Our club’s Fun Committee (you know who you are) had organized a square dance in lieu of our “regular” meeting, and I’ll admit it: There were many who wondered just how “fun” a dance could be.

I’m delighted to say that the skeptics (including me, if truth be told) were entirely wrong.

First, it must be stated that there was more plaid in the Clubhouse than if we had had an LL Bean reunion. And chef Amy cooked up burgers and dogs in a Maine facsimile of a western barbecue.

Then, under the gentle guidance of caller Al Hipkins, brave Rotarians formed two squares and worked our way through various “calls” that had us bowing and turning with our partners, our corners, and the couple standing opposite us. It turns out that the hardest thing was remembering our “left” from our “right,” and how hard should that really be? Anyone here salute the flag with their left hand since, maybe, first grade? But our “lefts” and “rights” had some of the best of us stumped. An Allemande requires your “left” hand; a promenade leads off to the “right”, and a do-si-do means no hands at all. Got it?

Fortunately for us, what happens at the square dance stays at the square dance – oh, no! There are pesky photos around! But believe me, the laughter and eagerness to dance “just a bit more” proves what fun it all was and just how gracious caller Al turned out to be.

And for those gluttons for punishment, Al organizes a series of square dances in Brunswick and beyond on a monthly and weekly basis. And yes, he says the folks who show up for these evenings are just as bad – err, just as novice at square dancing as are we. With that in mind, I heard talk about doing a bit of carpooling and showing up in force. Wouldn’t that be fun?

The other big news of the week had to do with the Catalonian exchange. Our guest Rotarians will be here in just a few days, and the schedule for their visit is really remarkable. There’s still time to get involved, if you wish; contact Linda Clapp. And look forward to paella and more treats from our guests next Thursday.

Chip Griffin was at the meeting, but every time it was time to move to the dance floor he seemed to have urgent work to do in the kitchen. Irene Fowle wasn’t there either, so the number of announcements was kept to a dull roar. And no Laurie Zimmerli either; who can imagine a party without Laurie? But we did have Patsy Cline – or at least a facsimile of Patsy.

"Service above self" is the first line of the Rotary Pledge. The fifth line of the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club pledge is: "Is it Fun?" We obviously honor that line. It's a pretty good statement from a group that works so hard together.

If you're interested in the fun and work of Rotary, join us any Thursday at 6 p.m. at our Clubhouse at 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor.