Eyes for the Needy program had an article in the Courier about this program that has been run by Pris and Andy Baillargeon.
Member David Green had a front page article written about him and WWII and his work with YCCC.
The Biddeford Journal Tribune ran an article about our visitors from Ecuador
The Biddeford Journal Tribune in consecutive weeks gave thumbs up to Saco Bay Rotary.
TJ you have set an example for many by your contributions to your community. For example the TJ’s Pizza golf tournament to provide scholarships at the Biddeford Center for Technology. This tournament was founded by you nearly 17 years ago and has now raised in excess of $250,000 for the students. Another example is your continued sponsorship and support of youth programs in the community – whether they are sports teams, schools, or Scouts. And we can not forget your unselfish support of local service organizations, including our own Rotary Auction on an annual basis. Your contributions have been enormous and have not gone unrecognized." 
TJ you have set an example for many by your contributions to your community. For example the TJ’s Pizza golf tournament to provide scholarships at the Biddeford Center for Technology. This tournament was founded by you nearly 17 years ago and has now raised in excess of $250,000 for the students. Another example is your continued sponsorship and support of youth programs in the community – whether they are sports teams, schools, or Scouts. And we can not forget your unselfish support of local service organizations, including our own Rotary Auction on an annual basis. Your contributions have been enormous and have not gone unrecognized."
TJ you have set an example for many by your contributions to your community. For example the TJ’s Pizza golf tournament to provide scholarships at the Biddeford Center for Technology. This tournament was founded by you nearly 17 years ago and has now raised in excess of $250,000 for the students. Another example is your continued sponsorship and support of youth programs in the community – whether they are sports teams, schools, or Scouts. And we can not forget your unselfish support of local service organizations, including our own Rotary Auction on an annual basis. Your contributions have been enormous and have not gone unrecognized."
If You Build It They Will Come!
Saco, Maine - Friends and members of the Rotary Club of Saco Bay will once again be rolling up their shirt sleeves to assist the Saco River Walk Project on Saturday, October 4 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM by building a stair access system. Coordinated with the City of Saco, Rotarian Sam Anagnostis will manage the efforts of young and old alike to create unforgettable ascending staircase to Saco's redeveloping River Walk area.
Currently, having no stairway to safely access the trail from Hall Avenue which presents a steep decline and slippery footing, Rotarians will provide assistance on the Hall Avenue stairway project by installing a pressure-treated stairway with stone fill. The innovative design, approved by the city, will weather well and require minimal annual maintenance. The event is made possible by a Rotary District 7780 Simplified Grant that was sponsored by club President Dan Colby. Each year the club president has the opportunity to target a local project that needs support and applies designated district funds to address community needs. Like last year's designated project was Pierson Lane Playground, this year the club has identified the Saco River Walk to funnel funds and "Rotary" people-power towards.
Designed for walkers, bicyclists, and those outdoor lovers who are interested in wanting a closer look at the Saco River, like the Audubon Society members who gather for early morning public bird walks to gather bird data for their records. The River Walk trail will provide another option for people to get out and enjoy all that their community has to offer. Future visitors will enjoy direct access to views of the historical Saco River connecting Pepperell Square with Beach Street and touching on other high-profile locations as the public boat ramp and the Saco Yacht Club, completing at Tappan Valley and Hall Avenue.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Saco Bay, go to http://www.sacobayrotary.org/
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Rotary Club of Saco Assists
Philippine District 3780 Rotaract Club’s
Nutrition Program
Saco, Maine – At a recent club visit to the Rotary of Saco Bay, Governor and Penny Jett were asked by, Dru Laduke to accept a $650 check on behalf of the Philippine District 3780 Rotaract club’s Nutrition Program and complete one chapter in what hopes to be a long story. The ambassadorial idea was born from the recent GSE team visit in May 2008 and a chance meeting with RI Reprehensive, George and Carol Chafey at last year’s District Conference, hosted by 2007-2008 District Governor,
Liz Cullen.
It all started when Carol Chafey participated in a break-out session on fund raising, where then club President of the Rotary Club of Saco Bay, Deb Cote and Dru Laduke spoke about how they were supporting another club’s fund raising goals while promoting their own literacy objectives. Dru told the group that the Fairborn, Ohio Rotary club has a wonderful book for sale titled "Andy and Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure" http://www.andyandelmer.com/ featuring a story using the 4-Way test as its basis. The Saco Bay club presented local school libraries with copies of the Andy and Elmer book and bookmarks to further extend the education of Rotary's 4-Way Test. (and further support Fairborn’s fund raiser)
RI Representative Chaffey had not heard of the book and was impressed with how we were using it to promote literacy within our community. He was so taken, he and Carol asked for a copy of the book to take back to their Lamorinda Sunrise club in California. In parting, Mr. Chaffey handed Dru a $20 bill to pay for the book but as persistent as he was that it was not necessary, George insisted on taking the money. "Do something special with this money. Make it grow." he said, as he pressed the bill into Dru’s hand. Those words would ring in Dru’s ears and would motivate him "Make Dreams Real".
