The Lions hosted, toasted and roasted the Rotarians last week at the Lions Den. From this columnist’s perspective, there’s lots to be said for the Lions: Their appetizers are darn good, and the price of drinks is less than at Rotary.

Head Lion Mike Giles had clearly gone all out to make us feel warm on a bitterly cold night, not only to host the club, but specifically to celebrate Rotary president Jen Osman’s birthday, which took place the day of the visit. So after our chicken-and-rice-and fixings dinner, it was no surprise that chocolate birthday cake graced the dessert menu.

Mike also announced that the Lions outnumbered the Rotarians at the meeting, 25 to 23. Jen assured him that we would return the invitation, either to the Gallery or our new Clubhouse, and she promised that our numbers would reassert themselves.

Rotarian Debbie Graves announced that we are over-the-top with funds for two K-9 bulletproof doggie vests. Rotarian Bill Dodge was fined for wearing a Red Sox pin. (Fortunately, Tail Twister Tom Nickerson didn’t know that Billy went home with the Red Sox tree from the Garden Club extravaganza at the Opera House, or the fine might have been even larger.) Rotarian Bob Pike won the raffle, but slowly. Apparently it took some time to read the numbers. And Rotarian Dwight Swisher complimented the Lions; he had spoken to the club some time back about insulation, and he said it was the first time he was aware of in which his advice on basement insulation was actually followed.

Toni Lowery was the evening’s guest speaker, as is fitting with all the work that Lions does throughout the world with sight, and she told us about Harbor Optical, the store she opened on Todd Avenue in downtown Boothbay Harbor last year.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, we return to our usual Thursday schedule, but meetings will be at The Gallery on Route 96. Our speakers next week will be our own Steve and Ann Demeranville, talking about their photographic trip to the desert in Morocco. Steward for all of January is Jim Botti, and he will be ably assisted on January 16 by the dynamic duo of Connie Jones and Deb Graves.

Other January housekeeping assignments: Sergeant at Arms: Catherine Fossett, Innkeeper: Vic Taylor, 50/50: Rick Elder, and Scribe: Marty Helman.

Looking ahead, on Thursday, Jan. 23, Rotary Governor-elect Lawrence Furbish of the Sanford-Springvale Club will speak to us about his recent trip to Guatemala and the sustainable agriculture project he hopes to do there. Waiters that night are Brenda Blackman and Linda Foster. Then, on Thursday, January 30, Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotarian Alex Gaeth of Mid-Maine Big Brothers/Big Sisters will update us on the services being provided in Lincoln County and the Boothbay region.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, The Watershed Center for the Arts will present an update on the organization and its long-time partnership with our club. Then, on Thursday, Feb. 13, our annual Valentine’s Day bash is an opportunity for all Rotarians to bring their sweeties to dinner (Jen reports that Mo has gotten out of other Valentine’s Day activities for several years now by just bringing her to the Rotary dinner), and we will also take advantage of that event to welcome new members into the Club.

As always, keep up with Club doings on Facebook or our website. And let us know if you would like to be a member and meet great people while giving back to our beloved community.