Stories


5th Annual “TREK Sturbridge Halloween 5K & 1K”, October 26, 2025 There's something for all ages at our Sturbridge Rotary Club's family-friendly "TREK Sturbridge Halloween 5K & 1K", Sunday morning, October 26th, 2025. Halloween costumes are encouraged, to set the tone for the event, which includes a 5K Trail Race in the Sturbridge TREK Trail System, a 5K Walk on the same trail, a 1K Road Race for children aged 2 - 12 years, Indoor Games for young children, and a Costume Parade for adults and another for children. It'll all be happening at the Old Sturbridge Village Education Center, off Old Sturbridge Village Road, in ………… Sturbridge! Read more...	5th Annual “TREK Sturbridge Halloween 5K & 1K”, October 26, 2025	Klaus Hachfeld	2025-09-12 04:00:00Z	0
Tee Off for a Great Cause: The 2025 Sturbridge Rotary Club Charity Golf Classic Get ready to hit the greens for a great cause! The Sturbridge Rotary Club is proud to announce the return of its annual Charity Golf Classic, taking place in 2025—a community favorite that combines friendly competition with impactful giving. Read more...	Tee Off for a Great Cause: The 2025 Sturbridge Rotary Club Charity Golf Classic	Andrew Gresenz	2025-08-19 04:00:00Z	0
2025 SRC Scholarship Recipients The Sturbridge Rotary Club proudly continues its tradition of supporting local education by awarding eight $1,000 scholarships to outstanding graduating seniors from the community. These scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service—values that align closely with Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self.” Read more...	2025 SRC Scholarship Recipients	Andrew Gresenz	2025-08-19 04:00:00Z	0
SRC Makes Donation to Local Food Collaborative Posted by Andrew Gresenz on Jul 01, 2025 Suzanne Lewandowski (center), of the North Brookfield Food Collaborative, with Members of the Sturbridge Rotary Club The Sturbridge Rotary Club is grateful for the opportunity to support the important work of the North Brookfield Food Collaborative with a $350 donation. Read more...	SRC Makes Donation to Local Food Collaborative	Andrew Gresenz	2025-07-01 04:00:00Z	0
Local Resident “Rifles” Through Sturbridge History Posted by Andrew Gresenz on May 27, 2025 Charlie Blanchard, of Sturbridge, MA, holding an original Gibbs Tiffany & Co. Rifle On May 6, 2025, Charlie Blanchard captivated the Sturbridge Rotary Club with a compelling presentation on the town’s rich history in firearm manufacturing, focusing on the Gibbs Tiffany & Co. rifle company. Operating from approximately 1820 to 1838, Gibbs Tiffany & Co. was renowned for producing underhammer percussion pistols, a distinctive design that marked a significant innovation in early American firearms. Read more...	Local Resident “Rifles” Through Sturbridge History	Andrew Gresenz	2025-05-27 04:00:00Z	0
‘Service Above Self’ Comes to Tantasqua Regional High School Posted by Bob Wicks on May 15, 2024 Marked by a gala celebration in the High School cafeteria in Sturbridge, Rotarians and school officials gathered on May 14 for the charter installation of the school’s Rotary Interact service club. The event featured a pizza contest, silent auction, a citation from the State Senate, and inspiring comments from club leaders, school officials, and Rotarians. This newest club at Tantasqua is dedicated to providing community service that will make Sturbridge just a bit better. Guided by their faculty advisor and in collaboration with Rotarians, Interact members will have an opportunity to identify, develop, manage, publicize, and implement service projects. Along the way, they will learn new skills that can last a lifetime, make new friends, and have a ton of fun. Joining the 13 Charter members to celebrate were Faculty Advisor Amy Willard (far left), Rotary Advisor Dr. David Zonia (rear), Principal Dr. Peter Dufresne (holding the charter), and District Legislative Director Amanda Hellyar, who represented Senator Ryan Fattman. Also in attendance, but not in the photo, was Assistant Academic Principal Beth Johnson, accompanied by her Labrador Retriever and the school’s support dog. Interact leaders include co-Presidents Jackson Landine, and Stella Buday, Vice President Rachel Salisbury, Treasurer Charlotte Ardis, Secretary Jocelyn Mrotek, and Publicist Samantha Baker. Later, the entire Tantasqua Regional High School Interact Club gathered around Principal Dufresne and Amanda Hellyar. With the 7 prospective members introduced during the ceremony, the club’s membership will grow to 20. Rotarians on hand to celebrate with the students and welcome them to the Rotary family were Sturbridge members David Zonia, Kelly Landine, Laurie Palmer, Otto Prohaska, Sujoy Spencer, and Bob Wicks. Brookfields Rotary was well represented by President Teresa McCarthy, Lynn Duffy-O’Shea, Christine Gagnon and her husband John. Unfortunately, several other Sturbridge members were traveling or under the weather and unable to attend. Event sponsors included Southbridge Credit Union, Cormier Jewelers, BT’s Steakhouse, Brush It Off Art & Pottery Studio, Pickleball U, Honest Town Eats, Escape the Pike, Old Sturbridge Pizza, Uncle Sam’s Pizza, Pizza Chef, Tutti Quanti, and Sherwin Williams. Rotary and Rotary Interact are always very grateful to our generous sponsors and supporters. Read more...	‘Service Above Self’ Comes to Tantasqua Regional High School	Bob Wicks	2024-05-15 04:00:00Z	0
2024 Community Projects 2024 Fund Raisers to Support Community Projects We are very excited to announce dates for our 2024 projects: Trek Sturbridge Halloween 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk - October 27th Rotary Charity Golf Classic - August 26th Lottery Basket Raffle - Dec 2024	2024 Community Projects	Darren Parent	2024-04-17 04:00:00Z	0
Rotary at the Start of the United Nations Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world. During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” Read more...	Rotary at the Start of the United Nations		2022-02-01 05:00:00Z	0