Onescore and one Ogunquit Rotarians met at the Dunaway Center today for a splendid lunch prepared and donated by our own Erin Haye! President Heath welcomed us while announcing that this would be Matt Buttrick’s inaugural meeting as sergeant-at-arms. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Alice put the 4-Way Test in an interesting context referencing a “second glass of wine.” (You had to be there!) In a heartfelt message, Tracy noted things for which we can be grateful. “You woke up today, you have electricity and clean water, you can make choices for yourself, you can move your body, you have food to eat, you have a place to call home, you are still breathing, you have good health and access to healthcare,  you have friends and family whom you love and who love you, and you have the ability to dream.”
 
Ed Smith is happy that the club has a new sergeant-at-arms. Tracy thanked Erin for lunch. Tracy’s mom is doing well; it’s been nine years since she was first diagnosed with lung cancer. Richard flirted with Kerry and Melanie! Joe expressed happy new year wishes to all. Elizabeth Cutler was happy to be present for Pete’s Clynk report! Alice described a “roadshow” Christmas Eve and Christmas Day resulting from the power outage. Ray flirted with Elizabeth Cutler and Gail! Gail reported with relief that her mother is in remission from multiple myeloma. Heath expressed mock displeasure being seated between Matt and Russ. Eric is happy to be a member of the Ogunquit Rotary Club. Matt expressed appreciation to Heath who arranged accommodations for his family during the power outage. Pete was in good form with his Clynk report; $357.65.

“Remember December, it’s behind us,
Don’t really need to remind us,
What’s important is what’s ahead,
Just keep those CLYNK bags fat and well fed!”
 
Rick drew the 9 of clubs and the 7 of spades. The pot stands at $135.
 
Erin, who made the butternut squash soup, salad, chicken salad sandwiches and brownies we enjoyed for lunch, asked the club to donate $21 per person to Polio Plus in lieu of compensating her. Matt made a motion to that effect and Melanie seconded. The motion pass unanimously. Erin, thank you for this very generous gesture!
 
Heath announced that the board will meet next Thursday, January 12, at 5:00 at the Dunaway. Our guest at that meeting will be Liana Kingsbury, of the Maine Community Foundation, who will provide information about endowments. All members are invited. A pizza social will follow the meeting.
 
Our next club meeting will be Thursday, January 19, again at the Dunaway. The guest speaker will be Mary Anne O’Connell Rush, chair of Ogunquit’s Facilities and Space-needs Committee.
 
As we have done for many years, our club will host a Valentine-themed Day of Warming at the Wells-Ogunquit Center at Moody on Saturday, February 11.
 
Heath introduced Matt Buttrick to give a member talk. Matt spoke of the way in which life happens while you are planning the future. He came to Ogunquit 20 years ago as a single guy with a plan to become a New Hampshire state trooper. Now he’s a happily married man with two children and is Ogunquit’s town manager. If you were not there, you missed learning of the importance of love of family, love of community and love of vocation.
 
Respectfully,