By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Caribou Rotary Club presented two Paul Harris Fellowship Awards June 15 during its weekly luncheon meeting held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. This year’s awards, as is done periodically, were presented to a non-Rotarian individual and/or organization. Recognized with the fellowship honor were Kathleen Mazzuchelli, Caribou Parks and Recreation superintendent; and the Cary Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Kathleen Mazzuchelli, Caribou Parks and Recreation supervisor was presented with the Caribou Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award during the club’s luncheon meeting on June 15. Shown with Mazzuchelli is Caribou Rotarian Steven Buck, and Rotary President Mark Draper.
Caribou Rotarian and City Manager Steven Buck announced Mazzuchelli as one of the award recipients, giving a synopsis of the work and achievements she has been committed to since coming to the area in 1975.
A native of Braintree, Mass.and a 1972 graduate of Plymouth State College, she began her tenure with the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department as a programmer in 1975, 36 years ago. In her new position Mazzuchelli immediately began to strengthen programs for girls and women, as well as to develop strong programs for health and wellness. She taught and coached softball, tennis and basketball and developed after-hours exercise programming for all ages of area residents.
In 1980 Mazzuchelli was appointed as the first female Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, replacing Allan Cousins. It was during that same year that the city embarked upon the first construction of dedicated “new” recreation facilities to be attached to the General Carter Armory. The bids for the project were higher than expected and the City Council elected to reduce the size of the proposed facility and to halt funding of the engineering oversight of the construction project.
“Kathy worked in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Commission and Richard Brescia, chairman, to complete the construction under budget while maintaining a full complement of programming for the city,” stated Buck.
“I know, as do others now, that this is but a starting example of how Kathy’s capabilities far and beyond exceed what one would ever associate with the position she holds. Her diversity in skill sets and work ethic was simply becoming known to our community,” Buck added.
Also in 1980 Mazzuchelli, after being contacted by a member of the Caribou Country Club board of directors in regards to making multi-season use of the country club property, began work with her maintenance staff to develop the idea of establishing a Nordic ski trail network, re-introducing Nordic skiing to the area. Buck interjected at this point, “Is this perhaps an idea that far preceded the establishment of the Maine Winter Sports Center, by say — 29 years?”
According to Buck, “The initial project proved a tremendous success as Kathy personally maintained the trails for the next 15 years. She developed Nordic ski workshops, programming for after school and weekend programs for area residents. A vision of developing lifetime involvement in sports to promote healthy lifestyles was already becoming prevalent.”
In 1982 Mazzuchelli was the first female recognized by the Maine Recreation and Parks Association for professional achievements and contributions for developing the life-long sports activities with Nordic skiing and healthy lifestyles. “What we know as normal within our region, as developed and promoted by Kathy, is not the norm elsewhere and she was starting to be recognized,” said Buck.
In 1989 Mazzuchelli along with the Caribou City council, the Maine Department of Conservation and a number of other County communities and clubs developed the workings for the first State purchase of an abandoned rail line for multi-recreational purposes. Buck said that working through the Land for Maine’s Future bonding programs, Kathy served as the pivotal point for the purchase of the first 18.5 miles of the former Aroostook Valley Railroad.
“Using these newly honed skills, just two years later,” continued Buck,“she was instrumental in the acquisition of another 58 miles of the former Bangor and Aroostook Railroad. These initial infrastructure purchases and development were the start of the stabilization and base of a multi-use recreational trail system for Aroostook County. The model of purchase, transfer of title, maintenance and multi-purpose use is a model utilized statewide today and pioneered by our guest. It is thought of as a normal statewide now, but at one time there was a vision, a drive and a creativity to make that vision a reality — there is one word for it —Kathy,” said Buck.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
The Cary Medical Center Auxiliary received the Caribou Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award at the June 15 luncheon meeting. Accepting the award were Auxiliary members from left: April Caron, Alyson Masse, Kim Parent, in-coming Auxiliary president; Barb Collins, Mary Harrigan, Muriel Thomas, and Shawn Foster. At far right is Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center and in back is Caribou Rotary President Mark Draper who presented the fellowship award.
Buck also informed those at the Rotary luncheon, that Mazzuchelli soon became known for her creative financing, her ability to leverage funding and for networking. The Maine Office of Tourism recognized these attributes when they asked her to present on the development of the funding packaging, transfer and ownership and ability to own and maintain the acquired system of the Aroostook Valley Railroad and the B&A lines.
