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Brittney Gibson of Potsdam Central School District, a student in the Health Careers program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the September recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable N.A.” Gibson is the child of Samantha Harvin.

Spoor Receives Potsdam Rotary-Brookfield Scholarship

Hayden Spoor of Potsdam was awarded the "Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable N.A.” at the Potsdam High School Senior Awards Night. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a Potsdam High School senior pursuing higher education who exemplifies the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self." Spoor, a 2026 graduate of Potsdam High School, is a first-year student at SUNY Oswego studying broadcast journalism. Brookfield Renewable N.A. partners with hundreds of charities, investing in community projects across the United States.

First Potsdam Rotary Cornhole Tournament Sept. 26

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will hold its first-ever Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, September 26, at 1 p.m. at Hounds Haven, 36 Keener Road in Hannawa Falls.

The blind draw/round robin-format tournament will guarantee each entrant six games of play for a $20/person entry fee.

The event will also feature a 50/50 drawing, silent auction, and raffles. Chili dogs and walking tacos will be on sale.

The Rotary Club of Potsdam Cornhole Tournament will benefit BOCES Seaway Tech student scholarships and other Rotary projects.

Pre-register and pre-order food at tinyurl.com/RotaryCornhole26.

Students Win $2,250 in Rotary Essay Contest

Area high school seniors recently participated in the second annual St. Lawrence County Rotary Clubs Four-Way Test Essay Contest.

The Rotary Clubs of Canton, Massena and Potsdam offered the essay contest as an incentive to young people to develop their self-expression skills and as evidence of a sincere interest in the ideals of our youth.

Joie-Lynn Jabaut of Massena High School took the $1,000 first-place award with her essay on radiology. Midwife Sunday Wellness and Birth Center in Potsdam sponsored the award with a $1,000 donation

Zadok Roiger of Canton High School won the second-place award of $500 with his essay on “Volunteering.”

Rory Lawrence of Massena High School got the $500 third-place award with his essay “Social media is a negative platform that harms and divides teenagers because of the way that it is used.”

Allison Bell of Lisbon High School received the $250 honorable mention with her essay on “Family and Community.”

The Rotary Clubs of Massena and Potsdam each contributed $500 for the second and third prizes. Canton Rotary contributed $250 for the honorable mention.

Potsdam Rotary Awards $5,100 to BOCES Students with Support from Local Businesses

Thanks to the generosity of many local business sponsors, 15 students at the BOCES Seaway Career & Technical Education Center have received $300 Potsdam Rotary Business Scholarship Awards.

Jude TenEyck of Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District, a student in the New Visions Medical Career program, also was selected as the Potsdam Rotary Student of the Year from among all of the Potsdam Rotary “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year. Jude received a $600 scholarship award from Potsdam Rotary, funded by proceeds from the Potsdam-Canton Rotary Golf Tournament.

The 15 Potsdam Rotary business scholarships were made possible by donations from the businesses listed with the students below.

Potsdam Rotary Rubber Ducky Pluck Winners

Brad Smith won the top prize at the annual Rotary Club of Potsdam Rubber Ducky Pluck in Ives Park during the Potsdam Summer Festival on Saturday, July 11. The $500 award was donated by Dr. G. Michael and Barbara Maresca, St. Lawrence Radiology Associates PC.

Additional prize winners were Lee Walrath, $200 cash from Community Bank, N.A.; Laura Perry, $100 cash from Plumley Real Estate; Robin Grovesteen, $100 from AccountAbility; Pam DeMaio, $50 in Potsdam Chamber Dollars from Pinto Mucenski Hooper Van House & Co., CPAs, PC; Chuck Foster, $50 in Potsdam Chamber Dollars from North Country Savings Bank; Sunday Smith, four Clarkson University men’s hockey game tickets from the Clarkson Athletics Department; Lance Evans, four Clarkson University men’s hockey game tickets from the Clarkson Athletics Department; Dean Griffin, $25 gift certificate from Harris Medical; and Brenda Hogeboon, $20 gift certificate from Greedy Goblin Popcorn.

