Home Page | Rotary Club of Middlebury

The Rotary Club of Middlebury, Vermont is a volunteer service organization whose members donate their time and resources to help others in the community and throughout the world. The club was chartered March 1, 1927.

Our motto is "Service Above Self"

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 7:15 AM

Middlebury Inn

16 Court Square
Middlebury, VT 05753
United States of America

Guests are welcome but seating is limited so please contact us if you would like to attend. rotaryclubofmiddlebury@gmail.com

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Wednesday's Guest Speaker: Caleb Basa of MALT

Posted on Jan 12, 2022

Caleb Basa, the Land & Trails Manager for the Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT) paid us a visit at today's meeting. In a wonderful presentation, Caleb talked about MALT's mission to conserve the natural landscape around the Middlebury area and to provide educational opportunities for people of all ages. To see what MALT is up to, check out their website for their programs, events, volunteer opportunities, and our personal favorite- the activity brochure for our youngest generation. Thanks Caleb!

Service Above Self.

...this is Rotary's motto. Ten days ago, the town of Mayfield, Kentucky (pop. 9,400) was destroyed by a tornado.

Please think for a second- What would happen if our small town of Middlebury (pop. 8,500) was completely wiped off the map ? Our places of work, our schools, our places of worship- gone. Homes and lives destroyed.

It's a horrific thought, isn't it ?

This is the reality that the folks of Mayfield are experiencing. We are asking you to please help us help them rebuild, and we challenge the residents of Middlebury, VT to help us reach a goal of $10,000- of which we will be matching. Please send your checks by the 31st of December to the Middlebury Rotary Club, P.O. Box 46, Middlebury, VT 05753.

"As long as you are standing, give a hand to those who have fallen".

(photo courtest of npr.org)

A New Take on "Canvasing"

Posted on Dec 08, 2021

What should the caption be for this picture ??

Our assistant club administrator, Rebecca, went to Ireland to visit family and came back without an appendix! To let him know that she was A-Ok after her surgery in Belfast, Rebecca sent a hearty thumbs up to Buzz, our club President. At this week's meeting, Buzz presented a gift to Rebecca to commemorate her experience. The canvas was passed around to the attendants of the meeting to be signed.

If you have ever thought about joining Rotary, we hope this is a great incentive, besides the work we do for the community- you'll make great friends with an even greater sense of humor!

Special, SPECIAL thanks to Rick Marshall and Mike McAuliffe for generously letting the club use the Memorial Sports Center for our meeting this week, and to Executive Director Elise Shanbacker from Addison County Community Trust, who came to provide an update on ACCT's efforts to provide afforadable housing options in Addison County.

Today's Guest Speaker: Elise Brunelle

Posted on Dec 01, 2021

Today we were delighted to welcome our guest speaker Elise Brunelle from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Between now and 2023, the VSO is embarking on the exciting process of selecting its next music director. They will also be celebrating their 84th year of public concerts, and we encourage you to look at their calendar of upcoming events. What better way to spend the cold holiday season than warming up to some beautiful music ?

Salisbury Library Receives Grant Money

Posted on Dec 01, 2021

The Middlebury Rotary club recognizes the important role that libraries play in our communities, and we decided to recognize one library in particular.

Through our Charity Assessment Committee, a grant has been awarded to the Salisbury Public Library. Below, our club member John presents the $500 check to Ruth, Director of the Salisbury Free Public Library. This grant will support the ever increasing use of their eBook, audiobook, and movie subscription services.

Guest Speakers for November

Posted on Nov 30, 2021

The month of November brought a set of fantastic guest speakers to our Wednesday meetings.

First we have Caleb Kenna, a photographer and certified drone pilot from the Middlebury area. His work has appeared in a number of notorious magazines, such as National Geographic and the Smithsonian, as well as Vermont's own Seven Days. For more information and to see his breath taking photography, visit calebkenna.com

We also had Linda and Nancy from Neighbors Together talk to us about the tunnel project and its successful conclusion, as well as Jim, the liason between the town and the project. As a thank you for their hard work, the club presented them with a custom gift from Maple Landmark Woodcraft.

Paul Harris Dinner held Nov 17

Posted on Nov 19, 2021

Club members gathered for dinner at the Middlebury Inn for the annual recognition of Rotary’s Foundation and celebration of inductees into the Paul Harris Society.

Joining us were District Governor Mike Carrier and past DGs Jamie Milne, Louisa Tripp, and our own T and Eric. Club Foundation chair Eric hosted the presentations.

Six Paul Harris memberships were awarded. They were presented to Robert Thomas Brooks (Bill's brother), Steve, Max, Kevin, Neil, and Paul.

