Rotarians gathered early this past Thursday at 4 p.m. outside our Scout Hall building on Montgomery Road, where we spent much time over the past few weeks, actually for the entire year, hauling items for our Rotary auction, which was a great success on August 3.

Rupert Neily led several of us ramblers on a Rupe’s Ramble, a walk and talk, for which Rupe has become a champion for connecting so many of us more intimately to our region’s scenic landscapes and seascapes.

We hiked the ancient Montgomery Road, the road that originally was Hackmatack Road, the road around the boggy meadow of what is now Route 27, to Montgomery’s Tavern in Montgomery’s Mills, later Hodgdon’s Mills and now known as East Boothbay. We hiked from the Scout Hall on present-day Montgomery Road, near Red Hawk Reach, into the woods to near the end of present Hackmatack Road, then back up the power line to the Golf Course, and then along an old woods road to civilization again.

We encountered much wildlife, including hearing a number of coyotes howling, and diverse forests and meadows in our two-hour hike.

We returned to the Scout Hall and joined a much larger group of Rotarians, enjoying burgers grilled by Chef Kim, with other food that was quickly scoffed up amidst animated conversations. Overheard were many stories at last week’s auction, the recent hike, and other community happenings.

Rupert Neily spoke after dinner to the larger crowd about his growing up in East Boothbay and frequently wondering about and wandering around the region. Rupe’s professional career has centered on the need to preserve the scenic quality of Maine’s land. Rupe noted that our greenery is what keeps much of Maine in business. Many come for the scenic quality. Our rural-ness is the key.

At the Scout Hall we are amidst “Boothbay Harbor’s Last Forest,” behind the YMCA up to the Country Club Road and Beath Road. He described ancient Montgomery Road. Rupe sees the potential for cooperative and consensual recreational areas being worked out by landowners and people who want to hike and bike outdoors. He reports pieces coming into place to make rural walkways a reality. Many supporters of this effort include many individuals and organizations all around this Last Forest.

He quoted Boothbay Register’s former managing editor Mary Brewer, who has written eloquently about how she came around to embracing walking roads and paths and sees the Boothbay region becoming an outdoor recreational area. Rupe invited Rotarians to help with the trails in our neighborhood in this Last Forest. He was very well received, and a lively discussion followed.