Stories

Turkey Trot 2015
Saturday November 28th
11 AM
York Village Elementary School

And the winner of York Rotary Club's "Car With A Cause" raffle for the 2015 ruby red Mustang convertible is: Bruce Bastarache! Congrats Bruce and a huge shout out to everyone that supported our raffle. You are all winners and we thank you for your support!

The winner of the $500 for July is Debbie Gallagher of Cape Neddick!

York Rotary Club “Car For Kids” Raffle 2014

October 18th

The Winner is: David Lucas of York, Maine

Thank you to all ticket holders for your support. It takes a village and with your ongoing contributions we will continue to support our many projects.

“Service Above Self” is a long standing Rotary motto. Members of the Rotary Club of York volunteer locally, regionally and internationally to combat hunger, enrich education, support clean water projects, improve living conditions, promote peace and eradicate polio throughout the world.

And if this sounds like an organization you would like to participate in, we invite you to join us for breakfast on us: We meet Friday mornings, 7:30 to 8:30 at the York Harbor Inn. Check in at the welcome desk, mention you saw this on our website and prepare for one hour of Rotary, York Maine style. Enjoy!

On Oct 3rd, Leslie Morissette of the Grahamtastic Connection spoke to us about her charity which provides computers, electronic equipment, and internet access to ill children and their families in Maine and across the country. Here president Jud Knox can be seen with the VGo robot which can allow children to attend school remotely.  Jud is the one on the left. :)

The winners of the $500 for September is Kent Fairbrother of Ascutney, VT.  Congratulations!

The York Rotary painted a large map of the United States of America at the York Middle School on May 5th and 6th. Approximately a dozen Rotarians managed to accomplish the painting portion of this project in just under 4 hours although only slightly more paint ended up on the blacktop than on ourselves. The map can be used by the school for many student projects. This was one of the many Youth Service projects led by our own, Dick Santoro, this year.  The map can be seen on the right and a thank you from the Middle School students on the left.

Steve Jendzejec was recognized for his international work at the Rotary District World Understanding & Peace Dinner on February 17.

See it:  World Peace and Understanding Video

Our Student of the Month for February 2012 from the York Middle School is Anna Baker.

Congratulations!

Our Student of the Month for January 2012 from the York Middle School was Evan Schindler.

Congratulations!

And the winner is.........Jim Millea from Rennssalear, NY.  Thank you all for helping us to make this a successful fundraiser!

Dami's Speech

Pictures from Dami's Last Meeting

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning in search of your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting and bid farewell to our exchange student, Dami.

Help us to engage in meaningful discussion, allow us to grow closer as a group and nurture the bonds of our World community. Fill us with your grace, God, as we make decisions that affect York's Rotary Club, and follow Dami into her future with your blessings as she returns home to family and friends with her memories of Maine.

And please, continue to remind us that all that we do here today, all that we accomplish, is for the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of You, and for the service of humanity. We ask these things in your name, Amen.

We had a successful library clean-up today, May 7th. Thanks to all the rotarians who came, rotaract students, and to the library board members who assisted and provided refreshments. Chairman of the Library Board, Bill Lord, York Rotary Community Service Chair, Robert Horowitz, and Library Director, Robert Waldman, can be seen in the picture from left to right. Please enjoy all of the pictures kindly taken by librarian, Sudie Blanchard.

1.      Financials: you will receive a separate email from John R. with current financials.  Don’t forget your quarterly dues.

2.      Attendance: 89.77% for March

3.      Membership: don’t forget you can make-up online.

4.      Public Relations: thank you Deb McDermott for all the good publicity: I did not realize I could sound so smart.

5.      Club Service: Our next club social is this Friday at the Barn in the Rough on Route One at 6 PM: we have $400 for club and GSE team consumption: Thanks Bob.

6.      Community Service: Library clean-up: May 7 AM; Landscaping project at York High School: tentatively scheduled for May 21

7.      International: our GSE team from Hong Kong and Mongolia will visit this Friday: don’t miss it.  Thank you to Mark, Jud, Steve J, Steve P and Pat for all you help with the GSE team.