For additional photos, see the album to your right on this page.

Our lucky 13th auction has closed

Posted on Nov 02, 2021

Our thanks to everyone who bid on items. We had a terrific range of tempting items. Once the financial results are calculated, we'll post what we raised.

This spring, we'll divide the funds among the terrific non-profit groups that are working to make life better for all of us right here in Addison County.

Kindergarten named in honor of former Rotarian, Maggie Quinn

Posted on Oct 13, 2021

Hands to Honduras dedicated the Kinder Maggie Quinn October 2, 2021, named in honor of former Middlebury Rotarian Maggie Quinn. This new kindergarten was constructed in the very poor community of Tesorito in Trujillo. According to Tom Plumb, the construction received enthusiastic support of the community.

This club has supported Hands to Honduras, initiated by Tom Plumb, with a financial gift each year and, in the past, with active volunteers.

RYLA Attendee speaks at Wednesday's Meeting

Posted on Aug 20, 2021

Former Rotary President Maureen and Rotary member Jason pose with Sarah, a guidance counselor from MUHS and Nyna, a MUHS student. Nyna was one of our elected attendees for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, held over zoom this past June. She visited our club at the last meeting and spoke about her experience at this year's RYLA program. Thank you Nyna!!

Old Town Cemetery fix-up June 26

Posted on Jun 26, 2021

Volunteers from the Vermont Old Cemetery Association and members of the MUHS football team helped club members erect fallen and broken tombstones. Foundations were dug, stones were set in place and leveled, and shurpack was added to stabilize the stones. Helmut, Buzz, and Paul worked on Deborah Buttolph's stone (she died in 1796).

Buster Brush Community Service Awards for 2021

Posted on Jun 09, 2021

The Club honored three community leaders for their outstanding work this past year under the pandemic. Receiving the Buster Brush Community Service Award for 2021 were (left to right)

Deborah Wesley, CEO, Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Heidi Sulis, ED, Open Door Clinic, and Liza Eddy, Manager, Operations at Porter Medical Center. Presenting the awards were Maureen and T.

Congratulations to each of you.

Freeman Award to Rita Glidden

Posted on May 27, 2021

Rita Glidden, proprietor of Thread Connection, was presented the Stephen A. Freeman Award May 26 by Foundation chair Eric. During the pandemic she made and distributed masks and asked only for donations to the HOPE Food Shelf.

She also helped found the Food Co-op, and has volunteered for Hospice, the Cornwall School and Bicentennial celebration, HOPE, and more.

Welcome Sylvie, our newest member!

Posted on May 19, 2021

President Maureen welcomes Sylvie into the club by giving her a Rotary label pin. The club met for the first time this year beneath the Lion Club's new pavilion at the Rec Park.

2021 Old Town Cemetery clean up

Our second annual tombstone cleaning was held on a beautiful Saturday morning in May. Helping were (left to right) Helmut, Lyn, the Butler family, Geoff, Buzz, Maureen, and David.

Victoria and Steve were too busy scrubbing to pose.

Thanks to Max for the photos, more of which can be seen in the album to your right, lower down on this page.

A fresh look at HOPE

Posted on May 03, 2021

Jim, Geoff, and Gary provided the muscle power to repaint the food pantry at HOPE recently. It required a roller, a brush, and a supervisor.

Green Up Day 2021

Posted on May 01, 2021

We focused on the Rec area and Mary Hogan Elementary School perimeter this year. The few seconds of snow at 8 am didn't deter us!

Jim, Lyn, David, Helmut, Evie, and Ben each filled a bag. Thanks to Max for recording it all. See more of his photos in the photo album in the right column.

Teacher scholarships available

Applications are open for Alonzo Malouin Memorial Scholarship for Teachers’ Education for 2020-21 Academic Year.

Scholarships totaling up to $10,000 per year to educators furthering their education beyond a post-secondary degree. The money may be used for, but not limited to, tuition, educational supplies (textbooks, computers, etc.), transportation costs, or institutional room and board.

Applications are due April 19.

The application is not laborious. It requires a letter of recommendation, verification that you are enrolled in a college/university, a CV, and a statement of no more than 1 page explaining your specific educational plans.

The guidelines and application form are posted on our Rotary District 7850 website (link in section above).

Ben Rotary Club of Middlebury rotaryclubofmiddlebury@gmail.com

Apply for a Rotary grant Deadline for applications extended to March 26

Merry Mulch 2021

Posted on Jan 09, 2021

Club members rounded up Christmas trees and Casella took them to the transfer station for recycling. Our thanks to the Panther (MUHS) football team and Monument Farms for their help. Here is a photo taken by Max of this year's crew (other members were already out picking up trees when this photo was taken).