January 2023
S M T W T F S
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
01
02
03
04
Making a Difference in Our Community & the World
Shrewsbury

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 12:15 PM
Post Office Pub
1 Ray St.
North Grafton, MA 01536
United States of America
Phone:
(913) 787-4553
Email:
bethcasavant@gmail.com
In-Person meetings are at the Post Office Pub on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, except on holidays.
Bulletins
Mailing Address
Venue Map
Important Upcoming Events
Contact Judy Merriman for information about joining a virtual meeting during the pandemic. judyshrewsburyrotary@gmail.com
 
April 5th at 12:00 Noon:  Beth Casavant and Jason Palitsch will speak about the upcoming May 4th Town Ballot.
 
April 7th (Wednesday) from 6:00 - 7:00 PM:  All Rotarians are invited to attend a complimentary Investment and
Retirement webinar hosted by Central One Federal Credit Union.  Attendees will learn the basics of:
  • Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
  • The current economic environment.
  • Tax efficiency and income planning concepts regarding IRAs, 401k and 403b plans.
  • View examples of investment portfolios.
To register for this event, follow the link below.
 
April 10th and 24th (Saturdays) from 8:00 – 9:00 AM:  Support Westborough Rotary with their Trex Challenge Plastic Recycling.  Drop off plastics at Kohl’s Retail Store in Northborough (drive to rear of store).  Westborough Rotary volunteers will collect your plastic.  Below is a link to Westborough Rotary page to see what plastics can be recycled.
 
April 12th at 5:30 PM:  The club will revisit the Member Survey – Tracy and Owen
 
April 19th at 7:30 PM:  Game Night via Zoom – Judy will host the game “One Word”.  *Patriots Day - No regular meeting.  Please note time.*
 
April 24th (Saturday) from 8:00 AM - 12 Noon:  Rotarians at Work for Town Clean-up Day.  I have already registered the Rotary Club to clean up Rotary Park.  (Sign-up Genius will be emailed for volunteers)
 
April 26th at 12:00 Noon:  Speaker TBD
No Meeting Policy
There will be no meeting on holidays or when schools are closed due to inclement weather.  Also, we may not meet on a Monday immediately following a club event such as Recycle Day or Community Reading Day.  Please check the Club Calendar or contact Judy Merriman at judyshrewsburyrotary@gmail.com for more information. 
 
 
Rotary International News
Rotary Youth Exchange: Your passport to adventure
First woman confirmed as Rotary president-nominee
Educating in a pandemic and beyond
Rotarian Tunji Funsho named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the world
Jennifer E. Jones makes history, becomes first woman named Rotary president-nominee
Previous
Next
Club Executives & Directors
President
Beth Casavant
Co-President 2023-24 (PE)
Jason Palitsch
Co-President 2023-24 (PE)
Kathy McSweeney
President 2024-25 (VP)
Lori Jones
Immediate Past President
Sandy Burgers
Treasurer
Don Harbert
Secretary
Cliff Gerber
Sgt at Arms
Art Dobson
Director
Julieann Parent
Director
Anne Hagerty
Director
Janine Sands
PR - Webmaster/Social Media Chair
Lori Jones
FOUNDATION Chair
Anne Hagerty
Membership - Fellowship Chair
Roy A. Balfour
Youth - Youth Exchange Chair
Sandy Burgers
Youth - RYLA Chair
Owen Russell
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
                           
Contact Us
Club Stories
Rotary Scholarship Recipiets 2022
 
The Rotary Club of Shrewsbury is proud to announce that Jack Cormier, Anushka Mukhopadhyay, and Anirav Kareddy have each been awarded $2000 scholarships to help them in their future college careers. The motto of Rotary International is “Service Above Self” and service is the most important criteria in our scholarship selection process. Jack, Anirav and Anushka demonstrated outstanding service to others during their high school careers. These outstanding students exemplify the highest ideals of Rotary. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and upon receiving this award.
 
The Rotary Club of Shrewsbury awards scholarships each spring to graduating seniors who either live or attend high school in Shrewsbury.  
 
