Spring is springing after one of the worst winters this correspondent can remember in quite some while. And with spring returning, so are some of our favorite snowbirds, including Tom and Monica Churchill, Charlotte Jameson (who came to the Rotary meeting last week with stories of grandkids but no Rick), and Doug Roberts.

They came on a great night – lots of fellowship, lots of laughs. Our planned speaker, local trivia meister Darrell Gudroe, was stymied by a family event, but when it comes to trivia, who needs the pursuit? And anyway, our own trivia champion Mike Thompson wasn’t in attendance. So instead, our own Irene Fowle put together a game that was one part Bingo and one part know-thy-neighbor.

Vicki Haugen won the timed event, and then we went to fill in all the cards. No one was willing to admit they didn’t like chocolate or could do a handstand or liked Monday mornings. Other than that, we’re a pretty well-rounded crowd. And while all this was going on, Jules’ salmon and cucumber salad was only matched by the carrot cake he provided for dessert. Totally yummy plus, as everyone knows, carrots are not caloric and are even good for your vision. Reason to go for seconds.

The Barn has been open for three weeks now, and we’re making good money with people donating stuff and other people showing up to purchase! Thank you – the Barn is the major way Rotary raises the funds we donate back to the community and we really rely on our neighbors to make it happen.

Many thanks to the pickup crews, who are at it every Saturday morning and Monday afternoon. If you have stuff to donate, know that we are accepting furniture, housewares, boats, collectibles, tool; just about anything except clothing, white goods and things that are too heavy to carry and for which we can’t find buyers anyway. To schedule a pickup, please call or text 207-619-1417 and leave your information.  And if you are a Rotarian, come on out and join the fun. We especially could use a few folks to augment the Monday afternoon pickup crews.  

Next week, our own Vicki Haugen is going to talk about memory loss from aging versus the memory loss that comes with dementia, and she will give us some tools to learn what memory loss comes with normal aging and what red flags suggest dementia and other illnesses. She will also cover self-care and care for others with dementia. Those who remember Vicki’s earlier presentation on incontinence know that she can make an uncomfortable topic extremely entertaining as well as informative. And who knew? Vicki proudly reports that she is now a Certified Dementia Practitioner. That’s all I’ll say on the subject except that I can just imagine the bad jokes to follow …

President Laurie Zimmerli announced that we’ll be showcasing a float in the Windjammer Parade again this year – it’s scheduled to happen Wednesday afternoon, June 25. Charlotte has lots of ideas for the float, but neither she nor Laurie can be there that day; if you would like to take the lead, please reach out to either of them. Or put it this way: volunteer or risk being volun-told.

The Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. for dinner and a program at 66 Montgomery Road. We always welcome new guests. Come join us. You'll get the opportunity to give back to our beloved community while hanging out with great people and having fun. See you soon.