By Vicki Haugen

Our speaker last Thursday was Paul Linet, Founder and President at 3i Housing of Maine. 3i HOME is a Maine based nonprofit working to address the need for more accessible, affordable, and supportive housing so adults with physical limitations can live independently.  The 3i Home project hopes to provide ideas and support for those needing physical assistance in their homes.

Paul and his pediatrician wife faced this very challenge when in her young adulthood his wife was diagnosed with a neurological disease usually requiring care in a nursing facility. Adamant to provide for his wife at home they began an inspirational journey to adapt home care to the needs of a person with significant physical disability. His wife passed in 2016, but Paul remains committed to extending what they learned to help others find suitable care at home within the community. 

His current project addresses independence, innovation, and integration providing for affordable adapted housing. His current project of a multilevel apartment projected to break ground in 2026 is in Scarborough. He also is working on a caring community design which could accommodate multiple cottages on adjoining property allowing for care and independence in more rural areas. Affordability is a primary focus hoping to address low income as well as low middle income persons. However, this design evolves, the goal remains to live “SAFE AT HOME!”

Our holiday energy was evident tonight as we gathered to hear announcements, and welcome guests (Paul Linet, Doug Lockwood, and Conxa’s husband, Jordi del Rio). 

Next week we are having our Rotary Christmas Party and invite all to dress for the occasion in Christmas finery or Christmas PJ’s, or Ugly sweaters, whatever defines your Christmas finery.. Please bring an appetizer or a desert to share.  Bring a wrapped Yankee Swap gift of $15 worth to share in the fun. And invite friends, family, we'll welcome anyone who would like to join in this fun to attend, but they will need a Yankee Swap gift too.  The Barn is still open, a good place for that kind of shopping. 

There will be no meetings for the following 2 Thursdays. We will meet in the first week of January. 

We hope to see you on our last day.  We still have plenty of treasures.  You just might find the perfect gift for that special someone on your list, or that special item for yourself  that Santa keeps forgetting. But, dress warmly.  There's no heat in the Big, Gray Rotary Barn.

The magic of the Rotary Barn would not be possible without all of you.  Our neighbors who donate couches, pots, glasses, tools, boats, rugs, just about everything.  If you need something, you can often find it at the Rotary Barn for a bargain.  And, of course a sincere Thank You to our shoppers, who still visit, even in December.

The Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club supports many local projects, like the High School Rotary Interact Club, the Community Resource Council, Work Force Housing, A Veterans Dinner honoring all the Veterans on the Peninsula, and the Food Pantry where we have contributed over 3500 pints of soup, scholarships, camperships and vocational training.  All this and so much more because of your purchase at the Rotary Barn.

Our wonderful pick up crews will be hibernating too.  They have worked hard all summer, time for a rest.  We have ended pickups this year. We will resume sometime in March 2024 to prepare for our April opening.

The Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club thanks you all for your generous support.  We couldn't do it without you.  We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best in 2024.  We'll be looking forward to seeing you in April 2024.