Last Thursday was our annual “Corn Hole” tournament. The competition was steep, especially since several of our guests joined in. They were from Gastonia, North Carolina, where the Corn Hole season lasts a lot longer and is taken more seriously. But, to everyone’s amazement, especially the “Winners” themselves, the North prevailed again. The winning team was the Underdogs, Marcus Packard, visiting from Barcelona, who had never, ever played before and Irene Fowle, who had played one other time; at last year’s Rotary Corn Hole tournament. Yay, for the Underdogs. They each graciously declined the First Place prize, a couch of your choice from the Barn. Marcus didn't think he could fit it in his luggage and Irene, being a generous soul, regifted it back to the Club. It was a fun and surprising night.

Before the competition, visiting, but local, Rotarian Marcus Packard told us about how his Rotary Club in Catalonia, Spain is focusing on “service” in a unique and inclusive way, educating people about human emotional needs. He is a member of an E-Club, meeting on line, but gathering for service projects and fund raising. Thank you Marcus, always good to see and hear you.

We have been blessed with guest chefs the last few weeks. Last Thursday Lois Hiller and Irene Fowle cooked up a taco buffet that was just fabulous, evidenced by all the folks going back for seconds. For dessert there was a yummy carrot cake purchased from the Nobleboro Girl Scout troop that has been selling coffee and baked goods outside the Rotary Barn some Saturdays. They have been a big hit with us and our customers. They are raising money for a trip to Savannah, GA next spring. Savannah is the home of the first Girl Scout troop in America.

People Power needs you. We’ve been forgetting to pass the sign up sheet. But, due to the magic of the Internet, you can sign up right here. Sign up to be a greeter, waiter, 50-50… All positions are wide open.

Last Saturday another non-profit Action for Animals was outside the Rotary Barn selling coffee and muffins. They raise money to provide assistance to people with pets: dogs, cats, gerbils, etc. It's been fun having these small non-profits selling coffee and talking with our customers about their work. We welcome almost any non-profit to join us Saturday morning. Just approach us any Saturday morning and we'll add you to the schedule.

Tonight, Monday, Aug. 11, at 5:30 p.m. is the August Board of Directors meeting held via Google Meet. Contact Laurie Zimmerli if you would like to attend and she will send you the link. All members are welcome to join.

This Thursday we welcome our local “Climate Action Team”. A group of local residents working to address climate change in our community. Historically severe storms in the winter of 2023-3024 caused historic flooding across Maine, estimated at over $90 Million dollars damage to public infrastructure alone. We sure saw the impact locally. Join our local Climate Action Team and Sunrise Ecological Outreach Specialist Fritz Freudenberger for an overview of climate change and a glimpse of the science behind it. Then, our local leader, Louise Cowen, will  share a survey with local findings and possible plans to address this important issue. The Climate Action Team includes four High School students whose generation will be strongly affected by Climate Change. They are working with the local Climate Action Team. I bet some of them are in the Rotary Interact Club.

NOTICE! There will be no meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28 in honor of the Labor Day holiday. But, the Rotary Barn will be open as usual, 8:30 to 11:00. Hope to see you there.

We welcome anyone from our community to our meetings, every Thursday, except Aug. 28. We meet at our Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor at 6 p.m. for dinner and a program. We are a diverse group of people having fun and working together with the Rotary Foundation motto of “Service Above Self”. Rotary International is a Global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers working together to create lasting change. We are proud to be part of this amazing International network. Join us. You'll be glad you did.