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Abbagail McCargar of Canton Central School, a student in the Cosmetology program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for December. At a Rotary luncheon honoring McCargar, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Niki Rutledge. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Samantha Polnak, McCargar, Rutledge and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES November Student of the Month

Posted by Michael Griffin on Dec 12, 2018

Jonathan Russell of Massena Central School, a student in the Building Trades program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for November. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Russell, he met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for his academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Larry Ashley. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Samantha Polnak, Ashley, Russell, and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES October Student of the Month

Potsdam Rotarians Give Away Books at Fright Fest

During Potsdam's recent Fright Fest, Potsdam Rotarians were on hand in front of Chilly Delight to distribute more than 300 books to children in Halloween costumes. Potsdam Rotary also donates children's books to the Potsdam Holiday Fund. Left to right: Potsdam Rotarians Carol Hunter, Brandon LaShomb and Mary Sue Foster.

Brandon LaShomb Inducted into Potsdam Rotary Club

Brandon LaShomb of Parishville was recently inducted as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Potsdam. He is a commercial banking associate for Community Bank N.A. in Potsdam. LaShomb is a 2008 graduate of Norwood-Norfolk Central School and a 2012 graduate of SUNY Potsdam, where he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a minor in music business.

After graduating from college, LaShomb worked out of the area, but it wasn’t long before he decided Potsdam was his home and he found his place with Community Bank in 2015. There, he worked in Trust Services for two years and was recently promoted to the Commercial Banking department, where he now works with fellow Rotarian and new member sponsor Duane Pelkey. Youth ministry through his church has also played a big role in LaShomb's life and he is eager to once again give back in service to the community through Rotary.

Photo caption: Brandon LaShomb was recently inducted as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Potsdam. Left to right: Rotary President Samantha Polnak, LaShomb’s new member sponsor, Duane Pelkey, and LaShomb.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES September Student of the Month

Hayden Irish of Canton Central School, a student in the Metal Working Technologies program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for September. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Irish, he met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for his academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Nanci Collins. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Samantha Polnak; Irish; Collins; and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

Potsdam Rotary to Hold Prospective Member Mixer, Aug. 15

Potsdam Rotary will host a membership mixer on Wednesday, August 15, from 5:30-7 p.m. at McDuff’s Pub, 59 Market St. in Potsdam.

Potsdam Rotary Announces Duck Pluck Winners

Posted on Jul 14, 2018

The Rotary Club of Potsdam drew ten winners at its annual Rubber Ducky Pluck on Saturday, July 14, at the Potsdam Summer Festival in Ives Park.

The winners are:

Samantha Polnak Installed As Potsdam Rotary President

Samantha Polnak of Potsdam was installed as the 2018-2019 president of the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual dinner in June. During the ceremony, Duane Pelkey of Madrid was also installed as vice president and Mary Sue Foster of Hannawa Falls was recognized as outgoing president. Romeyn Prescott of Potsdam will continue as secretary and Shawn Seymour of Hannawa Falls will continue as treasurer.

Charles Foster & Duane Pelkey Recognized As Paul Harris Fellows by Potsdam Rotary Club

Charles “Chuck” Foster of Hannawa Falls and Duane Pelkey of Madrid were recognized on June 13 as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Potsdam. They were honored for their demonstrated commitment to the goals and purposes of Rotary and "in appreciation of their tangible assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world."

Krise and Tessier Inducted into Potsdam Rotary Club

Tanya Krise of Parishville and Becky J. Tessier of Massena were recently inducted as the newest members of the Rotary Club of Potsdam. Krise is the Commercial Insurance Sales Executive for Northern Insuring Agency in Potsdam and Massena. Tessier is the Senior Sales Executive in the Personal Lines Division at Northern Insuring Agency in Potsdam and Massena.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES April Student of the Month

Mitchell Davis of Canton Central School, a student in the HVAC/R program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for April. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Davis, he met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for his academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Mark Murphy. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster; Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath, Davis and Murphy.

Join Potsdam Rotary Club for Golf Tournament on May 11

The Rotary Club of Potsdam invites the North Country community to its 14th annual Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, May 11, at the Potsdam Town & Country Club. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11:30, and a clam bake celebration afterward. Registrations for foursomes are now being accepted at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-potsdam-rotary-golf-tournament-tickets-32944546024. The cost includes greens fees, carts, lunch, and a clam bake dinner (also available without dinner). The event will take place regardless of weather. Please let us hear from you by April 28.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES February Student of the Month

Brooke Ayers of Parishville-Hopkinton Central School, a student in the Criminal Justice program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for February. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Ayers, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Juddy Plumb. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster; Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath, Ayers, Plumb, and Colleen Ayers, Brooke’s mother.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES March Student of the Month

Maria Summer of Canton Central School, a student in the Health Careers program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for March. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Summer, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Amber Farrand. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster; Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath; Summer; her mother, Tricia Jacob; and Farrand.

