One of the best things about Rotary is the fun we have while giving back to the community. And this factoid was clearly on display last Thursday when our meeting comprised good food, good company and … a hotly (or at least loudly) contested cornhole tournament.

But first … President Bruce called the meeting to order and guests were introduced. These included David “the other brother” of Brian McGuire, who needs little introduction; Doug Fowle, the other half of Irene, and Rick Rahm, the DMR aquarist (Maine state aquarium manager), who was introduced by Paul Jarkiewicz, and who apparently works out with Paul and Tony Curulla when not checking on our aquatic wildlife.

Guest Rick Jameson is guest no longer – he was inducted into the club amid loud huzzahs! It should be noted that Rick learned about Rotary while helping out at the Barn, and he’s not the only recent member to have done so. A lot of our strength grows out of taking part in the work we do to support the community, and the Barn is both a way to learn about us and to give back. Plus, it’s fun turning trash into treasure and hauling other people’s castoffs.

Readers of this column will remember that a few weeks ago, Rory McGuire, honorary member of the Cleveland Rotary Club, and his sister and Southporter Maeve McGuire, visited the club. Rory and Maeve are the grandchildren of Arch Klumph, the “father” of the international Rotary Foundation, which now has net assets of over one billion dollars and is the financial support behind all the Rotary grants that we do. Rory sent a lovely note and a contribution to our local Boothbay Harbor club foundation. We thank Maeve and Rory for their continued support of Rotary – and their interest in us!

In other club news: The Board voted $250 from our Hometown Heroes fund to each of the four fire stations in the region, as well as to the ambulance service. These aren’t large amounts, but it means something that the chiefs and their teams can spend the money on whatever they think most appropriate. The Board also voted $3,000 to the Community Center, $1,000 apiece to Paul Zalucky’s Ukraine fund and the Burke’s Island horse rescue program, and in a great move, doubled our existing HS scholarships from $1,000 to $2,000. All those Barn sales are really coming back to make a difference throughout the region. A big thank you to our neighbors who contribute furniture and collectibles, help out on Saturday mornings, and buy everything back. You are the ones who make possible what we are able to do.

And then the meeting devolved to the first (and maybe only) Rotary Cornhole Tournament. Kudos to Karen Pritchard for organizing it; Laurie Zimmerli for MCing it (sort of); and Judy deGraw for officiating it (not that anyone paid much attention to her calls), as well as to everyone who was brave enough to make fools of themselves by playing the game – or who just sat on the sidelines and cheered.

Judy made it clear that she was open to bribes; Laurie made it clear that tosses would only count if they ended up on the player’s own board. That probably slowed the action, and maybe even the strategy, if you can call it that. Amid the chaos, this reporter heard calls of:

“I wasn’t even trying” responded by, “Obviously.”

“It’s not you, it’s the bean bag.”

“Is it worth a half-point if I hit the ref?”

At the end of the night, the winning team was Bruce Harris and Chip Griffin (who knew?); with runners-up Tori Paxson and Brian McGrath. Fabulous prizes were enjoyed by the winners and, in fact, by all, whether they tossed a bag or not.

Dates to save: Next week, Aug. 18, our own Nicole Evans will talk about the United Way and goals for the future. Then on Oct. 6 we will have an Octoberfest fundraiser to support Rebuilding Together. Stay tuned for more information as the date gets closer.

And in the meantime: If you would like to join in the fellowship and the service, ask a Rotarian about the club or just come to one of our meetings, every Thursday evening at the Rotary Building, 66 Montgomery St. Dinner and the meeting begin at 6 p.m.; fellowship is non-stop.