 
 
Rotary Community Recycle Fundraiser
Shrewsbury Rotary Club Community Recycling Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, April 24th,  12pm - 3pm at Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue.
 
Benefits of Solar Energy
Benefits of Solar Energy
We were pleased to welcome Ritchie Bonney from Revolusun to our meeting on May 3rd.  Ritchie spoke about the benefits of solar energy for residences and businesses and the programs offered in Massachusetts and nationwide.  His talk was informative and he answered several questions our members had about solar energy. Ritchie's talk was timely as environmental concerns and climate change are new focus areas for Rotary.
 
 
April Events
April Events
Lot's of activities are happening this spring! We'd like to see everyone join in the meetings and events planned for April.  Please feel free to invite a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor to join us.
April 5th at 12:00 Noon:  Beth Casavant and Jason Palitsch will speak about the upcoming May 4th Town Ballot.
 
April 7th (Wednesday) from 6:00 - 7:00 PM:  All Rotarians are invited to attend a complimentary Investment and Retirement webinar hosted by Central One Federal Credit Union.  Attendees will learn the basics of:
  • Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
  • The current economic environment.
  • Tax efficiency and income planning concepts regarding IRAs, 401k and 403b plans.
  • View examples of investment portfolios.
To register for this event, follow the link below.
 
April 10th and 24th (Saturdays) from 8:00 – 9:00 AM:  Support Westborough Rotary with their Trex Challenge Plastic Recycling.  Drop off plastics at Kohl’s Retail Store in Northborough (drive to rear of store).  Westborough Rotary volunteers will collect your plastic.  Below is a link to Westborough Rotary page to see what plastics can be recycled.
 
April 12th at 5:30 PM:  The club will revisit the Member Survey – Tracy and Owen
 
April 19th at 7:30 PM:  Game Night via Zoom – Judy will host the game “One Word”.  *Patriots Day - No regular meeting.  Please note time.*
 
April 24th (Saturday) from 8:00 AM - 12 Noon:  Rotarians at Work for Town Clean-up Day.  I have already registered the Rotary Club to clean up Rotary Park.  (Sign-up Genius will be emailed for volunteers)
 
April 26th at 12:00 Noon:  Speaker TBD
Holiday Gift and Giving Basket Auction
Holiday Gift and Giving Basket Auction

Like everything else, holiday gift giving will be different this year. Shopping during a pandemic isn't the joyful experience it once was and demand for online ordering will make on time deliveries less reliable.

The Rotary Club of Shrewsbury has a solution to your shopping challenges! Our online auction is filled with one of a kind gifts for everyone on your list! We have done all the thinking and shopping for you! Browse and bid on our selection of gift baskets while staying safe and cozy at home. Get something special for everyone on your holiday shopping list while supporting an organization with a mission of doing good work in Shrewsbury.

Funds from this online auction will allow our club to continue to make financial donations to St. Anne's Human Services and Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, and to award scholarships to three high school seniors at the end of the academic year.

https://www.32auctions.com/rotaryauction2020

 

2020 Scholarship Recipients
Posted on Jun 05, 2020
The Rotary Club of Shrewsbury is proud to announce that Athena Wu and Thomas Morgera have each been awarded $1000 scholarships to help them in their future college careers. The motto of Rotary International is “Service Above Self” and service is the most important criteria in our scholarship selection process. Athena and Thomas demonstrated outstanding service to others during their high school careers at Shrewsbury High School.  Both of these outstanding students exemplify the highest ideals of Rotary. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and upon receiving this award.
 
The Rotary Club of Shrewsbury awards scholarships each spring to graduating seniors who either live or attend high school in Shrewsbury.  
 
 
SYFS Annual Holiday Toy Drive
SYFS Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Club members once again volunteered to support the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services annual toy drive. The drive ran from November 29th-December 13th with a shopping day for families on December 16th.  The collection boxes were wrapped by club members and placed at locations around town.  Volunteers also helped to set up the toys for families to shop on December 16th,
 
 
 
 
Shrewsbury Yuletide Market & Light the Common
Shrewsbury Yuletide Market & Light the Common
On December 7th, our club participated in the 1st Annual Shrewsbury Yuletide Market and Light the Common, selling hot mulled wine and note cards featuring scenes from around Shrewsbury.  The mulled wine was a big hit (we sold out!) as it was a beautiful, but very cold, evening!  The funds raised from the sale of note cards and mulled wine will be used to support our many local community projects. 
 
