A small but raucous crowd filled the Rotary building as we celebrated the Olympics with our own world-famous cornhole tournament last week. Amy got into the spirit of the thing with a picnic dinner, and we acknowledged several guests who came either because of the tournament – or in spite of it. Those guests included David – Linda’s husband; and Julie – Karen’s other half. Both are frequent visitors and need no introduction. And Sue Apolinsky, who is moving to town and who Jim Herbold has met on the pickleball courts. Welcome to all!

Judy deGraw served as referee for the tournament, and occasionally focused long enough on the game to express amazement at what was going on. Everyone else was too busy doing the wave to care all that much.

Even so, it was a hard-fought tournament. Vicki Haugen – who claims she had never played before – turned out to be the night’s ringer, and she and her playing partner Bill Prince came in a remarkable third. This even though Vicki had to turn her attention half-way through the evening to concentrate on wound management. Once blood has been let, you know people are taking the game seriously.

After the score seemed interminably neck-and-neck, playoffs took place between last year’s champs, Mike Thompson and Laurie Zimmerli, and the team of Rick Jameson and Peter Lynch – a team which proved to be unbeatable. And so the win and associated bragging rights passed to new players. As promised, Karen Pritchard presented fabulous prizes to all three finalist teams. That girl can really shop the dollar store!

It’s not all fun and games: The barn is full – the pickup crews did a ton of work on three separate days last week and it’s all about turning other people’s trash into treasure that we can donate back to the community. So come on out to the Big Gray Barn on Saturday mornings to volunteer, to sort, to haul, to sell, to purchase; whatever, bring neighbors and family and people who owe you money -- just come. Oh, and by the way: Another tranche of Club work shirts have been ordered and delivered: They are in the Clubhouse and help yourself if you or someone, who you know and love, helps out at the Barn and needs one.

Speaking of bragging rights: This columnist was delighted to see that the banner that celebrates our win in the Windjammer Parade in late June has (finally) been delivered and is proudly on display. More brags: We cheered for Charlotte and Rick who are celebrating their 39th anniversary of being married (to each other, as Charlotte was quick to point out). And guffaws: Mike Thompson not only won the 50-50, he then turned around and drew his own ticket for the second prize. It’s a good thing he’s a really nice guy.

Remember People Power. You can sign up online or on paper during a meeting or whenever you catch Charlotte’s attention. The club operates thanks to our volunteer labor, and many hands make light work, et cetera. So get involved and do your part.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, this correspondent will be our featured speaker and promises to talk about the International Convention held a few months ago in Singapore, and why you might want to plan to go to Calgary for next year’s Convention. Then the following week, August 15, our District Governor Bob MacKenzie will visit the club and talk about the opioid crisis and his work—both as a police chief and as a father - to fight this pandemic. I’ve heard him, and believe me, you want to be there.

Interested in learning more about Rotary and all the good work we do? Ask any Rotarian, or come join us at a meeting, every Thursday evening at 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. The fun is well underway by 6:00 pm; dinner is served and the meeting commences at 6:30. Unless pushed aside by something as incredibly important as a cornhole tournament, we usually have a speaker, and in any case, we’re outta there by 8:00 pm. Join us! And find out just how fun it can be to hang out with friends, raise money, and give it back to the community. You’ll be glad you did.