Deana Cavan, executive director of Rhett’s Roost; Jen Hayes, executive assistant to the Ogunquit town manager; Tyler McOsker and Steve Wilcos were our guests today.  Also, Nii Lokko was able to break away from his dental practice to spend some time with us! 

 

Brenda provided the 4 Way Test message in Gail’s absence. She recalled being a club president when a member spoke of the value of reciprocity in connection with “fairness to all concerned.” Susan wrote a poem for the message of gratitude. 

 

“Welcome March, I’m ready for Spring,

If you listen, you will hear the birds sing.

Winter snows are soon a distant past,

We all are ready for sun that lasts!”

   

There was much to be happy about. Rick’s parents celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary. (Matt expressed admiration for their having handled the challenge of raising Rick!) Ed Smith is pleased that he no longer has technological ties to FairPoint Communications for email and he asks all of us to use his bootsonlexus@gmail.com email address going forward. Only seven days of work until Russ’s daughter’s home construction is complete. Erin is Covid-free and looking forward to going to Aruba. Tracy has enjoyed caring for her brother’s dog, Adele. Elizabeth Cutler also is Covid-free and soon is headed to Florida to visit parents. Steve’s corgi, Mona Lisa, is 15 years old. Tyler’s family is headed on a ski trip. Ray visited his daughter and family in Cincinnati. His 9-year-old grandson’s team won a basketball tournament while Ray was there. Brenda enjoyed two weeks in Florida although it was too hot! Heath also had a good vacation. Alice will be going skiing again for the first time in three years. Pete once again put some words together for us as the CLYNK account now stands at $424.90.

 

“Punxsutawney Phil said six more weeks,

Now the calendar says less than three.

But you needn’t wait for one more minute,

To fill those CLYNK bags, yes siree!”

 

Russ drew the 2 of spades and 7 of diamonds. Wah, wah, wah.

 

At Heath’s urging, Brenda provided a brief overview of the Rotary Foundation. Then Heath explained that the board recently recommended a plan in which the club will match each member’s donation, up to $200, to the Rotary Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund for Turkey and Syria. Brenda made the corresponding motion and Erin seconded. The club members present unanimously approved the motion. If you wish to contribute, please send a check payable to Ogunquit Rotary, P.O. Box 2338, Ogunquit ME 03907. Alternatively, you can Venmo your donation to Erin. The matching drive lasts through the month of March. All who donate will get credit for twice the value of their donation and will accrue a corresponding number of points toward a Paul Harris award.

 

For your information, the board meets next Thursday, March 9, at 5:00 at the Dunaway. A pizza social will follow at 6:15.

 

Deana Cavan explained that Rett’s Roost is a sanctuary for families that have experienced childhood cancer or cancer loss. The organization was created in memory of Everett Thomas Cavan, whom Deana and husband Jim lost to cancer before his first birthday. Childhood cancer statistics are sobering. One in 285 children are diagnosed with cancer before age 20. Cases of childhood cancer today occur at a 29% higher rate than 20 years ago. The retreats hosted by Rett’s Roost are for families that have a child surviving cancer and for families that have lost their child to a chronic illness.

 

Anyone wishing to learn more about the organization, to volunteer to help or to donate can visit www.rettsroost.org.

 

 

Ed Seppa