Meanderings in Maine

Greg Lynch, President - August 6, 2003

Perkins Cove, Maine is a village about half an hour over the border from New Hampshire. Its mainstays are the fishing and charter boats and, in the summer, tourism. By any standard, it’s as quaint as it is small. In the middle of a tiny common is an island with four benches, some potted petunias and three trash barrels each bearing a single word – “love”, “forgiveness”, “happiness”. That tiny oasis is a Rotary Park. There is also a beautiful bronze plaque embedded in a piece of Maine granite which acknowledges all the Rotarians and local businesses that made this “park” possible. By the way, the Ogunquit Rotary Club, the park’s sponsor, meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. I saw it announced on at least three Rotary signs around town.

The Town of Ipswich, Massachusetts is located about an hour by car south of Perkins Cove. It is the home of the world renowned Ipswich clams. As much as I love a good Maine lobster, fried clams are one of my real summer weaknesses. I guess it goes to figure, having gone “down Maine” as a kid to visit Dad’s kinfolk and having thrived on those clams on the way home from Crane’s Beach and Plum Island. So, of course, we had to stop at the Clam Box, the local purveyor of the tastiest of those little bi-valve concoction. While waiting in line to order, I noticed a plaque from the Ipswich Rotary Club to the owner as “Person of the Year”. It’s hard not to notice the footprint of Rotary, traveling around this great country of ours!

Actually, these two casual encounters served to reinforce two of my wishes for New York Rotary – greater visibility in our City and enhanced local relationships. It would be great if we New York Rotarians were to prevail on the Parks Commission to allow us to create a Rotary Park in our own territory of Manhattan. It could be a place that exemplifies our values and our commitment to Our Town. I guess if I got to name three trash barrels I’d call them “tolerance”, “justice” and “peace”. Sure as shootin’, each one of us could come up with our own personal favorites. The point is to do something that tells New Yorkers about Rotary, Rotarians and Service above Self. Certainly, we can all agree that we have a strong message to share. On the same note, there was an initiative some years ago to put up Rotary signs at the New York airports, announcing our Club’s meeting time and place. Did that ever happen? Who knows? Should we post our signs around Manhattan or should we come up with a more “New York” solution. I’d like to hear suggestions from our members.

Finally, I like the idea of personal recognition. It is about the only thing we can freely give, and recognition from Rotary is truly worth something because Rotary is worth a lot. This year, I’d like to give out “Citizen of the Year”, “Corporation of the Year” and “Rotarian of the Year” awards. I’d also like us to give out “Club Member of the Month” awards. When people in our Club or our Community really step up to the plate for New York, let’s give them a tip of the hat for a job well done.

P. S.: I was truly hoping to come across a Rotary Club pancake breakfast somewhere along our New England ramblings. That didn’t’ happen this time around. If anyone in the Club does come across any notable Rotary club activities – out there - this summer, send me an e-mail. The most endearing encounter, wins a prize. No kidding! Keep me posted.