Opening Ceremonies: President Rebecca Greenlaw called the meeting to order and we all said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rotary Opening Words: Rebecca Greenlaw
Sergeant at Arms: Debbie Ehrlenbach and Tricia Quirk
Zoom – Michael Houslen
Thank you to all who helped set the room up and take it down. We appreciate it!
Guests- HCTC Students and their families
Birthdays: Shelly Van Camp, Jack Frost and Scott Kimball
Club Anniversaries: Mike Mariano and Peter Farragher
ROTARY BUSINESS:
Seeking Host Family for Christmas Holidays in the Maine: Email that was sent to the club: “My name is Alvaro Corral and I am a Rotarian from the Zurbarán Madrid Club in Spain. My middle son is currently studying in the 10th grade at Washington Academy in East Machias, where he resides in the school dormitory.
I am reaching out to kindly ask for your help with an important matter. The school will be closed during the Christmas holidays, and the administration has informed us that almost no students will remain on campus during this time. I am looking for a family who could host my son during these holidays. (Week of Christmas)
If there is a family in your club who could host him, I would be deeply grateful. In return, If the family has a child of the same age, I would be more than happy to host his child in my home in Spain this summer as a gesture of appreciation.
Thank you in advance for your kind consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.”
Thank you to Dave and Marian Wells: The Wells donated a new flat screen TV for the meeting to replace the broken one.
Donation Check to Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: Co-President Clyde Cushing of the Pantry was presented a check from the club in the amount of $878.00. This donation is from the Rotary Food Drive that was held in November.
Downtown Ellsworth Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 7th to escort Santa. Marc Rich will provide the trailer. Contact Clyde Cushing.
"MOVEMBER" MUSTACHE GROWING CONTEST - MENS HEALTH AWARNESS MUSTACHE GROWING CONTEST *Judges will consider fullness, neatness and facial improvement on Dec. 3rd. Entry fee is $5 per person*
1st Place: Dave Wells, 2nd Place: Jack Frost, 3rd Place Gene Pellerano, Honorable Mentioned: Michael Houslen. Over $500.00 was raised! Judges were Hope High, Dr. Baxter and HCTC Students.
19th Annual Gifting Experience: Saturday, December 14th. Everyone meets at Ellsworth City Hall at 9:30am. Looking for volunteers to help with shopping with the kids. Contact Jack Frost.
Nominating Committee: It is that time of year for considering a leadership position in the club. Nominations for Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and President Elect are available. Please see anyone on the Board to express your interest in one of these positions.
Club Holiday Party: Tuesday, December 17th. We will be wrapping gifts for KidsPeace. If you are interested in shopping for gifts, please contact Rebecca Greenlaw and she will give you the card info.
We will also be signing Christmas Cards that will be sent to local assisted living centers and doing a cookie exchange to give to local first responders.
Join a Rotary Committee: Rebecca Greenlaw encourages club members to join a committee within the club. Learn more about Rotary and how you can help!
Volunteer Hours: Please let Tricia Quirk know if you have volunteered in the community outside of Rotary.
50/50: $7 to Dr. Baxter
Happy Dollars: 2nd Quarter Happy Dollars will go towards: Our Rotary International Project; specifically, to assist Centro de Prótesis y Terapia Física, a vital program that serves individuals in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and several Central American countries who have lost limbs. This program is dedicated to helping those affected regain their mobility and independence through access to prosthetics and physical therapy.
The following individuals gave Happy Dollars: Dave Wells, Bob Thomas, Clyde Cushing, Kent Weisner, Debbie Ehrlenbach, Jo Cooper, Lincoln Ehrlenbach, Julie Bouchard, Gene Pellerano and Kelly Brown.
Polio Cups: Reminder to donate to Polio! For every $1 donated, 7 children are vaccinated.
HCTC Recognition Night: The Rotary Club of Ellsworth honored three outstanding students from Hancock County Technical Center in Cybersecurity, Automotive Technology and Biomedical Sciences. It was a wonderful evening partnering with HCTC to recognize and encourage excellence in technical education.
Videos were shared of each program presented to show club members of what goes on in the classrooms.
Automotive Technology Student: Jovin Pesek, a Junior of Ellsworth High School.
Cyber Security Student: Caden Weirhwen, a senior of George Stevens Academy.
Biomedical Sciences Student: Addilyn Wright, a sophomore of Sumner Memorial High School.
HCTC Director: Bill Tracy provided a brief introduction of Hancock County Technical Center, it’s programs, Skills USA and what the future holds at HCTC.
HCTC Guidance Counselor: Hope High
HCTC Instructors: Rich Jameson, Laura Johns and Sarah Petroulis
Lincoln Ehrlenbach explained the significance of the Coin we have presented to each student. (4 Way Test)
HCTC Scholarships: In addition to recognizing Student Achievements, the club also awards a number of scholarships to graduating students. A reminder to HCTC graduating seniors, the club gives out four $1,000 general scholarships to graduating HCTC students.
Additionally, we are awarding two special $1,000 scholarships, one for a student advancing in Law Enforcement and one for an education major. New this year, a $1,500 scholarship called “Service Above Self” for an applicant who has participated in two or more community service projects while in high school. Applications to apply for the scholarships are available through the guidance department.
The next HCTC awards night is February 4th at China Hill.
Respectfully submitted by Rotarian Ashley Johnson