Mazzuchelli has also been responsible for developing multicultural programming for all ages including such diverse offerings as dance and art programs for area youth, long before the current dance companies and the Performing Arts Center were contemplated. She also established a popular ballet program offered by the Parks and Recreation Department within which performances including the “Little Match Girl” and “The Nutcracker” were highlighted in the area. These programs won national recognition from the National Parks and Recreation Association.
Also included in Mazzuchelli’s long list of programs is the continuation of the Nordic ski program which has developed into a team-teaching program with the Caribou School Department. Using the resources of the parks and rec department this program has evolved into a curriculum meeting the Maine Learning Standards. Through permission by the school department, the program has been combined with the physical education classes for students in grades 3-6. The recreation staff creates a ski course complete with hills, jumps, obstacles and a forested treeline using recycled Christmas trees in Teague Park. From 1990 to date this program has brought Nordic skiing to an estimated 500 youth annually.
In her superintendent of parks and recreation position, Mazzuchelli recognized that a certain generation might not be exposed to bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, hiking or camping. This resulted in the Caribou Rec Xtreme and the WOW (Wild Outdoor Women) programs. This program was recognized by the Department of Conservation as one which exemplified their “Take It Outside Initiative,” by reintroducing youth to nature and local recreational outdoor opportunities.
Mazzuchelli has played a key part (or was solely responsible) for the development of the North Caribou Park, Collins Pond Park, Collins Pond Walkway, the Lyndon Street Boat Launch, Soucie Memorial Sports Complex, Otter Street Park ’n’ Ride, Hilltop Creative Playground, Teague Park development, a parks garage and repair facility adjacent to the public works, and not to mention the Caribou Wellness and Community Center expansion.
“I continue to view the recent expansion of the Wellness Center, a center serving all age demographics. As a public referendum on the success of programs and vision propagated by Kathy Mazzuchelli. I do not believe a community the size of Caribou would invest the man hours in developing a strategy, raising and committing the resources, to build a $3.5 million expansion of facilities in support of the ongoing recreational programming, if they were not 100 percent in support of the Parks and Recreation Department. Kathy has dedicated her career and I must say her life’s mission to the recreational opportunities of our youth and our non-youths. Kathy, Caribou continues to invest in your vision because of your dedication and unwavering never-tiring work to better our community,” said Buck.
Mazzuchelli is also recognized for being one of the area’s most instrumental individuals in the recognition and fight against drug about by local youths. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Community Alcohol and Drug Education Team (CADET). Through this program she helped raise awareness of methamphetamines, and their impacts, which resulted in a series of county-wide town meeting forums, used to address the issue head on. As a result of this drug awareness forum, ASAP (Aroostook Substance Abuse Program) was formed and which now serves all of Aroostook County promoting asset building with communities to prevent childhood abuse and drug abuse. These efforts have been recognized nationally and are also being funded by a multi-year $100,000 grant to help continue the program efforts.
Mazzuchelli is chairperson of the Maine State Trails Advisory Committee and vice chair of the State of Maine Snowmobile Advisory Board; president of the local Healthy Maine Partnership Governance Board. She has also been named the 2007 Bridge Builder; the Caribou Business and Professional Woman of the Year; and the Maine Alumni Association Woman of the Year.
Buck stated, “We all know that if she has set her mind towards a goal, it will happen and it is an investment in ourselves to support her.”
When Buck first mentioned her name, it was apparent that the Paul Harris Fellowship recipient was more than surprised, originally believing she had been asked to attend the weekly meeting/luncheon to speak to the Rotary members on another issue.
Never seeking the spotlight for herself, Mazzuchelli said, “You need to understand, what you are able to accomplish, all depends on the support of your team members.”
Rotarian Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center was called to the podium to present the second Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Before announcing the next recipient Flagg offered his congratulations to Mazzuchelli saying, “When I first came to Caribou in 1979 and began my employment at Cary Medical Center, Kathy became my mentor, I learned a lot from her and continue to do so. One of the biggest lessons has been not to let my emotions regarding a project get in the way. Kathy taught me how to look through things first.”
Following his congratulations Flagg proceeded to announce the next recipient. “Since it became organized in the mid-1950s, in addition to being the largest financial supporter in the overall history of the hospital with an estimated $1 million in contributions the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary members volunteer their personal time and talents for many projects,” he said.
