Stories

On March 28^th Wayne Rivet, Publisher of the Bridgton News will speak at the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club’s Thursday morning meeting at 7:30 a.m. at Stella’s on the Square, 6 N. High Street, Bridgton.

Rivet was the longtime editor of the Bridgton News when the Shorey family, which founded the paper and owned it for over 140 years, sold it to him in 2012. He had joined the newspaper in 1984 so was on staff for nearly 30 years at the time of the transfer. Under Rivet, The Bridgton News was named Newspaper of the Year among larger weeklies in the Maine Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. The paper won third-place awards for General Excellence in the 2010 and 2011 contests. Owner and publisher now for 12 years, Rivet will discuss not only the Bridgton News, but the status of print media in general with an emphasis on small town and regional weeklies.

Vice President Rick Whelchel remarked “Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Wayne and we look forward to his presentation.  Others in the wider community are also welcome to join us.  The event is free. Coffee will be served.”

The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is proud to announce its sponsorship of three local high school sophomores to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp at Camp Hinds in Raymond, Maine, from Sunday, June 23rd to Wednesday, June 26th. Bridgton Rotary will pay the camp tuition of $750 per student as part of the club's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the community.

RYLA is a transformational leadership program designed to empower young people and provide them with the skills, confidence, and motivation to become better leaders in their schools and communities. Upon arriving at RYLA, the 144 participants from Maine and NH are assigned to a Leadership Exploration Group (LEG) with up to 11 others.  LEG’s spend four days in a series of workshops and team-building activities aimed at developing their leadership potential and fostering a sense of Rotary’s “Service Above Self.”

“The benefits of attending RYLA extend far beyond the camp experience.” said Rick Whelchel, Vice President of the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club.  “In addition to learning crucial leadership skills that will be invaluable both in academic settings and in future careers, they will meet other like-minded students from throughout southern Maine and coastal New Hampshire and create lasting connections that can support their personal and professional growth.”

"We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to three deserving sophomores in our community both from the Lake Regional High School or home schoolers," added Whelchel. "We believe that RYLA has the power to unlock their full potential and inspire them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Please encourage sophomores you know to apply! And, by the way, other Rotary Clubs are sponsoring kids as well so reach out and we'll answer your questions.”

The deadline for applications is June 1, 2024. Interested sophomores can find more information and download the application form at https://ryla7780.org/ or call Past President Aaron Hagan at 207-774-1426. Mail the completed application to P.O. Box 845, Bridgton, Maine, 04009 or email it to LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com.

The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club presented more than 120 3^rd graders at Crooked River Elementary School in Casco and Stevens Brook Elementary School in Bridgton and to Bridge Crossing students in Bridgton with dictionaries.  “We are interested in supporting literacy.  The goal of this program is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary.  Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn,” remarked Rotarian Erin Nelson, Project Team Leader.  The Club has sponsored this project for over a dozen years.  Students are always appreciative of having their very own dictionary to use at school and home for years to come!  At the same time, the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is expanding its literacy projects in the Lakes Region and beyond with Little Free Libraries and books for very young readers.  

Picture #1:  Milt McKeen of Bridgton arriving in DC for Honor Flight with a local greeter.

Picture #2:  Milt McKeen in front of the Korean War Monument in DC during his Honor Flight.

Milt, as he is called by his friends, was spotlighted in the Bridgton Community Center newsletter in October 2023. A lifelong resident of Bridgton, Milt was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he received numerous awards.  When interviewed for this article, Milt proudly read the awards from his DD214 papers.  They included the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Bridgton, ME   - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  -   Duck #1724 which belonged to Adam Kennedy, took First Place in Rotary’s Annual Duck Race on July 4^th winning $500.  It was a yellow duck which took training of the waterfall jump seriously and it paid off for Adam.   Two other ducks which distinguished themselves in a field of 2000 fast-swimming ducks belonged to Tim Raymond with ticket #1759 ($250 2^nd place), and Lydia Sullivan with ticket #910 ($100 3^rd place).  

In its 24th year, this fundraiser has been held annually on Stevens Brook on Main Street in Bridgton and is one of the more important ways the Rotary Club raises money for community service activities. The event is very popular, so buy your tickets as early as you can next year before they run out. For more information about the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club visit our website lakeregionrotary.com or our Facebook Page. 

The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club will host a Community Kettle at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street in Bridgton on Thursday, March 9th from 4:30-5:30 p.m. or until the food runs out.  This will be an eat-in supper with the option for “take-out”.  Everyone is welcome. 

