Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club

Mon, 02/22/2021 - 12:00pm

Good news travels fast.

You may have seen on social media the news that a significant (incredibly significant!) gift has been made to The Rotary Foundation by the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation. The Walter Foundation's board includes our very own Marty and Frank Helman, and Chip Griffin, so this is news that has resulted in our club being discussed in the highest Rotary circles. Hurrah! At our meeting on Thursday, March 11, Marty will talk about the Rotary Peace Centers and what led up to the gift. Past Rotary Foundation Chair Brenda Cressey and Past Rotary Foundation Vice Chair Mike McGovern will join us to celebrate and amplify their thoughts about the significance of this gift.

This week Past Club President Ham Meserve will take us behind the scenes of the Harbor Theater during these COVID-19 times. I, like many of you, can hardly wait till we can get together again in our own little movie theater. Ham will update us with current plans and how we can help.

Thank you Betsy Griffin for a fun and informative introduction to renovating a gallery at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts last week. Through the magic of “Zoom” we are able to visit the world. In March we will meet Chip’s other favorite daughter, Emily Griffin who works for an dynamic company “Toast”. “Meet the Family” has been a fun series, but we need more speakers. Let me know if you have a family member or a friend who’s like family who would chat with us about their work or personal projects.

Last week we also met Kaitlyn Walker-Spencer, a junior at Camden Hills Regional High School last week. She is doing a yearlong research project for her AP Research class. She presented her project and is hoping that we will participate in her survey about the inclusivity of Rotary Clubs in Maine. The reason she specifically chose Rotary is because not only has it had a huge impact on her own life, but because Rotary is committed to changing for the better. The survey only takes about five minutes. Kaitlyn kept it compact and easy to fill out. So, take a few minutes to fill it out and help Kaitlyn with her project. Let me know if you would like a link.

Don’t forget to pay it forward by donating to Polio Plus when you get vaccinated. Get a Shot-Give a Shot. Also, as Foundation Chairperson, Judi White, reminded us we can donate to the Rotary Foundation anytime. The work of the Rotary Foundation continues and is vitally important during the pandemic.

The “Food Insecurity Grant” is an example of how our community benefits from the Rotary Foundation. So far we have made and packaged over 500 pints of soup for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry from this grant. Your donations to Polio Plus and the Rotary Foundation are an example of the Rotary motto “People of Action.”

It may be cold and snowy, but spring really is right around the corner. A few days ago I heard the sweet song of the eastern phoebe when I was out walking; the first sign of spring along with the noticeably longer days. So, rest up, because soon we’ll be back at the barn moving furniture. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully so are you.

 

 

-