Winter Returns

We had a lovely warm January, fooled us, didn’t it.  But, winter is definitely back with cold and intermittent snow showers forecast for the week.  Hopefully we won’t have snow this Thursday because it should be a very interesting meeting.  

This Thursday Deborah Bronk, PHD, President and CEO of Bigelow Laboratories, right here in East Boothbay, will update on the progress and projects at the lab.  Bigelow lab scientists use innovative research approaches to study the oceans from the Arctic to the Antarctic.   Since we live in an ocean focused community their work is extra important and relevant to us.  Debbie Bronk is a dynamic and interesting speaker. Join us to hear about the latest goals from this amazing institution we are lucky enough to have right here in our own backyard.

The Big Gray Barn clean up is this Saturday, March 4th.  Out with the old (or some of it) to make way for the new.  Bring your trucks, trailers and cars.  Dress warm.  Should be fun.  We especially need help in the upstairs flea market.  We’ll be starting pick-ups again in March with opening day sometime in April.  Doesn’t feel like it right now, but summer will be here before we know it.

The Board of Directors met recently and our club donated to many local and international organizations that further the Rotary goals of peace, equality and justice locally and worldwide.  This month alone the board approved grants for insulating the Community Fridge, teacher appreciation lunches, the Edgecomb Eddy school garden project, Education Boothbay flood relief for BRES and BRHS, Partners for World Health and Shelter Box for Turkey and Syria earthquake relief efforts, Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, and the Boothbay Region Housing Trust. This is only possible because of the work we do to ensure the success of the Big Gray Rotary Barn.  Between the generosity of our neighbors donating their furniture, household goods, boats and collectibles and club members' commitment,  the Rotary Barn has become a Saturday morning highlight for many. 

On Friday March 17th we’ll be celebrating and thanking our school staff in Boothbay and Edgecomb.  We’ll need all hands on deck to deliver over a million (maybe not that many, but a lot) of pizza, salad, dessert and drinks to the teachers and staff at these schools for our second Annual School Staff Appreciation Day.  It’s a lot of fun, you don’t want to miss it.  Sign up at this week's meeting.  This year co-chaired by new members Charlotte and Nancy.  Hooray.

Visiting Rotarians, family, community members and friends are welcome to our meetings, Thursdays at 6 PM at our Clubhouse at 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor 04538.