Menu:  Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, and Festive Cookies. 

Rotarians will be hosting this meal with Rotary helpers. Interact Club members from Lake Region High School (young Rotarians), Rotarians and Friends of Rotary will be assisting with food preparation, serving and clean up.  If you would like to help at this community event, contact us at LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com. 

The meal is free to the public.  

Karla Rider, Executive Director of the Rufus Porter Museum of ART and Ingenuity, will speak to the Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region on Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 a.m. at Stella’s on the Square, 6 North Main Street, Bridgton.  This will be an In-Person Meeting Only.  All are welcome. No Charge. Coffee only.  If school is cancelled due to weather, the meeting will be postponed.

Karla will share information about the latest projects at the Rufus Porter Museum, especially focusing on the expansion of its cultural complex with construction of a classic post and beam barn that will complement Main Street and the two other historic museum buildings on the site. The new structure will feature the Museum’s collection of over thirty wall murals, reconstructed and displayed in the design of the original rooms. The largest collection of wall murals of any kind in the United States, these beautiful murals have never been gathered together in one place or open to public view. This and other unique Rufus projects and programs make our region a locale for folk art, so popular in the US right now.  For more information about the Museum and its contribution to the area, visit https://rufusportermuseum.org. 

On Thursday and Friday, December 15 and 16, Rotarians from Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club delivered needed winter outer garments to Crooked River Elementary School in Casco, Songo Locks School in Naples and Stevens Brook School in Bridgton.  Requests were for winter coats, boots, gloves and hats. Earlier in December, needed winter coats were delivered to Harrison Elementary School. Several items were also made available to those in need through Crosswalk Outreach in Naples.  

President Aaron Hagan remarked, “The club covers the communities of Bridgton, Denmark, Harrison, Naples and Sweden so whenever we can help students from any of those communities, we are happy to do so. Members of the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club and our Friends always generously contribute for this worthy cause. Thank you, all, again this year for helping us help the schools distribute winter clothes on an as-needed basis. Our Club wishes all those in the Lakes Region a very happy Holiday Season.”  

The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club will host a Community Kettle at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street in Bridgton on Thursday, September 22 from 5:00-6:00 pm, or until the food runs out.  This dinner will have both a Sit Down and a Takeout option.  Rotarian and chef, Nick Orgo of MANE Catering and Stella’s on the Square, will be preparing this delicious meal with Rotary helpers. Everyone is welcome. 

Menu:  Roast Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, tossed salad and cookies for dessert.  The meal is free to the public.  Donations are gratefully accepted. 

If you would like to volunteer at this community event, contact us at LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com. 

For more information about the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club and its activities, check the website https://lakeregionrotary.com or the Facebook Page.

Jennifer Jones
President 2022-23

September 2022

Recently, Nick and I spent time in Guatemala, where we met wonderful fellow Rotary members and families who unofficially adopted me as “Tía Jennifer.” On the third day, after visiting Patzún in the mountainous western highlands, we set out for Lake Atitlán, which we needed to reach by nightfall. If we took a back road we could get there faster. Locals told us it had just been repaved and assured us, “You’ll have no problem.”

At first, it was a breeze. We wound through misty-green coffee and corn fields covering the hillside like a patchwork quilt. But at a river crossing, we found a bridge washed away. The only way to continue would be to ford the river in our small bus. There were a few tense moments, but we decided to give it a try and, thankfully, we made it across safely.

This adventure reminds me of two important truths in Rotary. One, we rely on local, on-the-ground expertise to do what we do best. And two, sometimes you have to take uncomfortable chances to reach important goals.

Every day, I am honored to learn from our Rotary family. Every lesson is an opportunity to grow, and each story adds a chapter to our collective Imagine Rotary year.

There is still time to register yourself or a team for the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club 13^th Annual Golf Classic on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Contact Rotary at lakeregionrotary@gmail.com or just show up at Bridgton Highlands Country Club on Saturday at 8:00 am. “This is the club’s biggest fundraiser and it's always more fun with lots of golfers” said Aaron Hagan, Rotary Club President and avid golfer himself.  

Registration and refreshments at 8:00 am and Shotgun start at 9:00 am.  This is an 18-hole scramble format with barbecue and awards following play.  A Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation, valued at $5000, will be awarded for a Hole in One.  

Rotarian Lisa Ryan, Golf Committee Chair, remarked “At $100 per player, teams and individuals should contact me.  We’ll register you.  Just reach out to LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com.” 