8.      Foundation: there is still time to help us make our goal of $4,500 for the year at $100 per member.  See Scott F. or John R.

9.      Youth: Reading program wrap-up this week: RYLA moving forward: thanks Dick.

10.  We are making our budgeted $250 contribution to the York Diversity Forum to help with the bicycles for seasonal workers.

11.  District Conference: May 13-14: if you are interested in attending, see Jim B.

12.  Striper Tournament: we should be getting more info to help us get started.

13.  Interact: we need a new Interact advisor for next year: maybe 2 members would step forward to help: Kevin R has done a great job and we all should say thank you to him.

14.  Marty Ulan award: it is time.  We need 2 members to help organize this and make the selection: see Pat or Jim B.

15.  Ogunquit Playhouse night for Polio Plus: coming in June: more on this later

16.  Changing of the Guard dinner: Wednesday, June 29 at the Cape Neddick Country Club; save the night.

17.  Next Board meeting will be a joint current and new Board meeting: May 24 6-7 PM at Jim B.’s new office at the Old Ice House: as long as Bob delivers the furniture.

We will be hosting the GSE tesm from District 3450 (Hong Kong, Macao & Mongolia). Included in the team are team leader, Experienced Medical Practitioner Dr. HokChou (Vito) Lee, O St J, MBBS, DCH, DTM & H, as well as team members: Surgeon Ganzorig Baatar, MD; Chinese Medicine Practitioner Michelle Cheung, BCM, BBA, MBA; Program Officer of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong Cheryl Law, MPH; Opthalmologist Chui Yuk (Jennifer) Mok, MBBS; Registered Nurse Louise Sin, MN, BSN, RNM, RN. There was a welcome reception for the team at Spring Hill in South Berwick on 4/17 where Rotary members were able to greet the team.  The team leader, Dr. Lee, and District Governer Hussey exchanged gifts (see picture). York Rotary members Mark Ergmann, Robert Horowitz, and Steve Pelletier were also in attendance.

The York club will be picking the GSE team up on 4/28.  They will be at our meeting on 4/29 and stay with us until Tuesday morning of 5/3. During the visit, they will spend time with practitioners and administrators at York Hospital, Sentry Hill and Durgin Pines.  They will also visit sites around York and join in a Lobster Bake. Thanks go to International Committee Chair, Mark Ergmann, and to the hosting families.

“The vote of the club was unanimous,” said President James Bartlett, a York attorney. “The people of Japan are going to be needing help for a long time, and we are glad we can provide some assistance.”

"The great thing about Rotarians is that we share everything, including each other's joy and sadness. They have the ability to put themselves in the position of others and act to help," said Rotary International President-nominee Sakuji Tanaka. "Despite the unthinkable hardship we're experiencing now, the people of Japan will not give up on efforts to rebuild their communities."

To donate, visit https://riweb.rotaryintl.org

“The vote of the club was unanimous,” said President James Bartlett, a York attorney. “The people of Japan are going to be needing help for a long time, and we are glad we can provide some assistance.”

"The great thing about Rotarians is that we share everything, including each other's joy and sadness. They have the ability to put themselves in the position of others and act to help," said Rotary International President-nominee Sakuji Tanaka. "Despite the unthinkable hardship we're experiencing now, the people of Japan will not give up on efforts to rebuild their communities."

To donate, visit https://riweb.rotaryintl.org

The York Rotary was able to refurbish the York Food Pantry with funds obtained through a District Simplified Grant on 3/19/11 and 3/20/11. This project included replacing damaged ceiling tiles, painting the lobby walls, building shelves for storage, and painting the stock room floor. Additional pictures can be found here

Due to a conflict with the Table of Plenty, this month's board meeting will be changed from the 22nd to the 21st.  The location will be Peoples United Bank instead of the Library.  The time will remain from 6 PM to 7 PM.

The York England club, who came to visit us, is raffling off a trip to England. 

Entries close at 11.59pm EST (US/Canada time) on April 30, 2011.

Check it out! 

Download the Polio Awareness insert from the Rotary newsletter.

No longer available for download

The winners of the $500 for August are the Littlejohns from Litchfield, NH! Congratulations!