As part of the story, weeks prior to the District Conference the Rotary club of Saco Bay was honored to host the GSE Team from District 3780 Quezon City , Philippines . Philippine Rotarian, Joe Baradi, and his team of "angels" were engaging, outgoing, informative and perfect guests. While attending the District Conference, Dru met Maria "Tet" Atanacio from the GSE Team. She’s the Assist to a Councilman in Quezon City and also the Advisor to the Rotaract Club of Timog. As she was sharing with Dru and others, stories of how her club promotes literacy and nutrition, Dru started to hear George's words ringing in his ears. Dru shared with "Tet" of his plan to support her Rotaract club with this special $20 bill as an act of diplomacy between the two cultures. Just like the infamous whisper "If you build it - they will come" Dru took George’s $20 bill to his Board and asked them to consider supporting the Philippine Rotaract club as a gesture of goodwill and support President DK Lee’s initiative to reduce children mortality. The response was overwhelming! After an announcement and a very successful solicitation at one of the club’s breakfast meetings, Club President, Dan Colby, suggested they designate all "happy dollars" and fines from the month of July to the Rotaract's nutrition program.
All this from the simple request to “do something special” with a simple $20 bill resulted in Brad and Penny accepting a check that will feed hundreds of needy children.
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Rotary Club of Saco Bay Continues to Support Bon Appetit!
(pictured: Jane Maloney, Exiting Bon Appetit Director and Club President Dan Colby)
It may take a village to raise a child but it takes a great club like the Rotary Club of Saco Bay to keep feeding those in need. Club President Dan Colby recently presented a check for $1500. to Bon Appetit Director, Jane Maloney further demonstrating the club's commitment to community service.
Created by Rotarians Con and Pam Crepeau over 25 years ago, Bon Appetit in Biddeford, Maine has fed thousands of hungry citizens from a number of locations throughout the years. In recent years, the program has returned to its original location at the Second Congressional Church. For years not only has the club supported the soup kitchen financially but also commits a day of service every second Friday of each month. It is not uncommon to see Rotarian, Interact, Rotaract and all their guests there to volunteer in cooking, serving and cleaning-up.
Reminiscing about his years of involvement, longtime Rotarian, David Green noted that "if it were not for Roger Coulombe the program would have failed years ago!" David worked with Roger and was impressed with his dedication and passion for the program. Roger, a Rotarian at heart, worked tirelessly with local church and community leaders to fund and organize the program for over 10 years until his death. He was so successful with the program, that often times Roger was asked to speak at campaign time for the United Way of York County for a number of years.
Carrying on the tradition of service, present chairman Ed Bouchard inspires other Rotarians like Bob Bouchard (no relation) to cook for the program on a regular basis feeding groups from 30 - 100 and inspiring countless others to server their less fortunate neighbors. The Rotary Club of Saco Bay is proud to continue its support both financially and in service; and will continue to do so in Rogers honor.
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Rotary Club of Saco Bay
Welcomes District Governor & Mrs. Jett
Saco, Maine – Recently President Dan Colby of the Rotary Club of Saco Bay introduced 2008-2009 District Governor Brad Jett and his wife Penny who are from the Hampton, NH Rotary Club to the general club membership. In addition, Dan thanked them both for joining them in a family style cookout at Dennis and Mary Beth Robillard’s house the night before that was held in their honor.
Governor Brad surprised the Club, and was pleased to present a Paul Harris Fellow award to a very deserving member of our Club, Dru Laduke. Dru’s pleasant smile and enthusiasm is unmatched anywhere. He has worked as Membership Chairman The Philippines Nutrition Project, the Club’s Literacy Project, and outside of Rotary, he is former President of the local P.T.O. and respected member of his community. Dru was proud to “accept the honor on behalf of his whole family” with his wife Cindi present during the presentation.
In return, Dru asked Governor and Mrs. Jett to accept a $650 check for the Philippine District 3780 Rotaract club’s Nutrition Program. Born from a recent GSE visit in May 2008, the club was very interested in supporting a nutritional program that enables children to go and stay in school because of proper nutrient. The program is managed by one of the GSE Team members and Retract advisors, Tet Atanacio.
In his address to the club Gov. Brad echoed R.I. President D.K. Lee’s 2008-2009 Theme at the San Diego International Assembly which is “Make Dreams Real” with special emphasis on Water, Health & Hunger, and Literacy. President D.K. Lee was especially touched by research that that shows 30,000 children under 5 years of age die each day from preventable causes. Our country is not immune to this statistic.
