Another August, another Rotary Charity Auction.  The Charity Auction and Flea Market has been a fixture in the Boothbay region for 56 consecutive years, and while the players and the look-and-feel of the weekend have certainly changed, the goal (to raise money to give back to the community) has remained constant.

Henry Wyatt, this year’s intrepid Auction chair, will be formally thanking all the members of the community who donated their time, their talent, their muscle and their purses. This correspondent leaves that to him, but I do want to thank all the Rotarians, both members of the Boothbay Harbor Club and the many Rotarians from away who showed up to help over the weekend.  That was truly a fine example of Rotary service above self.

Friday started out bright and early with breakfast at Sprucewold Lodge and the opportunity to dance between the raindrops as auction items were dug out of storage.  The weather cleared by noon and, except for the mystery of the 12 file cabinets, all went remarkably well. A record number of dogs were part of the Rotary pick-up teams, and we welcomed them all.

The day ended with pizza and the opportunity to fete two friends of Rotary who really know how to schlepp: The club recognized both Glenn Harley (Doug’s son) and Dave McGrath (Brian’s brother) with Paul Harris Fellows for the effort they have consistently contributed to the auction over the past several years.

Saturday dawned with better weather report than weather, but again, no one melted or had a meltdown. In the end, the Auction grossed close to $30,000, which will come back to the community in the form of scholarships, support of the Food Pantry and heating oil assistance, and much, much more.

The Auction may be over, but the fun is just beginning. This Thursday, Aug. 8, we will meet at 4 p.m. at the Scout Hall for a Ramble with Rupert … that’s Rupert Neily. Rupert’s “rambles” are just that – not killer hikes, not even serious exercise; just an opportunity to discover old Montgomery Rotary north of the Scout Hall.

We will return to the Scout Hall in time for the Turpentine Club around 6 p.m., followed by a picnic supper: Kim’s signature burgers and all the trimmings at 6:30 p.m. Those who prefer to be more sedentary are invited to skip the ramble; those with a sense of adventure are invited to discover the world just north of our Scout Hall door. Family and friends are especially included; important:  BYO lawn chairs and bug spray, and comfortable shoes.  

Thursday Aug. 15 will find us back in the Clubhouse for an update of housing options from both the Visioning and Building committees.

On Sunday, Aug. 18 at noon, Rotarians are needed at the Y Field House to help out with the Region’s “Set for Success” project. Organizer Sue Burge is expecting to fill 400 backpacks with schools supplies … when you realize that our local kids are asked to bring around $500 worth of “stuff” to school, you can understand just how necessary this project, now in its second year, really is. Last year our Club wrote Set for Success a check; this year we plan to give of ourselves as well. President Jen is taking names of volunteers; the greatest need is to staff the welcome table and to supervise the bouncy houses.  FMI: See Jen.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, we will return to the Clubhouse to hear from Saco Bay Rotarian Dennis Robillard about Crutches 4 Africa, the charity this club has supported for the past three years and which has already delivered two 40-foot containers of the mobility devices to Africa.  Then on Thursday, Aug. 29, we will have an Auction wrap-up with all the financials from the Big Event.

Looking ahead, save Thursday, Sept. 12, for Hometown Heroes, our club’s response to 9/11 and an annual picnic for our local first responders and their families, which will again be held at the American Legion Hall.  This year, the evening will include a demo of the Lincoln County Sheriff Department dogs.  Plan on another all-family-invited event!

Also, the Rotary District is planning a work day at Camp Sunshine, the camp for special-needs kids and their families located in Sebago, Saturday morning September 14.  More info on volunteering is available on the District 7780 website:  www.rotary7780.org.