Aroostook County – Now into its 72nd year, the Presque Isle Rotary Auction continues to adjust with the changing times. The auction will now take place entirely online. Over 400 items valued at over $40, 000 have been donated by local businesses and will be auctioned off courtesy of Gregg Auctions online at www.greggauctions.com. Bidding is now open and is set to close on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at 8 p.m . While the auction format may have changed, the spirit behind the auction remains the same. Proceeds from this year’s auction will benefit the Nordic Heritage Ski Center, Quoggy Jo Ski Center, Presque Isle Youth Hockey, and the Presque Isle Rotary Club Scholarship Fund.
Going Places Network announces major boost to
The PI Loop with gift of new bus, state-of-the-art technology and community challenge match
PRESQUE ISLE – Community members will have a brand new metro bus to ride on with state of the art technology to track its location and connect to the outside world while on board when The PI Loop fixed bus route launches in the Star City this October. A generous gift of more than $270,000 from Presque Isle native and philanthropist Mary Smith also includes a $50,000 challenge match to the Rotary and Kiwanis Club selected 2019 community project to raise funds for installation of bus shelters.
“The Going Places Network has been planning to address transportation needs in Presque Isle for about a year. Thanks to Mrs. Smith's generous gift, The PI Loop will now contain state of the art technology, a metro bus that will allow for a comfortable experience for all riders, and a fixed loop service that will be rolling through the City before the snow falls,” said Jamie Chandler of ACAP, who along with LeRae Kinney of MSAD 1, co-chair the Going Places Network.
PRESQUE ISLE – Two local civic organizations have chosen Going Places Network’s “The PI Loop” as their Annual Community Project, which means the new bus route that is scheduled to begin in October will receive a boost of support and publicity in the coming months leading up to the Rotary Auction in November.
Aroostook County - The Presque Isle Rotary Club continued its seven decade tradition of supporting local non-profit organizations by recently dispersing funds raised during the 71st Annual Rotary Auction to their Auction Partners.
Last November, nearly 500 items valued at more than $50,000, donated from businesses and organizations across Aroostook County and beyond, were auctioned off live on WAGM-TV and online by Gregg Auctions. The online component was new this year in an effort to bring the auction into the 21st Century. As technology and the way society consumes media changes, the auction needs to continue to adapt. The auction has been the organizations largest fundraiser for decades, and the goal is to keep it going.
In a sure sign that spring is finally arriving, the annual Aroostook River Fun Run will take place Saturday, May 18. This event offers a fun opportunity for individuals and families to get outside and enjoy the Aroostook River and the area around it.
The Aroostook River Fun Run began 12 years ago as a partnership between the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary Clubs to celebrate the tremendous resource that connects the two communities, the Aroostook River. That collaboration grew over the years to also include the Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle, Northern Light AR Gould Hospital and the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club. The event itself also grew to include more than just the traditional river race for paddlers in canoes and kayaks, with the addition of both a bike course and a 5K run/walk option.
Aroostook organizations encourage kind acts for Jan. 5 Day of Service for Maine Citizens
PRESQUE ISLE – Responding to a call for statewide Day of Service for Maine Citizens on January 5, four Aroostook County civic-minded organizations are encouraging people to give back in their communities with acts of kindness. The Maine Commission for Community Service is coordinating the day at the request of Governor-elect Janet Mills, who officially takes office earlier in the week.
United Way of Aroostook, Aroostook County Action Program, Presque Isle Rotary and Presque Isle Kiwanis are hoping a Day of Service for Maine Citizens will cause people to be mindful of how their small acts of kindness can have big impacts, and also set the stage for an entire year of giving in 2019. Giving can take on many forms, but for this January 5, it’s the small things that count as far as Sherry Locke, Executive Director of United Way and past president of Presque Isle Kiwanis, is concerned.
Presque Isle Rotary Club first-ever on-line auction now live;
TV auction broadcast set for November 24
Aroostook County Child Advocacy Center
and six other projects to benefit from funds raised
Aroostook County - A seven-decade tradition has taken a big leap into the 21st century. For the first time ever, the Presque Isle Rotary Club has taken part of its annual auction on-line.
Nearly 500 items valued at more than $50,000, donated from businesses and organizations across Aroostook County and beyond, can now be viewed, and are open for bidding, on the 71st Annual Rotary Auction website at www.greggauctions.com. In addition to the on-line component, a live Auction broadcast is planned for Saturday, November 24, between 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. on WAGM-TV's Fox affiliate station (channel 12 for area Spectrum Cable subscribers) and will be simultaneously webcast on wagmtv.com.
Members of the Presque Isle Rotary Club recently installed new Officers Board Members and Committee Chairs for the 2018-2019 Rotary year, which runs July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Serving in leadership positions for the year are (seated, left to right): Matt Irwin, president nominee (2020-2021); Matthew Bouchard, assistant treasurer; Sue Brown, treasurer; Jason Parent, president (2018-2019); Clint Deschene, vice president/president-elect (2019-2020); Jan Lucas, secretary; and Nancy Allen, assistant secretary.
