No eye of newt casserole, I am relieved to report. 

The Rotary Halloween was a ghoulish success, with lots of kids – club members’ children and friends, Interactors and kids of adult ages as well -- lots of costumes and lots of Halloween games complete with fabulous prizes.

The evening started out with pumpkin carving, which resulted in some marvelous jack-o-lanterns, and our thanks go out to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for providing the gourds. The judges were Laurie, Sarah and Vicki, and per usual, we understand that bribes were requested, but we didn’t see any actually come through. Prizes were awarded for the scariest, funniest, most creative, minimalist, as well as old-fashioned, and best overall. Other kid-pleasers included feely boxes and eat-the-donut-off-the-string.

Irene Fowle won the candy corn count, with a guess a remarkable one-corn short of the actual. Way to go, Irene!

The highlight every year, of course, is the costume contest. In addition to the traditional ghosts and witches, we had a crow and a squid (with dreadlocks), a graduate, Spiderman, and a day-of-the-dead Mexican lady. Also, a remarkably over-the-top Rotarian. But then, aren’t we all? Other, more culturally up-to-date costumes included Shaggy, Velma and Scooby Doo, and my personal head-scratcher, a gamer skeleton. You can’t make this stuff up.

Chef Ivan outdid himself with kid-friendly tacos – but hang on: these tacos were filled with barbecued pork and chicken, home-made salsa, home-made pico de gallo and lots more; you get the picture. And as if there wasn’t enough Halloween candy in the house, we had fudge brownies for dessert. Sugar high, here we come.

Halloween birthday boy Billy Dodge is closer to home now in Edgecomb Green, and we signed a card which Jeff Long will hand-deliver. Tori Paxton asked us to set aside Friday, Nov. 14 for Gardens Aglow Community Night, which will take place between 4 and 9 p.m. Jeff said he had seen a preview and the Gardens will be, well, aglow.

It’s been lost amid all the weather related news from Jamaica, but western Alaska has been undergoing devastating flooding. In the aftermath, Alaskan Rotarians are working closely with the Alaska State Defense Force and other partners to deliver safe drinking water, immediate relief, and long-term recovery solutions. They’ve applied for a Rotary International Disaster Relief Grant and are developing a Global Grant to sustain and expand this work. You can help! Send a check to Rotary Int’l District 5010, Inc., Attention: Disaster Relief, 200 W. 34th Avenue #823, Anchorage, AK 99503-3969.

In the meantime, a special fund is being set up by Rotary to support relief work from Hurricane Melissa. Stay tuned; starting next week donations can be made that will be available for grants organized by Rotarians in the affected areas.

Back here at home, there’s lots happening at the clubhouse: On Nov. 6 our guest speaker will be Jenny Rawn, author of Coastal Kitchen, offering seafood recipes with a Maine flair and also the just-published “New England Kids Cookbook,” written by her daughter, Lexi, who will also join us Thursday. Two distinguished authors in one night. Chef Ivan has promised appetizers out of Coastal Kitchen, so come early and enjoy.

And the following week, Nov. 13, will be our 20th annual Veterans Appreciation Night. Invitations have been sent out to local vets, but if we missed someone, know that you are welcome – just let us know so that Ivan is properly prepared. The Interact youth have volunteered to be waitstaff, which is great of them, and there will be lots of time for songs and thanks and good cheer. Military insignia and uniform (assuming it fits) is welcome.

In the meantime, yes, the Rotary Barn is open and deals are happening every Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m., 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. We’ll stay open through Dec. 13, weather permitting. Email rotarybarnpickup@gmail.com to schedule a pickup of your furniture, bric-a-brac, tools, and household stuff. No white goods, beds, athletic equipment, or anything else that is heavy and which basically doesn’t sell. That’s right, we don’t want it either!

Interested in learning more about Rotary and all the fun we have while giving back to the community? Ask any Rotarian or come by the clubhouse on Thursdays at 6 p.m. or so for a social. A scrumptious dinner is served at 6:30, the meeting starts at 7, and we are outta there by 8. Check us out! You’ll be glad you did.