Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club

Mon, 07/30/2018 - 1:30pm

Last week’s Rotary meeting was dedicated to auction prep. In case anyone has been simulating Rip Van Winkle for the past few months, be assured that the weekend of August 3-4 will be the 61st annual Auction, and the first to be held on the high school football field.

Co-chairs Debbie Graves and Laurie Zimmerli were toasted and applauded for all their hard work, and in turn they called out the many club members who have been working sometimes daily on the Auction. Especially to be thanked — despite fear of leaving someone out -- are Doug Harley, Tony Curulla, Shawn Lewin, Mike Thompson, Daren Graves, Mike Pollard and Alice and Andy Mutch.

The fun will start on Thursday when the tents arrive. Then, two U-Hauls will be at the Meadow Mall and we will load them at 12:30 Thursday afternoon so that there will be no down-time Friday morning. (Be there!) Come to the clubhouse at 6:30 a.m. Friday for breakfast and conviviality (donations of muffins and so on greatly appreciated) – and be ready to move mountains of stuff out of the barn and Meadow Mall and to the high school field. Can’t come at 6:30? Not to worry – that means you hold a real job; just come when you can.

A break will be called around noon on the field for make-your-own sandwiches, so please find yourself there at that time. Then it’s back to work until we are finished with set up.

There’s no rain in the forecast, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring tarps (properly identified so you can get yours back). Also bring Hannaford plastic bags – the Flea Market can use as many as we can get.

All Rotarians signed up for a specific Auction job some months ago. If you can’t remember what you signed up for, please ask Laurie, who has a master list.

“Let’s Make a Deal” area will open at 5 p.m. on Friday. The tents will open for business at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and the live auction under the auspices of Auctioneer Bob Foster will start at 10. No presales ahead of these times, please.

On Saturday, BRCRC will be staffing a food concession – be sure to take advantage of the goodies, and help a great cause. The Boothbay Region Elementary School eighth grade will be selling lemonade, and Health Center will be selling pies. Please note: Patty Seybold put in a request for pie donations.

Also new: Brian McGrath and Linda Foster are working on swipe technology for the Finance Tent which may bring us further into the 21st century.

Moreover, Marty Helman has arranged for a videographer to photograph the whole megilla, with still camera, video, and a camera drone. So if you see an eye in the sky, don’t worry, it’s friendly.

The Auction signage has been particularly awesome this year, and thanks go especially to Daren, who managed to get the sign updated and across Route 27 without traffic incident.

Rotarians and volunteers should wear the Rotary T-shirt of their choice on Friday, but please wear a new 2018 Auction tee on Saturday. Marty will have them available for pickup on Friday at the high school.

After things close down Saturday, we will continue to need all-hands-on deck for the breakdown and to police the fields. The school has been great to us, and we need to be respectful of them as well. In addition, Griff Winthrop has arranged for a pickup of unsold books, and Shawn is making sure that appropriate unsold items go to the Southport Fire Department.

At the meeting last week, we also welcomed guests Sid Allen from Barters Island; Jim Botti’s sister Mary Ellen; Monica Elder (acting as Rick’s eyes and ears); Marcus from the Catalonia RC; Patty’s nieces Cornelia and Dorothy Seybold, and Carolyn and Peter Johnson from the Yarmouth club. The Johnsons had just unloaded a car-full of stuff at the Meadow Mall, and they opted to stay for supper.

In other news (and yes, there is news post-Auction), President Alice reminded everyone that she will be at Mama D’s each Monday at 8 a.m. and available to anyone who would like to share breakfast and conversation. Alice is holding a photo contest, and asks all Rotarians to send her “people of action” photos that best represent the club. Deadline for the contest is the end of August.

Shawn reminded everyone that Thursday, Aug. 16, as part of our District Grant and playground project, we will be painting the U.S. map at the elementary school starting at 2 p.m. – after the service for Cy Seifert set for 11 that morning at the Congregational Church. The painting/service project will be in lieu of a “regular” meeting.

Linda Foster talked about Set for Success, which is seeking volunteers for Saturday, Aug. 18 for set up. Prior to that, Linda will be putting out a call for Rotarians to help put together hygiene kits, which we give away at Set for Success each year.

Sound like fun? Wish you could join in on the fellowship and service projects? Come to the Rotary Clubhosue, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor (almost) every Thursday for conviviality and planning. But first – see you at the Auction at the high school!