Rotarian Jesse Walsh presented a $500 scholarship to Sarah Rowe of Denmark as part of the 2022 Adult Education Graduation Program on Tuesday, June 14.  Sarah is looking forward to her studies at Central Maine Community College with plans to enroll in the Social Sciences Program and eventually transfer to a Bachelors Program in the future.   

We Rotarians wish you congratulations and all of the very best in your future plans, Sarah Rowe! 

This award represents one of three scholarships given out by the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club each year to students pursuing academic or vocational careers. 

Picture Caption:  Citizen of the Month Honorees Recognized (l to r): Libby Blais, Sam Brown, Abby Elsaesser, Brianna Sargent and Shivani Prado.  Sabrina Lopez was absent from the event and picture.

Thursday, May 19, 2022, Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club had the extreme pleasure of honoring six Citizens of the Month, seniors from Lake Region High School, who exemplify service in school and the community. Each student, as well as their family members, friends and teachers were recognized. The celebratory breakfast was created by Rotarians Carol Rothenberg and Joanne Cohn, key members on the Club’s Youth Committee.  From the podium Carol Rotenberg did the honors of acknowledging each student.  President Jessica Lynn Putnam presented each in turn with a framed certificate and a $100 gift card. About 30 people attended the gathering held at the Bridgton Community Center. 

Due to the pandemic, this is the first celebratory event for Citizens of the Month in three years.  The six were honored all together rather than separately as they have been in years past. Honorees were Libby Blais (November), Sam Brown (December), Abby Elsaesser (January), Sabrina Lopez (February), Brianna Sargent (March), and Shivani Prado (April). 

Remarked Jessica Putnam after the event. “Congratulations to all the Citizens of the Month. What an outstanding group of young people.  For us Rotarians, it was a wonderful occasion for an in-person meeting, something we’ve not done enough of lately.”

Rotary members in the Bridgton-Lakes Region are taking action in honor of World Polio Eradication to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today. $1 of every pint sold on October 28, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to Closing at the Olde Mill Tavern will be donated to Rotary’s fight to eradicate Polio. 

WHAT:           Pints for Polio
WHO:            Anyone who wants to join us for Pints for Polio
WHEN:          October 28th
WHERE:       The Olde Mill Tavern Restaurant, 56 Main St., Harrison 

History Walk Scheduled for Thursday, October 21, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, starting at Food City parking lot in Bridgton. 

Carol Madsen, who chairs the Rotary Club’s Environmental Committee, said, “The portion of the trail and brook scheduled for cleanup is where Stevens Brook powered as many as nine mills from the late 1700’s into the 20^th century.  As recently as the 1960’s, mills were located on or near Stevens Brook.  In fact, Food City is on the site of the old Pondicherry Woolen Mill.  Built in 1865, it began using steam in 1889 and employed 225 people in 1904. We're excited to be working with Alanna Doughty of Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) on both the cleanup and the History Walk. Alanna has been leading these tours for several years now and will lead the historic tour of the mill sites on Thursday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Mark your calendars."

For more information about either event, contact Carol Madsen at carjmad@hotmail.com. You may reach Jessica Putnam, President of the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, for questions about Rotary at LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com.  Website is https://lakeregionrotary.com.  Like us on Facebook too.

KID FRIENDLY: SCAVENGER HUNT, HEALTHY SNACKS, COSTUMES OPTIONAL. 

On Saturday, October 16, at 9:30 a.m., the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club and Lake Environmental Association (LEA) will lead a cleanup of Stevens Brook Trail between Food City and Smith Avenue. There will be a scavenger hunt for children, healthy snacks and costumes are optional.  All are welcome. Rain Date: Sunday, October 17.  This cleanup activity was originally scheduled for September and cancelled due to the weather.

We’ll begin assembling at 9:30 a.m. at Food City in Bridgton and spot cars along the route. Cleanup will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Please bring your own work gloves and clippers. Trash bags will be provided. Although the trail is pretty clean, it is in serious need of trimming back. For more information, contact Carol Madsen at carjmad@hotmail.com.

Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club had its 12^th Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 18^th at Bridgton Highlands Country Club. The Rotary Club would like to thank all those who made this Golf Tournament a success, including our sponsors, our golfers, our volunteers and, of course, Bridgton Highlands Country Club. 

“Everything was superlative," remarked Dr. Lisa Ryan, Committee Chair.  "We had more golfers (68) and sponsors (40) than ever before.  The weather was great for the game.  The food provided by Stella’s on the Square and the Bridgton Highlands Country Club was outstanding. And we raised the amount of money we were hoping to, $10,000. This will allow us to continue to do the kind of work in the community that we are dedicated to doing.” 

