message us here, contact George Rice at 207.890.3122 or contact your favorite OH Rotarian! All proceeds benefit our Scholarship Fund. Thank you for your support!!
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! Each one, bring one!
Greetings:
Commencing Saturday, January 1st, Rotary International promotes Vocational Service Month.
In addition to our January 2022 Club Meetings' Programs and Members' Vocation & Career Bios Booklets, Heidi Ortiz, Ed Millett and I also wish to share with you the following Vocational Service Month promotional information:
The Object of Rotary is a philosophical statement of Rotary’s purpose and the responsibilities of Rotarians. The concept of vocational service is rooted in the Second Object, which calls on Rotarians to “encourage and foster”:
These objectives are:
* To encourage and foster high ethical standards in business and professions, to recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations, to dignify the Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
* To apply the ideal of service in personal, business and community life.
* To advance international understanding and goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of businessmen and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.
Paul Harris wrote: "Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and their trade or profession".
Vocational Service is the way Rotary fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service to the pursuit of all vocations. It is the shared responsibility of both the Rotary Club and its members. The role of the Club is to implement and encourage the objectives by its own actions in dealing with the community and by the development of projects that enable members to use their vocational talents in the service of the community. The role of members is to conduct themselves and their businesses in accordance with Rotary principles, and support the Vocational Service projects that the club has developed.
During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotary discussions to awards to community projects.
Here's our club's Third Annual Vocational Service Month's Community Speakers Series schedule (may be subject to change):
Wed. January 5th:
1) Monica LaVerdiere, owner of Bear Foot Realty (Dave Preble)
2) Jim McCarthy, Assistant Manager at Lee Auto Credit Express (Alice Paul)
Wed. January 12th - OHCHS Students of the Month Program
Wed. January 19th - (our evening club meeting) Perry Palmer, Manager, Town & Country Mobile Home Community (Alice Paul)
Wed. January 26th
1) Michael Dailey, Paris Police Chief & Military Veteran (Patty Rice & Liz Knox )
2) Open
Wed. February 2nd - Open**
** Should we need this date for speaker's availability or due to a January club meeting weather related postponement.
Yours in Rotary,
Dan Hart, Vocational Service Director
Dan Hart, Vocational Service Director
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.
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President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Immediate Past Co-President
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Foundation Chair
Membership Chair
Club Protection Officer
Public Relations
Interact Advisor
Web Administrator
Sergeant-at-Arms
Immediate Past Co-President
RYLA Chair
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South Paris, ME 04281
United States of America