April 26, 2016 Newsletter

was given by Larry Fernald and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. The greeter was also Larry Fernald and newsletter notes were taken by Tracy Shaffer.  Sergeant at Arms was Chris

Coleman.

 
Visiting Rotarians: Bar Harbor Rotarian Julie Clark, a Past President of our Ellsworth Rotary.

Guests:  Chris Coleman’s daughter Emily and wife Donna, Jane’s guest and prospective member Heidi, Laura’s husband Gene and daughter Allegra, Lincoln’s wife and prospective member Debra, John, Dawn and Guest Speaker David Closson, Guest Speaker Chris Williams.  Carl also acknowledged the HCTC honorees, instructors and family and friends of the students being recognized.

 

Club Anniversaries:  Jack Frost (April, 2001)

 

Door Prizes: Not Conducted this Evening Due to Program.

50/50, Happy Dollars and Queen of Hearts: Not Conducted this Evening Due to Program.

 

Carl reminded Rotarians that the Rotary Auction donations are due April 30 and captains should turn in their team donation points by next Tuesday. Rotarians earn one point for each item and two points for items valued at over $100.  The team with the most points will choose the next organization who will be awarded our quarterly happy dollar total.  Donations can be accepted after the 30^th, but all should try to wrap up contacts this week and get their items to the YMCA.  Carl held a recognition moment and gave a gift certificate to the Rotarian furthest along in finishing his or her Rotary contacts.  This will be done every week until the auction and tonight’s winner was Irv who won a tie among four other Rotarians.  Congratulations Irv!  We collectively have 100+ items in and need over 200 to drive the historic proceeds we expect.

 

In other business, Ashley reminded people of the Indian Point Clean Up Project which will be on May 7 from 9 AM – Noon.  She also called for a quick board meeting this evening and reminded all members of the request from District Gov. Al Feather to participate in the Ecuador relief fundraiser. 

 

Charlene noted that The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting is Thursday,

May 19 at Big Cats Catering and Events Center in Trenton. Social hour starts at 5 PM with an appetizer buffet and cash bar.  The meeting and awards presentation begin at 6:15 PM.

The Ellsworth Rotary Club is a member of the chamber and any member can attend the annual meeting. This year, Rotary Past President David Wells is being recognized as Citizen of the Year.  Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by contacting the chamber if you would like to

join in the celebration.  Congratulations David!

 

Ashley announced that meetings would start regularly at Betty’s Hilltop on May 24.  If you are interested in helping her inventory meeting materials and display items we use weekly, please let her know.

 

 

Vocational Service Director Carl Lusby hosted our fourth and final Hancock County Technical Center (HCTC) recognition event for the program year.  The event was held at the center and the meal was provided by the students from the culinary arts department.

 

Three students were recognized, two from the culinary arts program and one from the

automotive program.

 

Culinary arts instructor Bill Baker recognized Molly Corson from MDI High School and Monica Jodrey from Ellsworth High School for their achievements in culinary arts.  Both have been in the program for two years and are seniors.  Both have exhibited exceptional skills, excellence in their work and have demonstrated an ability to team with others. Both have won various awards at the state level and Monica will be representing the state at a national student baking competition in June.  Both have plans to further their education in the fall in collegiate culinary arts programs.

 

Automotive instructor Hunter Havel recognized Gino Balzarini from Sumpter Memorial High

School.  Gino has been in the program for two years and is a senior.  Mr. Havel spoke of Gino’s hard work, dedication, skill and ability to learn and ask questions. He exhibits a great attitude, helps others and has successfully competed in skills competitions. He plans to go to college in the fall to further his studies in the automotive technical field.

 

The students were all given recognition certificates, Chamber Bucks and a Rotary-HCTC

student of the month T-shirt.

 

The evening concluded with guest speakers, representing the vocational programs highlighted this evening, taking a few minutes to share their journey with the students and guests.  Chris Williams from Stanley Subaru discussed the challenges, changes and opportunities offered those who elect to work in today’s automotive industry and cited the importance of taking the quality of your work personally and thinking about the customer behind the vehicle when fixing their car.  He also spoke of the ability to move into management with the technical background one accumulates through training, experience and ongoing certification.

 

Dave Closson, Clubhouse Manager at Kebo Valley Golf Club, spoke of his culinary career which started at age 12.  At age 18, he was the youngest head chef in the state.  He stressed the importance of hard work, dedication, the ability to learn from and serve others as key to being successful in the industry.  He charged the students to keep learning, combat weaknesses with strengths and never assume you are over or under qualified for a job.