The winner of the $500 for July is our own past president's wife, Susan Horowitz!

Join Rotary, change lives! Big shout out to Friday's guest speaker, Paul Salacain, for an update on York Rotary Club’s International Service - grant project supporting the Eben Ezer School in Milot, Haiti. Our $25,000 grant met with another $25,000 from Rotary District 7780 and Rotary International to fill nearly every square inch of this container. We will do our best to get the doors closed. Interested in participating in projects like this and many others? Join us for breakfast Friday mornings at 7:30 - 8:30 am in our meeting room at the York Harbor Inn. Hope to see you there.

The 4 on the Fourth Road Race was a huge success. There were over 900 registrants this year. In this photo, you can see our own president, Jud Knox, running with gusto.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler spoke to a packed meeting Friday morning. The other two candidates will address us in coming weeks.

At our Friday meeting, May 2nd, two additional members were honored for 32 years of Rotary "Service Above Self", Ross Thompson and Robert Hayward rounding out the five founding members! They were the first to join the new York Rotary Club in 1982. You are what Rotary is all about! Club President Rob Horowitz and Membership Chair Patricia Murray were on hand to present their awards. Congratulations to all.

April 27^th York, Maine; At Friday's breakfast meeting, Greg Villa, Bill Anderson, Tony Mont, and their families, were honored for their 32 years of Rotary "Service Above Self!" They were amongst the first to join the new York Rotary Club in 1982! Club President Rob Horowitz and Membership Chair Patricia Murray were on hand to present their awards. On behalf of all the members of the York Rotary Club, thank you for showing us all what it means to be a Rotarian. You are what Rotary is all about! Congratulations to all.  

Friday's Guest speaker, PDG Marty Helman, shared insight to Rotary International's commitment to the Global Polio Eradication program, the extraordinary accomplishments and it's most tragic obstacles. Marty has participated in several immunization campaigns around the world. Thank you Marty, for your commitment and for sharing a few of your experiences. - Not a Rotary member and interested in learning more, join us for a free breakfast at the York Harbor Inn, Fridays 7:30 to 8:30.

The 2014 District Interact Conference was a big success. Organizer Kevin Raymond can be seen speaking to a group of attendees. The event included a giant can drive, a Red Cross blood drive, and keynote speaker Michael Chase, the kindness guy.

York Maine Rotary Club was recognized for two significant achievements at Friday’s breakfast meeting January 31. Past District Governor Marty Peak Helman shared a lively breakfast meeting followed by her awards presentation. The first award banner for York Rotary Clubs 100% participation in the “Every Rotarian Every Year” Campaign for members exceeding an average of $100 donation per member! PDG Marty Peak Helman pointed out that this is not uncommon for small clubs but remarkable for a club of our size. The second award banner, a tribute to York Rotary Club for achieving the 3rd highest total contribution to this campaign in the district. Congratulations and thank you York Rotary Club for all that you do! 

Not a member and would like to learn more, visit us at our York Maine Rotary Facebook Page  and please, join us for a Friday morning breakfast on us, 7:30AM at the York Harbor Inn. 

Friday, January 24, York Rotary Club members were honored to share breakfast with Mark Eves, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. As guest speaker, Mark shared insights to current hot topics and engaged in lively Q&A with club members. Rotary President Rob Horowitz presents our guest with a coveted Rotary coffee mug. Not a Rotary Club member and would like to learn more about all that Rotary is? Join us for breakfast any Friday morning form 7:30 to 8:30 at the York Harbor Inn. Like and follow us on Facebook: Rotary Club of York Maine.

Join in the Festival of Lights festivities today, Saturday December 7 in York Maine. For you wanna-be Rotarians, we welcome you to meet and walk with us and the York Rotary Club's float. We start at Foster's between 3:30 - 4PM. The parade begins at 4:30PM. Don't forget, you could win a Kindle Fire HD tablet donated by York Maine Rotary Club by participating in the inaugural Festival of Lights Scavenger Hunt between noon and 6PM in the village! See you there!! ~Happy Holidays!~

Today we were able to congratulate our Continuing Education Scholarship winners, Renee Wilson and Shelley Young. We were also delighted to hear an inspiring presentation on Finding Your Rotary Moment from our District Governor, Carolyn Johnson(left).

