The District Holiday party on December 10th was filled with fun and holiday cheer with 110 Rotarians and guests enjoying the sights and sounds of the holidays in the iconic Colonial Inn in Concord.
In addition to great food, holiday music and Rotary fellowship, several awards were presented, including the first CHAMPIONS OF PEACE DISTRICT 7910 AWARD given to Jacqueline Apsler, President of the Rotary Club of Bedford in recognition of her work promoting awareness, understanding, and support for victims of domestic violence.
Also awarded was the District's UNSUNG HERO AWARD given to Palma Cicchetti for her selfless and behind-the-scenes role in refreshing the district website and e-bulletin. 11 Foundation awards were also given to Rotarians from across the district who have helped support grant activities as well as Rotary's fight to end Polio. The evening additionally included the anointing of Diana Nestorova as District Governor Nominee Designate.
After promising to support the District Governor and Rotary International, Diana was given an orb, a cloak and a crown as part of the traditional ceremony to anoint the newest member of the DG chain. The event was merry and bright and a warm and fun way to celebrate the season with fellow Rotarians!
The Youth Exchange committee hosted a holiday brunch on Sunday December 17th. In attendance were current inbound students (2017-18), host families, outbounds for 2018-19, and rebound students and parents from 2016-17, plus Club Counselors and ESSEX volunteers. According to hostess Jeanne Reimonn, “We all had a wonderful time -- making connections and getting excited about youth exchange!”
In January, District 7910 we will have one more inbound arriving from Australia. He will attend Ayer Shirley Regional High School. He will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Ayer.
Inbound Students in Photo
Ta-wen (Carlos) Huang (in green blazer), Taiwan, Bedford Rotary Club
Auriane Veyreinc (in pink shirt - on sofa), France, Milford Rotary Club
Next year the ESSEX Committee anticipates sending five outbounds all over the world and hosting five inbound students. Rotary Clubs are asked to consider sponsoring inbound and outbound students. It's such an important program for our youth. Truly life changing. Rotarians interested in finding out more about this program or hosting, please contact Marcia Davis, Chair | largotutor@verizon.net | (508) 883-3238
Ta-wen (Carlos) Huang (in green blazer), Country: Taiwan
Hosted by: Bedford Rotary Club
Attending: Bedford High School, Bedford, MA
Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Ping Chen Feng - District 3500 Taiwan
Auriane Veyreinc (in pink shirt - on sofa)
Country: France
Hosted by: Milford Rotary Club
Attending: Hopedale High School, Hopedale, MA
Sponsored by: Grenoble South Rotary - District 1780
The Boston University Sargent College Rotaract Club is alive and well. Just this semester, there have been 7 meetings with more than 15 members at each meeting; there have also been 4 Cooking Workshops with the Women and Girls Thriving in Brookline. Rotaractors also made 13 housewarming baskets to deliver to the Friends of Boston’s Homeless and 4 members served 8 hours at the Woods Mullen Shelter.
Photo from the Cantina Night Fundraiser
Three members helped to renovate the Mildred Avenue k-8 school and the club. The mentorship program included Rotary Emerging Leaders Chair Keith Harris, Financial Consultant Dr. Amy Witherbee, and Rotary District Governor Karin Gaffney.
The club also successfully fundraised over $1,000 to help build a Fenway stadium for an inclusive playground in Vacaville, CA. Members are active and engaged people of action who are truly making a difference in the communities around them.
The club is grateful for the numerous opportunities and connections given to them and are especially grateful for its host club, Rotary Club of Brookline for its dedication to their success. One significant opportunity is the sponsorship of 4 members to attend the Rotaract Preconvention in Toronto, Canada next summer. At this 2-day conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rotaract, members will learn the legacy of the Rotaractors before them. Additionally they will meet Rotary International President Ian Riseley, connect with other Rotaractors, develop networking skills, and learn of new projects to be involved in. Members will develop a sense of belonging to the larger Rotary Community and will be inspired in more ways to make a difference! Thank you for your support in Rotaract!
Sturbridge Rotary recently inducted three new members from Old Sturbridge Village (OSV). The Village is the third Corporate Membership to join Sturbridge Rotary since Rotary International introduced the Corporate Membership category.
Pictured left to right are Jim, Anne, Michael, Klaus, Carl, Charles.
The next Rotary Means Business event in District 7910 will be held on Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the SHERATON NEEDHAM HOTEL, 100 Cabot Street, Needham, MA. The cost is $15 for Rotarians and $20 for non-Rotarians until January 8th. It will be $20 at the door. Light appetizers will be served and a cash bar will be available.
For more information on this RMB event, contact Bo Daley, Chair of the District 7910 Rotary Means Business Committee, at 508-841-0671 or bdaley@centralfcu.com
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, with help from Bolton Local, will hold the next Bolton Repair Café on Saturday, Jan 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will be held in the cafeteria at the Florence Sawyer School, 100 Mechanic Street in Bolton. Residents of Bolton and surrounding towns are invited to come and find out what a Repair Café is all about.
At the Repair Café, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, everything centers on making repairs. Knowledgeable volunteers will help repair items such as clean mendable clothing, lamps, small appliances, computers and other electronics, bikes, and toys. They can also sharpen knives, scissors, and garden tools.
Looking for a fun affordable evening? Come and have a few laughs and enjoy a Ham Dinner cooked by our Rotary of the Brookfields members! The 2nd annual Murder Mystery Dinner Scholarship Fundraiser is taking place Saturday January 27th at 5pm at the Warren Senior Center. Tickets are $26 per person.
The Rotary Club of the Brookfields services 7 towns in which there are four high schools. We alternate schools each year giving 2 schools $1000 scholarship each year.
The Theater group is local to the area and does a wonderful acting job. Don't miss the fun!
Six members of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley helped to judge the Nashoba DECA Mock Competition on December 14 at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton. They are, left to right: Rich Garcia, Steve Jones-D'Agostino, Glen Bunnell, current President Mary Denio Garcia, Past President Carol Toomey, and Howard Kendall.
During the mock competition, Nashoba students presented their business and marketing plans as practice for DECA's statewide competition in January.