There may not have been a meeting last Thursday, but that doesn’t mean Rotarians sat around waiting for the gravy to thicken. As always, we were hard at work prepping the Barn for Saturday sales.  Pickups have closed for the season; the Barn itself will be open for sales Saturday mornings (8:30 to 11 sharp) through Dec. 14. Then we shut the doors for the winter and will reopen next April. 

A few weeks ago, we were visited by former members Ann and Steve Demeranville, who now live in Asheville and are active in their Rotary Club there. This week we heard from another former member and past club president Dwight Swisher, who transferred his membership when he and Karen moved to Arizona. Old-timers will remember that Dwight and Karen made all sorts of exotic journeys in their converted tugboat until Karen finally convinced Dwight that her seasickness was not a passing fancy. Then they sold the tug in favor of an RV and Captain Dwight transferred his loyalties from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Interstate Highway system. 

Last month, Dwight rode his bicycle in Rotary’s annual Tour de Tucson (see photo), raising money for polio eradication and having fun at the same time. Thank you, Dwight, for helping the cause and working on Rotary’s biggest humanitarian goal.  Latest estimate is that the disease will be wiped out before the end of the decade, and when it is, it will be only the second time in history that a viral disease has been completely eliminated.  (The first was smallpox.) 

Back at home, tryptophan reactions should be over about the same time the weather clears, and then we will be ready for December.  And what an action-planned calendar is in store for us, says Charlotte Jameson!  

On Dec. 5, new police chief Doug Snyder will tell us what’s happening in the police department and what we can expect in terms of community outreach, and how he is bringing his years in the Coast Guard – as well as a private contractor in Afghanistan – to the job. 

On Dec. 12, we’ll hear from CEO Cindy Wade about the rebranding that is under way at LincolnHealth.  

Dec. 19 marks our annual Christmas Party.  As always, we will have an ugly sweater contest and Yankee swap. Guests are always welcome, and please, remember that they should bring a gift as well. If past is prologue, most appreciated gifts for the swap come in the shape of adult beverages and lottery tickets. Please plan on also bringing either an appetizer or dessert to share. 

That will be our last meeting of the year. We will recommence on Jan. 9 when Saco Bay Rotarian Dennis Robillard will update us on Crutches for Africa. 

See ya then.