York Rotarians helped retouch the map we had painted at the York Middle School.

The York Rotary Club was awarded a district grant to create cross country trails at the York High School for use by the track team and the community at large.

Member Sign-up

We are offering three $500.00 scholarships to individuals who are pursuing a change in their career goals or are furthering their education to achieve greater opportunities in their present career.

Applications may be obtained at the York Adult Education office, York High School or by downloading the application from the downloads section of this site (left column). All applications must be completed and returned to the York Rotary Club by September 30, 2013. Applications should be sent to: York Rotary Club, PO Box 806, York, Maine 03909. Further information is available at the York Adult Education office at 207-363-7922.

The winner of the second of three monthly $500 drawings this morning was Joanne Perry of Lowell, MA. Ms. Perry's ticket will be placed back in the hopper and she still has a chance to win the third $500 drawing as well as the MINI Cooper.  You can buy online through the link above. Good Luck!

Our exchange student from Peru, Valeri, visited our club for the first time today. I was presented with a flag from her home rotary club, a flag from her country, and a lovely cultural icon from her homeland. We all hope that she enjoys her stay in the United States.

The winner of the first of three monthly $500 drawings this morning was our own, Richard Santoro. Dick's ticket will be placed back in the hopper and he still has a chance to win the next two $500 drawings as well as the MINI Cooper. There is still time to get your ticket and be in the running for the three remaining drawings. You can buy online through the link above. Good Luck!

Today's York Rotary Four on the 4th Road Race was a big success. Overall male winner, Alex Moser, can be seen about to cross the finish line.

Rotarians helped Habitat for Humanity deconstruct a house in York today so that the parts or the proceeds from them could be used to improve housing elsewhere.

The York Rotary and the Dockside Striper Tournament have joined forces to help reduce hunger. Follow the instructions on the poster/PDF to the left to become a sponsor. You can find out more about the tournament at their Facebook Page. You can also register to participate as a fisherman/fisherwoman/fisherperson ???.

For the fifth year, the Ogunquit Playhouse is joining the fight to eradicate polio worldwide by hosting Rotary Night at the theatre. The Ogunquit Playhouse will donate a portion of every ticket purchased to Thoroughly Modern Millie for the Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 8:00 p.m. performance to the York Rotary Club. The Playhouse seeks to raise $5,000 to support Rotary International’s goal of eliminating worldwide polio.

Rotary Night at the Ogunquit Playhouse begins at 7:00 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres provided by York Hospital in the Gazebo Garden tent, followed by a performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie at 8:00 p.m. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical stars Broadway’s Becky Gulsvig as small-town girl Millie Dillmount, who heads to New York City in 1922 to start a new life. Her new flapper lifestyle leads to a series of madcap adventures when she checks into a hotel owned by dragon-lady villainess Mrs. Meers, played by none other than Ogunquit’s favorite, Sally Struthers, in perhaps her most hilarious and diabolical role ever. Broadway veterans Terry Burrell (MuzzyVan Hossmere) and Burke Moses (Mr. Trevor Graydon) join the cast.

We had a very busy meeting today. Our speaker was IAPP President and CEO J. Trevor Hughes, CIPP. We also had the May and June Students of the Month - Mia Shaw and Christian Remick (above left). In addition, the 2013 Scholarship recipients were also presented including Emily Campbell, Patrick Walsh,Thomas Reid (above right), and Sage Rundlett.

34th Annual Four on the 4th

• 4 Mile USATF Certified Race ~ Limited to 1000 runners
• 1 Mile Free Fun Run for Kids (no registration needed)
• Cash Prizes to overall winners
• 1st ~ 2nd ~ 3rd Place Prizes in each Division
• $27 PRE-REGISTRATION until 6/30/13
• $30 RACE DAY REGISTRATION beginning at 6:00 AM

For more information, visit York Parks & Recreation.

