The Rotary Club’s annual Veterans Appreciation Night took place last week and veterans from World War II through the Middle East conflict were feted and thanked. Since the evening has been covered elsewhere in the Boothbay Register, this column will focus on some of the behind-the-scenes activities that help make it all possible.

First, a big “thank you” to Ann Hedgcock and Debbie Graves for the clubhouse’s great red-white-and-blue decorations. And to Steward Seth Hedgcock, who made it all look easy. Also to our Interact high school students who served as waiters for the event. We couldn’t have done it without you! You were the best. Meanwhile, Monica Churchill tinkled the ivories and Tom Churchill provided music for the five service anthems, and we all joined in in a thankful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Thank you!

We also thank our Rotary District Governor, Andy Glazier, formerly of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for coming up from Kittery for the occasion and offering an invocation. He was joined by his partner in life, Pam Gray.

Our speaker, Kelly Hinkle from Wreathes Across America, was also accompanied by his wife Julie. His presentation showed us what other communities do every holiday season to remember their fallen heroes and veterans who have passed, and already, Sue Burge and Marty Helman are putting their heads together to see if we can bring wreathes to our graves here on the peninsula. Stay tuned for that.

In other Rotary news, our meeting this week will feature Sue Mello, natural resources program manager at the Boothbay Region Water District. The following week, Nov. 21, our speaker will be Pauline Dion from the Sea & Science Center. And the last Thursday of the month is, of course, Thanksgiving, and the Rotary building will be dark.

Interested in learning more about Rotary and the good work we do? We’re over 80 of your friends and neighbors here in the Boothbay region, all committed to helping making our community a better place. Join us! Thursday nights at the Rotary clubhouse on Montgomery Avenue.