The Rotary Club of Ellsworth presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to Kisma Preserve. BJ Cunningham of Kisma Preserve accepted the check and was also our guest speaker. Kisma Preserve is a donor funded 501-c-3 organization dedicated to exotic animal care and education for over 30 years located in Trenton.
Opening Ceremonies: President Debbie Ehrlenbach called the meeting to order.
Invocation was read by: Linda Rose and we all said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sergeant at Arms: Bob and Mary Thomas
Setting up Zoom: Clyde Cushing
Thank you to all who helped set the room up and take it down. We appreciate it!
Guests: BJ Cunningham, Stacie Brown, Saxon Tinto
Birthdays: Mary Beth Harmon and Larry Fernald. Happy Birthday!
ROTARY BUSINESS:
Polio Cups: Reminder to donate to Polio! For every $1 donated, 7 children are vaccinated.
Foundation Update: The 2023-2024 goal for the annual fund is $8,000, as of March 11, 2024 the club has contributed $6,165 to the annual fund. The 2023-2024 goal for polio is $2,000. To date, the club has contributed $2,451 for polio. 19 Rotarians have donated to the Annual Fund. This month Fred Beyer won a box of Haven’s Chocolates.
Donations: The Rotary Club of Ellsworth presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to Kisma Preserve. BJ Cunningham accepted the check.
Rotary Scholarships: Gene Pellerano reported we have received 33 applications. The committee will be reviewing the applications soon. We will be sharing the list of students as they become available - to sign up to sponsor a student for the HCTC Honors Banquet. The event is April 8th (A Monday evening this year due to the school’s schedule)
Fellowship Night at Pat’s Pizza: Our second fellowship night is planned for Thursday, March 14th at Pat’s Pizza at 5:30pm. We have reserved the room to the left of the main dining area. Members can bring family members and will order off the menu.
Rotary Fellowship Groups: There are many Rotary Fellowship groups to look up and be a part of. For more information, contact Debbie Ehrlenbach.
Rotary Cabin Fever Craft Fair: Save the date! April 6th at EEMS. As of today we have 88 tables reserved! We are full! If you would like to join the committee, please let Jodie know. Will need help the day of the event and the day before to help setup. The EHS Interact will have a table as well selling snacks and drinks to raise money.
Partner Program: In a joint letter from the President of the Ellsworth Maine Rotary Club Foundation and the President of the Rotary Club of Ellsworth, Rotarian letters were sent on February 8th. Rotarian donations go directly to the Ellsworth Maine Rotary Club Foundation earmarked for scholarships. To date 7 Rotarians have contributed to the program for a total of $2,750.
75th Club Anniversary Celebration: A committee has been formed to plan this event and have met a few times. Please contact Tricia Quirk to help out.
75th Legacy Project: A sub group of the Demeyer Field Committee (Rotary, Little League, and Challenger Little League) is meeting with the contractor and land scape architect to finalize plans and related costs to present to the committee. A landscape architect is now working on the design. Members of the YMCA and Little League are providing input on the playground design, which will include access for handicap children. Once plans are complete, the whole committee will schedule its next meeting.
Fundraiser for Demeyer Field Project – May 17th – Big Cats – 5 – 7pm: The Steering Committee has been formed to include representatives from each of the partners on the project plus a member from the Noontime Rotary Club and the Ellsworth Area Chamber. The committee will be meeting every other week through May 8th. Subcommittees will be formed and overseen by a member of the steering committee. The committee selected a sports theme, is identifying and soliciting sponsors, establishing event expectations and structure, reviewing prospects and marketing. A sign-up sheet for the night of the event is available at club meetings. By April 1st, donor prospects will be available for club members to solicit donations. All donations, must be to Becky Sargent’s office no later than April 30th.
MDI Rotary Club: The MDI Rotary Club is asking for help at their 4th of July Pancake Breakfast. They need help setting up, cookie and cleaning up after the event. There is a sign-up sheet going around.
Rotary Leadership Institute – Trainings are available! Two Virtual trainings and one in person in Lewiston. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Rotary. The club pays for the training. Please contact Debbie or Gene for more information to sign up.
Rotary Blood Drives are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the Elks Lodge in Ellsworth. Please sign up to help. Shifts are from 11:00am to 2:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Bike Rodeo: Scheduled for May 18th at EEMS. More details to come!
Door Prizes: The lucky winners were: Jessica Remick, Stephanie Baillargeon, Kent Weisner, BJ Cunningham, Jack Frost and Dave Wells.
50/50: $11 to Rebecca Greenlaw
Happy Dollars: 3rd Quarter Happy Dollars will go towards: Downeast Horizons Special Olympics Program.
The following individuals gave Happy Dollars: Rebecca Greenlaw, Gene Pellerano, Lori Googins, Mark Remick, Carl Lusby, Jack Frost, Peter Farragher, Marian Wells, Kelly Brown, Dave Wells, Barbara Clark, Kent Weisner, Stephanie Baillargeon, Lincoln Ehrlenbach, BJ Cunningham and Debbie Ehrlenbach.
Guest Speaker: This week’s guest speaker was BJ Cunningham. BJ is a lifelong resident of the Hancock County area. Her career as assistant director at Kisma Preserve began in 1999 where she was quickly immersed into the lifestyle in a trial by fire. Her innate skills and training as an artist required great powers of observation and adaptability - the two most important skills for the job. BJ shared a slideshow of photos of the animals they care for. She spoke about the mission and history of the non-profit. Tours are provided along with overnight experiences. Internship programs are provided.
Donations are always accepted! An expense they consistently need support for is the Veterinary Care and Animal Food/Supplements area. Expenses fluctuate based on circumstances and are difficult to accurately plan. The only consistent is that all prices have risen dramatically in recent times.
Food usage is predicable, veterinary less so. It runs in the tens of thousands per year.
The health of the animals is of course number one priority and involves regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations and prompt intervention when an unexpected health concern arises. We utilize the services of 3 local area veterinarians and online resources.
The quality of food and supplements is crucial to maintain the best health and prevent issues before they happen whenever possible. Certain animals, the Skunk and Bear for example, require a basic food staple that is available online but not locally.
Next week’s meeting will be held at UMA Ellsworth Center at the Mill Mall in Ellsworth. A reminder will be sent out to all club members.
Respectfully submitted by Rotarian Ashley Johnson
