Rotary Recap: February 6, 2026
- Members honored for generosity and Foundation giving
- Club funds local project and community events
- Rhett’s Roost shares a powerful story of healing and hope
Healing, Hope, and a High-Notes Project
President Darcy opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the 6-Way Test, setting a tone of reflection and community service for the busy session ahead.
Club Honors & Awards
We took a moment to celebrate the incredible generosity of our members and the legacy of our past leadership:
- Every Rotarian Every Year: Past President Jud was recognized for his leadership year, during which our club earned the EREY banner—a testament to 100%-member participation in Foundation giving.
- Paul Harris Fellows: Congratulations to Marilyn and Mike, who were both honored with Paul Harris Awards.
What is a Paul Harris Fellow? It is an individual who contributes (or has made contributions in their name) $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. It recognizes people who go above and beyond in their commitment to local and global service. Members who continue to contribute are recognized with +2, + 3, etc. each time their continued contribution crosses another $1,000 threshold.
Service in Action & Announcements
The room was buzzing with project updates and new funding approvals:
- A New Electric Piano for Durgin Pines Nursing Home, Kittery, Maine: NEW member, Skip Smith applied for and won a $500 District Seed Money Grant! To ensure the project hits the right note, the Club voted unanimously (Motion: Marilyn, Second: Russ) to match that $500 and cover any remaining tax/shipping costs. With an additional $200 from the Kittery Rotary Club, we have successfully funded a $1,200 electric piano for the Durgin Pines Nursing Home in Kittery, Maine. GREAT JOB Skip!
- CWAC Kick-Off: Brad announced the 2026 CWAC Kickoff Event! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 11, from 1-5 PM at Kennebunk Savings Bank. We’ll have a tent, live music (provided by KSB’s own band!), and the big car unveiling. Mike has generously offered garage space to keep the vehicle top-secret until the reveal.
- Polar Plunge Support: The Board Directors at their last meeting, and subsequently today the Club voted unanimously (Motion: Jud, Second: Jackie) to approve a $1,200 donation ($50 per hour) to support Sgt. Ogden of the York PD, who is plunging into the Ogunquit waters every hour for 24 hours to benefit the Special Olympics.
- 4 on the 4th Update: Susan announced a new "Family Fun Run" (1 mile) scheduled for July 3rd at the track at York High School. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the holiday festivities for all ages!
Kindness Dollars
- Duncan: $20 heading to Bedford, MA, to help care for his grandson.
- Ben: Shared the joy of his 2nd grandson, Javain, born in San Diego, but also the heartbreak of losing his 10-year-old dog over the holidays.
- Russ: Sending luck to his grandson in Ireland who will be watching the Super Bowl from London!
- Skip: Looking for a local CPA recommendation—if you have a lead, please reach out to him!
- Claire: Will not be in attendance next week due to a destination wedding for a friend. Have FUN Claire!
Guest Speaker: Deanna Cavan, Rhett’s Roost
Our guest speaker, Deanna Cavan, shared the poignant and inspiring story behind Rhett’s Roost: A Community of Healing and Hope.
Deanna told the story of her son, Everett "Rhett" Thomas Cavan, who was diagnosed with a fast-growing liver tumor at 6 months old. After a courageous battle that took the family from Boston to St. Jude’s in Tennessee, Rhett passed away at just 10 months old in February 2015.
The Mission:
Deanna founded Rhett’s Roost to support families navigating the trauma of childhood cancer and child loss.
- Statistics: One in 260 children under 20 will be diagnosed with cancer; shockingly, the community has lost four children since October alone.
- The "Roost" Approach: They host retreats (costing between $10k–$25k) that provide "self-care modalities," Reiki, and a "Grief Guide" to help parents and siblings navigate the emotional toll and PTSD often associated with medical trauma.
How to Help:
- Home & Garden Tour: Their biggest fundraiser! 6 homes near Marginal Way will open to the public on June 6. Tickets are $65–$70. More information coming soon.
- Volunteers Needed: They need 100 volunteers for the Home Tour and 25 for their upcoming 5K.
- Superhero 5K: Bringing back the fun! Look for details on the return of this costume-filled race.
- Dinner with a Purpose III: Dinner fundraiser at Community Cuisine
Please click the link to purchase tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dwp-march-18-2026-retts-roost
- To learn more about this important non-profit organization making a difference, check out their website at: http://rettsroost.org
Upcoming Dates
- March 13: Jane Sanson (Dept. of Tourism)
- March 20: Holly Sargent
- April 11: CWAC Launch Event at KSB
Join the Fellowship: Service Above Self
As you can see, there is never a dull moment at York Rotary! Whether we are funding local music programs, cheering on our local police in a polar plunge, or supporting families through organizations like Rhett’s Roost, our mission is simple: Service Above Self.
But it’s not all work—we have a lot of fun doing it. If you’re looking for a way to give back to the York community, make lifelong friends, and be part of a global network of changemakers, we would love to have you join us.
Be our guest! We meet every Friday morning to share a meal, a few laughs, and a lot of heart. See for yourself why the York Maine Rotary Club is the best way to make a difference right here at home.