History of the Rotary Club of Limestone, Aroostook County, Maine
Limestone Maine Rotary Club Second Annual Benefit Open.
Caribou Rotarians Sponsors for New Club in Limestone - Bangor Daily News December 15 1939.
Limestone, Dec 14 - A new provisional Rotary Club of 17 members was formed at a meeting under the sponsorship of the Caribou Rotary Club.
The Limestone Rotarians, becoming a part of the 192nd International Rotary District, are expected to receive their charter in January. A county delegation of Rotary Clubs will mark the event.
Officers of the new club are:
- Donald Atwater, President;
- Dennis F. Getchell, First Vice President;
- Howard Ramsey, Second Vice President;
- B. D. Perry, Secretary;
- Linwood Williams, Treasurer;
- Kenneth Gammon, Sergeant at Arms.
George M. Carter of the Caribou Club represented the District Governor at the session. About a score of Caribou Rotarians, headed by President John McKinnon, were present. The new club will meet every Thursday evening.
Limestone Rotary Group is Host to Presque Club - Bangor Daily News, January 19, 1940
Limestone, Jan 18 - Approximately a score of Rotarians of the Presque Isle Club attended a supper meeting of the new Limestone Rotary Club at the Masonic Hall tonight.
The visiting Rotarians were in charge of the evenings program. Speakers from the Presque Isle Club, all of whom discussed Rotary topics, were;
- Sanford E. Preble;
- L. H. Alline, former District Governor
- William Mackin, President.
Mr. Alline presented a briefcase to the Limestone Secretary, Ray Perry, a gift from the Presque Isle Rotary Club. Percy Winslow, song leader, and Freemen Tweedie, pianist, were in charge of the music. Donald Atwater, principal of the Limestone High School and President of the club, presided. Committee reports on the charter night program Feb 8, in which all Aroostook Rotary Clubs will participate, were given.
Members of the Presque Isle Rotary Club who attended were:
- Franklin Washburn
- Horace Crandall
- Franklin Cunningham
- R. J. Carpenter
- Jasper Crouse
- Otis Stevens
- G. C. Stone
- Ray Hews
- Robert Woodworth
- F. B. Thompson
- Robert McEachren
- George Blanchard
- W. J. Larkin
- George Noyes
- Lloyd Greenlaw
- Cecil Frutchey
- L. H. Alline
- W. J. Mackin
- Percy Winslow
- Sanford E. Preble.
Charter Night - February 8 1940
The Charter night for the Rotary Club of Limestone was a gala affair held at the Limestone High School. More than 200 guests and members were present, including several Past District Governors and the Governor of Maine, Lewis Barrows, who was a special guest. Parking and coat checking were handled by the Limestone Chapter, Future Farmers of America.
Rotary Clubs of Limestone and Van Buren Sponsors the Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada, Rotary Club
The first meeting of the Rotary Club of Grand Falls, New Bruswick was on May 16th 1946. Charter night was August 17th 1946. Also attending Charter Night were the Rotary Clubs of Fort Fairfield, Maine, Madawaska, Maine and Edmunston, New Brunswick. Past District Governor George Findlen of Fort Fairfield, Maine, presented the Grand Falls Club Charter. The Limestone and Grand Falls Rotary Clubs have continued their International activities with each other. On many occasions the two Clubs conduct joint installation of officers Club Activities Over The Years.
1947
The Rotary Club of Limestone joins with the Limestone Knights of Columbus to Support the Annual Limestone Christmas Basket Program. - This program continues to this day. Businesses and individuals of Limestone and a neighboring Town of Caswell support the program with donations. Members of the two organizations identify the needy families and distribute the baskets in time to be prepared for the families Christmas dinner.
1950
The First Annual Rotary Auction - This auction program is the main fund raiser for the local club. Today it is supported by over 300 contributors from all over the local county area. On auction night at the Limestone Community School cafeteria, a banquet is served as a part of the fund raiser. Waitresses and waiters are student volunteers, members of the Limestone School Service Club. Dick Ward, an active Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow, has been the auctioneer for over 40 years.
1952
The Rotary Club of Limestone Scholarship Program Established. Started soon after the Annual Rotary Auction, each June the Club awards scholarships to Limestone High School Seniors.
The Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award - For some 50 years the Rotary Club of Limestone and the Limestone Chamber of Commerce have cooperatively planned and conducted an annual banquet and award ceremony honoring the outstanding Limestone Citizen of the Year.
The Limestone Fourth of July Parade and Activities - Another joint activity with the Limestone Chamber of Commerce that has run for over 50 years. The Limestone 4th of July parade is one of longest running activities in the State of Maine.
1974
The First Annual Rotary Club of Limestone Senior Citizens Banquet - This activity is now held each year in April. In 1990 the guest list was expanded to include the Meals on Wheels volunteers, most of whom are Senior Citizens.
Rotary Club of Limestone Celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 1990
Groups receiving support and sponsorship over the past years include:
- Dirigo Girls and Boys State.
- Career Fairs.
- The National Closeup Program.
- Special Olympics.
- Limestone High School Yearbook.
- Girl and Boy Scouts.
- Little League Baseball.
- Shriners Circus.
- Miss Limestone Pageant.
- The Kidde Park Equipment at the Michaud Memorial Park.
1994
Establishment of The Rotary Club of Limestone Annual Golf Open - This activity will be held at the new Limestone Country Club golf course as an extension of the annual Limestone Fourth of July celebration. Proceeds will be used in support of the scholarship program and other civic activities
The Rotary Club of Limestone Paul Harris Fellows
- Josiah Noyes*
- Prescott Thornton*
- Homer R. Ward Sr.*
- Richard W. Ward
- Paul Haines
* Deceased
Pat Kilpatrick, President 1994-1996
C. Peter Huntress, Incoming President July 1996
