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“A Peace Pole is more than just a marker in the ground — it is a universal symbol of hope,” said Potsdam Rotary President Christina Delorenzo. “Around the world, in more than 250,000 places, Peace Poles carry the message ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ in many languages. And today, that message stands here in Potsdam, as a gift from the Rotary Club to our community.

“We chose to plant this Peace Pole because it represents what Rotary is all about: bringing people together across cultures, backgrounds, and generations to create lasting change. It symbolizes unity, reminds us that peace is a shared responsibility, and reflects Rotary’s global mission of peacebuilding and goodwill.”

Cetinkaya Receives Potsdam Rotary-Brookfield Scholarship

Elif Cetinkaya of Potsdam, daughter of Çetin and Gülfer Çetinkaya, was awarded the "Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Sponsored by Brookfield Renewable U.S." at the Potsdam High School Senior Awards Night in June. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a Potsdam High School senior pursuing higher education who exemplifies the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."

Doug Fry and Ashley Kalman-Smith Inducted into Potsdam Rotary

Doug Fry of Morristown and Ashley Kalman-Smith of Massena were recently inducted as members of the Rotary Club of Potsdam. Fry is the general manager of Casella Waste Systems in Potsdam. Kalman-Smith is a personal lines sales executive at Northern Insuring Agency in Potsdam.

Christa Carroll Wins Top Prize in Potsdam Rotary Rubber Ducky Pluck

Christa Carroll 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 12. The $500 award was donated by Dr. and Mrs. G. Michael Maresca.

Additional prize winners were Linda Hargrave, $100 cash from Plumley Real Estate; Nancy Rehse, $100 cash from AccountAbility; Mike Neaton, $100 in Potsdam Chamber Dollars from Community Bank; Kate Lawton, $50 in Potsdam Chamber Dollars from Pinto, Mucenski, Hooper and Van House CPAs; Melody Kovach, $50 in Potsdam Chamber Dollars from North Country Savings Bank; Eric Schreiner, four Clarkson University men’s hockey game tickets; Michael Griffin, four Clarkson University men’s hockey game tickets; Kristle Robinson, $30 in Norwood News Café gift cards from a friend of Rotary; and Charles Patterson, a $25 gift certificate from Harris Medical.

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.

Maria Morrison Receives Service Above Self Award from Potsdam Rotary Club

Potsdam Public Library Family Literacy Specialist Maria D. Morrison was recently honored with the Service Above Self Award by the Rotary Club of Potsdam at their annual meeting. Morrison is a SUNY Potsdam alumna and strong advocate for education in the North Country, using her skills to improve literacy and educational opportunities for those in need of assistance.

Potsdam Rotary President & Board Installed

Christina DeLorenzo of Potsdam was installed as the 2025-26 president of the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual dinner in June. During the ceremony, incoming and continuing officers Past President and President-elect Sunday Smith of Potsdam, Secretary Laurean Pelkey of Madrid, and Treasurer Shawn Seymour of Hannawa Falls were also recognized. Mary Sue Foster of Hannawa Falls and Michael Griffin of Colton will continue on the board.

Shawn Seymour Recognized as Paul Harris Fellow

Shawn Seymour of Hannawa Falls was recently recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual meeting. He was honored for his demonstrated commitment to the goals and purposes of Rotary and "in appreciation of his tangible assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world."

Mary Sue Foster Recognized as Paul Harris Fellow

Mary Sue Foster of Hannawa Falls was recently recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual meeting. She was honored for her demonstrated commitment to the goals and purposes of Rotary and "in appreciation of her tangible assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world."

Tickets Available to Win $500 Top Prize in Potsdam Rotary Rubber Ducky 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 12, at 2:30 p.m. at Ives Park in Potsdam. 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. You can buy tickets online at potsdamrotary.org. Just click on "Donate" and under "Use this donation for" select "Duck Pluck Ticket Donation." You can also order tickets via email at info@potsdamrotary.org. Ticket holders need not be present to win.

No Meeting Wednesday, July 2

Our Wednesday, July 2, meeting is cancelled in observation of the week's Independence Day Holiday.

Students Win $2,000 in Rotary Essay Contest

Twenty-two area high school seniors recently participated in the first annual St. Lawrence County Rotary Clubs Four-Way Test Essay Contest.

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

Adriana Levendusky, a homeschooled student from Lisbon, took the $1,000 first-place award with her essay “Social Media.” Midwife Sunday Wellness and Birth Center in Potsdam sponsored the award with a $1,000 donation.

Abby Williams of Ogdensburg Free Academy won the second-place award of $500 with her essay “Glass Half Full.”

