On this, our last winter meeting at For the Love of Food and Drink at Saltwater Farm, we had three visitors - Deputy Chief Ashley Wade of the Ogunquit Police Department, Pastor Brian Shore of Ogunquit Baptist Church and Assistant District Governor Pam Gray.
After the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, I offered this Moment of Gratitude. “You may know from driving through Wells when school gets out that traffic backs up a little. I became slightly grumpy at that time yesterday when I was turning in to the Wells Public Library parking area and gridlock formed temporarily. Once inside the library, however, my mood brightened. Dozens of junior high students were bouncing in by way of the back entrance. Their vitality was delightful. I began thinking about how wonderful it is to live in a country that cherishes its youth, values education and encourages the exchange of ideas; all of which contributes to a library space chock full of energy, joy and learning. So much to be thankful for.” Pete led the way in the Four-Way Test - you betcha!
After lunch, Pam Gray started off happy dollars in citing several different clubs she had just visited. Brenda just returned from a PELS event in Ohio. She and Dick are headed out on a Caribbean cruise. Ed Smith’s wife Julie is recuperating at Webster at Rye in Rye, NH following surgeries to address fractures she suffered three weeks ago. Ed got a nice veteran’s discount on an Acorn Stairlift for their home. Ashley Wade expressed gratitude for getting to know more of us with each visit. I am happy that March Madness has begun. I also wrote a short poem that members enjoyed.
“There resides in the town of Ogunquit
A man with a keen sense of wit.
He forms rhymes that are sweet
Each time that we meet;
Of course, I am speaking of Pete!”
Susan is chipper about real estate. She had a lovely time visiting her sister in Arizona. TSA was fine but the flight featured 25 minutes of bumpiness! Pastor Shore and his wife are delighted with their new little dog which, he says, is like a little stuffed toy! Dr. Joe reports that Vickie is doing fine following a kidney stone issue. Joe is headed to Norway for the 50th birthday celebration of his exchange student. The trip is made even more special in that he’ll be accompanied by his grandson Noah who is going along to assist with the burdens of air travel. Ray visited his daughter and grandchildren in Cincinnati. Pete’s CLYNK reports is,
“Loved the great service at Food and Drink
And to have met our new friends Wendy, O’Hara and Bill,
Sad to end the sojourn so soon,
But we can drop in now and then—you betcha we will!
So now we have $471.70 in our CLYNK account.”
George says he would like to invite us to dinner at his apartment but he knows no one will accept knowing he just cleaned out his fridge after three years and is in awe of the things that were growing in it! Kerry returned from South Africa where the people, the country and the animals can only be described as fantastic! Tracy expressed sincere appreciation for the many messages, emails and letters she and the family received from their Rotary friends following her mother’s passing. She had no idea when joining Rotary 22 years ago how important this club would be to her. She also spoke of the importance of the Ogunquit Baptist Church to her and her family. Hannah is thrilled about the upcoming start of the new season at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Rick and Mark have plans to visit Charleston, South Carolina.
Rick announced that the club cannot conduct the historic 2 Cents Sale event this summer as there is no assurance that the Dunaway renovations will be completed in time. Instead, the club will conduct a high-end one-month calendar fundraiser. The first planning for that will be after lunch on Thursday, April 2, when we return to Jonathan’s for the spring, summer and fall.
Rick turned the floor over to Ashley Wade to talk about the Super Plunge taking place at Ogunquit Beach this Saturday and Sunday, March 21st and 22nd. Ashley states online, “We are so proud of this event. I can tell you, no matter how difficult it is, I know that it's worth it because it's all for our Special Olympics athletes. So for 24 straight hours, I’ll step into the Atlantic Ocean once every hour. That’s 24 plunges in 24 hours, in March, in Maine.“ Members wishing to support Ashley in the Super Plunge and Special Olympics can click https://pro.gofundme.com/fundraiser/6930762
Dr. Joe had the winning ticket but did not draw the winning card! Too bad!
Rick thanked Wendy and Bill for the joy they spread and the fine food and service we’ve enjoyed this winter as we hope to be invited to return next year.
Respectfully,
Ed Seppa
