Rockland Rotary is pleased to announce the induction of its newest member, Jason Merriam.  Jason is the owner of Merriam Architects here in Rockland.  His sponsor is Rotarian Susan Ware-Page. Pictured L-R are Susan, Jason, and Rockland Rotary President Carol Worcester.

Not only did each of these brave men serve our country, they each have continued a life of service as Rockland Rotarians!

Rockland Rotary presents District Governor, Sue Pratt, with a $1,500 check to support the purchase of library books for the Safe Passage District 7790 Project in Guatemala.  The Safe Passage Project is a nonprofit school working in Guatemala City since 1999 and is registered as a Pre-K through 9th grade school. It utilizes a holistic approach that expands the definition of education to mitigate underlying factors that contribute to poor educational outcomes. Additional programs include educational reinforcement for high school students, health care, social and nutritional services. T goal is to bring hope, education, and opportunity to the children and families trying to make a living around the city’s garbage dump—one of the largest landfills in Central America.

Photo L-R: President-elect Lexi Zable, president Carol Worcester, and DG Sue Pratt.

 

Rockland Rotary would like to thank all of our "Flags for Heroes" sponsors!  These commemorative flags will proudly be on display at the MacDougal Park in Rockland from November 4th-18th.  Each sponsored flag will have a special placard with the hero's name, a brief biography, photo (optional), and the name of the sponsor.  Our mayor, Penny York, will be a guest speaker at our Dedication Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th at noon.  All proceeds from this project will go toward scholarships for local high school seniors.

 

Rotary International Conferences provides an opportunity to meet and connect with fellow Rotarians from around the world, which can lead to new friendships and partnerships as was evident at Rockland Rotary's regular meeting this week.  It also provides a deeper understanding of Rotary's worldwide impact.  Rotarians who attended this year's Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada are (Top Photo L-R) PDG Doug Curtis, Jr., PDG Chris Gallagher, Stephen Savrann, Elba Gloria Rangel Erazo, Kate Taube, Tom Glasgow, Mike Flanagan, Ferolyn Curtis, and Gene Reil. (Doug, Elba Gloria, Mike, Ferolyn, and Gene are from the Rotary Club of Rockland).

Chris (bottom L) from Rotary Club of West Bay Camden, ME shared her experience in attending several RI Conventions over the years.  

Photo bottom R: Stephen from Rotary Club of Sharon, MA, Elba Gloria from Rotary Club of Rockland, ME, Kate Taube from Rotary Club of Duxbury, MA, and Tom Glasgow from Rotary Club of Cranston, RI all spoke about their positive and enlightening experiences in attending the RI Convention in Calgary.  Scott Pralinsky from the Rotary Club of Braintree, MA also attended Calgary, but was unable to be present at this meeting.

Rockland Rotarians support West Bay Rotary’s "Pints for Polio " fundraiser at the Sea Dog to help spread the word about Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this crippling disease is closer than ever. Rotary thanks all who made donations. The Bill Gates Foundation will match funds 2:1! Pictured: West Bay Rotarians Laura Evans, Kim Milton, and Assistant Governor Sandy Cox with Rockland Rotarians PDG Doug Curtis, Jr. and Ferolyn Curtis. (Not pictured Rockland Rotary President Carol Worcester and Butch Worcester).

Don Shields (top photo-center) will air a recorded segment with Elba Gloria Rangel-Erazo (top photo-L) and Mike Flanagan (top photo-R) for the "Rotary on the Radio!" on 106.9 Frank-fm and 105.5 The Wave, which will air on Saturday morning, October 25 around 8:20ish and multiple times over the next week.  Tune in!

Rockland Rotary sponsored its annual Craft Fair at Ash Point Community School, which was another huge success!  The gym was packed with talented crafters with a variety of many unique items.  There was a steady flow of people perusing, shopping, and chatting with crafters and friends.  Rotary's "Baked Goods" tables offered an assortment of irresistible tasty treats (especially Carol's apple turnovers), and the Straw Raffle winners' cheering enticed other curious shoppers to try their hand at winning a fabulous prize donated by the many generous crafters.  The camaraderie with fellow Rotarians, crafters, friends, family, and shoppers made for a fabulous day. Thank you all who made this annual event such a success so that Rockland Rotary can continue its mission to serve those in need within our community!

Photo top L-R: Rotarians Patrick McGuire, Rotary President Carol Worcester, and Gene Reil

Photo bottom front L-R: Rotarian Sherree Craig and Gene Reil, (back L-R) Carol Worcester and Patrick McGuire

 

Rotarian Stephen Savrann from the South Shore Council in Weymouth, MA presents exchange trading banners with President Carol Worcester.  Rotarian Elba Gloria Rangel-Erazo (L) met Stephen at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada.

Photo bottom: Doug Curtis, Jr. presents trading banner from Rotary Club of Alma, Quebec to President Carol Worcester.

The Rotary Club of Rockland Awards a total of $11,000 in Benefaction Grants. The following 5 of 11 recipients attended our regular meeting to share how the grant will benefit their respective programs. 

Top photo L-R: Maggie Blue & Tia Anderson (Habitat for Humanity), John Fromer (Merrysprings), and Chrys DeLorimer & Joe Hufnagel (The Landing Place) 

Bottom L Photo: Robin McIntosh, (Sail, Power & Steam Museum SKFF Sail Kids for Free) with President Carol Worcester and Bottom R Photo: Elizabeth Schuh (Meals on Wheels) with President Carol Worcester.

