HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Rotary Club held its annual dinner Monday, June 21 at the Shiretown Banquet room.
The Gervais family and their amazing staff provided Rotarians and their guests with a buffet-style dinner of pork loin, marinated sirloin tips with veggies, garlic mashed potato, herb-roasted green beans, fresh salad, rice pilaf, fresh-baked rolls, coffee, tea, and brownies a la mode.
Brad Hutchinson and Cory Hill entertained the group with live music and singing, which cheered the room. Everyone was talking about how great the music was and how delicious the food was, and they all left the party fully satiated.
Fred Grant announced the installation of officers, board members, and committee chairs for the 2021/2022 Rotary year. New officers are President Meg York; Vice President Steve Fitzpatrick; Sergeant-at-Arms Joe Fagnant; Treasurer Matt Nightingale; Secretary Deb Clark.
New board members are Immediate Past President Katie Hill; Steve Bither; Cam Clark; Leigh Cummings; Nancy Ketch; Jane Torres; Scott White. Committee Chairs are Rotary Foundation Leigh Cummings; International Service Ruba Haddad; Literacy Tracy Rockwell and Linda Faucher; Youth Exchange Dana Delano; Public Relations Andy Mooers; Membership Josh Mclaughlin; and Community Service Jane Torres.
Katie Hill delivered her final remarks to the group as Immediate Past President, and Meg York delivered the Incoming President’s Message. Both messages were positive and uplifting and focused on the accomplishments and strengths of the club, as well as a strategic plan of action for the upcoming year.
Several prestigious and well-deserved awards were given to surprised recipients. Town Historian and Rotarian Leigh Cummings gave a brief history and explanation of the Paul Harris Fellow award, and talked about the honor and esteem of each of the awards given.
Tracy Rockwell presented the Community Spirit Award to the Putnam Trust, and it was accepted by descendants of the Aaron Putnam family — Chris Putnam and Forrest Barnes.
Rae Johnston (seated) was the recipient of a non-Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow award at the Houlton Rotary Club’s annual dinner meeting June 21. (Courtesy of Andy Mooers)
Andy Mooers presented the non-Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow award to Rae Johnston. Scott White presented the Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow award to Fred Grant, who now has two Paul Harris Fellow awards.
Bob Blanchette (right) was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Houlton Rotary Club during the group’s annual dinner meeting. With Blanchette is Rotarian Nancy Ketch. (Courtesy of Andy Mooers)
Nancy Ketch presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to long-time Rotarian Bob Blanchette. The presenters had done extensive research on each recipient in order to provide a synopsis of their life’s work, and the presentations were beautifully written and delivered.