Leah Morgan of Massena High School got the $250 third-place award with her essay “Volunteerism.”

Paul French of Hermon-DeKalb High School was honored with the $250 fourth-place award with his essay “WWII.”

The Rotary Clubs of Canton, Massena, Ogdensburg, and Potsdam each contributed $250 for the second through fourth prizes.

Potsdam Rotary Donates “Birthdays in a Box” to Potsdam Neighborhood Center

The Rotary Club of Potsdam has prepared and donated 75 “Birthdays in a Box” to the Potsdam Neighborhood Center.

Potsdam Rotary worked with the Neighborhood Center to provide the Birthdays in a Box for children celebrating their birthdays, whose families are not able to afford a party or cake for their child.

A Birthday in a Box is filled with everything one would need in order to have a birthday party. Cake mix, frosting, napkins, plates, plasticware, birthday candles, etc. are part of what goes into making these boxes.

Potsdam Rotary Awards $5,900 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 $350 Potsdam Rotary business scholarship awards.

Madison (Mia) Henry of Brasher Falls Central School District, a student in the Health Careers 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 2024-2025 academic year. Henry received a $650 scholarship award from Potsdam Rotary, funded by proceeds from the Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament.

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

BOCES Culinary Arts Students Provide Cookies for Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament

Culinary Arts students at the BOCES Seaway Career and Technical Center recently provided trays of cookies for the Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament, which benefits Rotary's BOCES Scholarship programs, as well as other projects. Left to right: Culinary Arts Instructor Andrew Ostroski, Autumn Dennis (Brasher Falls Central School District), Carl Moore (Brasher Falls), Nicholas Jones (Potsdam Central School District), Cecily Shipman (Canton Central School District), Emilly Bromley (Norwood-Norfolk Central School District), Brianna Smith (Norwood-Norfolk), Remy Williams (Massena Central School District), and Potsdam Rotarian Michael Griffin.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech May Student of the Month

Alivia Gilson of Potsdam Central School District, a student in the Criminal Justice 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.” Gilson is the daughter of Christina Gilson and Ed Gilson.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech April Student of the Month

Carl Moore of Brasher Falls Central School District, a student in the Culinary Arts 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.” Moore is the son of Justin and Susan Moore.

Foster, Morrison & Seymour to be Honored at Potsdam Rotary Dinner, June 11

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will honor Rotarians Mary Sue Foster and Shawn Seymour as Paul Harris Fellows, and Potsdam Public Library Family Literacy Specialist Maria Morrison with the Service Above Self Award at its annual dinner on Wednesday, June 11, at the Lobster House in Norwood. Christina DeLorenzo will also be installed as the 2025-2026 Potsdam Rotary president at the event.

Potsdam Rotary Golf Tournament Winners

Congratulations to all the 21^st Annual Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament winners! The tournament took place on Saturday, May 17, at the Potsdam Town & Country Club in Potsdam.

Men’s Flight

First place ($400): Brookfield Renewable U.S. (Jamie Barkley, Jeff James, Randy Reagan and Steve Hayes)
Second place ($200): Kiss My Putt (Michael Mikhael, Justin Gross, Joe Willard and Rob Burns)

Mixed/Women’s Flight

First place ($400): Sig Cha$erz (Troy Galligan, Chris Austin, Shawn Hartigan and Jolene Garrow)

Second place ($200): Grip it and Sip It (Shilo LeDuc, Andrea Martin, Shawn Martin and Jami LeDuc)

Closest to The Pin (Women): Rachelle McHenry
Closest to The Pin (Men): Justin Gross

Longest Drive (Women): Ashley Sweeney
Longest Drive (Men): Shawn Seymour
Closest to the Line: Teresa Planty
Putting Contest: First place: Ron Simmons; Second: Randy Reagan; Third: Jolene Garrow; and Fourth: Cody Hazelton.

The Rotary Club of Potsdam thanks all golfers, sponsors, volunteers and the Potsdam Town & Country Club and Fairways Restaurant for a great day.

Potsdam Rotary Honors Seaway Tech Instructors

The Rotary Club of Potsdam today presented 33 gift cards to instructors at the Seaway Career & Technical Education Center in commemoration of National Teacher Appreciation Week. Above, Potsdam Rotarians present gift cards to the teachers Rotary recognized for their continued pursuit in trade skills education and training of local youths across several school districts.

Registrations Still Available for Potsdam Rotary Golf Tournament

Registrations are still available for the 21st Annual Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament. The event will take place on Saturday, May 17, at the Potsdam Town & Country Club with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

Team registrations are online at bit.ly/rotary-golf-2025 and will close soon when the team limit is reached.

