Oh, boy, did we all tuck in.

As a summer treat, Eric Wilts and Jim Herbold dreamed up a turkey barbecue cook-off, and Amy surprised us all with delicious bread pudding.  And we had a full house of Rotarians and friends to enjoy the eatings.

Guests included several potential new members and neighbors: Graham Hirst, a neighbor of Sue and John Hochstein; Andy Coles, a neighbor of Nancy Adams, and Richard and Janet Colby, neighbors of the Jamesons. John Walsh introduced us to his cousin Julie. We also enjoyed a deluge of spouses: Mike Huber came with Jean; Doug Fowle came with Irene, and Margi Herbold, who clearly knows a good thing when it shows up on the dinner table, came with Jim.

Judy deGraw, the bionic woman, was waving – rather than leaning on – her cane, and we even had a Vic Taylor sighting. Like I said, a full house.

The Fun Committee had met prior to the “regular” meeting, and Laurie Zimmerli asked what we all thought of a pay-your-own-way (this is Rotary, after all!) trip to Hadlock Field and the Sea Dogs, which since the meeting has been set for an afternoon game on Aug. 8. The bus and tickets will be $50 per person as long as we fill the 44 passenger bus - so invite friends, neighbors, people who owe you money - you get the idea. dsCharlotte Jameson will have a sign up sheet this coming week.

There were many happy dollars for chefs Jim and Eric, for Alden Woods in his new presidential role, and for Deb Graves, who – after five years – is retiring from Chief Barn Pickup Organizer. She has done a magnificent job! And the baton, err, messaging system has been passed to Tom Marston, along with new contact info:  Please email rotaryclubpickup@gmail.com  or phone or text (207) 619-1417 to schedule a pickup or dropoff, and please share this info widely!

BTW, all this fun comes with housekeeping duties, or as Charlotte says: People need people. Therefore, please don’t forget to sign up for People Power. Greeter, Waiter, 50/50 Organizer, Trash Taker-Outer if you are so inclined.

Then it was time for our guest speaker, artist and stone sculptor Joseph Di Mauro. Joe is a BRHS graduate, and after university he came back to the region to work in his father’s landscaping business. That – plus his artistic talent – led him to an apprenticeship with local sculptor Dan Ucci, and soon he was off on his own.

Joe introduced us to the Maine Stone Workers Guild, a group of Maine-based stone sculptors who promote new talent, and support one another with ideas, equipment, advice and referrals. The group has been around since the 1970s; it was an offshoot of a good idea at the Common Ground Fair.  Joe stressed that the group works as colleagues, not competitors.  

Joe also had high praise for the Boothbay Region Sculpture Trail. It was started in 2015 and there are now 45 sculptures along the trail, which get changed out as pieces get purchased, or new ones are just too good to stay hidden in an atelier.  You can check out the Trail at boothbayregionsculpturetrail.com.  

Joe prefers to work in granite or basalt – he finds basalt particularly aesthetically pleasing, but Maine is a granite state, after all, and basalt requires a trip Down East to procure. Which led to a discussion on how you transport stone or a stone sculpture: Front-end loaders can do much of the work, but Joe said cranes that can heft up to 60,000 pounds can also be borrowed from several of the Guild members. And somewhat like Michaelangelo, Joe said that his abstract designs come out of the stone itself; they are not something he preconceives before he selects the stone. All-in-all, it was a fascinating evening, and I don’t think I am going to look at a sculpture along the Trail the same way again.

Thursday also marked Alden Wood’s first time wielding the gavel, and he is already learning that the bell has to be whacked forcefully, or the crowd will soon be out of control. You go, Alden!

This week we are welcoming Ruth Monsell, author of “Frances Perkins: Champion of American Workers.” Frances Perkins was Secretary of Labor under FDR for twelve years during which time she created Social Security (Hallelujah) and was the primary architect of the New Deal and America's enduring social safety net. And, if that isn't enough, she was a “Mainah.” Right here in Newcastle, Maine. Ruth Monsell is an engaging speaker and passionate about keeping the work of Frances Perkins alive. 

Think all this sounds like fun? You are absolutely correct. We enjoy Rotary because we get to hang out with great people who share our commitment to support the region and do good in the world, and because we have fun. And it couldn’t happen without the proceeds we earn each Saturday morning at the Big Gray Rotary Barn.  So come out to shop, knowing that every penny goes back to good purposes here in the region and beyond.  

Have something to donate? Email rotaryclubpickup@gmail.com or phone or text (207) 619-1417 for information or to schedule a pickup or a drop off. Ask any Rotarian to find out more about the club – we meet every Thursday evening at 66 Montgomery Road for fun and festivities. Join us! You’ll be glad you did.