Stories

 

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.)

 

 

 

Download the Registration Form Right Here On The Homepage!

 

 

 

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!

 

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. 

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. 

 

http://www.rotary7810conf.org/ 

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. 

 

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 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.

 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club recently inducted two new members—Brian Carpenter, SAD1 Superintendent, and Garrett Cushman, owner of Cushman and Sons, Inc.--during a regular meeting, held on Mondays at Noon at the Northeastland Hotel. Pictured are, from left, Past President Jeff Pangburn, Carpenter, Cushman, and President Frank Bemis. 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club wrapped up its 68^th annual Radio and TV Auction on a high note, raising more than $92,000 during the three-night event and doubling its $25,000 fundraising goal for its Special Project.

 

Auction co-chairs Gina LeBlanc-Eggert and Mandy Pooler-Hall, and all members of the Presque Isle Rotary Club would like to thank the community for an incredible 68th Annual Rotary Auction!! Not only we have an unprecedented year with the regular auction, raising more than $42,000 (including the CHAIR-ity effort we undertook with Wintergreen Arts Center), we raised $50,000 for this year's Special Project, Quoggy Jo Ski Center. To see details about this year's event, visit our Auction webpage or check out the photos on our facebook page. Read on for Store Room hours.
 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is gearing up for its 68^th annual Radio and TV Auction, which will be held on Tuesday, Dec.1, Wednesday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, and broadcast live from the Northeastland Hotel. Co-Chairs Gina LeBlanc-Eggert and Mandy Pooler-Hall and more than 100 Presque Isle Rotarians are hard at work preparing for this year’s auction, which will benefit seven non-profit organizations in the region, as well as raise funds for this year’s special project, Quoggy Jo Ski Center.

With the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Mars Hill and Washburn, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are declaring their 4th annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project celebration—which spread throughout central Aroostook County and was held between Oct. 17 and 25—a big success. All activities helped to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. Combined efforts among the clubs helped to raise $2,600 for that global effort.
 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is pleased to announce that the Star City will be welcoming Rotary International delegates and District 7810 leaders to meet with local club leaders for training and to learn details about a collaborative Future Visions Grant.

 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club was pleased to honor eight individuals during its Paul Harris Recognition Evening, held on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Center for Innovative Learning. Honorees for the evening included Luther J. “Jim” Bubar, Jr., Dr. Donald Cassidy, Jr., Gregg Collins, Christopher Condon, Nancy Fletcher, Larry LaPlante, Charles Violette, and Dottie Wheeler.

 

Presque Isle Rotary Club members were in attendance at this year's District Conference, which took place in Moncton, New Brunswick, on Sept. 11-13. Keynote speaker for this year's conference was Mike K. McGovern, past Vice Chair of the Rotary Foundation and current Chairman of the International Polio Plus Committee, is a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, and has traveled extensively for the eradication of polio.

 

 

Pictured above with McGovern (center) are, from left, Presque Isle Rotary Club President Frank Bemis, District Governor Elect Ginny Joles, Presque Isle Rotary Club Treasurer and Assistant District Governor Floyd Rockholt, and Presque Isle Rotary Club President Elect Gina LeBlanc-Eggert.

 

 

Also during the conference, the Presque Isle club received a District Governor's Citation for the work it has done during its past two Rotary Auctions to raise thousands of dollars in funds for two Special Projects, the Aroostook House of Comfort and the Presque Isle Community Center. Above, Presque Isle Rotary Club President Frank Bemis receives the citation from Mike Walsh, Director Shelter Box Canada Board and Past District Governor.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club recently honored Ed and Barbara Hews with Paul Harris Fellow awards, one of the most prestigious awards in Rotary. The couple, who have been married for (70) years, received their awards for a lifetime of service to their community and their many contributions to the club.

 

Pausing for a photo after the recognition presentation are, from left, front row, past Presque Isle Rotary Club President Mike MacPherson; Debi Hews; Jane Lockhart; Paul Harris Award recipients Ed and Barbara Hews, and Presque Isle Rotary Club President Elect Gina LeBlanc-Eggert; back row, Mark Hews; Jay Lockhart; and Suzanne and Ray Hews (son of Ed Hews and also a past President of the Presque Isle Rotary Club).

During its July 6 meeting, the Presque Isle Rotary Club installed new officers and set its board of directors for 2015-2016. The Club was also pleased to host Wayne Wornes, the new District Governor for Rotary District 7810, and his wife Sylvie Wornes during the meeting. Pictured are, from left, front row: Wayne Wornes, Jennifer Flynn, Secretary; outgoing President Scott Violette; incoming President Frank Bemis; President Elect Gina LeBlanc-Eggert; Amanda Hall, 2nd Vice President, and daughter Brooke; and Sylvie Wornes; back row:  District Governor Elect Ginny Joles; Floyd Rockholt, Treasurer and Assistant District Governor; board members Rachel Rice, Leigh Smith and Derik Smith; Adam Bither, Sergeant at Arms; board member Jason Parent; Tony Phillips, Assistant Treasurer; board member Matt Irwin; and Theresa Fowler, Assistant Secretary. Not pictured were board members Sharon Campbell, Rick Duncan, Sue Bernard, and Toby Plummer.

 

Below, Outgoing Presque Isle Rotary Club President Scott Violette congratulates incoming Presque Isle Rotary Club President Frank Bemis as he begins his term for 2015-2016. Behind them is a banner with the theme Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran has chosen for 2015-2016: Be a Gift to the World. Ravindran is urging Rotary members to give the gifts of time, talent, and knowledge to improve lives in communities across the globe.
 

