A total $36,400 is going to the Home Heating Fuel Fund! That was the startling — and gratifying — big news at last week's meeting of the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.

The club, through its charitable foundation, had originally offered to match contributions from the community up to a total of $8,000, and the community not only met that goal but exceeded it by $400, making a total of $16,400. But then the Doree Taylor Foundation, inspired by our example, added another $20,000! See the article elsewhere in this week’s Register for more details.

The program for the evening featured plans for the reconfiguration of the Wellness Center at St. Andrews. Bob Jacobson introduced guest speakers Jim Stevens, Diane Brown and Heather Brewer, who described the plans for new facilities there as well as the services offered by them and their colleagues.

President Jen Page Osman opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance, with the invocation then offered by Jim Botti, substituting for Daren Graves. President Jen noted the death of Steve Francis' father Wilson Francis that afternoon, and asked for members' thoughts and prayers for Steve and Laura in their absence. Dinner followed with the usual scrumptious fare (featuring kielbasa this week) prepared by chef extraordinaire Kim Mills and served by steward Steve Salorio and waiters Tony Curulla and Doug Harley.

The business meeting was opened with introduction of guests Pam and Tim Utley by their Back River neighbor Mike Thompson. Mike was also looking for timekeepers for the upcoming basketball tourney.

Doug Harley reported on the successful clean-out of the old clubhouse the preceding Saturday, with our gear (including the piano!) finding a temporary home in his barn.

Jim Botti announced that this year's Soup Bowl Supper will take place at the American Legion Hall on Thursday, April 3; he will be looking for members to help with setup/waitstaff/pickup/cleanu/return, as well as contributions of salads and desserts.

Doug Roberts noted a critical shortage of bicycles for our annual distribution to seasonal workers in the region, and asked members to do whatever they can to supplement the supply; Seth Hedgcock will be helping out. Doug further mentioned that police officer Larry Brown is seeking mentors for troubled young people; anyone interested should contact Larry.

President Jen reminded members of the District Assembly, which will take place at Westbrook High School on Saturday, April 12. This is an opportunity for new (not-so-new) Rotarians to learn more about Rotary beyond the club. Speak to Jen about carpooling.

The nominating committee presented its slate of officers for the 2014-15 Rotary year, as follows: President Dwight Swisher, President-elect Jean Huber, Vice President Ham Meserve, Secretary Sue Duckworth, Club Treasurer Brian McGrath, Foundation Treasurer Mike Thompson, and trustees at-large Doug Roberts, Rick Elder, Tony Curulla and Jason Guest. There being no additional nominations from the floor, upon motion made and seconded, the slate was unanimously elected as presented.

To learn more about Rotary and about our club and all the good stuff we do, visit our website: www.boothbayharborrotary.org, or like us on Facebook. Prospective members, visiting Rotarians and guests are always welcome to join us at our weekly meetings, held Thursday nights at The Gallery, 102 Ocean Point Road in Boothbay Harbor. Conviviality commences around 6 p.m., dinner is served promptly at 6:30 p.m., and we then have a short business meeting followed by a special speaker. The evening ends at 8 p.m.