Contests are planned for longest drive (men and women), closest to the pin (men and women), closest to the center line, and beat the pro, as well as mulligans and a 50/50. The format is captain & crew. The event includes lunch at the turn and an awards reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres.

Proceeds from the tournament support Potsdam Rotary's BOCES Vocational Scholarship Program, Potsdam High School Scholarship, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, and other projects.

Sponsorships are available at bit.ly/rotary-golf-sponsor-2025.

For more information, email golf@potsdamrotary.org.

Potsdam Rotary Seaway Tech March Student of the Month

Ian Weems of Canton Central School District, a student in the Digital Media Design 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.” Weems is the son of Dylan and Corina Weems.

Potsdam Rotary BOCES February Student of the Month

Madison (Mia) Henry of Brasher Falls Central School District, a student in the Health Careers program at BOCES 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.” At a Rotary luncheon honoring Henry, she met with Potsdam Rotarians and was commended for her academic excellence by Seaway Tech instructor Joanne Carkner. Left to right: Potsdam Rotary Vocational Service Chair Duane Pelkey, Carkner, Henry, and President Sunday Smith.

Early Discount Registration Open for Potsdam Rotary Golf Tournament

Early discount registrations are now being accepted for the first golf tournament of the season, the 21st Annual Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament! The event will take place on Saturday, May 17, at the Potsdam Town & Country Club with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

Team registrations are now being accepted online at bit.ly/rotary-golf-2025. Early team registrations will receive a discounted rate of $380 per foursome, versus $400 after May 1.

Proceeds from the tournament support Potsdam Rotary's BOCES Vocational Scholarship Program, Potsdam High School Scholarship, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, and other projects.

Sponsorships are available at bit.ly/rotary-golf-sponsor-2025.

For more information, email golf@potsdamrotary.org.

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 23-25, 2025, at RKY Camp on Eagle Lake, one hour north of Kingston, Ontario.

Potsdam Rotary is sponsoring two to three students who will incur no costs of their own to attend the camp, other than their personal transportation.

RYLA is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts around the world. It is entirely volunteer run with many organizers and counselors who are past RYLA delegates themselves.

Student participants will learn valuable leadership and communication skills, conflict resolution, business ethics, and how to plan and manage a project, while learning about Rotary youth programs -- and meet other young people and have fun as well.

Students attend RYLA with the financial support of a local Rotary club that "awards" youths a chance to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Students are selected by the club based on the demonstration of leadership potential and a desire to be of service to their local and global communities. After RYLA, participants are required to present to their sponsor club based on their experience.

Students who wish to apply for RYLA should email Potsdam Rotary at ryla@potsdamrotary.org with their name, contact information, resume and a few paragraphs on why they should be selected to attend. If they have a resume, they may attach that as well. Students can also contact Duane Pelkey at 315-323-4987 with any questions.

All students attending must have a valid passport. The deadline to apply to Potsdam Rotary is April 3.

See more details at rotary7040.com/page/ryla.

Rotary Forming Service Club for County High Schoolers

The Rotary Club of Potsdam is forming an Interact Club made up of St. Lawrence County high school students from grades nine through 12.

Interact clubs bring together young people to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of “Service Above Self.”

Members of an Interact club connect with leaders in the community and around the world to take action to make a difference in their schools and community; discover new cultures and promote international understanding; become leaders in their schools and community; and have fun and make new friends from around the world.

Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year: one that helps their schools or community and one that promotes international understanding. Potsdam Rotary members will mentor and guide Interactors as they carry out projects and develop leadership skills.

The new club will meet monthly via Zoom. Its first project will be collecting enough plastic bags to have a bench manufactured from the recycled plastic.

Interact members can also get involved in activities like World Interact Week, the Interact Video Awards, Rotary Youth Day at the United Nations, and Global Youth Service Day.

Interested students can sign up at https://bit.ly/potsdam-interact. They can also email interact@potsdamrotary.org with any questions.

Board Meeting
Potsdam Town Hall Community Room

Nov. 18, 2025 5:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Potsdam Town Hall Community Room

Dec. 16, 2025 5:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Potsdam Town Hall Community Room

Jan. 20, 2026 5:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Potsdam Town Hall Community Room

Feb. 17, 2026 5:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Potsdam Town Hall Community Room

Mar. 17, 2026 5:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Potsdam Town Hall Community Room

Apr. 21, 2026 5:00 p.m.

November 2025

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Paul Harris Fellow Nomination Guidelines

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Rotary’s History in Korea

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