It's hard to believe, but summer is definitely on its way out. (Was this the quickest summer ever?!). Now time for the “golden” days of autumn. Many of us think autumn is the best season in Maine. It's often a little less busy. Fewer visitors and events. And that beautiful golden light. A great time to come to the meeting this Thursday because we're just having a social meeting. No speaker, no program.  Just a chance to visit and enjoy another wonderful dinner from our new chef, Ivan. 

Yes, you heard me right. After a summer of members making dinners, a desperation potluck (which was quite great), President Laurie at the grill for hamburgers and hot dogs and way too much pizza, We have a new chef! Thank you Brian McGrath for finding Ivan, then spending hours showing him around the kitchen. Last week was Ivan’s inaugural dinner. So far, everyone surveyed was enthusiastically positive about his first dinner.   

So, join us this Thursday to meet Ivan, sample his cooking and just have a chance to visit one another. Except, the Program/Fun Committee obviously needs your help, so we'll be talking a little bit about programs and hopefully you will have some help and ideas. 

You can also join the Program/Fun Committee this Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 5:15 p.m. at the Clubhouse and get a head start working on programs, parties and events. Luckily, Conxa has some good ideas. Often, the newer members have great suggestions, so join us. 

Last Thursday we met Ginger and Jim Kutsch and Ginger’s guide dogs. Jim retired in 2019 from being president and CEO of “The Seeing Eye," the oldest guide dog school in America. He is blind from an accident when he was a teenager. Ginger lost her sight as a result of a rare genetic condition. They gave a fun, lively and very informative presentation about navigating in the world as a blind person and the freedom and security a guide dog provides. Guide dogs are no longer just German Shepherds, but can be several different breeds.  Ginger's dog, Emma, is a beautiful Labrador/Golden Retriever. Jim’s dog is a yellow Lab. Jim and Ginger are both still very active in the “Guide Dog” community. They formed and run the Pine Tree Guide Dog Users, a non-profit serving Maine’s blind and visually-impaired residents who are partnered with specially-trained guide dogs. Visit their website at https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org. Thank you Jim and Ginger. 

Don't forget “dues are due,” actually overdue if you haven't paid yet. But, if so,  just send along your check to Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club, P.O. Box 518, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. Or just put it in the top drawer of the desk in the clubhouse. Your dues cover the expense of keeping the Clubhouse and the Club going. The funds raised at the Rotary Barn are in a separate financial category and are mostly donated to support the organizations and programs that improve the lives of people in our community and throughout the world.   

People Power -- please sign up. If you haven't been lucky enough to be a bartender or waiter just sign up as an extra person, so you can mentor with someone. We are a “Service “ club and service starts right here in our own club. Remember, Service Above Self. 

 The new scheduled pick up times seem to be working out well. Members meet at the Barn at 10 on Saturday morning, then 1 p.m. on Monday afternoon with their trucks, strong backs and senses of humor to pick up the amazing “stuff” donated by this generous community. If you haven't joined in on a pickup crew, make the time for it. It will do your heart good to see just how generous and supportive our community is. To schedule a pickup or drop off, call or text 207-619-1417. 

Saturday was the first morning with a bit of “chill” in the air. Many of our shoppers asked how long we would be open and were pleased to hear mid-December… yes ... mid-December. So, there's plenty of time left to help out at the Rotary Club Barn. Even on this first chilly morning our neighbors came out and we sold around $2,300 of wonderful furniture, collectibles, tools, a generator, dishes, pots/pans, fall decorations, etc., all to benefit programs and organizations in our community and the world.   

Join us any Thursday at 6 p.m. at our Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor for dinner and a program or just a chance to visit with the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club members. You’ll be glad you did.