Rotattler for January 24, 2019
 
Greetings.
 
President-elect Jeremy Fogg summarized the board meeting of January 21st, where they discussed the next events (Geography Quiz Night in early March, electronics fundraiser the second or third week in May, the MEF/Rotary scholarship dance at Berwick Academy in early May, the dictionaries project for third graders, and the district assembly in June which is a picnic in a park in Portland (the board voted to pay the $300 so any member can go there for free and even accompanied by family members).  
 
There is also a South Berwick website called "In the Loop" where community members may share information, so we will look into publicizing our activities there, too.  This site is often used by folks who work from home. 
 
Thanks to Robin Wheeler we all gathered food items and monetary donations, including auctioning off donated Girl Scout Cookies that raised over $120 (thank you, Deb DeColfmacker and auctioneer Hap Moore), to help our Coast Guard neighbors who have had to struggle to put food on the table due to the government shutdown.  Robin will be doing the shopping and bringing the items to the person organizing this at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. 
 
As for the morning program, it was another of those "3 minute drills" where club members  who haven't yet done so spoke for 3 minutes about anything.  Jeremy Fogg spoke about an exciting arts conservation project of the Richardson art collection and their building in Woburn, MA (it opens in March).  Derek Ahl talked about Tai Chi.  Jim Hamilton, the new Berwick Academy Head of School, spoke a bit about growing up in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, the son of a Vietnam War veteran, his education, family life, and professional journey.  Carolann Gagne talked about her family and especially her wonderful father in Indiana who has been a great role model for her and with whom she has been spending time when not with us at Rotary.  Helen Goransson went into a Hamilton rant that caused everyone's eyes to glaze over.  Last but certainly not least, Stan Shapleigh reminded us that this year's motto is "Be the Inspiration" and he told the inspirational story of Peter the Pirate that had us rolling in the aisles with laughter.  What a group!
 
Our next speaker will be Jen Onkin from Berwick Academy on February 7th.  
 
THERE IS NO MORNING MEETING ON THURSDAY.  This is the 5th Thursday of the month so we will be having our Rotary After Hours.  Warren Spencer has organized the gathering to take place at Tributary Brewing Company in Kittery.  According to Warren's message:
 
Tributary Brewing Company is located at 10 Shapleigh Rd., Kittery, ME  03904  (207-703-0093).                                                        
The Motts who own and run the Brewing Company are South Berwick residents. 
Come and have a pint or two with some hors d'oeuvres and enjoy each other's company.   Time will be 5:00- 7:00 p.m.