Chicken Piccata! Yay!

 

Tis the season to be jolly,

With s’mores and singing and swags of holly;

So celebrate safely and whatever you drink,

Put all those empties in our green bags for CLYNK!

So sayeth Pete as he reported $830.50 in the Clynk account.

 

Ed Smith deposited a disppointment dollar as he opted to cancel his annual Christmas cruise. Melanie was joyous having had a two-and-a-half-week vacation. George is feeling anxious as the RiverWoods committee will soon house an Afghan family with 6 children! Contact George if you have furniture, bedding, clothing, etc. that you can donate. Joanie had a happy day off for her recent birthday. Alice’s brother, daughter and boyfriend joined her for Thanksgiving. Brenda has family arriving for an early Christmas celebration. Joe celebrated his 45^th year in Rotary. Richard expressed thanks to everyone who makes this club happen! 

 

Kerry drew the queen of clubs and the 6 of diamonds. Not a big deal as the new pot contains a mere $17.

 

The Choose to be Healthy Coalition of York Hospital is assisting the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Chaplain help families in need this holiday season. Several area Rotary clubs are jumping in to help. At today’s meeting, our club voted to contribute $250 to the effort! 

 

Chief Bob MacKenzie of the Kennebunk Police Department spoke to us about efforts to respond to substance use disorder, a recognized public health issue. He focused on combating the stigma attached to substance dependency emphasizing that people can recover if given the opportunity to overcome shame. Bob has been working tirelessly in this area for many years. Most recently, he has been instrumental in forming the Kennebunk Area Response to Substance Use Disorder, an umbrella group of five subgroups that concentrate on education & outreach, harm reduction & needle exchange, recovery housing, employment, and access to services. In response to Susan’s question of what our club can do to help, Bob suggested we consider getting trained in administering Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. He also suggested that we team up with Wells Rotary to sponsor an education evening to enlighten the greater Ogunquit-Wells community on issues of substance use disorder.

 

December usually is our busiest month, and this year is no exception. 

Thursday, December 9, 3:00 to 5:00 - distribute boxed turkey dinners to seniors

Friday, December 10, 4:00 to 6:00 – S’mores and tree lighting in Perkins Cove

Saturday, December 11, 2:00 – two cars in the Christmas by the Sea Parade

Thursday, December 16, noon – Annual Meeting* and $20 Yankee Swap!

 

*At the annual meeting we’ll be electing a slate of officers for the 2022-23 Rotary Year. It’s important that we have all hands on deck! 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Ed Seppa