This last Thursday, 25 of us gathered to remember and celebrate our veterans. Due to COVID, we missed being with the local veterans we have traditionally honored with supper on Veteran’s Day, so we celebrated our Rotarian veterans and honored in spirit all other veteran men and women. Rotarian Veterans present were John Hochstein, Daren Graves, Tom Churchill, and Bob Pike. Led by Tom Churchill on keyboard, we all sang the traditional songs of the Armed Services. To help practice for next time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpqbFdh0AeA

Welcome Steve Carbone

Steve Carbone, a veteran himself and longtime Friend of Rotary, soon to become a local Rotarian, relayed these words of George Washington: “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” Steve also shared a moving poem authored by Charles Province, “It is the Soldier”

Clubhouse Artwork

Many thanks to our artist for the month Virginia Forest.  Virginia is a longstanding member of the Boothbay Region Artists Foundation.  Virginia works in numerous media, especially showing her skill in watercolor and acrylic.  Virginia has agreed to be the liaison from the Foundation to our club and she will seek out other artists to display their works in our clubhouse. Virginia’s art is for sale with prices ranging from $125 to $400. Why not purchase one of her works for yourself or a friend?   If you are an artist who is interested in showing your work, contact Alice Mutch 410 353 3861.

Trustee Marty Helman

Marty Helman has been elected a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation beginning July 2022.  The Foundation supports the charitable works of Rotary clubs around the world.  The Rotary Foundation helped us build a playground at BRES, a sustainable garden at the Edgecomb Eddy school and, further afield, a check dam in India and toilet block in Uganda. Marty was our club president in 2006-07 and Governor of District 7780 in 2012-13 in addition to numerous roles since then. Congratulations Marty!

Goody Bags

This coming Thursday November 18 we will continue an annual holiday tradition by making 220 Christmas Goody Bags for the kids at the Food Pantry and for the backpack “Food for Thought” program.  Both programs love our Goody bag project.  The bags bring cheer to the kids and to the volunteer workers as well. Contact Irene 207 315 5429 if you want to help organize.

Clubhouse Decor

To help us get in the Holiday Spirit we will be decorating the clubhouse for Christmas on Wednesday November 17 starting around 5:30 pm. Show up and have fun. Pizza and wine will be served to provide Christmas cheer to the workers.

Barn Sales

Sales at the Rotary Barn continue every Saturday from 8:30 to 11 am. Prices have been lowered in the Boutique. We will continue to sell from the Barn as weather allows and anticipate closing for the season sometime in December. It’s been a great year so far. Since July 2021 we have brought in $73,000 from barn sales.

Loan Status

Finally, Rotary’s request for a $75,000 loan for the barn and parking lot has been approved. This loan will help pay for much of the new parking lot and refinance our existing barn loan. Special thanks to Jean Huber for guiding us through the process at First Federal.