Our speaker last week was Kate Burke, director of development for the Boothbay Railway Village Museum. Kate is new to the Boothbay area this year. She spoke of their capital campaign – “Driving History Forward.”

The campaign is raising funds for a new, year-round facility that will promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics (STEAM) programs. The new building will include an Education and Technology Center, an auto workshop and garage, a museum curation and archival library, a community atrium and showroom, and a nature-based amphitheater. There will be hands-on opportunities for all generations and visitors. It will contain an expanded auto museum and showcase area. Educational activities will be provided on the history, preservation, restoration, maintenance, display and collection of artifacts. This will be the 40th community-use/toured structure on the Museum’s campus.

Kate brought attention to the fact that the museum currently displays a collection 60 antique autos and this will be expanded to nearly 90. Some of our members also spoke of the large collection of historic outboard boat motors that are currently being displayed. There seem to be many more collections in the museum than most of us were unaware of.

Advanced planning is underway as well as continued fundraising. The future timeline is:

May 2028 – Break Ground

May 2029 – Building Opening

June 2029 – Grand Opening and VIP Donor Event

Last week we had pizza galore because our chef is on walkabout. This week we're having a potluck. Please bring an entree, salad, side or dessert for 8 to 10 people. Cook up your favorite dish or swing by Pinkham’s or Hannaford. We’ll enjoy it all.

Our club will be participating at the Spooktacular Halloween Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Railway Village. Four to six volunteers are needed to set up the Rotary booth, hand out candy during the event and clean up. This is an excellent opportunity to show Rotary’s community presence. Contact Conxa Packard if you are interested.

Laurie Zimmerli reported that sales at the barn continue to be strong. Due to community donations, we continue to have plenty of inventory in all departments.

This week is a visit from our District Governor, Michele Bois-Gilbody. Michele has been a member of the Freeport Rotary Club for 18 years. She has worked in our district in several capacities: District trainer, HR coordinator, and member of the Visioning Committee. Michele spent her career as an educator, founding Cricket Hunt School in 2001. She is a Reiki Master and studying herbalist. Michele and husband David of nearly 40 years have two grown daughters, seven beautiful grandchildren and in whatever spare time she can carve out loves to travel, camp, garden, read and spend time with family and friends.

The Rotary Barn is still open every Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. We are accepting donations. Just call or text 207-619-1417 for a pickup and someone will get in touch. Please only drop off donations on Saturday morning when the barn is open.

We're a diverse group of people working together to learn about the world and hopefully make a positive impact while having fun together. Join us any Thursday evening at 6 for dinner and a program. We meet in our clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor.