Rotarians discover Caribou children

    The May 21 speaker for the Presque Isle Rotary Club was Nancy Chandler who discussed the possibility of a Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum. Last August an informational meeting was held in Caribou to see if there was an interest in having a Children’s Museum in the Caribou area like the one in Bangor and Portland and other states. There was overwhelming support from the community and they formed a non-profit and have their tax exempt status now, according to Chandler. They are now at the phase of fund raising to make this dream a reality.
    The museum is a place for children and adults to come and play together, where creativity, imagination and curiosity are explored and nurtured. The vision of the Caribou Discovery Museum is to transform the lives of children and families by awakening their senses to imagination and discovery. Through interactive exhibits, visitors explore the wonders of science, nature, heritage and the humanities. Their mission is to stimulate and delight the minds of all who enter to wonders of the world.
    The Discovery Museum offers many volunteer opportunities covering all age groups and activities. Chandler encouraged everyone to take the time to see what they could do to make this wonderful opportunities for children and families happen. The success of a Children’s Discovery Museum in Caribou depends on community-wide support such as business development, fund raising, facilities, exhibits, community outreach and operations. There is so much exciting work to be done and she hopes that the interest continues to grow.
    The museum board of directors meet the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Northern Maine Development Commission board room. For more information contact Ken Murchison at 498-8736 or e-mail him at kmurchison@nmdc.org or Chandler at 760-2556 or nchandler@mainepublicservice.com
    The Rotary board of directors met prior to the May 21 meeting and approved $500 to Pine Street School for purchase of children’s books for the Pre-K through grade 2 library, $125 for maintenance of the Rotary team uniforms through the PI Recreation Department, and $100 to Limestone Rotary to support their golf tournament.
    The mystery Rotarians this week were Jim Bubar and his favorite charity is the Children’s Miracle Network and also Tom Gagnon who asked that his $50 donation be sent to the Presque Isle Fire House restoration fund.