We're looking forward to once again serving everyone breakfast bright and early on opening day! While this year's breakfast will be drive thru only, we're excited to announce that we're bringing back the classic breakfast everyone missed! That's right - scrambled eggs, ham, and pancakes served with home fries, beans, a donut and coffee (or hot chocolate) for just $5. But don't worry, if you loved the breakfast sandwiches last year, they're on the menu too! Best of both worlds, right?

Linda Bryant--This Paul Harris Fellowship is awarded to someone who is not an officer but who is always there. Linda is the one who always sees what needs to be done in the community and then getting on e-mail or the telephone to tell us what exactly what to do, and usually how to do it.  But she doesn’t stop there. She ‘s involved in projects from start to finish.  Whether it’s school supplies for kids, May baskets for the elderly, lining up individuals who need a wheelchair ramp installed or emptying the Crossroads Ministry building and overseeing the distribution of badly needed food in the community. In short, every club needs a person to keep finding ways to make a positive impact on the community. We have Linda Bryant.

 

 

Buggsy Bryant--Buggsy is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow whose desire to help others has been exemplified in the fact that he has almost never said “no” when someone asked him for help.  He has always been there for us as a club, and we’ve learned that we can truly rely on him.  Although he may be considered a sidekick to some, we would be remiss not to honor him for his individual time, effort, and contribution to this club and our communities

 

 

Tamara Saarinen, Treasurer--Tamara is a first time Paul Harris Fellow.  Although she joined our club four years ago, she jumped right in and got to work.  She asked questions and showed great interest and enthusiasm in understanding the operations of the club as a whole, which is critical in her role.  She held one of the hardest board positions of any non-profit organization.  Not only did she show up for fundraisers and projects, she also spent a lot of time to learn a new system in order to take care of the club financially. 

 

 

David Wollstadt, Club Administration--Dave is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow who has been a steady presence over the years. He has contributed countless hours to the club’s fundraising and PR efforts through his work, primarily in editing and publishing the club’s annual Hunters Breakfast Newspaper, which raises several thousand dollars annually.  He has also consistently encouraged other members to participate in this effort and share the load – which the goal of many hands/light work.

 

A special highlight was the presentation of two Paul Harris Fellow awards to Keri Denis, President, 2020-2021.  This was the first time in memory that one person received two Paul Harris Fellows. The first Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded in recognition of her many achievements as club president during 1920-21. As presenter Ben Smith told the Club, Keri was being honored “for exceptional and inspiring leadership in a time of extraordinary turmoil.”  Keri’s second Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded for her efforts in spearheading the Rotary Quarter Mile drive, which brought all three Bangor-area clubs together with a goal of obtaining about $16,000 worth of quarters—enough to create a mile-long oval of quarters. The project involved close coordination and encouragement among all three clubs, in which Keri was a key player. In addition to her blood, sweat, and cheers, she also found at least $1,000 worth of quarters that she donated to the project.

 

 

 

 

 

Crossroads Ministries needs our help.  They have to shut down to renovate parts of their building, so they need to clear out as much of the building as possible before work can be started.  Our club has offered to help, as, like us, Crossroads does so much to support our community.  

 

Round #1 will be next Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th.

 

Friday: Volunteers are needed to lug boxes of canned goods from the building to trailers.  Volunteers will be capped at 10 people, to include Linda and Bugsy, as there is not a lot of room to work in, we don't want to overwhelm the owners, and for safety reasons.  We will meet at 10 am at Crossroads Ministries.  

 

Saturday: There will be a free food distribution at the United Methodist Church parking lot in Old Town from 11 am - 3 pm to give away the boxes of canned goods.  Volunteers will meet at 10 am in the parking lot to set-up.  We will need more volunteers this day, so no cap.

 

 

Round #2 may happen if there is leftover canned goods from the event on Saturday.  This would consist of distributing the food to three different senior houses, on Tuesday - Thursday, Feb. 23rd-25th.  Linda will reach out for any help she needs with this.

 

Round #3 may be a yard sale to help them sell there other non-food items (clothes, tupperware, etc.).  There is no set date for this yet, but could potentially occur on Friday, February 26th and Saturday, February 27th.  More to come on this.

Rotary Clubs across Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec have collectively donated $25,000 to local fire departments to purchase necessary equipment (designated refrigeration units and iPads) to assist in their COVID19 vaccination efforts! Below is President Keri Denis of the Rotary Club of Old Town presenting some of these funds to East Millinocket Fire Department/EMS Chief Rob McGraw.