Soup Bowl 2015, a 19-year collaboration between the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club and the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, was very successful at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay Thursday night, April 9.

This event attracted over 140 area residents who gathered, shared stories, and reconnected after what was our last snowstorm and before many snowbirds returned, though many spotted a handful of snowbirds and welcomed them back. Adding to well over $2,800 in gross receipts were table #1, which contributed over $40 for the privilege of being the first to fill up their Watershed bowls with a wondrous array of soups, chili and salads. Table #2, comprising half the Bath Sunrise Rotary Club and one from the Bath Noontime Club donated $35 to be the next table served.

Everyone joined in for the hearty food, cheerful conversation and important gossip. Bill Kautzman and Jean Huber collected proceeds for the raffles, which featured winning flowers and plants distributed by Daren Graves to the lucky winners.

Deb Graves and Irene Fowle led the waiters, and Kim Mills and I.J. Pinkham reigned supreme in the kitchen. Leftover desserts and soups were purchased and patrons left fulfilled in their tummies, minds, and spirits.

Executive Director Fran Rudoff reminded everyone about Watershed’s collaboration in the Farm and Fish Fair at the Morris Farm on Sunday, April 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. and about their summer Salad Days on Saturday, July 11. Check out www.watershedceramic.org and www.boothbayharborrotary.org for more information. Many thanks to Jim Botti, who has led over half of our 19 Soup Bowl events, and if he gets his way, this one will be his last in the leadership role.

To learn more about Rotary and about our Club and all the good things we do, visit 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 new Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road in Boothbay Harbor. Conviviality commences around 6p.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.