Gov. Brad encouraged members to….“Be Proud To Be A Rotarian”. With the Bill Gates $100 Million Grant to RI our work is not yet done. President D.K. Lee would like to see each club raise $1,000 for the next 3 years to match the Bill Gates Challenge. The Governor reminded us of RI promise in 1985 to eradicate Polio and of the importance of contributing to the Rotary Foundation. This years G.S.E. Team from Poland is one example of how the Foundation is able to fund this worthwhile program.
Gov. Brad praised the membership on many projects, among them the Annual Rotary Auction, the club’s Golf Tournament Fund Raider, the Literacy Program at York County Jail, continuously supporting our local Soup Kitchens and Pantries as well as supporting the Biddeford Free Clinic, Roto-Plast and the Equator Project.
Membership recruitment and PR should be a key focus in club growth. Recruiting members of all occupations makes for a diverse club. Gov Jett needed a computer wiz to help with his club’s Rotary Auction. He approached a new computer business in town, invited the owner to a meeting. The owner became a member and later president of the club and went on to work at the district level.
The annual district conference is scheduled in June of 2009 at the Samoset Resort in Rockland and Governor Jett encouraged all who are able to attend.
In closing Gov. Brad shared a story in which he and fellow member Joel B. attended the 2004-2005 RI Convention in Chicago. Joel had met a Rotarian from Texas who knew his mother. When Joel’s mom became ill, the Texas Rotarians came to become Joel’s surrogate, as Joel could not be by his mother’s bedside in Texas. Joel was forever grateful for this act of kindness and realized along with Gov. Jett that “Rotary IS Family”
The club is forever grateful that he and Penny made time to visit and are always welcomed. We look forward to their return.
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Rotary Club of Saco Bay
Presidential Address
Saco, Maine - With no introduction needed, new club President, Dan Colby address the Rotary Club of Saco Bay mapping out the club's goals and projects for the upcoming year.
Starting with a repeat of his classification talk, Dan reintroduced himself to the club and explained the why's and how's of becoming a Rotarian and our new club president. Starting with his family, Dan grew-up in eastern Vermont absorbing the same values as our Rotary founder, Paul Harris. After successfully graduating from the University Vermont, he married his high school sweetheart and is the proud father of two sons. Dan has worked hard in his career to become a success and respected commercial banker in southern Maine where he enjoys improving his golf game and other activities.
In his heartfelt address, Dan shared his experiences at the International Rotary Convention. "It was truly overwhelming! You can not begin to fathom the number of projects that are being done by Rotarians around the world!"
In reflecting on how he would present his first address to the club, Dan simply stated "Let's not change. Let's just continue to support our local food pantries and literacy projects. Let's continued to ring the bell for Salvation Army and coordinate Toys of Tots for our area! Let's continue to raise awareness and funds for the many scholarship programs we support and the Polio Plus campaign! Let's continue to support our local charities and the Rotary Foundation. Let’s challenge ourselves to continue being a great club!"
President Colby added, ".. it's all about challenges. Rotary International continues to encourage and challenge us to make peoples lives better. The Gates Foundation gift of $100 million to eradicate Polio comes with a challenge." He pointed out one of our local scholarship funds, which is named in honor of one of our honored Rotarians, Charlie Snow, needs assistance. The goals are clear and reachable.
In closing he challenged each member with the question: "Why are you a Rotarian? Find something you are passionate about to make someone's life better. I simply ask that you challenge yourself to find out what has driven you to be a Rotarian and commit to taking action to making peoples lives better!"
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Rotary Club of Saco Bay!
Sam Anagnostis and Curt Scamman, brought together materials and labor to transform a once washed out hill into a viable stair system so community members and visitors can have greater access to the scenic river area. Over a series of four-weeks Rotarians came together to cut, measured and prepped for the installation. At the end of the day, with plenty of day-light left, they were proud to say the stair system was complete. Funding for the project came from club president Dan Colby's grant writing and ability to leverage his relationship with the Rotary District 7780, the local Rotary Club of Saco Bay and the Saco River Walk Committee. What use to be a steep decline with slippery footing is now a clear access to the present trail from Hall Avenue.
To learn more about the the Saco River Walk contact Laurie Mooney, co-chair of the Saco River Walk, at Biddeford Savings Bank 207-883-3004 and to learn more about the Rotary Club of Saco Bay, go to http://www.sacobayrotary.org/
(Photo One: (l to r) Rotarians Curt Scamman, Dru Laduke, Dan Colby (Club President), Sam Anagnostis and Saco River Walk Co-Chair, Laurie Mooney)
(Photo Two, members of the Rotary Club of Saco Bay, Saco Girl Scout Cadets, Troop 364, Saco Public Works and Saco River Walk Committee)
And we had plenty of fun!
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