Pollinator Projects

By Marty Peak Helman

The Rotary Building hosted a warm evening and good crowd to hear Tina Hall, current member of the Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club, talk about pollinator projects. Tina, who is a past Rotary governor from District 5970 in Iowa, is also a member of ESRAG, the Rotary Action Group for Environmental Sustainability. Since moving to the Midcoast, she has spent her time volunteering at the Botanical Gardens and promoting pollinator projects as a way to have fun and help the environment.

Tina said that her goal for the night was to plant a seed (pun intended) to jumpstart individuals and also our club into thinking about pollinator projects. Turns out that such a project can be as easy as selecting a small space for a garden of perennials or even annuals, with plants chosen for their ability to attract butterflies and bees, and then get out of the way and let nature take its course.

Some plants just naturally attract pollinators. Among Tina’s favorites are native milkweeds, zinnias, helbores, hydrangeas and budlea. She mentioned an annual known as bee’s friend, and said that master gardeners can help with both plant selection and planting. Tina warned against purchasing plants at big box stores, which she said tend to use chemicals that are not pollinator friendly. Instead, she said to watch for sales of native plants early in the spring.

She recommended partnering with another civic organization or the town itself to find a good gardening spot. She emphasized the need to select a site with good water sources – otherwise Rotarians will be lugging water about to do the necessary planting. Tina showed pictures of the pollinator garden that the Damariscotta-Newcastle club started with the help of a District grant out near RoundTop, and her enthusiasm is infectious.

Guests at the meeting included Cricket Keene and Matt Thompson from Edgecomb, as well as Charlotte and her husband, soon- to-be member Rick Jameson. Additionally, Claudette, who is a true gardener, came with Tony Curulla; Ann came with Laurie Zimmerli; and David, Brian McGrath’s brother, showed up in a vintage Auction tee shirt, to much applause. Additionally, Robin Reed appeared – this reporter thinks that’s two weeks in a row and is beginning to wonder if the lights are about to go out.

Last week the club hosted Bob Jacobson’s memorial service, and his daughter sent along a meaningful thank you that included a generous check. Services are scheduled over the weekend for both Henry Wyatt and Estelle Appel, Judi White’s mother. Frankly, it’s getting to be too much: This week we lost Jim Botti, a true gentleman and Rotarian.

Jim joined the club back in 2000, when he and Gerri were running Kenniston Hill Inn. At the club, his answer to every request was invariably “yes,” and for years he chaired the Soup Bowl Supper, turning it into a real “sign of spring” both for Rotary and for the Boothbay Region. He served as club president in 2012-13, and then later transitioned to the curmudgeon table, where he brought his characteristic conviviality and smile.

As we go to press, we learned that a memorial service will be held for Jim this coming Thursday, August 11, at 10:00 at Our Lady Queen of Peace.

Next week, our meeting will be devoted to cornhole fun and games, prizes and surprises. Laurie Zimmerli is making the arrangements, so you know it will be good! Come and join us – we’re always looking for new members who share our love for the Region and who are eager to have fun while giving back. Check us out at www.boothbayharborrotary.org