A small but hearty crowd met at Rotary last week for all the “usual” friendship and fun.   

Our speaker was Haley Bezon, from Hearty Roots.  Haley recounted that the last time she addressed us was back in 2018, when Hearty Roots was no more than a good idea. Today, it’s a year-round program that touched 250 kids, all Lincoln County residents, this past year. 

The idea behind Hearty Roots is that children – actually, all of us – are inspired and healed by time spent out-of-doors. Haley’s dream is to combine the traditional camp experience with the work she did in social work and, for the past decade, as guidance counselor at Edgecomb Eddy. The idea is to build a camp experience with social and emotional skill building.   

Today, Hearty Roots offers a variety of programs for children from six to HS graduates, some group-based and others one-on-one, all designed to help kids grow mentally as well as physically. The program has been “purposely portable,” taking place on the myriad land trust sites here in the Region, as well as at the Y’s Baldwin Center. Then, last year, the organization had its first capital campaign and raised $250,000 to purchase a 100-acre property in Bremen to offer overnight experiences.   

Hearty Roots has a modest budget of $350,000 and an adult-to-student ratio of 1:3 for students in its youngest programs. Camperships are available as needed. 

Its big annual fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 8.  “Paddle for a Purpose” is a five-mile paddle up the Damariscotta River, from Glidden Point Oyster Farm to the Damariscotta Town Landing. An after party at Shuck Station will feature live music, food and drinks, an auction, and tons of fun, and Haley promised no embarrassment to skip the paddle and go straight to the party.  Go to www.heartyroots.org to purchase tickets and learn more. 

Next week Peter Bruun will be our speaker. Peter is an artist and Executive Director of Bruun studios. He will discuss the current Studio B Project. Studio B uses art and story to create spaces where everyone is seen, heard, and valued, cultivating individual self-esteem, and building stronger communities. 

We lost one of the best last winter, and Craig Tukey’s memorial service will be held at the Oceanside Golf Resort on Atlantic Avenue on Saturday, May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Karen Prichard is back in town, just in time to be happily “voluntold” to spearhead decorating the float for the Windjammers Parade set for Wednesday, June 26. Karen is looking for volunteers to help – or there may well be more delegation on the subject. Whatever, the parade is certainly a feel-good opportunity that lands squarely in the fifth rule of the Four-Way Test. Rotarians know what I mean. 

The District Conference will be a day-long affair Saturday, June 29 on Star Island at the Isles of Shoals Conference Center.  The ferry leaves Portsmouth promptly at 8:50 a.m. and will arrive on Star Island around 9:50 a.m. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure to be sure you don't miss the boat! We will be departing from the Island back to the mainland promptly at 2:50 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle, payable in cash that day at 315 Market Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more info and an agenda, check out the District website: www.rotary7780.org. 

Bike program

Are you a seasonal worker who needs transportation for the summer? The Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club will be loaning bicycles to seasonal workers starting Saturday, May 25. At the time of pick-up we require a $100 deposit which is fully refundable when the bike is returned in good condition.  We also require your local address and some form of identification. 

Bicycles can be picked up next to the Rotary Club Barn. The bicycles will be available each Saturday starting May 25  through June 29 between 9 and 11:30 a.m.  Also every Thursday starting May 30 through June 27 between 5 and 6 p.m. If you have any questions contact Bill Prince at 304-561-4930. 

And always:  The Big Gray Rotary Barn is open for business this and every Saturday through the season (and beyond).  Rotary volunteers are needed to staff all positions from pickup to cash out.  To donate your treasures, call Deb Graves at 207-380-3550.  To go shopping, know that we open Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. and close just as promptly at 11 a.m.  Our address is 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. 

Want to join in on the fun?  Ask a Rotarian or join us at one of our weekly meetings:  Every Thursday evening at the Rotary building, 66 Montgomery Road.  Mixing and mingling is well underway by 6 p.m.; dinner is served and the program begins at 6:30, and we are outta there by 8.