The Yuletide Market and Light the Common were a big success and we look forward to participating again in 2020!
 
 
Literacy Day 
Posted by Beth Casavant on Nov 20, 2019
Literacy Day
One of our club's favorite service projects is Community Reading Day, where we start our day sharing stories with second grade students in the Shrewsbury Public Schools. The Rotary Club donates three picture books to each second grade class so the students are able to enjoy the books for the rest of the school year and classroom libraries continue to grow. Many thanks to club member Owen Russel for coordinating this effort again this year!
No Meeting September 16th
Posted on Sep 16, 2019
No Meeting September 16th
There will be no meeting on Monday, September 16th.  Club members will be volunteering to help at St. Anne's Food Pantry in Shrewsbury.  The next regular meeting will be on Monday, September 23rd.
St. Anne's Backpacks for Students
Posted on Aug 16, 2019
St. Anne's Backpacks for Students
Shrewsbury Rotarians partnered with St. Anne's Human Services this morning to help stuff backpacks for students with back-to-school supplies.  Backpacks were purchased using proceeds from the 4th Annual Rotary Brew and Food Fest which was held in June.  
 
 
Art Dobson speaks about "Revisit Korea"
Posted on Aug 12, 2019
Art Dobson speaks about "Revisit Korea"
Fellow Shrewsbury Rotarian and Korean War Veteran, Art Dobson, shared stories from his trip of a lifetime visiting South Korea. His visit was part of a special trip organized by the Republic of Korea through a program called Revisit Korea.  Art was impressed with the activities and level of hospitality organized by his hosts and he described the event as "a once in a lifetime experience."
 
Since 1975, Revisit Korea has generously subsidized travel costs for tens of thousands of Korean War Veterans and their families.  In sincere appreciation for all veterans who fought and sacrificed in securing freedom and democracy for the Republic of Korea, veterans and their families are provided with free hotel accommodations, bus tours of Seoul, Inchon and the DMZ, and all meals while in Korea.
 
RYLA Leadership Conference
Posted on Aug 05, 2019
RYLA Leadership Conference

On August 5th, Oji Anderson shared her experiences at the RYLA three day youth conference held at Fitchburg State University this past June. Oji is a rising Junior at Shrewsbury High. Her favorite workshops at RYLA taught her how to be a better leader and public speaker and how to better resolve conflicts.  Oji's mother also shared her thoughts about how positive the RYLA experience was for Oji.  

Rotary Fellowship Exchange
Posted on Jul 08, 2019
Rotary Fellowship Exchange
The club welcomed Paul Avella as our speaker on July 8th.  Paul, Chair of the District Rotary Fellowship Exchange (RFE), presented on the RFE program and shared information about programs starting up in our District.  Two exchange opportunities are in the planning stages for District 7910 for Fall 2020 - one to Helsingborg, Sweden and the other to Benalla, Victoria, Australia.  Interested in travelling to one of these locations or in hosting Rotarian's from these locations? Contact Paul at avellap@comcast.net or +1-781-354-7235.  Information about the RFE program can be found at https://rotary7910.org/page/friendship-exchange-home-page.
 
 
 
4th Annual Brew & Food Fest
Posted on Jun 23, 2019
4th Annual Brew & Food Fest
It was a "brewtiful" day for the the 4th Annual Brew & Food Fest on Sunday, June 23rd at the Avidia Bank parking lot.  Guests enjoyed sampling beer, cider, wine, and food from participating vendors. Proceeds will help the club partner with St. Anne's Human Services to provide backpacks and back-to-school supplies to Shrewsbury students in need.  A big Thanks to all vendors who participated and to all who bought tickets and came out to support Rotary and the Shrewsbury community.  See more photos on the Photo Album page.