 

 

Presque Isle Rotary Club members teamed up to clean up Downing Park in Presque Isle. Members raked, weeded, and mulched the gardens along the bike path between State Street and Academy Street over the last few weeks. 

 

 

Pictured are, from left, front row: Don Samiya, Martin Puckett, Brooklyn Hall, and Abigail Eggert; back row: Floyd Rockholt, Lori Samiya, Mandy Pooler-Hall, and Gina LeBlanc-Eggert.

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Josefina (Josie) Lopez, Fort Fairfield Rotary Club member, recently traveled to Guatemala, Central America, to take part in a Rotary World Service Project (WSP). Lopez joined fellow Rotarians from Duluth, Minnesota, in building a multipurpose room and sports court at the La Curvina School in Monterrico, Guatemala. The Rotarians also provided the local population with over 450 toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, a portion of which were donated by local dentist, and Presque Isle Rotarian, Dr. Donald Cassidy.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is in the planning phase for the 68th Annual Rotary Auction, to raise funds for local charities and non-profit organizations.  This year, the Auction will be held Tuesday through Thursday, December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2015.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club wrapped up its 67th annual Radio and TV Auction on a high note, raising more than $410,000 during the three-night event and surpassing its $25,000 fundraising goal for its special project—by more than $300,000.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club recently inducted its newest member—Jan Lucas, event coordinator at the Hampton Inn in Presque Isle, during its regular meeting on Dec. 15. Pictured are, from left, Past President Jane Towle, Lucas, and President Scott Violette. 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club held its 9th annual Thesaurus Project, this year donating nearly 200 age-appropriate thesauruses to 3rd grade students in Ashland, Easton, Mapleton, and Presque Isle. The Club started this project as a way to promote literacy efforts and to raise awareness of Rotary in the local community. 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is proud to announce that its 67th Annual TV and Radio Auction is officially underway! To get details on all the action--including our live stream, a PDF of our auction booklet, recipient videos, and information about our Special Project and Art Auction--please click the Auction link at the top of the page or click here. 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club recently inducted its newest member—Jason House, a commercial lender with TD Bank, during its regular meeting on Nov. 17. Pictured are, from left, Past President Mike Kelley, House, and President Scott Violette.

 

With the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Washburn, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are declaring their 3rd annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project celebration—which spread throughout central Aroostook County and was held between Oct. 18 and 25—a big success. All activities helped to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. Combined efforts among the clubs helped to raise an estimated $2,600 for that global effort.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is pleased to welcome five new members: Dr. Larry Feinstein, University of Maine at Presque Isle Assistant Professor of Biology; Dennis Koch, UMPI Director of Residence Life; Ben Greenlaw, Principal of Presque Isle High School; Mark White, PIHS Athletic Director (White, Greenlaw, Koch and Feinstein are pictured above with President Scott Violette); and Shawn Berube, of the local Social Security Administration office (pictured below with 2nd Vice President Gina Eggert-Leblanc and Past President Tony Sullivan). 

 

The Presque Isle Rotary Club and the University of Maine at Presque Isle are joining forces to host their Third Annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project celebration and this year, with the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Washburn, the celebration is going to spread throughout central Aroostook County. A slate of activities will take place between Oct. 18 and Oct. 26 to celebrate World Polio Day, which takes place Oct. 24. All activities are meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money -- $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Janet Marr, of Maine Benefits Group, to the club. 

Norman is 89 years old. He's played golf every day since his retirement over 20 years ago. One day he arrives home upset. "That's it," he tells his wife. "I'm giving up golf. My eyesight is so bad that once I hit the ball I can't see where the dang thing goes."

His wife sympathises and makes him a hot cup of tea. As they sit down she says, "Why don't you take my brother with you and give it one last try."

"That's a terrible idea" says Norman, "your brother's 102 years old. How could he help?"

"He may be 102 years old", says the wife, "but his eyesight is perfect."

Norman figured he'd give it a try So the next day he heads off to the golf course with his brother-in-law. He tees up, takes a mighty swing and squints down the fairway.

He turns to the brother-in-law and says, "Did you see the ball?"

"Of course I did!" replied the brother-in-law. "I have perfect eyesight".

"Where did it go?" says Norman.

"Where did what go?

 

It's an exciting time to be a Rotarian!

 

And it will never be more exciting in 2014 than in Moncton between September 18th and 21st at the District 7810 Annual Conference as we Light Up Rotary!

 

District Governor Elect Mike Walsh, his wife Francine Fournier- Walsh, Conference Chair Wayne Wornes and all the Clubs in South-Eastern New Brunswick extend a warm invitation to come to this years Conference.

 

We have a jam packed and fun agenda, including a return of Casino Night and a concurrent Rotary Youth Conference as well.

 

We have thought of everything, even babysitting, if you want to bring the whole family to Moncton to enjoy all we have to offer!

 

So check out our site and register as soon as you can!

A couple were Christmas shopping. The shopping center was packed , and as the wife walked through one of the malls she was surprised when she looked around to find that her husband was nowhere to be seen. She was quite upset because they had a lot to do and she became so worried that she called him on her mobile phone to ask him where he was.

In a quiet voice he said, "Do you remember the jewelers we went into about five years ago where you fell in love with that diamond necklace that we couldn't afford, and I told you that I would get it for you one day?"

The wife choked up and started to cry and said, "Yes, I do remember that shop."

He replied, "Well, I'm in the bar next door."