Proceeds from the Ducky Pluck support people with mental health, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and other Rotary community projects.

The Rotary Club of Potsdam offers sincere thanks to all prize sponsors and ticket buyers.

Tickets Available to Win $500 in Potsdam Rotary Duck Pluck

It's that time of year again! The Rotary Club of Potsdam will hold its annual Rubber Ducky Pluck during the Potsdam Summer Festival on Saturday, July 11, at 2:30 p.m. at Ives Park in Potsdam. The top prize is $500.

The proceeds support people with mental health, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and other Rotary community projects.

Tickets are available from any Potsdam Rotarian for $5 per ticket. New this year, tickets can also be purchased through our Zeffy link at tinyurl.com/duckpluck . A Potsdam Rotarian will contact you with your ticket numbers. Ticket holders need not be present to win.

Janice & Fonda Adderley Receive Service Above Self Award from Potsdam Rotary Club

Janice and Fonda, co-managers of The UPS Store in Potsdam, were recently honored with the Service Above Self Award by the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual dinner. The award is presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Potsdam community.

Delorenzo & Kalman-Smith Named Rookie Rotarians of the Year

Christina Delorenzo of Potsdam and Ashley Kalman-Smith of Massena have been named the inaugural “Rookie Rotarians of the Year” by the Rotary Club of Potsdam.

The new “Rookie Rotarian of the Year” award was created by Potsdam Rotary’s board of directors to recognize new Rotarians who have made a special effort as members. Criteria include membership for six months to three years, exemplary attendance, and participation in events and projects.

Potsdam Rotary President & Board Installed

Sunday Smith of Potsdam was installed as the 2026-27 president of the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual dinner on June 3.

During the ceremony, incoming and continuing officers President-elect Mary Sue Foster of Hannawa Falls, Past President Christina Delorenzo of Potsdam, Secretary Ashley Kalman-Smith of Massena, and Treasurer Shawn Seymour of Hannawa Falls were also recognized. Michael Griffin of Colton was re-elected to a two-year term on the board.

Griffin Honored at Potsdam Rotary Dinner

Rotary District 7040 Area Governor and Potsdam Rotarian Michael Griffin was recently honored with several awards at the Rotary Club of Potsdam annual dinner. District 7040 Governor Graeme Fraser presented Griffin with the district’s Avenues of Service Award in recognition by Rotary International “with deep appreciation for outstanding efforts in Club Service.” Representing the six Rotary Clubs of North Central New York, Nancy Montevago (Malone), Donna Sturge (Canton) and Christina Delorenzo (Potsdam) presented Griffin with the Distinguished Service Citation, proclaiming him an honorary member of the clubs. Representatives from Ogdensburg, Massena and Chateaugay were unable to attend. Finally, Potsdam Rotary President Christina Delorenzo presented Griffin with the 40 Years of Service Recognition for his outstanding dedication and service to the club since 1986. Left to right: Fraser, Griffin, and Delorenzo

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech May Student of the Month

Bethany Myers of Massena Central School District, a student in the Professions in Education program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the May recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” Myers is the child of Dallas Myers and Darcy Myers.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech April Student of the Month

Julianna Hubbard of Massena Central School District, a student in the Cosmetology program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the April recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” Hubbard is the child of Nicholaus Hubbard and Michelle Yanacheak.

BOCES Culinary Arts Students Provide Cookies for Potsdam-Canton Rotary Golf Tournament

Culinary Arts students at the BOCES Seaway Career and Technical Center recently provided trays of cookies for the Potsdam-Canton Rotary Golf Tournament, which benefits Rotary's BOCES Scholarship programs, as well as other projects. Left to right: Culinary Arts Instructor Andrew Ostroski and Culinary Arts students Madison Young and Destiny McGee, both from Massena Central School District.

