Rotary Recap- October 3, 2025
~ Inspirational Story by Darcy
~ Guest Titus Dawson- Surf Point York Maine
~ Ann Bliss, Portsmouth Rotary Club presentation on Pune, India
York Rotary Recap
Friday, October 3, 2025
Guest Speakers:
Ann Bliss, Portsmouth Rotary Club
Titus Dawson, Board Member, Surf Point
Ann Bliss, Portsmouth Rotary Club
Titus Dawson, Board Member, Surf Point
The meeting opened with a heartfelt “Word of the Day” read by Darcy—a touching story about a 74-year-old man who began paying for strangers’ laundry, inspiring an entire town to join in his quiet act of kindness. The message reminded us that small acts of compassion can ripple outward to create meaningful community change.
Guests and Introductions
We welcomed Titus Dawson, who lives in York Village and works at NH PBS. Titus also serves on the Board of Directors at Surf Point, a nonprofit artist residency program on the coast of York Harbor. He shared that Surf Point offers three-week live-work residencies for visual artists and art professionals, fostering creativity, inclusion, and community connection. Titus also highlighted an upcoming Community Day event on October 11, held in collaboration with Community Plate, featuring storytelling and a potluck.
We welcomed Titus Dawson, who lives in York Village and works at NH PBS. Titus also serves on the Board of Directors at Surf Point, a nonprofit artist residency program on the coast of York Harbor. He shared that Surf Point offers three-week live-work residencies for visual artists and art professionals, fostering creativity, inclusion, and community connection. Titus also highlighted an upcoming Community Day event on October 11, held in collaboration with Community Plate, featuring storytelling and a potluck.
Club Updates & Announcements
- Field Trip: Members were reminded to sign up for next week’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard field trip (Friday, October 10). Please confirm with Jackie.
- Community Supper: Tuesday, October 7 – Darcy is leading; volunteers are needed starting at 3:00 p.m.
- Harvestfest (October 18): Steve will circulate the volunteer sign-up sheet.
- Maine Needs: This month’s Happy Dollars will go toward Maine Needs. Members are encouraged to donate new or gently used items such as toiletries, bedding, or camping gear.
- Ben Lovell’s Photos: Darcy shared a photo from Ben who is in Bratislava, Slovak Republic, of the Rotary International Wheel in a public location.
- Happy Birthday Jud! And congratulations on your daughter’s wedding this coming weekend!
- Congratulations: Marilyn joyfully announced the arrival of her first granddaughter, River Aurora!
Guest Presentation – Building Peace and Unity in India
Our main speaker, Ann Bliss from the Portsmouth Rotary Club, presented on the Conflict & Peace Resolution Global Grant Project in Pune, India. Partnering with Maher, an interfaith, caste-free NGO founded by Sister Lucy Kurien, the project seeks to expand education, peace building, and empowerment programs for vulnerable women, children, and men.
Our main speaker, Ann Bliss from the Portsmouth Rotary Club, presented on the Conflict & Peace Resolution Global Grant Project in Pune, India. Partnering with Maher, an interfaith, caste-free NGO founded by Sister Lucy Kurien, the project seeks to expand education, peace building, and empowerment programs for vulnerable women, children, and men.
Ann described Maher’s impactful work in rural and tribal villages, where illiteracy, addiction, caste discrimination, and child marriage are major challenges. Maher’s community-based programs use conversation, music, skits, and storytelling to teach literacy, promote self-help groups, and encourage gender equity. Many of these groups—mostly led by women—have developed micro-businesses and now intervene collectively to prevent domestic violence.
The two-year grant proposal aims to raise $95,426, with $56,000 already committed. Funds will support transportation, educational equipment, and training to help local leaders sustain progress. District 7780’s contribution of $15,000 would help unlock matching funds and strengthen the initiative’s reach.
Ann shared inspiring outcomes from Maher’s programs:
- Increased school attendance, especially among girls
- Reduced illiteracy, child labor, and child marriage
- Decreased domestic violence and addiction rates
- Greater awareness of mental health and reduced stigma
- Growth in community collaboration and pride
Her presentation was a powerful reminder of Rotary’s global impact—building peace and opportunity, one community at a time.
Closing Thought:
As Darcy’s story reminded us, kindness—whether through quarters, time, or service—has the power to connect us all. Let’s continue to be that quiet spark of hope in our community and beyond.
As Darcy’s story reminded us, kindness—whether through quarters, time, or service—has the power to connect us all. Let’s continue to be that quiet spark of hope in our community and beyond.