Presque Isle Rotary Hosts Paul Harris Recognition Evening

Presque Isle – Presque Isle Rotarians and community members gathered on June 23 at the Northeastland Hotel to share in a special evening, honoring four individuals with Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding community service and support to the Rotary Foundation’s efforts within the community and beyond.

Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions are the highest award in Rotary. The first Rotary Club was founded by Paul Harris and three business associates in the City of Chicago in 1905. Since that time, it has become an international organization with millions of members around the globe. The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917, focuses on programming to provide educational opportunities, healthy food, potable water, healthcare, immunizations and shelter for people in need. With growing support of the Rotary Foundation, the Paul Harris Fellow was created in 1957 to honor those individuals to contributed $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation. Additionally, Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation. 

The evening’s first honoree was Clint Deschene of Presque Isle, presented by Past President Sarah Duncan. Clint served as President of the Presque Isle Rotary Club during the 2019-2020 Rotary Year, which had many challenges as the world entered into a global pandemic. He led the club through the unchartered territory of virtual meetings and assisted with the process of reimagining the annual auction, which turned the event into an opportunity to give back to local businesses and organizations that have supported the club over the years. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Maine in Orono and Juris Doctor Degree from Suffolk Law in Boston, Clint began his career in municipal management serving as Town Manager of Hermon and City Manager of Auburn. In 2015, Clint and his family decided to return to Presque Isle and focus his energy on growing and stimulating the Aroostook County economy. His passion truly is our local community and providing growth opportunities for its residents.

Jan Lucas was the second recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow as nominated and presented by Clint Deschene. In 2005, Jan and her husband moved from England to the United States where they helped to open Café Sorpreso. Jan later went on to be known for her expertise in the hospitality industry through her work at the Crow’s Nest, the Hampton Inn and most recently Ignite PI. Jan served as Secretary of the Presque Isle Rotary Club during some very challenging years, including the pandemic and the revamping of the Rotary Auction and the Great Big Give Back. She was integral to the club’s success and was recognized as Rotarian of the Year in 2020. Jan is also very passionate about history and has been a dedicated member of the Presque Isle Historical Society. Having Jan as a part of the community for the last 15 years has been a blessing to all that have met her.

Next, Past President Ray Hews presented Michael MacPherson with his sixth Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Mike has been a member of the PI Rotary Club for forty-one years, serving as Past Director, Past President, and Past District Governor. In addition to the many successful businesses he has developed during his career, he is also a driving force in the community, serving on various boards and committees throughout the Presque Isle area, including the Mark & Emily Turner Foundation, Nordic Heritage Center, MMG Insurance Board of Directors, and the Aroostook Hospice Foundation. He is a US Army Veteran and is very involved in his church, the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church. As a co-founder of the Aroostook House of Comfort, Mike has made an enormous impact for families helping their loved ones through end-of-life care. Mike gives freely of his time and talents, providing optimism, enthusiasm and support to everyone and everything he is involved in.

The final Paul Harris Fellow recognition of the evening was presented to Scott Violette with a light roasting by his father and Honorary Rotarian, Charlie Violette.  Scott served as Club President from 2012-2013 and has served the community in many capacities. A 1996 graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Scott began his family and his career in New Hampshire. In 2007, they returned to Presque Isle where Scott immediately became actively involved in the community. In addition to his co-ownership of Barresi Financial, Scott has served on the Wintergreen Arts Board, Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, University of Maine at Presque Isle Board of Visitors, the Presque Isle Country Club, Momentum Aroostook, and the Mark & Emily Turner Foundation Board. Scott’s dedication to his family and his community is apparent through everything he does.

Only four days after the recognition event was held, the Club hosted its annual end of year barbeque event. That evening, the Club honored Rotarian Floyd Rockholt with a Paul Harris Fellow. Floyd, who serves as the PI Rotary Club Foundation Chair, is one of the individuals who hosted the original recognition evening. To ensure he received the proper recognition, club members surprised Floyd with the award on June 27. Floyd has received several Paul Harris Fellows over the years for his commitment to the club, Rotary Foundation and the community. In his 25-year-long membership with the club, he has served as Director, Treasurer, President, Assistant District Governor, and Foundation Committee Chair. In addition to ownership of Eagle Hill Stamp and Coin, he has been actively involved throughout the community, including through the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, and various other community events. Floyd exemplifies the “Service Above Self” motto through his love for his community.

“We are truly honored to have these five talented and dedicated individuals working hard in our community. Each of them displays the qualities that embody the purpose of the Paul Harris Fellow and further the efforts of the Rotary Foundation,” Rachel Rice, Presque Isle Rotary Club President for 2021-2022, said. “We would like to extend our gratitude to these individuals, their families, and those community members who continue to support the Presque Isle Rotary Club and its local and global efforts.”