Also serving in Rotary leadership are (standing, left to right): Rachel Rice, board member; Debbie Roark, board member/scholarship committee co-chair; Sarah Ennis, board member; Martin Puckett, board member; Ben Greenlaw, board member/sergeant-at-arms; Leigh Smith, board member; Ralph McPherson, Rotary Foundation committee chair; Brett Varnum mentoring committee co-chair; Kevin McCartney, service committee chair; and Karen Gonya, public relations committee chair.
Missing from photo are: Mandy Pooler-Hall, immediate past president; Derik Smith, board member; Sharon Campbell, literacy committee chair; Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, membership committee chair; Steve St. Pierre, mentoring committee co-chair; Theresa Fowler, program committee chair; Scott Violette, scholarship committee co-chair; and Jordyn Madore, youth services committee chair.
We would like to welcome our newest Rotarian, Scott LaFleur. He comes to us from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He recently purchased the Budget Traveler in Presque Isle and is completing a large renovation and rebranding project as the hotel is converted into a Best Western. Welcome Scott! (Pictured Left to Right is Past District Governor Michael MacPherson, Immediate Past President Mandy Pooler-Hall and Rotarian Scott LaFleur.)
2017-2018 Purple Pinkie Project
Rotarian's visited local area schools to paint pinkies purple in support of Polio Eradication. For a $1 donation-the cost of a polio vaccine- children and adults could get their pinkie painted purple. The club raised $3,000 toward the effort which will allow for 3,000 children around the world to receive the life saving polio vaccine. Rotarian's always enjoy our time in the local school and spending time with the very excited kiddo's!
Rotary to honor Paul Harris Fellows
The Presque Isle Rotary Club is hosting a recognition evening on Thursday, May 3, at Northern Maine Community College to honor several community members and Rotarians who are being named Paul Harris Fellows.
“It is an honor to recognize these individuals,” said Rotarian Ralph McPherson, who is coordinating the event. “Ironically most don’t particularly want to be honored. They are doing great work locally and worldwide, not for the glory and recognition, but because it is important to them. They give of their time, talent and treasure to truly make a difference.”
While McPherson, who is himself a Paul Harris Fellow, understands that sentiment, he is pleased to give these 10 individuals the recognition they deserve. Those being honored are: Scott Carlin, Joseph Clukey, William Guerrette, Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, Helen McConnell, Larry Shaw, Derik Smith and Stuart Wyckoff. Also being honored will be Joy Barresi Saucier, who was named a Paul Harris Fellow at a previous Rotary District Council meeting but will be recognized in her own community at this event. A special surprise presentation is also planned for an unnamed individual.
The Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The honor was established in 1957 to show appreciation for contributions that support our Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. The honor is named for Paul Harris, the Chicago attorney who founded Rotary in 1905 so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships and give back to their communities.
“We invited community members to join us as we celebrate these great people for all that they have done,” said McPherson. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar in the Akeley Student Center-Smith Wellness Center area of NMCC, followed by the presentation at 6:15 p.m. in the Edmunds Conference Center.
The cost to attend is $20/person. To register, email ralph.mcpherson@maine.edu or call 207-521-4625.
Planning for the 71st Annual Rotary Auction has begun! We are looking to team with local non profit organizations to help fund their projects that will improve the lives of others. In addition, we are excited to announce we will continue our collaboration with the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club to jointly support a larger Community Project. Applications for both regular auction proceed partners and Community Project Partners can be found to the right hand side of the homepage. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, April 20, 2018. Please contact us for more information.
Download the Registration Form Right Here On The Homepage!
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The Presque Isle Rotary Auction is Now Happening Online!
In addition to our continued partnership with WAGM TV, we have now added an Online Only auction component. The Live TV Auction will be held on WAGM TV on Saturday, November 24th from 12pm-6pm. Pre-bidding for TV Auction items has begun on Gregg Auctions website. Bidding for these items will conclude during the Live TV Auction. Our Online Only items will be up for bid on Gregg Auctions website until December 2, 2018 @ 4:00pm. The PI Rotary has again team up with the PI Kiwanis Club to raise money for the Children's Advocacy Center. Funds will go to assisting the new facility in provide local services to children and families who are victims of sexual assault.
You can find links to Gregg Auctions website, the Auction Item Listing and our Store Hours on this page. For more information you can find us on Facebook or contact a PI Rotarian.
The Presque Isle, Washburn and Caribou Rotary Clubs and the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club are teaming up to present the 10th annual Aroostook River Fun Run, taking place this year on May 20. Registration will be under way from 8:30-9:30 and the race begins at 10 a.m. The registration fee is $10 for adults, $7 for 18 and under. T-shirts will be ordered for all who pre-register and pay by May 1. To register, check out the registration form here. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Francis Malcolm Science Center.
