Welcome To
Rotary Club of Wells
 
The Rotary Club of Wells, proudly established on January 17, 1986, is dedicated to community service, supporting local, regional, and international initiatives, and fostering fellowship, professional growth, and development.
Rotary Club of Wells, Maine 
Wells
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 11:30 AM
For the Love of Food and Drink
411 Post Road
Wells, ME 04090
United States of America
Our club meets in person the 1ST and 3RD WEDNESDAY of each month. Our 1st meeting will be a breakfast meeting held at 8:00 AM. Our 2nd meeting will be a lunch meeting beginning at 11:30 AM. All meetings will be held at For the Love of Food & Drink.
A Message From Our President, Nate Mayo

As President of the Wells Rotary, it is my honor to welcome you to our club’s website. Here, you'll find a glimpse into who we are, the work we do, and the ways we are making a positive impact in our community and around the world.

Whether you are a visiting Rotarian, a community member, or someone interested in service, we invite you to explore, connect, and consider joining us as we work together to create lasting change.

For more information on our club and future events, feel free to contact me.

Thank you for stopping by, we’re glad you’re here!

Nate Mayo
President, Wells Rotary Club

WHAT'S HAPPENING?
We had a fantastic start to the day with a delicious breakfast from For the Love of Food & Drink—thank you for the great meal! It was wonderful to gather for meaningful conversation, share ideas, and continue our mission of service in the community.
There’s nothing better than good food, great company, and working together to make a difference!
Next Up! We’re excited to take part in the Celebration of Reading at Wells Junior High this Friday! Some of our members will be reading to the 5th grade class, sharing the joy of books and storytelling. 
This morning, the Wells Rotary had the honor of joining the Wells Ogunquit Senior Center for their “Day of Warming” event.
A huge thank you to all the Rotarians and their families whose support made the day such a success! 
If you’d like to be part of this great community, we’d love to have you! Contact us to learn more about how you can get involved 😊
We’re already looking forward to next year!
This afternoon we were pleased to welcome Joe Foster, Linda Searles, and Lucy Hardy of the Wells Branch Community League (with Wells Rotary President Nate Mayo); winners of the 2024 Wells Rotary Club Spring Photo Contest with a prize of FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!!

If you are looking for a quaint and charming Hall to rent for your next family gathering, graduation party, baby shower, etc. you will be happy with the 19th century Wells Branch Community Hall at 1411 Branch Road. The hall has a full kitchen and two bathrooms. Additional parking is available at the abutting Goodwin craft parking lot, as well as the Wells Branch Fire Station museum. Rental rate is $150 per day or $75 for a 4-Hour special. Call Rick Clark at 207.337.1853 for more information.
Rotary Club of Wells 
23rd Annual Chuck Cumming Golf Tournament
Monday, September 19, 2022
Old Marsh Country Club

Rotary Uncorked!

 
Recently the Rotary Club of Wells held their first annual Wine Tasting event at the For Love of Food and Drink Restaurant in Wells. More than 30 Rotarians and guests attended. Matthew from Nappi Distributors provided an evening of education on various wines and guests gained knowledge on the great work that our Rotary club does locally. Hope to see you all next year!

Rotarians meet with Captain Kevin Chabot

T
Thank you to Captain Kevin Chabot  from the Wells Police Department for joining us at our March 2nd club meeting.  Captain Chabot shared valuable information around the process to staff up in the police department during the Summer.  He also offered insight into the counter measures that the Department has taken to mitigate recent crime within the town of Wells.

Rotary Club of Wells supports American Red Cross Blood Drive

Thank you to our fellow Rotarians who took time out of their busy day to help support an American Red Cross Blood Drive on February 8th.

Cait Grant, YCCC presents an Economic Overview

On February 16th,  Cait Grant, Director of Economic and Workforce Development  from York County Community College was the keynote speaker at our club luncheon. Cait shared critical date highlighting demographic profiles, employment trends, wage trends  and other employment factors facing employers in York County.  She also shared information regarding grants to help employers with work force training and development.  For more information on this email at alfondtraining@mccs.me.edu.
 
The Wells Rotary Club hosted the “Day of Warming” at the Wells Ogunquit Senior Center yesterday. The “Tuscan” themed lunch included Caesar salad, pasta, meatballs and garlic bread and chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream for dessert.  Thank you to all of our volunteers for making this event a huge success.   Special thanks to Scott Defelice, Jim Lapolla , Billie Hobbs and Kathleen Thornton for their very generous contributions!
 
 
Rotary Club of Wells announces new home as  lunch club!
Club President Danielle DeFelice is pleased to announce that the Rotary Club of Wells will be embarking on a new meeting format as we become a lunch club.  Beginning February 2nd the club will meet the first and third Wednesday of the month at 11:30 am at the Saltwater Farm which was recently purchased by the owners at "For the Love of Food and Drink". The club is very excited to partner with this locally owned restaurant which will give us not only a professional meeting space but also plenty of room to grow.  If you are interested in joining Rotary you may email the club at wellsrotary@gmail.com or call Danielle at 207-467-5113.  We would like to thank the Wells Public Library for giving us a home during covid.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

During the holidays, the Rotary Club of Wells launched a community based initiative called Operation Warm which provided new coats and ski pants to underserved children within the Wells Community. The project also included a collection of new hats, socks and mittens all donated by members of the community.  Partnering with the York County Community Action Center  (YCCAC)in  Sanford, case managers from YCCAC were able to identify families in need.

 

Recently the Wells Public Library Fiber Arts Group, which is an open drop-in program at the Library donated a variety of hand made items to Operation Warm including mittens, scarves, hats, quilts and blankets.

