Small Acts, Big Impact: Rotary Celebrates Service, Community & Ocean Safety
- ✨ A powerful reminder of kindness inspired by Theo of Golden and poet William Wordsworth
- đź’› Celebrations, community updates, and upcoming opportunities to serve
- 🌊 Guest speaker Jeffrey Patten shares expertise on ocean safety and rescue readiness
Rotary Recap – April 3, 2026
President Darcy opened the meeting, with the Pledge of Allegiance, then the 6-way test, followed by a warm welcome to members and guests.
Inspiration to Start the Day
Cindy shared the “positive word” and introduced the book Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. The story highlights the power of quiet generosity and the meaningful impact of small acts of kindness—beautifully captured in a quote by William Wordsworth:
“The best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”
A perfect reminder of the spirit we strive to embody as Rotarians.
Club Announcements & Updates
- April 11 – Chowder Fest Fundraiser at the Center for Active Living (drive-through pickup with support from the Masons of St. Aspinquid)
- Rotary Kick-Off Event ALSO April 11– Promotions are underway—please continue sharing on social media!
- April 30 – Evening gathering (location TBD): pizza + May Basket assembly
- May 1 – No morning meeting; May Basket deliveries to community members
- Memorial Day – The Club will not participate in the parade this year due to scheduling conflicts
- Upcoming Meetings – Some May locations may shift; details to follow
- Next Week – Field trip to Footprints Food Pantry (meet at Footprint Food Pantry, 22 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery, ME 03904, onsite at 8:00 AM)
Happy Dollars & Celebrations
Another lively round of Happy Dollars included:
- Warm welcomes back and gratitude for fellow members
- Birthday celebrations (including a milestone 75th and 81st!) complete with two enthusiastic Rotary rendition of “Happy Birthday” (best versions by this group EVER!)
- Family visits, Easter gatherings, and special trips on the horizon
- A reminder of local Sunrise Easter Services with an invitation to attend
- Appreciation for behind-the-scenes contributions that keep the Club thriving
Guest Speaker: Jeffrey Patten
Jud introduced guest speaker Jeffrey Patten, recognizing his decades of dedication to beach safety and his significant contributions to our coastal community.
Jeffrey is widely regarded as a leading expert in ocean rescue in New England. His work has included:
- Leadership in lifeguard and beach safety operations across York and neighboring communities
- Involvement with the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA)
- Teaching and mentoring through higher education and training programs
- Ongoing service through nonprofit and community safety initiatives
He also shared insights into his continued efforts to enhance open water rescue training through his nonprofit, the Tier Open Water Rescue Academy (TOWRA). His work focuses on advancing ocean-specific rescue techniques, improving response capabilities, and supporting first responders with specialized training and equipment.
Jeffrey’s presentation underscored the importance of preparedness, proper training, and rapid response in ocean rescue situations—where minutes can make a life-saving difference.
We thank Jeffrey for his longstanding commitment to keeping our community and visitors safe.
Closing Thought
As we head into the week ahead, we’re reminded that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact—often in ways we may never fully see.