The Dutch family of Rotary exchange student Sem are visiting Middlebury. Welcoming them to a club meeting were (left to right) Nancy, Liz, Grace (mother), Evie (father), Sem, Heather, and Ben.
The Rotary Club of Middlebury, Vermont is a volunteer service organization whose members donate their time and resources to help others in the community and throughout the world. The club was chartered March 1, 1927.
Every year our club participates in the Rotary District Speech Contest for high school students. The purpose of the contest is to help youth, community and Rotarians to understand, encourage and foster the principles and values of Rotary.
The first round, at the club level, was held January 24. Two students from Middlebury Union High School, Maggie Morter and Cora Bliven, participated with the assistance of MUHS faculty member Tara Martin. Maggie was chosen to advance to the next round.
The finals will be held at District 7850's annual conference Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT. The winner will receive $1,750 and the runner up will receive $1,500.
Our congratulations to both students.
Pictured are (left to right) President John, Maggie, Tara, Cora, and Youth events co-ordinator Jason.
for further information about the speech contest, see:
https://rotary7850.org/sitepage/speech-contest
Our annual gathering of Christmas trees had great timing this year. A day before the snow fell.
With help from Casella (thank you, Dennis), Monument Farms (thank you, Pete), and MUHS students (thank you, Coach Malcolm), we cleaned up the town.
Members of the MUHS football and soccer teams gave us many helpful hands, including our Rotary exchange student from Holland, Sem. Thank you fellows!
As the holiday season comes to a close, we want to extend a huge thanks to Rosie's Restaurant, and our server Shyla, for the great service, food, and welcoming environment.
We also inducted a new Paul Harris Fellow at our annual holiday gathering: our club secretary Sylvie. We were also thankful to have Celeste, the Major Gifts Officer for Rotary Foundation, attend our holiday party as a guest to recognize past-District Governor Eric for his dedication to the foundation. What a great way to end the year!
President John and Nancy welcomed our newest member, Larry Jones. Larry transferred his membership from another club so we know he'll hit the ground running. Welcome to Service!
Open Door Clinic's new exam van, which makes it possible for a patient to meet privately with a doctor, came to Rosie's so that we could see what our $9,000 grant helped fund. Executive Director Heidi Sulis and outreach RN Julia Doucet were delighted to show it off. It looks super and so glad we could help bring this to Addison County.
On behalf of the club, President John thanked Shyla who has served us so patiently at Rosies this past year.
Ric and Abi spoke to our club this morning about HomeShareVT, a program that allows two or more people to share a home for mutual benefit. This wonderful program is at its core a way for people to help each other out, with each homeshare being tailored to the unique needs and interests of the people involved. To learn more about HomeShare VT, visit their website.
Sem, who is a Rotary exchange student attending Middlebury Union Highschool, got to join the Salisbury Fire Department for blacked out interior search and rescue training. Photo credit to Ben Slater and Middlebury Union Highschool.
Richard Fox of the RC of Charlotte-Shelburne RC spoke to the club about the Rotary Foundation. Fun fact: There's a marker on Rt 100 in Stowe noting the discovery of the first infantile paralysis case, poliomyelitis, in the US in 1894.
Middlebury Rotary is Thankful for all who helped out last Friday packing snack bags for students all over Addison County to take home over this week's break from school. Happy Thanksgiving from our Rotary family to yours!
The club held its annual Foundation Dinner under the guidance of Foundation chair and PDG Eric at the Waybury Inn.
We now have 33 Paul Harris recipients in our club. We have generous members who, since the club was organized in 1927, have contributed $434,000 to the Foundation. DG Susan Cherry thanked the club for achieving $25 minimum gift and $100 average gift of the entire club to this year's Foundation. We also have 2 Benefactors, 1 member of the Bequest Society, and 3 Major Donors.
Guests included DG Susan Cherry, PDG Jamie Milne, and his guest Katheryn.
Below are President John and DG Susan at the podium. For additional photos taken by Paul, see the 2023 Foundation Dinner photo album.
At this morning's Friendship Breakfast, we were delighted to welcome Stefan Simrock visiting Middlebury from his home town in southern France. Stefan presented President John with his Provence club flag.
President John sponsored and inducted Fred into membership this morning. Fred is the executive director of Addison County Economic Development Corporation. Welcome Fred!
A big thanks to Jason L, Ben, Kati, Fran and friends for a building a terrific new playground for kids at Lindale Mobile Home Park. Let's go for a slide!
The Counseling Service of Addison County held its 2023 Bocce tournament Saturday, September 30 at the Middlebury Recreation Field. The goal was to raise funds for CSAC's work in supporting community wellness. Our club's outstanding performance (no doubt!) brought recognition in their accepting the Service Club trophy. Club members participating were (left to right) Gary, Maureen, Geoff, and John.
Past District Governor T inducted our newest member, Amy, into membership. Welcoming her was President John. Her sponsor was Maureen. Amy is the Community Relations Specialist and Presidential Events Coordinator at Middlebury College. She also currently serves on the board of directors of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce.
Welcome Amy!
The Club welcomed Sem Weenk, a high school student from the Netherlands, who is participating in Rotary's Youth Exchange program at MUHS.
Welcome Sem and we hope to see more of you this year!
Jason introduced two of the three MUHS students who participated in last June's RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy) conference at Northern Vermont University in Lyndonville. Elsa and Jacques each spoke of their experiences. Sarah Soule, Post Secondary Planning Coordinator at MUHS, helped coordinate their participation.
Our motto is "Service Above Self"
Middlebury, VT 05753
United States of America