Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 5:00pm

The Rotary Club has been meeting “virtually” now for almost two months. We have developed a “Zoom” meeting routine thanks to club president Rick Elder and all the members joining in. The meetings start with “Turpentine Club,” a time for keeping in touch with one another and sharing stories. This week plans were made to do a remote visit to Past President and Past District Governor Bob Jacobson who is recovering at the Zimmerli Pavilion. We also had fun with some “club trivia.” Did you know that Actor Abbott recommended Bob Pike for the club? Something new to learn every day.

Next up, it’s time for the Thankful Basket, a chance to share personal milestones and support the club with small pledges. (Members - email “bills” for the month were sent out this week.) Then on to the “official” meeting.

Ingrid Merrill provided an update on the Eat Well Play Well project. A number of Rotary volunteers gathered earlier in the day to plant blueberry bushes at the Edgecomb Eddy School. These plantings will be followed by pumpkins and potatoes; a schedule of volunteers to water and tend the plantings has been developed. In July a new piece of playground equipment will be installed by club members.

Discussion followed on the cancellation of the annual Auction. A press release has been written and submitted, and plans are being made for potential yard sales events in the fall. We have decided to start taking donations again. We will not be going to homes for pick up, but will accept delivery to the barn of furniture, tools, and collectibles, by appointment.

Items will be available for sale by appointment. Please text Deb at 380-3550 or Irene at 315-5429 for sales or drop off. We will be seeing one person at a time, masks are required.

Rick then led us in a discussion of our new District Grant proposal. Alice Mutch and Ingrid Merrill led a team to put together this grant to benefit the local Food Pantry. We are hopeful we will receive these district funds to address food insecurity in our community, the need having been heightened further by Covid-19. John Welsh and our newest member, Ken F Fitch have volunteered to co-chair this project.

Bill Prince reminded us the bike barn will be open on Saturday mornings through June. We are expecting fewer seasonal workers this year this year but nevertheless bikes will be available for anyone needing transportation.

We are trying to keep the meetings under an hour, but there was so much to discuss this week we went over our planned time. Covis-19 has given us all so many challenges. The Rotary Club is remaining flexible and committed to “Service Above Self” during this time. Anyone interested in seeing what Rotary is all about can visit our website, www.boothbayharborrotary.org