The 69th Annual Auction is a Wrap! Big changes were made this year including 15-minute auction blocks, item display set, online streaming and a new set in the Red Room at the Northeastland Hotel. In total, $75,000 was raised to support local non-profit organizations.The Presque Isle Rotary Club also teamed with the Wintergreen Art Center for the second annual "Chair"ity Auction. In addition to all that action, this years Special Project was the Aroostook Youth Football Program where funds were raised for the construction of a new football field.
This years Rotary Auction is set to begin in just two weeks! Check out the Auction link to find out more information about the Auction or follow us on facebook. You can view the booklet, proceed partner vignettes, art items and much more! We have some very exciting changes planned for this years auction. Continue reading to learn more about this years auctions and a little more about those fun new changes!
The 2016 Rotary District 7810 Conference will be held in Presque Isle this year on August 26 & 27. We are so happy to host Rotarian's and their families from all over Northern Maine and New Brunswick. The weekend will be filled with informational sessions, guest speakers, fellowship activities, and banquets. Click the link below to visit the District Conference website for more information and registrations forms.
We are so very proud to announce that the 2016-2017 Rotary District 7810 District Governor is our very own Ginny Joles! On June 27, Ginny along with the clubs incoming officers and board members were inducted into their new positions.
Pictured Left to Right: Past DG Brett Varnum, Past DG Michael MacPherson, Past DG Tom Gagnon, District Governor Ginny Joles & her husband Jerry, Assistant District Governor Floyd Rockholt, Past ADG Nancy Fletcher, Past ADG Ralph McPherson
Back Row Left To Right: Board Member Rachel Rice, Past President Frank Bemis, Secretary Jennifer Flynn, Treasurer Floyd Rockholt, Board Member Clint Deschaine, DG Ginny Joles,
Front Row Left to Right President Elect Mandy Pooler-Hall, President Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, Vice President Jason Parent.
Presque Isle Rotary Club members recently completed the 3rd Annual Downing Park Cleanup. In 2014, the PI Rotary began assisting the Presque Isle Gardening Club with this effort. Rotarian's gathered to rake, weed and mulch the gardens along the bike path between State & Academy Streets-otherwise known as Downing Park.
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Pictured left to right: John DeFelice, Jim Bubar, Gina LeBlanc-Eggert & daughter Abigail, Floyd Rockholt, Clint Deschaine & daughter Reagen & Mandy Pooler Hall & daughter Brooke.
Auction Co-Chairs Mandy Pooler-Hall & Jason Parent along with the Presque Isle Rotary Club are excited to announce the 2016 Rotary Auction Proceed Partners.
The 2016 Aroostook River Fun Run is now accepting pre-registrations!
The 2016 Aroostook River Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, May 14. Links to the Flyer and Registration Form can be found on the lower right hand corner of this page. You can download the form from the website or pick one up at the Star Herald Office 40 North Street Suite B. Forms are to be returned to the Presque Isle Rotary Club at PO Box 641, Presque Isle, ME 04769. The race will begin at Thomas Park in Washburn at 10:00 am and will end at the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club where a Race Awards will be presented and a BBQ Lunch will be served. This event is sponsored by the Presque Isle & Washburn Rotary Clubs. It is always a funfilled event. We hope you can join us!
The Presque Isle Rotary Club and the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club held a special joint meeting on March 22 at the Northeastland Hotel, welcoming U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins for an update on efforts underway in Washington, D.C. The Senator spoke before a packed audience about everything from efforts to prevent scams targeting senior citizens to work underway to support business growth in Aroostook County.
Planning for the 69th Annual Rotary Auction is in full swing! We are looking to team with local non profit organizations to help fund their projects that will improve the lives of others. For more information and an application please click on the link entitled "2016 Auction Funds Request Packet" which can be found on the lower right hand corner of this webpage. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday March 25, 2016. Please contact Mandy Pooler-Hall or Jason Parent for more information.
Several Aroostook County Rotarians traveled to Houlton on Dec. 21 to deliver a presentation about Project GIIVE 2017. Project GIIVE (Guatemalan Infrastructure Improvement Venture) is a joint effort among the Rotary Clubs of Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Washburn, and Perth-Andover, New Brunswick that has been proposed to meet the needs of a village near the city of Monterrico, Guatemala, in cooperation with the Guatemalan Rotary Club La Ermita. The clubs are seeking a grant that would help to pay for eco-stoves, water filtration devices, and eco-toilets. Pictured are, from left, Virginia Joles, Incoming District Governor; Carl Young, President, Fort Fairfield Club; Josie Lopez, member, Fort Fairfield Club; Matthew Nightingale, President, Houlton Club; Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, Vice President, Presque Isle Club; and Ed Wright, Foundation Chair, Mars Hill Club.