Janice & Fonda Adderley to be Honored at Potsdam Rotary Dinner, June 3

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will honor Janice and Fonda Adderley with its Service Above Self Award at its annual dinner on Wednesday, June 3, at the Lobster House in Norwood. Janice and Fonda, co-managers of The UPS Store in Potsdam, will be honored in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Potsdam community. Christina Delorenzo and Ashley Kalman-Smith will also be honored as Rookie Rotarians of the Year, and Sunday Smith will be installed as the 2026-2027 Potsdam Rotary president at the event. All Rotarians; family, friends and colleagues of the honorees; and community members are invited to attend the dinner.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech March Student of the Month

Caden Liebfred, a student in the Building Trades program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the March recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” Liebfred is the child of Michael and Jodi Liebfred.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech February Student of the Month

Colby Griffith, a student in the Automotive Technology program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the February recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” Griffith is the child of Michael and Brandi Griffith.

Potsdam Rotary Supports Potsdam Fire Department

The Rotary Club of Potsdam recently made a $200 donation to the Potsdam Fire Department in recognition of the department’s support of the club’s annual Rubber Ducky Pluck. The proceeds from the event support people with mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and benefit other Rotary community projects. In this photo, Potsdam Fire Department Chief Mark Bradish (right) accepts a check from Rotary Treasurer Shawn Seymour.

Potsdam Rotary Beck Tessier Memorial Scholarship Gala to Benefit BOCES Students

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will hold its annual “Beck Tessier Memorial Scholarship Gala” on Saturday, March 28, at the Elks Lodge in Potsdam. This year’s gala theme is “Out of this World.”

The scholarship gala, which benefits BOCES Seaway Career & Technical Education Center programs, is named in memory of late Rotarian Rebecca J. “Beck” Tessier of Massena, who died in 2024 after a valiant, two-year battle with ALS. The event raises money for the end-of-the-year awards for one student in each program.

Potsdam Rotary Seeks High School Students for Leadership Program

The Rotary Club of Potsdam is seeking 15- to 17-year-old high school students from the Potsdam area who are interested in being part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), May 22-24, 2026, at RKY Camp on Eagle Lake in Parham, Ontario, one hour north of Kingston. Potsdam Rotary is sponsoring two students who will incur no costs of their own to attend the camp, other than their personal transportation.

Early Discount Registration Open for Potsdam-Canton Rotary Golf Tournament

Early discount registrations are now being accepted for the first golf tournament of the season, the 22nd Annual Potsdam-Canton Rotary Golf Tournament! The event will take place on Saturday, May 16, at the Potsdam Town & Country Club with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Team registrations are now being accepted online at potsdamrotary.org/page/golf. Early team registrations will receive a discounted rate of $400 per foursome, versus $420 after May 1.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech January Student of the Month

Lucas Crump of Brasher Falls Central School District, a student in the Electrical Technologies program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the January recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” Crump is the child of Nick Crump.

Potsdam Rotary Supports Colton Pierrepont Parishville Neighborhood Center

The Rotary Club of Potsdam donated $500 to the Colton Pierrepont Parishville Neighborhood Center (CPPNC) in December to assist children and families in need during the holiday season.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech December Student of the Month

Tyler Solon of Potsdam Central School District, a student in the Metalworking Technology program at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, is the December recipient of the Potsdam Rotary Club’s “Rev. William R. and Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S.” Solon is the child of Michael and Amanda Solon.

Potsdam Rotary Donates $1,500 in Cash & Books to Potsdam Holiday

The Rotary Club of Potsdam has donated $1,000 to the Potsdam Holiday Fund as well as $500 worth of children’s books.

The Potsdam Holiday Fund Inc. is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides new gifts, 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 welcome at potsdamholidayfund.org or Potsdam Holiday Fund, PO Box 827, Potsdam, NY 13676.

The Potsdam Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at the Potsdam Town Hall community room. Guests are welcome.

Left to right: Potsdam Holiday Fund board members Kate Mikel and Jani Hobbs, Potsdam Rotary Club President Christina Delorenzo, and Rotary Treasurer Shawn Seymour.