District Governor Andy Glazier and his wife, Pam Gray, both of the Kittery Rotary Club, visited today. AG Larry Marsolais joined in. Heath Ouellette, a realtor with Keller-Williams, stopped in to get acquainted with us.
Dr. Joe started things off with a happy $10 to report that Richard contributed $100 to the Rotary Foundation in Mary’s memory and another $100 in daughter Terri’s memory. Joe also put forth a plea for folks to reply to email messages. Some have said they “never look at their emails.” Joe wonders why anyone would have an email account if not paying attention to it. Sort of like having a phone that one does not answer! Ed Seppa and Carol enjoyed lunch at McLoons Lobster Shack on Spruce Head Island, south of Thomaston, Maine. Pete was at his rhyming best in saying, “Our 2 Cent Sale was a huge success with everyone working in sync; I guess we made a buck or two including a bagful for Clynk!” The account stands at $165.30. Larry praised our 2 Cent Sale efforts and promised to return next year even as he passes the baton to a new AG. Richard matched Joe’s happy $10 to express the wish that we could resume weekly meetings. Tracy followed with yet another happy $10 to thank everyone for the success of the 2 Cent Sale, the best financial results in more than ten years. Pam Gray has kept short notes on all of Andy’s club visits; for today’s visit she will report our club as “fun and friendly.” Andy said he was happy to be with such an energetic and enthusiastic club. Erin thanked our guests for coming. Bob thanked everyone for the 2 Cent Sale. He thanked Tracy for giving his grandson a cricket in connection with a children’s performance at the playhouse.
Dr. Joe missed out on $10 in the raffle as he selected the Queens of clubs and hearts.
Bob announced the next board meeting will be this Thursday, August 8, at 5:00 at the Chamber of Commerce. Following that we’ll assemble kites for the festival at the social meeting. Pizza will be served; bring your own beverages.
Governor Andy highlighted the new Rotary theme, Rotary Connects the World, by recalling two experiences. In 2013, Andy and Pam participated in a Carolyn Johnson literacy education project in Guatemala where they found that a Rotary club in North America had earlier provided the only running water source in the village. In 2016, they took part in a district trip to Cuba where they found that the schoolchildren, playing soccer with an empty plastic bottle, were happy and gleeful like children everywhere. Andy announced the next Rotary International Convention will be in Honolulu. He recommends registering sooner rather than later. The district theme this year is “Grow Rotary.” He urges all clubs to engage members of their communities in Rotary events, projects, and activities.
Because everyone’s calendars always are jammed full in the spring of the year, this year's annual district conference will be a one-day event on October 5 at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. See
https://rotaryrocks.info/ The keynote speaker will be Rotary Director Jeff Cadorette, a modern thinker of high-energy and creativity.
If you are free, please join in the kite-making on Thursday evening.