Four on the Fourth and Turkey Trot Videos

At District Conference, the York Rotary Club received the following awards:

• 2012-2013 Six Areas of Focus Award
• 2012-2013 New Generations Award
• 2013 Public Image Award
• 2013 Community Service Award
• 2012-2013 Every Rotarian Every Year Award
• 2012-13 "Peace Through Service" Presidential Citation

Congratulations to President Kevin Raymond and the entire club!

On Sunday May 19th, Spring Library Clean-up was a big success. About a dozen members of Rotary and Interact armed with rakes, shovels, and leaf blowers helped spruce up the grounds of the York Public Library.

As per President Kevin Raymond, our own John Rainone was honored with a "Rotarian of the Decade" Award at the District Conference. His wife, Laura, also received a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Middle school principal, David Williams, introduced the York Rotary to the April Student of the Month, Alex Mayo. President Kevin Raymond and the principal can be seen presenting him with a check for $50 in honor of his achievement. Congratulations!

Today's club assembly was packed with goodness. District Governor Marty Helman presented several members with Paul Harris Plus Awards. Maeve Bonner was named the March Middle School Student of the Month. Also, we heard a brilliant presentation by the winner of the 4-Way Test essay contest, Sarah Palmer.

Our own Paul Salacain went to the Eben Ezer School in Milot, Haiti to assist with the planning of a water project. The York Rotary club had previously donated a generator to the school so that they could have a reliable source of electricity.

On Friday March 15th, he gave the club a presentation about his trip. While there, in addidtion to the planning related to the water project, he assisted with painting, architectural planning, and a lighting project involving 2-liter plastic bottles. He also witnessed a demonstration of a vocational project using the cassava plant to provide both food and raw materials which can be turned into charcoal briquettes. A video demonstration of the latter is provided below.

Incoming Rotary International President Ron Burton was one of the many inspirational speakers at the Northeast President Elect Training Seminar on 3/7-3/9 in Framingham. MA.

Middle school principal, David Williams, introduced the York Rotary to the February Student of the Month, Olivia Pavuk. President Kevin Raymond and the principal can be seen presenting her with a check for $50 in honor of her achievement. Congratulations!

Middle school principal, David Williams, introduced the York Rotary to the January Student of the Month, Allie Donovan. President Kevin Raymond and the principal can be seen presenting her with a check for $50 in honor of her achievement. Congratulations!

Today the York High School Chamber Singers visited the York Rotary and entertained everyone with Christmas carols. President Kevin Raymond also presented music director, Robert Westerberg, with a check for $250 from the York Rotary to support the York High School Music Boosters.

On Friday December 14th, President Kevin Raymond presented York Community Services with a check for $6,000 to supprt fuel assistance.

Bob Hayward provided pictures from Wreaths Accross America's stop in Wells.  Pictures can be found in the photo album on the right.

Last night, Friends Forever presented a program at the York Public Library. This program was supported by People's United Bank, Bank of Maine, and Kennebunk Savings Bank. Donations to support Friends Forever can be dropped off at any of these local institutions.

This morning we heard more about this admirable program which brings Catholic and Protestant youth from Northern Ireland together as well as the personal stories of two of the current participants, Alice and Jordan. Friends Forever were also presented with a $1500 check from the York Rotary Club by president Kevin Raymond.

The October Student of the Month is William Pratt. Congratulations!

The winner for the September $500 drawing of the Car Raffle is Norma Clark of Norma's Restaurant. Her ticket will go back in for the upcoming October $1000 drawing as well as for the final drawing for the Genesis Coupe. You still have time to buy a ticket. Buy now and you can be in the running for the October $1000 drawing on 10/13 and for the car on 10/14 at Harvestfest.

Assistant Governor Diane Melville Foley today presented President Kevin Raymond with a check for $1,775. This was part of the funding for a project proposed by York Rotary as part of a competitive process known as the District Simplified Grant. The project will involve the building of cross country trails at the High School. This project will benefit both the students of the high school and the community at large.

The winner for the August $500 drawing of the Car Raffle is Mark Mullaney of Spencer, MA. His ticket will go back in the hopper for the upcoming drawings as well as for the final drawing for the Genesis Coupe. You still have time to buy a ticket. Buy now and you can be in the running for the September drawing, October drawing and for the car.

