Rotary Roundup Column

For July 10, 2008

Contact Info: Barbara Fox 288-3810

Golden Apple Award: Bonnie Burne

At their annual awards banquet on June 25, members of the Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club presented the Golden Apple Award to Bonnie Burne for her outstanding work as a seventh grade science teacher at the Pemetic School. The Golden Apple recipient is chosen based on criteria that reflect the principles of Rotary, including high ethical standards and service to the community. As an example, outgoing Rotary President Nancy Corliss noted Ms. Burne’s leadership in encouraging her students to research renewable sources of energy. This led to "energy patrols" who roamed the school in search of wasted resources. The students even raised money for permanent photovoltaic panels, and they led efforts to educate the community about the benefits of renewable energy sources and conservation. This award includes a $1,000 honorarium for the recipient’s continuing education.

New Paul Harris Fellows: Benita McMullen and Leslie Brewer

Benita McMullen and Leslie Brewer are the latest recipients of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow. Recipients are Rotarians or community professionals who are notable for their outstanding contributions and who exemplify Rotary’s highest ideal of placing “Service Above Self.”

Ms. McMullen has been an active member of the community for many years. Early in her career, she taught at the Emerson School and served as director of Harbor House for five years. In the early 1970s she assumed her present job as director of the YWCA. During her years as a Rotarian, she has served on the Board of Directors, headed up many committees, cooked many meals and led the club as its president in 2006-2007.

This year’s Paul Harris Non-Member Award was given to Leslie Brewer, who has been a tireless worker for the community in many ways. In the 1960s Mr. Brewer was instrumental in the planning and workings of MDI High School and he was a founding father of the College of the Atlantic. He was very much responsible for Bar Harbor’s implementation of a Capital Improvement Projects fund, as well as serving the town on various boards. Today he is still working hard for the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association.

New Rotary President: Dean Read

Dean Read has been elected to succeed Nancy Corliss as the new president of the MDI Rotary Club. Mr. Read became a Rotarian in 2000 when he moved to Bar Harbor to work for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. For many years, he has been a volunteer with the American Heart Association and he presently serves as Chairman of the MDI Hospital board.

Make Dreams Real

One of Mr. Read’s major goals for the 2008-2009 year is active engagement by the club in a new international project that will ;recognize the challenge by Rotary’s new International President, Dong Kurn Lee. The theme will be “Make Dreams Real,” and the project will be one that addresses the needs of children and helps reduce the rate of child mortality around the world.

Residents of MDI who understand the meaning of “Service Above Self” will be encouraged to join the local Rotary club. By increasing membership, the club can achieve more in the local community as well as increase the work that needs to be done worldwide.

The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Atlantic Oakes, 119 Eden St., Bar Harbor. The club also holds Sunrise breakfast meetings each Thursday at 7 a.m. at Tapley’s, 135 Main St., Bar Harbor. For information, visit the club web site at www.mdirotary.org, contact President Dean Read at 288-2232 or e-mail him at dsread47@gmail.com.