Start your holiday shopping at the Rockland Rotary sponsored Craft Fair at Ash Point Community School, Saturday, September 27!  packed with talented crafters with a variety of many unique items.  There was a steady flow of people perusing, shopping, and chatting with crafters and friends.  Rotary's "Baked Goods" tables offered an assortment of irresistible tasty treats, and the Straw Raffle winners' cheering enticed other curious shoppers to try their hand at winning a prize.  The camaraderie with fellow Rotarians, crafters, friends, family, and shoppers made for such a fun day. Thank you all who made this annual event such a success so that Rockland Rotary can continue to serve those in need within our community!

Rockland Rotarians Carol & Butch Worcester, Ferolyn & Doug Curtis, Jr. and Gene Reil drove to Pittsfield to help support Rotarian Angel Aguirre with a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser.  Angel is spreading the word about Rotary so she can charter a Pittsfield Rotary Club.

Rotarians having a fun time serving up freshly cooked Maine lobsters from the largest lobster pot in the world, dishing up steamed clams and mussels, or scooping bowls of mouthwatering clam and seafood chowder to hungry tourists and local residents.

Rockland Rotarians support the local, annual Maine Lobster Festival by holding their weekly meeting in the food tent on the grounds.  We enjoyed eating a succulent lobster lunch with a choice of strawberry shortcake or blueberry cobbler for dessert. We enjoyed our picturesque Rockland Harbor and camaraderie with fellow Rotarians and guests.

Rockland Rotarians volunteer to raise funds for Benefaction Grants by parking cars at the Blues Festival, Rockland Lobster Festival, Transportation Museum, and the Maine Boat, Homes, & Harbors Show.  Thank you Rockland Rotarians for this true display of "Service Above Self." 

 

The Rockland Rotary's handicap accessible pavilion and picnic tables at MacDougal Park have been sanded and weather proofed thanks to these hard working and dedicated Rotarians. Thank you Butch Worcester, Adreth Rackliff, Jeff Boutaugh, Carol Worcester, Mike Flanagan, and community volunteer, John Reed.

 

Rockland Rotary would also like to thank the following volunteer construction workers for their time and expertise in building this pavilion: Jeff Snow, Jesse Kurr, Chris Griffen, & Noah Willet from Maritime Energy,  Rockland Rotarians Butch Worcester,  Doug Curtis, Jr., Patrick McGuire, Kermit Voncannon, Ferolyn Curtis and community volunteer Matt Curtis 

 

Finally, a heartfelt "thank you" goes to the following community sponsors who generously contributed their time, funds, and materials to make this project possible: Viking Lumber, Horch Roofing, Stephen Starbird,  Rotary Club of Alma, Canada, Emily Dillon, JBI*Ferraiolo Concrete, EL Spear and Maritime Energy.

Thank you Rockland Rotary volunteers, President Carol Worcester, Bob Bird, Ferolyn Curtis, Butch Worcester, William Harrison, Doug Curtis, Jr., Patrick McGuire, Gene Reil, and (not pictured Bill Gay & Mike Flanagan) for parking cars at the Blues Festival to raise funds for those in need within our community. 

 

Rockland Rotarians attend the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada.  Rotarians had the opportunity to attend numerous informational sessions on such topics as eradicating diseases, youth services, technology, membership and global projects, just to mention a few.  Rotarians from all around the world had a chance to meet and share ideas with a common interest in making the world a better place for both their communities and globally.

Group Photo L-R back row: Rockland Rotarians Mike Flanagan, Ferolyn Curtis, Doug Curtis, Jr. Front row: Elba Gloria Rangel Erazo and Gene Reil

Bottom Photo L-R: PDG Chris Gallagher, PDG Doug Curtis, Jr. and Past President Ferolyn Curtis

Ken joined Rockland Rotary in 1972 at the age of 35. At that time, Rev. William Robbins was the president and Rotary was a suit-and-tie association made up of professional men.  Ken was recently honored for his 52 years as a Rockland Rotarian, with 50 years of perfect attendance. Over the years Ken has served on various committees, spent 9 years on the Board of Directors, and became president in 1985.  During his presidential year, Ken attended the Rotary International Convention in Las Vegas. This convention was the one that voted to extinguish Polio by Rotary International’s 100^th Anniversary in 2005.  Just three years later at the Philadelphia Convention, Rotary had raised the money to take on Polio, pertussis, red measles and more.  During Ken’s presidential year (‘85-’86), Rockland Rotary earned the Rotary Attendance Award for the entire District.  Most recently, Ken has had the privilege of being Rockland Rotary’s chaplain and instituting the weekly “Rotary Minute”.  He is the club’s Rotary International Foundation chairperson.  Ken and his late wife, Mary, generously contributed to the “All-Aboard Inclusive Playground” located at MacDonald Park.  Although no one currently in the club was a Rotarian when Ken joined, Ken states, “Rotary has been a lot more than a club to me, it is a way of life.  All of the Rockland Rotarians have been like family, and I’m so grateful.”  Rockland Rotary is proud to honor Ken Gricus with their prestigious Rotarian of the Year 2025 Award.

Photo L-R:  Rockland Rotary President Mike Flanagan, Ken Gricus, and Honorary Rockland Rotarian Jay Curley

Front Row-New Rockland Rotary members Suzanne & Patrick McGuire receive their Red Badge, while Elba-Gloria Rangel-Erazo, who completed the Red Badge prerequisites,  receives her official Blue Badge.  Congratulations!

Back Row- Rockland Rotary Membership Chairperson Eric Hebert and club President Mike Flanagan.