Barre Rotary Story Board

Stories

A huge shout-out to all the volunteers who wrapped 220coats on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Granite Museum of Vermont for the Salvation Army to be distributed to local children who are in need.

 

The Rotary Club of Barre stepped outside its comfort zone for a short field trip on October 15, 2025, an experience designed to demonstrate the safety concerns of those who are visually impaired or blind. Led by VABVI ED Dan Norris and volunteers, Rotarians, Lyons Club members, and guests experience first-hand what it feels like to walk our streets without sight. We urge our members to help the Vermont Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired raise awareness in our community on this issue. We had a quick lunch and then took to the streets for this compelling experience.

 

Click here to view a video of members walking on Washington Street with goggles that impair their vision.

White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, observed annually on October 15 since 1964. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.

 

Each summer, in conjunction with the Barre Heritage Festival, the Rotary Club of Barre holds a breakfast fundraiser for the Aldrich Public Library.

All proceeds from the breakfast are donated directly to the library. Club members donate their time and effort without any compensation to the members or the club. This event is the single largest annual fundraiser for the library and has raised nearly $300,000 for the library over the past 39 years.

This year the breakfast will be held on July 26, 2025.

SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

On June 25, 2025, the Rotary Club of Barre had a presidents changeover lunch at The Aldrich Public Library. Outgoing president Caroline Earle welcomed the gathering of 18 people, including past district governor Louisa Tripp and Montpelier Rotarian Fred Bashara.
 
After a fine meal prepared by Gustos, she spoke to the group about all the things that the club accomplished during the Rotary year and presented a 100th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet.
 
She then presented the Rotarian of the Year to Eddie Rousse along with a special golf ball because he likes golf so much.
Barre Rotarians joined other members of our District in Magog, Quebec Saturday June 7, 2025 to celebrate outgoing District Governor Kelly Drew & incoming DG Luc Pomerleau for their inspiration & service.  The ceremony included recognizing the St Albans Club as Club of the Year.  (President Leon Berthiaume shown receiving award below).
Our conference was held Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the beautiful Mt. Cranmore Resort in North Conway, NH.  Club President Caroline & Barre Rotarian Paul Haigh attended to represent the Barre Rotary Club & learn from other Rotarians from NH, Vermont & Quebec! 
 
One of the benefits of Rotary is getting together once a year at a Rotary District Conference to hear from great speakers & to gather ideas about how to expand our Club impact.  
 
The Barre Rotary Club recently completed another season running the BOR Concession Stand on Seminary Hill.  This project, chaired by Eddie Rousse, involved opening the concession stand for various events including Black Bear Youth Hockey, Spaulding High School hockey games, public skating, and Barre Figure Skating Club events. 

For the 4th year on may 4, 2025, the Interact Club at Spaulding High School spearheaded  Tree Plenish.   The goal of Tree Plenish is to plant trees to offset our school's carbon emissions.  

Barre Rotarians rediscovered a gem nestled in our little city this week, as we visited the gorgeous library, exhibition, gallery, and research facility at the Vermont History Center.  
 
ED Steve Perkins & Fellowship Coordinator Daphne Kinney-Landis shared an overview of the history & mission of this non-profit.  A number of our members pointed out that they had attended school or taught at the school before students were transitioned over to SHS. If you missed our tour, treat yourself & set aside some time to visit this extraordinary Barre City resource.  
 
Adi Dobrilovic, father of Hana Dobrilovic winner of the Rotary Club of Barre 2025 speech contest with the 3 judges, Garret Grant, Joe Shadroui and Paul Haigh.
 
 
The Barre Rotary Club celebrated its 100th year of serving the Barre community by hosting it's 3rd Annual Pie for Brunch Community Grants Celebration on Saturday, April 5th at the American Legion in downtown Barre.
Seventeen nonprofit organizations were selected to receive donations ranging from $250-$750, totalling $10,000 in grant funding, and representatives from each organization were recognized and honored at the annual event, which featured all-you-can-eat pie, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle. While some pies were homemade, others were donated by area restaurants and grocers such as the Wayside, Pearl Street Pizza, Hannafords and more. 
 
 
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025 the club went on a field trip to the BARRE SOCIAL CLUB and "WHAT A GREAT PLACE!'
 
This is a coworking and events space and retail shop located at 105 North Main Street Barre.
 
The club is owned by Cat and Nick Allen and offers coworking space memberships for remote workers, as well as social memberships and event space available for rent.
 
https://www.barresocialclub.com/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotarians Paul, Caroline & Gary & a few very strong community partners  (Brian & Devin) were out in force on New Year’s Eve to assist local members of our community with a move. Strength in numbers!  
 
The St Albans Rotary Club, under the leadership of Club President Leon Berthiaume helped unload at the other end of the trip, to further assist these community members.  
 
Rotarians bridging communities and miles to assist Vermonters.