Potsdam Rotary to Host 2nd Annual Gala to Benefit BOCES Seaway Tech Programs

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will host its second annual Scholarship Gala to benefit BOCES Seaway Tech Programs. The Red Carpet/Hollywood themed fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 7, at the Elks Lodge in Potsdam.

A 6 p.m. cash bar will be followed by an Italian pasta buffet dinner, prize drawings and dancing to tunes by DJ Todd Truax. The $25 per-person ticket includes chances to win one of several prizes, including a Kindle Fire, Ausable Chasm tickets, comedy night tickets, auto gift and detail basket, and a foot spa basket.

The Rotary Club of Potsdam Rotary Club was founded more than 90 years ago on the basis of community service by business leaders in many professions. A monthly award, named the Rev. William and Crystal Cuthbert Vocational Award, after its founder, has received several district awards.

The club presents the monthly award to Seaway Tech students in one of 15 programs. This event will raise money for the end-of -the-year awards, one to a student in each program.

The following businesses have generously sponsored specific programs: Community Bank, Harris Medical, Warner CDJR, Danko, Today’s Hair, SUNY Law Enforcement Program, Chilly Delight, SUNY Continuing and Higher Ed, St. Lawrence Centre, Hyde Stone, NRC, and Valley Water Solutions.

Tickets can be purchased from any Potsdam Rotarian or online at http://bit.ly/2FGl5wv. For more information, call 315-212-1803 (Erica Leonard, chair) or 315-212-1234 (Mary Sue Foster, President).

Potsdam Rotary Essay Contest Will Award Prizes to Students

The Rotary Club of Potsdam has announced its first “Four Way Test Essay Contest” for middle school and junior/senior high school students.

Prizes will be awarded for first ($100) and second ($50) places in the two categories. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2018.

All Rotarians employ the following "Four Way Test" in the things they think, say and do:

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build good will and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

In their 750-word-maximum essays, students are asked to address these criteria in their everyday lives as well as in their future plans.

Applications can be found on the right under "Download Files." For further information, call Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster at 315-212-1234.

Joshua LaFave Inducted into Potsdam Rotary Club

Joshua J. LaFave of Potsdam, N.Y., was inducted as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its February 7 meeting. He is the executive director of the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education at SUNY Potsdam. His experience for the past 13 years has included a comprehensive canvas of enrollment management functions. In his current role, he is responsible for all elements of the graduate student lifecycle, as well as the college’s special sessions and continuing education programs. A native of Norwood, N.Y., LaFave received his bachelor of science degree in business administration from SUNY Potsdam and his MBA from Clarkson University. He is also a graduate of the St. Lawrence Leadership Institute. Left to right: New member sponsor Duane Pelkey, Rotary President Mary Sue Foster and LaFave.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES January Student of the Month

Maddison Sochia of Norwood-Norfolk Central School, a student in the Culinary Arts program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for January. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Sochia, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School teaching assistant McKenzie Kimble. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster, Sochia, Kimble and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES December Student of the Month

Grace Larock of Massena Central School, a student in the Allied Health program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for December. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Larock, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Leanne Saxby. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster, Saxby, Larock and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES November Student of the Month

Hannah Grant of Madrid-Waddington Central School, a student in the Software Development & Business Design program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for November. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Grant, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Scott Wilhelm. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster, Wilhelm, Grant and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

Potsdam Rotary Donates $2,000 in Cash & Gifts to Potsdam Holiday Fund

The Rotary Club of Potsdam has donated $1,000 to the Potsdam Holiday Fund. The club will also provide about $1,000 in new books for the fund to distribute as holiday gifts to children. The Potsdam Holiday Fund is a non-profit organization of volunteers, providing new toys, warm clothing and food to families and senior citizens in need in Potsdam, Madrid, Hopkinton, Nicholville, Brasher Falls, Chase Mills, Fort Jackson, West Stockholm and Winthrop. Donations to the Potsdam Holiday Fund are still needed and can be sent to the Potsdam Holiday Fund, PO Box 827, Potsdam, NY 13676. To volunteer to deliver food or distribute and wrap gifts, e-mail the fund at info@potsdam holidayfund.org. Read more at http://www.potsdamholidayfund.org. Left to right: Rotary Club Book Co-chair Duane Pelkey, Rotary President Mary Sue Foster, Potsdam Holiday Fund President Pam Yurgartis and Rotary Book Co-chair Carol Hunter.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES October Student of the Month

Mikayla Rusaw of Massena Central School, a student in the Education Careers Academy at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for October. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Rusaw she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Sonya Taylor. Left to right: Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath, Taylor, Rusaw and Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES September Student of the Month

Cody Wilby of Norwood-Norfolk Central School, a student in the Multi Occupations program at BOCES Seaway Tech, is the Rotary Club of Potsdam BOCES Student of the Month for September. At a Rotary luncheon honoring Wilby he met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for his academic excellence by Seaway Tech School instructor Matt Tebo. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary President Mary Sue Foster, Wilby, Tebo and Rotary Vocational Service Chair Paul McGrath.

A Busy Week