Bridgton area club pulls off golf tourney as Hurricane Lee threatens Maine

The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club hosted its 14th annual Golf Classic Sept. 16 at Bridgton Highlands Country Club. Rotarian Aaron Hagan stands with his team. From left are Josh McKenney, Ron Therrien, Hagan and Tim Raymond. Rotarian Dan Hickman photo

As Hurricane Lee threatened Maine, the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club hosted its 14th annual Golf Classic Sept. 16 at Bridgton Highlands Country Club.

Rotarian Debra Paraboschi and her team. From left are Paraboschi, Jeanne Crofton, Alice St. Cyr, and Chuck Pease. Rotarian Dan Hickman photo

Members of the Lake Region High School Golf Team, from left, are Shane Plummer, Jacoby True, Noah Peterson and Cam Chappell. Rotarian Dan Hickman photo

Interactors Jack Butler and his sister Susie Butler from Lake Region High School. Rotarian Dan Hickman photo

Rotarians were joined by Interactors Susie Butler, grade 12, and brother Jack, grade nine, and Sera Travis from Lake Region High School. These junior Rotarians held a 50/50 raffle, proceeds which will help fund a service mission to Colombia in the spring 2024 to work with children in partnership with young Rotarians in that country.

Several hundred dollars were raised. The winner of the 50/50, Joanne Cohn, returned her share to the young Rotarians to contribute to their fundraising mission, bringing their total takeaway to more than $500.

The Golf Tournament is the club’s biggest fundraiser each year and helps club members prepare and host community kettles, donate winter outerwear to youngsters through elementary schools, provide dictionaries to third graders in Naples and Bridgton, offer scholarships at Lake Region High School, and address veterans, substance abuse and child safety issues.

The Norway Savings Bank Team, from left, are Eddie Williams, Rotarian Erin Nelson, Theresa Martin and Nate Dubois. Rotarian Dan Hickman photo

Each year the Rotary Club partners with local businesses and nonprofit organizations including the following Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors.

Platinum: Coleman Industries, Norway Savings Bank, and State Farm — Matt Vierra

Gold: Aroma Joe’s, Clement Bros. Lawn and Landscape, Dirty Bristles Chimney Sweep, Inc., Dyer Excavation and Septic Services, Edward Jones — Jessica Putnam, Hancock Lumber, MANE Catering/Stella’s on the Square.

Silver: Chalmers Insurance Group, Great Northern Docks, Heritage Real Estate, J.Decor, Kettle Cove Marina, Kurt Christensen Custom Homes, Inc., Main Eco Homes, McIver Electrical Contracting, Southern Maine Retirement Services, Sunrise Property Services, USA Mortgage.

Bronze: A La Mexicana, Bridgton Books, Dead River Company, Gagnon Heating & Air Conditioning, Jones & Matthews, P.A., Lakes Environmental Association, Naples Marina, Oberg Insurance & Real Estate Agency, Inc., Olde Mill Tavern, Oxford House Inn & Restaurant, Q Team Tree Service, Ruby Food, Rufus Porter Museum, Inc., Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival, Stone Surface, Ten Lakes Chiropractic Clinic.