by Irene Fowle

We were happy to have The Boothbay Region High School Seniors join us last Thursday night.  The Rotary High School Interact Club was well represented which made us very proud.  We like to think the Rotary Interact Club helps build compassion and leadership.  Well, the Class of 2025 sure exhibited those valuable qualities last Thursday.  President Mike thought we’d forgo “Happy Dollars”, but the young folks came ready and started the ball rolling, each with a “Happy” dollar in hand, sharing a funny or poignant or simple but quick reflection about growing up in Boothbay, the good experiences and opportunities offered at the Boothbay Region Schools and their plans and hopes for their futures.  What futures they have.  Everything from attending Maine Maritime Academy for Engineering, going to a College in Faraway Florida for Musical Theater Production or Cosmology to building a landscaping business right here on the Peninsula (business cards were a hit item).  The enthusiasm and confidence for the future was infectious and we all left the meeting with a smile on our faces and concrete reasons for hope.  Thank you Boothbay Region High School Class of 2025.   A really big thank you to our Interact Club leaders, Bruce Harris and Sarah Clark for your time, energy and commitment to our young people.

 

Chase Mansfield, Megan Burge, Abbie Clark

and Mike

 

The other purpose of Thursday's meeting was to announce the winners of this year's “Service Above Self” Scholarships.  We usually donate a $2000.00 Scholarship to four students.  But, this year we had five terrific candidates receive the Scholarships.   Three recipients will be attending traditional College and two are planning to attend a Trade School.  The scholarships will be given to Chase Mansfield, Megan Burge, Abbie Clark, Madeline Orchard and Anna Gosselin. 

This Thursday our fearless Membership Coordinator, Linda Clapp, has enlisted a few new members to give a “Classification Talk”, an important Rotary tradition.  In ten minutes or less we get to know a new member a little more and learn why they joined Rotary.  It will often surprise you to find they worked in the same town as you or had a similar career.  We’ve welcomed several new members this year and “Classification Talks” help us know each other better.

The following Thursday, June 12,  we are holding a Club Assembly.  We'll discuss the results of the Club Survey and announce our new slate of officers.  So join us.  It's going to be an interesting and fun night.  The Board of Directors is looking forward to hearing your ideas.  

The Seasonal Workers Bike Lending Program is open every Saturday till June 28th from 9:00 till 11:00 am.  Also, every Thursday until June 26th from 5pm to 6pm.  We require a $100 cash deposit at pick up, which is reimbursed when the bike is returned in good condition.

The Big, Gray Rotary Barn is a busy, hopping place every Saturday morning despite the dismal, cold, rainy weather every single Saturday morning.  Don't hesitate to join us.  We work hard, but have a lot of fun.  There's a spot there for everyone.  The sales at the Rotary Barn support our projects and programs, like the $10,000 in “Service Above Self” Scholarships and our financial support of the Rotary High School Interact Club.

We are accepting donations of furniture, household goods, art, boats, collectibles.  Just call or text Greg at 207-619-1417 to arrange a pick up or drop off of your donations.  Greg can also be reached by sending an email to rotarybarnpickup@gmail.com.

The Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 6pm in our clubhouse at 66 Montgomery Rd, BBH 04538 for dinner, a speaker and camaraderie.  We welcome visiting Rotarians and community members to join us.  You'll be glad you did.