Houlton Rotary Club holds annual meeting

    HOULTON — On June 21, the Houlton Rotary Club held its 90th annual meeting and dinner at the Elks Club. President John Tribou welcomed everyone and thanked the Board for all they had done to make his year a successful one.
    Tribou quoted Tom Brokaw as saying “Heroes are people who rise to the occasion and slip away quietly.” He added that over the course of the year, he had asked much of many of the people in the room.
    “Many stepped up, served and then quietly slipped away,” he said. “For that I am most thankful.”
    He said he was stepping down as President knowing that a group of “local heroes” known as the Houlton Rotary Club had made a difference in the community, in the lives of local youth and partnering with other Rotary clubs, made a difference in the world.
    Dana Delano introduced Kim Levesque and Chelsi Murray as two of the Youth Exchange Students for this year.  Chelsi’s exchange student from Finland, Lotta, was also present.
    Awards were given for the Polio Plus campaign and for perfect attendance. The President’s Award this year was given to Deb Clark in recognition for her work as Secretary to the Club.  District Governor Elect Leigh Cummings presented the Club with a Presidential Citation from Rotary International for strengthening Rotary’s future through exemplary action and service.
    Past District Governor Michael Clark installed new officers and board members, and in-coming president Scott White introduced the theme for the coming year, “Building Communities, Bridging Continents”.
    Each year the Club recognizes outstanding citizens and Rotarians with Paul Harris Fellow awards.  It is the highest honor that a Rotarian or a member of the community can receive from a Rotary club.  This year the non-Rotarian award presented by Joyce Fitzpatrick went to Mildred Madigan for all of her tireless charity work, especially the many hours she devotes to the St. Mary’s food pantry. The Rotarian award presented by Nancy Ketch went to Dana Delano for his contributions for the last 10 years to the Club.  Dana is a past president, he implemented the Student Recognition program, has chaired the community service committee and now chairs the Student Exchange program, to mention only a few of his many contributions to the Club and his community.
    All shared a wonderful evening and the Club looks forward to another successful year working within the local community and the Rotary global community.