Last Thursday Will Mackenzie, the Golden Globe winning TV director and actor was a fascinating and fun speaker about something we’re all interested in, television. Will started with a brief introduction about himself and the role of a director in a TV sitcom. Then we all watched one of his favorite episodes of “Everyone Loves Raymond,” a show he directed. The room was full of laughter during the show, which had so much insight into family life and life in general while being funny and heartfelt.

Then, Will talked about the writing process for “Everyone Loves Raymond”. Typically, about 8-10 writers meet on Monday morning and mostly share stories of their weekends with their families and friends. A story will be told and someone will say “my mother-in-law” says that, or my brother does that. That’s how they get the material for a story line. How perfect.

Starting Monday the actors read the script and changes are made daily. By Friday every word is different, even though the story line is familiar. The best shows, say Will, are the ones that feel familiar to you. Familiarity is what we want to hear and see.

He then talked about the Writers Guild Strike, which Will said is really about the future in broadcasting. One of the main focuses in the Strike is about residuals writers receive from streaming services. Another focus is to ensure hiring of enough writers to keep the shows interesting and meaningful to the audience. Thank you Will, for a fascinating program.

Next week we’re having a Square Dance, right here in our own clubhouse. The rafters are going to ring. Expert dancer and fun committee member, Karen Pritchard, has engaged the services of an authentic Square Dance caller. Karen says, “If you can walk, you can dance.” Come out and prove her right, or just listen to the music, tap your feet and watch the dancing going on. But, bring family and friends. They might want to join in, too.

Then, on Aug. 31, we welcome our friends from the Catalonia, Spain Rotary Club to our clubhouse. Last year a group of us visited them, this year they’re coming here, to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The Spain Exchange Committee has been working hard to provide our visitors with as much fun as they had in Spain. Aug. 31 will be a special night. We sure could use additional waiters and also extra drivers during their visit. Contact Linda Clapp at lbclapp@gmail.com to help.

One of our club’s primary focuses is food security. We are picking up vegetables and flowers every week from Twin Rivers Foodbank Farm in Nobleboro, Maine. They grow organic produce to donate, along with Veggies to Table. We deliver this produce to the Community Center, the library and neighbors who may have transportation challenges. During the last Board of Directors meeting we voted on a $2,000 donation to this wonderful grow to donate farm. We also voted to purchase $300 a month in groceries for the Community Fridge. Our commitment to food security also continues with the Food Pantry Soup Project. We have delivered over 3500 pints of homemade soup to the Food Pantry since it was started a few years ago. One of the Rotary Foundation tenants is “Service Above Self.” Our club takes that to heart, works hard at the barn and through various projects to have a positive impact on our community.

All this, and so much more, is possible because of the donations of gently used furniture, tools, pots, pans, rugs, silverware, boats, etc from our generous neighbors to the Rotary Barn. And, to our customers, our wonderful customers. To arrange a pick up or drop off text Deb at 207-380-3550. The Rotary Barn is open every Saturday until mid December from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

We meet every Thursday starting around 6 p.m. at the Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. All are welcome. Join us anytime.