For more information about our programs and our Club in general, check out https://lakeregionrotary.com or the Facebook page.  For questions, contact President Jessica Putnam at LakeRegionRotary@gmail.com. 

ROTARY CLEANING UP ALONG STEVENS BROOK TRAIL WITH LEA With SCAVENGER HUNT FOR KIDS. 

On Saturday, September 25, at 9:30 a.m., the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club and Lake Environmental Association (LEA) will lead a cleanup of Stevens Brook Trail between Food City and Smith Avenue. There will be a scavenger hunt for children.  All are welcome. Rain Date: Sunday, September 26.

We’ll begin assembling at 9:30 a.m. at Food City in Bridgton and spot cars along the route. Cleanup will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Please bring your own work gloves and clippers. Trash bags will be provided. For more information, contact Carol Madsen at carjmad@hotmail.com.

History Walk Scheduled for Thursday, October 21, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, starting at Food City parking lot in Bridgton. 

Carol Madsen, who chairs the Rotary Club’s Environmental Committee, said, “The portion of the trail and brook scheduled for cleanup is where Stevens Brook powered as many as nine mills from the late 1700’s into the 20^th century.  As recently as the 1960’s, mills were located on or near Stevens Brook.  In fact, Food City is on the site of the old Pondicherry Woolen Mill.  Built in 1865, it began using steam in 1889 and employed 225 people in 1904. We're excited to be working with Alanna Doughty of Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) on both the cleanup and the History Walk. Alanna has been leading these tours for several years now and will lead the historic tour of the mill sites on Thursday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Mark your calendars."

George Klauber was the President at the time and welcomed her as a new member after several visits over as many months. Before long she was asked to Chair the Community Services Committee, under which much of the Club’s community work is planned and implemented.  A year later, Carol Madsen was President and Julie Forbes was President Elect.  In the tradition of Rotary Clubs worldwide, at mid-year a President Elect Nominee is chosen.  Jessica, a Rotarian for 1.5 years, was selected, accepted and elected.  She figured she had two years to become prepared. Little did she know, or any of us, how the world would turn with the Covid-19 pandemic.  And Jessica’s personal world changed drastically as well. 

Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club:  How did the pandemic affect your daily life? 

Jessica: In early March 2020, I had just returned from a well-deserved vacation. My first day back to work, on a Tuesday, ........

Library accepts Rotary Club’s donation. Shown holding the check are Amy Stone – Library Director, and Aaron Hagan – Rotary member; others from Left are: Sally Dunning President of Library Trustees, and Friends of the Library Mary Hubka, Debbie Szok, Therese Johnson and Carol Bibeau. 

The Bridgton Lake Region Rotary Club is hosting the first in a series of programs featuring local businesses.  Our November 8th meeting kicked us off to a great start...

Have you ever wondered what happens in the beautiful NAHGA building in downtown Bridgton?  Marney Chalmers joined us and gave a really wonderful presentation of how this business in small-town Bridgton is making a big impact in the lives of their clients. 

Out-of-this-world claims processing by down-to-earth people: at NAHGA, Stellar Service is no accident!

NAHGA is a Third Party Administrator (TPA) that is nationally recognized for processing claims with a personal touch. While they value technology, they know that automation cannot take the place of a friendly voice and a personal connection with your adjuster.

Others may say they care about every client, but at NAHGA, they demonstrate that with personal attention and timely, accurate service on every claim. 

Earning Clients'
Trust for 25 Years.

NAHGA is a family-owned company with offices in Bridgton, ME and North Conway, NH. Since their founding in 1991, they've grown to more than forty employees, and process claims for ten of the premier writers of health and accident insurance for students, sports leagues, day cares and many other organizations. They can customize a claims adjudication program for any organization, large or small, including high-deductible and self-funded plans.

BRIDGTON, MAINE LOCATION
88 MAIN STREET  |  PO BOX 189  |  04009

P. (207) 647-3108  |  F. (207) 647-4569
(800) 952-4320

https://www.nahgaclaimservices.com/

The Bridgton Public Library is excited to announce a partnership with the Bridgton-Lakes Region Rotary Club in a project to help promote literacy among children in the community.

Literacy Loons! gives every Stevens Brook first grader the opportunity to receive up to $14 of free books from Bridgton Books simply by using their library cards!

This community effort is supported also by Bridgton Books, Friends of the Library, and Bear Pond Learning.

It’s always exciting to see more young faces at the library!

Samantha is flanked by George Szok and George Klauber