Flagg cited some of the projects that the Auxiliary members actively support including the Annual Walk for Care, Breast Cancer Awareness and spoke of the group’s many fund-raising efforts some of which have purchased hospital equipment and facility improvements.
“Auxiliary members continue to actively support the hospital in its commitment to excellence in patient-centered health care and community well-being,” stated Flagg. “The hospital gift shop is a remarkable example of volunteerism, I don’t believe there is another hospital gift shop, similar to the size and scope of Cary’s that is operated on a completely voluntary basis.”
Other successful fundraisers which the Auxiliary has organized over the years include fashions shows, formal balls, house tours, teas, tag sales, quilt raffles, bake sales, card parties, art loan program, gift shop sales, flower sales, the Tree of Hope, Walk for Care, Avon sales, brownie-a-la-mode summer events and harvest suppers.
Through their efforts the Auxiliary has made major contributions to the hospital such as various items of equipment and special programs; scholarships; pledged toward the new Cary Medical Center; the Oncology and Specialty Clinic building; the Hayward Suite; and the Center for Women and Children’s Health
It is important to note that the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary revived the Cary Memorial Fund in 1982. Auxiliary members Ginny Wakem and Billie Snowe reconstructed the historical information on the fund and personally did the bookkeeping on donations for 15 years. They completed all the deposits and acknowledgements. In 1997 they resigned their volunteer positions and turned the memorial fund over to the Jefferson Cary Foundation. Today the memorial fund has grown to several hundred thousand dollars.
According to the history of the organization, it was formed in 1954 by Harry Smith, hospital director who asked his daughter, Celia Cameron to form the organization. On September 28, 1954, a meeting was held at the American Legion hall. Original members included Irene Pierson, Constance Page, Rebecca Landers, Billie Snow, Caroline Kelley, Marie Jasper, Barbara Harmon and Margaret Hayward. Estelle Gregory was the first president. Fundraising was the original goal of the group who had hoped to open a coffee shop however the space for this endeavor never materialized, so the coffee shop fund of $3,128 was used to begin the Cary Gift Shop.
In 1956 the group was asked to sponsor a memorial fund which had been started in memory of Charlene Helfenstein. The Auxiliary did so and raised $5,000 prior to the inactive stage of the group which extended from 1962 through 1971. In 1959 the active membership was 295 with 51 inactive. The major fundraiser at that time was an annual spring dance featuring the Tommy Dorsey orchestra yielding $1,355.
In the early years of the Auxiliary, members provided a book mobile with periodicals and gifts for patients which traveled throughout the hospital by Auxiliary members including longtime volunteer, Cora Cyr. During this period of time the Auxiliary also had an active surgical dressing committee.
Earlier this spring the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary was recognized for its continued support and contributions to the hospital during part of Cary’s National Hospital Week celebrations.
Auxiliary members were presented with a recognition plaque by the Cary Board of Directors which will be displayed in the hospital lobby.
Flagg also pointed out another recent project the Auxiliary completed, that of a beautification project entitled, “History of Caribou, a visual Retrospective” which includes historical framed and matted prints placed on display throughout the medical facility.
Referencing again the gift shop, operated by the auxiliary since the new hospital opened in 1978, Flagg stated “This represents thousands upon thousands of hours. The gift shop is a major fundraiser for the auxiliary and the profits go to benefit Cary Medical Center. The shop also provides many unique and quality items for visitors, patients and the hospital staff.”
Accepting the Paul Harris Fellowship Award presented by Rotary President Mark Draper. on behalf of Auxiliary was Kim Parent, incoming president.
Other Auxiliary officers present during the luncheon were Barb Collins, gift shop treasurer; Muriel Thomas, gift shop manager; Mary Harrigan, secretary; Shawn Foster, vice president; Alison Massey, out going president and April Caron Auxiliary treasurer.
Caribou Rotarian Brent Jepson informed those attending the luncheon award ceremony about the Paul Harris Fellowship Award stating it has become one of the highest honors that the Rotary can bestow upon a person, Rotarian or not —whether in appreciation for a personal donation to the Rotary Foundation or by a club’s donation to the Foundation in acknowledgement of that person’s exceptional service to the club and their community.
“Today, our Club is making contributions to the Rotary Foundation and honoring these special non-Rotarians with the Paul Harris Fellowship award — Kathy as an individual and the Cary Auxiliary as a community group. In a nutshell, because of their exceptional service to our community through their efforts above an beyond the call of duty, we feel that Caribou and the surrounding areas, are a better place to live and grow in.”
