The City of Westbrook is asking for input on an incredible opportunity to polish a somewhat tired, and very hidden, gem in the heart of our downtown. 

Many of the final touches of a heartfelt basketball courts rehab project - honoring two young men from our community - were completed in the past few weeks by our dedicated Westbrook Community Center & Public Works Depts. As a final step, the lights there will soon be turned on - to ensure the area is always shining in their memory. 

Now, the beautification of the remaining area - and its connectivity to the Westbrook downtown community and the Sebago to the Sea trails project - has an opportunity to utilize a unique federal funding source which is at a record, one-time level in its 51-year existence. This survey is a key component in acquiring that funding:  Warren Outdoor Rec Area Community Feedback Survey

 

Please share your thoughts, in what should take less than 5 minutes to complete. If you or your family has ever used a green-space, walking trail, or recreation facility in the city - or you simply want to have a voice in what may be a key stepping stone for the future of Downtown Westbrook – please complete the survey. Thank you for your time!

 

Marty Helman, District Foundation Chair, was our guest and speaker on October 18. Marty thanked our Club for our growing commitment to the Rotary Foundation. She also recognized our participation in a District grant with My Place Teen Center last year and our current District grant that will supply a trauma bag for Cuatro Cayos, Guatemala.

 

She provided a polio update. Mike McGovern believes we are now counting down to polio eradication in months rather than years.  While there have been a few new cases reported in Nigeria, a country that had been polio free for almost two years, they believe these are isolated cases and there are mechanisms in place to continue vaccinations and prevent a resurgence. The number of cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan are fewer than last year at this time, and environmental tests are free of polio.

 

Marty then spoke about how we might leverage ongoing work in Cuatros Cayos to develop a global grant.  Global grants with a minimum of $30,000 are much larger than district grants and have more oversight.  Global grants must be sustainable, involve knowledge transfer, source materials locally, and create a source of income that will allow for ongoing maintenance of whatever is installed.  The good news is that by partnering with other clubs in our district, in the US, or other parts of the world, and with a local Guatemalan club like Los Atomos, a single club might only need to provide $1500-$3000 to support a Global grant. Bill and Jason will be working on a plan for a Global grant during the upcoming trip in February when they will have an opportunity to make connections, identify costs and action items.

 

Finally, we asked Marty to sign a book to be donated to the Baxter Memorial Library.

 

Dr Wayne Lopez, President Jason Beever, Pres-Elect Bill Chadwick 

and District Foundation Chair Marty Helman

 

Centennial Celebration – 100 for 100 - Thursday November 10, 2016- Come help Rotary celebrate our Foundation’s 100^th Anniversary. Keynote Speaker: Sam Frobisher Owori of Kampala, Uganda, Nominating Committee Selection for 2018-19 Rotary International President -   Portland Marriott Sable Oaks.  $100 per person . $26.50 of each ticket will be donated to the Rotary Foundation. Sign up now at the District Website.