Rockholt recieves Paul Harris Fellow

    The Rotary Foundation Committee presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Floyd Rockholt during the June 25 Rotary meeting at the Northeastland Hotel. Business partner Paul Saija and Rotarian Derek Smith spoke about the recipient and his “giving spirit and driving will.”
    Saija said Rockholt overcame great obstacles as a young adult to form a business at the age of 12, worked hard and well and never lost sight of his ethics to create Eagle Hill Stamp and Coin, a 25-year mainstay in downtown Presque Isle. Rockholt was an excellent student, he said, despite his time constraints by being a business owner when a junior in high school, still graduated in the top three of his class at PIHS and continues to mentor others today.
    “Floyd also is a great asset to the PI Area Chamber of Commerce, he always is in attendance at meetings and is the first to offer help. He believes in stepping up to the plate for good causes,” said Smith.
    Rockholt has also been very active in Rotary. He has been chair of the Auction Storeroom Committee for six years and his service on the board of directors has been instrumental in keeping people focused on attendance as an important part of being a Rotarian.
    Rotarians also installed the new board members and officers: Nancy Fletcher, Gina LeBlanc, Floyd Rockholt and Mike Kelley Jr. are the newest board members. Chad Bartley will serve as secretary again this year, Jeff Pangburn again as treasurer and Darren Collins again as sergant-at-arms. Alton Hartt was installed as the incoming President, Jane Towle as Vice President and Joe Clukey as the new PI Rotary President for 2007-08.
    Clukey accepted the gavel from outgoing Rotary President Sharon Campbell and the entire club congratulated her for successfully fulfilling her leadership term.
    Marcia Hartt was inducted as a new member, representing the insurance industry.
    During the June 18 meeting, Alton Hartt and Jane Towle gave a preview for the upcoming radio-television auction. The beneficiaries of this year’s auction proceeds spoke a bit about their projects. Like past years, six organizations will be receiving funds.
    The first speakers were from CANCER (Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery) organization who spoke about keeping the money local for area families and patients experiencing cancer diagnosis and/or treatment. They mentioned that most everyone in the group today has had cancer impact them in one way or another, either directly or through a friend or family member.
    The CANCER group provides anything from travel money, babysitting, pharmacy programs and food to support and assistance with information gathering about their condition and services. They are hoping to purchase a laptop with PI Rotary proceeds to take into the home of the cancer patient to help get them the information they need to deal with their illness. They also can use it as an educational tool at health fairs.
    For more information, call Sue Nickerson at 764-6826 or Craig Green at 762-6500.
    The next speaker was Richard Hallett from the Star City ATV club. They are a 400-member strong organization that works on the recreational and economic impact issues around ATVs and trails. This industry, acccording to the speaker, is growing in numbers that meets or exceeds what snowmobiling brings to the county in tourism dollars. The club would like to construct a clubhouse near the Aroostook River, where the park and ride facility is now located. They will be using the money donated to the auction for the clubhouse effort.
    Spragueville Extension was represented by Tammy Wheeler who gave a history of the balloon site/park on the Spragueville Road. The extension has taken great care over the years of the park and its appearance. The fencing that now surrounds the balloon site is in disrepair and they are hoping to raise money to put a new vinyl fencing in its place. They appreciate PI Rotary’s efforts to help with fund-raising toward their $8,000 goal.
    Sue Mitchell from the Homeless Shelter of Aroostook spoke about the programs at the shelter and also the transitional living program. In transitional living there are 16 units designed to take someone from homelessness to self support within 24 months. There is a goal to help out with living expenses and slowly increase those in order to give someone time to save and regroup of the homeless experience. These units have stoves and refrigerators but have not been upgraded for years. The money the PI Rotary will raise for them will help with replacing these essential homes.
    Stu Wycoff was the next to speak on Aroostook Football. This program really impacts children and young adults throughout Aroostook County, he said. A truly grassroots effort, organizers hope to facilitate a permanent football league in the Presque Isle area. They imagine a future full of “Friday night lights” where these teams will have a large following of family, friends, and football enthusiasts. The league is hoping to purchase some bleachers with Rotary funds to create a spectator-friendly atmosphere.
    The final speaker was Mike MacPherson representing the Nordic Heritage Sport Club. They have hosted World Cup and Jr. World Cup events as well as special events both in Presque Isle and at the 10th Mountain Facility in Fort Kent. An essential part of these events are radios that are used to coordinate venues as well as any safety concerns or issues from the trails. These radios have historically been rented and have cost the club a lot of money per event. The goal is to purchase 20 radios between Nordic Heritage and 10th Mountain for the future of biathlon events in Aroostook.
    The mystery Rotarians this week were Sherry Miller-Thibodeau, who will have $50 sent in her name to Cornerstone Christian Academy, and Bill Smythe, who will have $50 sent to Aroostook Special Olympics in his name. Rotarians have given $2,300 to 37 different charities since the mystery Rotarian program was initiated.
    President Campbell encouraged members to keep a watch out by Stewart Farms on the Houlton Road for the Governor’s Potato Plot sign. “Thanks to the Maine Potato Board for their generous offer to pay for the sign which indicates PI Rotary sponsorship of this effort! If you stop by Stewart’s say thanks to Dan and Lucille for their hard work in this project as well,” she added.