 
 
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Wells is pleased to donate $500 to help support our local military families who may have financial hardship during the holidays. This initiative was made possible through the collaborative effort of Sally Manninen, Director, Coalition Choose to Be Healthy.
 
Thank you!
A huge thank you to everyone who came out yesterday ( November 2nd) to support our warm clothing drive for children in need in our community. Hundreds of mittens, hats, socks and new jackets were collected and will be distributed to families in our area. Many of the items collected were in fact hand made ( knitted or crocheted) and some of you made monetary donations. We are overwhelmed at the response and truly appreciate the community partnership that the residents of Wells provided. If you still would like to make a donation, you may go to our website and click donate., $20 buys a new jacket for a child age 3 months to 8 years. Again, thank you to all who participated and to our volunteers as well.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

On Behalf o

Suzanne Ilsley

On behalf of our Club President Danielle DeFelice, we are saddened to announce the sudden passing of our beloved Rotarian Suzanne Ilsley.  Suzanne dedicated her whole life to community service and loved the opportunity to volunteer through Rotary.  She demonstrated  leadership not only as a Rotary Club member but also as a Club President and a n Assistant Governor.  She was the heart and soul of the Rotary Club of Wells and will be very much missed.  You may find more information regarding her memorial service in the link below.  Please keep her family in your prayers. .https://www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com/obituary/suzanne-ilsley
On September 1st, DG Dick Hall joined us to speak about the variety of ways the Club can plan for the future, make a positive impact in our community and participation in global initiatives.  Thank you Dick for all that you do.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recently members of the Rotary Club of Wells and Ogunquit Rotary teamed up to revive the US Stencil located in the Playground at the Wells Elementary School.  Over a two day period, volunteers repainted the Stencil which was installed by the same rotary clubs four years ago.  Thank you to Lee Hansen, Danielle DeFelice, Suzanne Ilsely, Jim LaPolla, Rick Coyne, Bob Cruickshank, Elizabeth Ford, Pete Woodbury Erin Haye and Roger LaPointe for taking time out of your very busy days to complete this project before the arrival of the new school year.  Special thanks to the Benjamin Moore Paint Store in Wells for your assistance in securing the needed paint for this project.
 
This week Kennebunk Police Chief Robert MacKenzie joined to speak about his crusade to address Substance Use Disorder (SUD) within our community.  Chief MacKenzie has been in law enforcement for 33 years with 13 years as the police chief.  His experiences both as an officer and as the parent of a child struggling with SUD have led him to take a leading role in creating resources, supports and training for not only first responders but also the community at large,
Highlights of his presentation:
  • Understand that SUD is a disease.  It may start as a choice but eventually transitions to a disease
  • Rotarians can help by supporting the ACES initiative - Adverse Childhood Experience presented through the Pinetree Institute
    • They provide training for community members to be effective in a trauma response approach when responding to a family in crisis.  The goal is to train community members who will then train others throughout the year.
  • Chief Mackenzie was key in creating the Kennebunk Area Response Team which includes PD, Government officials, LICSWS, School officials, doctors and members of the faith based community,
  • LEAD Program ( Law enforcement against drugs) The Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) curriculum replaced the DARE program beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.  The LEAD program is less restrictive than DARE, and allows officials to tailor the program to the unique needs of a community
 
We are truly inspired by the commitment and work of Chief MacKenzie.  Club President Danielle DeFelice will be further researching ways that we can support his efforts within York county and Wells Proper.
 
 
The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation, based in Boothbay Harbor, ME, has pledged $15.5 million to The Rotary Foundation to start a Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East or North Africa. It’s long been a stated desire of many Rotarians to establish a peace center in this region. The new center hopes to open in 2026 and will be named the Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center.
 
 
https://www.rotary.org/en/gift-will-fund-new-rotary-peace-center-middle-east-or-north-africa
 
Once again the Rotary Club of Wells participated in the Wells Harbor Fest which as held Saturday July 31st.  The menu for the day was hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and a drink.  Great fun and fellowship was had by all.  Huge thank you to Rotarian Lee Hansen for his efforts to coordinate such a successful booth.  And thank you to the Rotarians and their spouses for take time out of their busy lives to volunteer for the day.
The Board of directors has announced that the Club meetings will now be held the first and third Wednesday of each month.  This becomes effective Wednesday August 4th, 2021.  Hope to see you all there!
 
Past District Governor Peggy Belanger joined the Club July 19th meeting to recognize his commitment and dedication as club president during the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020. Peggy presented him with a set of chimes which will remind him of the unique year he had every time he hears them ring! .
 
 
 
 
 
Congratulations to Danielle Defelice as the new Rotary Club of Wells President for FY 22.  We look forward to her leadership, vision and commitment to Rotary.  Danielle is currently the Regional Title Manager for Great East Title Services.
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Wells Maine is pleased to announce this year's recipients of five scholarships funded by the clubs Rotarians through philanthropic endeavors. 
 
Graduating Senior Lily Clough has been awarded  $1,000  from the Terry Fullum Memorial Scholarship Fund.  
Graduating Seniors Katlyn Kenyon, Sydney McDermott, Grace Stevens, and Kai Rosenburg were all awarded $500 scholarships, all funded by the Rotary Club of Wells.
 
We would like to extend our personal thanks and gratitude to our donors, sponsors and community partners who were instrumental ( even through the Covid-19 Pandemic) to help us make our Scholarship Project a success for the 2020-2021 school year.  We look forward to providing these critical funding opportunities angain in the coming school year.
Club Executives & Directors
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Rotary Foundation
Upcoming Events