Ashley Randall spoke to the York Rotary Club on July 20th about her exciting Group Study Exchange (GSE) trip to Germany.

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.  - From www.rotary.org

Striped Bass Division

Women's Open
1st Suzanne McGrain
2nd Sara Premo

Fly Fishing

1st Tom Gibson
2nd Joe Herbert

Open Tackle

1st Brian Houghton
2nd Peter Beard
3rd Rich Leroux

Youth
1st Charlie Leroux
2nd Aiden McGrain
3rd Bryant Goodenough

Bluefish Division

1st Frank Alexandropoulos
2nd Jake Patterson

Mackerel Division (Youth Only)

1st Aiden McGrain
2nd Kosta Alexandropoulos
3rd Frankie Alexandropoulos
4th Reid Alessi
5th Quinn Alessi
6th Elias Alexandropoulos
7th Niko Alexandropoulos
8th Charlie Leroux
9th Zach Vargo
10th Nicholas Nold

Team Awards

1st Team Massai
2nd Rocky Coast Surfcasters
3rd Team Alexandropoulos

The winner of the 2013 MINI Cooper S Roadster is Jon Gifford of Plaistow, NH.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  You have helped a worthy cause.

Richard (Dick) Santoro received a Paul Harris Fellowship today in gratitude from the York Rotary Club today for all the work he has done this year as Youth Services Chair.

The May Middle School Student of the Month, Justin Davis, with Assistant Principal, Ken Hawkins, and our own President, Pat Murray.

Pat Murray accepted several awards for our club at the District Assembly in Freeport this past weekend. Our Moose mascot, Melvin, won several awards which can be seen in The Adventures of Melvin photo album. The club received the Governer's Embracing Humanity Award and the District Literacy Award. The York Rotary Club should be very proud of its accomplishments.

We had a very successful Spring Cleanup at the York Public Library on April, 28th. Thanks to the Library Board of Trustees for providing refreshments!

Bradford T. Kenney, Executive Artistic Director, and Cheryl Farley, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, joined us on Friday, April 20th to receive a plaque recognizing the Ogunquit Playhouse for all the support it has provided to Rotary International's efforts to eradicate polio with the annual Rotary night at the Playhouse.

The next Rotary night at the Ogunquit Playhouse will be May 31st, 2012. The show is Always, Patsy Cline with Sally Struthers. You can see a great show and support Rotary International. Refreshments before the show will be graciously provided by York Hospital.

Our Student of the Month - Zoey Keenan - from the York Middle School along with President Pat Murray and Middle School Principal, Mr. Steve Bishop.

The winners of the York Rotary 4 Way Test Essay and Speech Contest are, on the left, Joe Leroux and, on the right, Makayla Carpenter. And of course , in the middle is our President, Pat Murray.

The two winners will compete at the Rotary District Level contest to be held at the District Assembly, May 17, 2012.

33rd Annual Four on the 4th

• 4 Mile USATF Certified Race ~ Limited to 1000 runners
• 1 Mile Free Fun Run for Kids (no registration needed)
• Cash Prizes to overall winners
• 1st ~ 2nd ~ 3rd Place Prizes in each Division
• $20 PRE-REGISTRATION at WWW.RUNREG.COM until 6/29/12
• $30 RACE DAY REGISTRATION beginning at 6:00 AM

For more information, visit York Parks & Recreation.

You can sign up for the Four on the 4throad race through RunReg.com.

The Harlem Superstars, a comedy basketball team, are returning to town at 3 p.m. March 17.

The Superstars will play a team of local residents and teachers that afternoon at York High School in a fun family event.

Major sponsors of the event are the  People's United Bank, the law office of James Bartlett, and the Union Bluff Hotel.

Tickets are $8 at the door.

Several York Rotarians took part in the second part of the Andy and Elmer Reading Project at Coastal Ridge and Village Elementary schools on March 2nd to celebrate Read Across America day.

Our donation to the York Schools this year was a landscaping project at the High School. On June 11th 2011, approximately 15 rotarians and their families helped to make this project a reality. The project was led by our own Ray DeFeo. Many Thanks!