In quoting from the most recent Rotarian magazine we have “challenges to our identity as an organization. It is no surprise that many people who have heard of Rotary still have no idea of what Rotary does, how we are organized, or why we exist at all. These challenges have significant implications, not only for our ability to serve most effectively, but also for the public image that is so essential to our ability to build our membership, partnerships, and service.

“Rotary… (has) 1.2 million members in 35,633 clubs in nearly every country in the world. Hundreds of thousands of participants are involved in Rotary programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Youth Exchange, Rotary youth Leadership Awards, Rotary Community Corps, Rotary Peace Centers, and a host of local and Foundation supported projects and programs at the national, district, and local levels. The name of Rotary is attached to countless projects every year, from blood banks, to food banks, school sanitation to polio eradication. One hundred thirteen years after the first Rotary club was founded, Rotary service reaches literally around the globe.”

The Brunswick Rotary Club continues to be active in both providing opportunities for service, as well as fundraising for community and internal projects.

Several years ago, the Brunswick Kiwanis Club, another outstanding service organization whose local club sadly no longer exists, began a program call the Bike Rodeo. No, this does not involve cowboys and horses, but an opportunity for local kids to have their bicycles examined by experts for safety, a registration system for Brunswick bicycle owners (a means of identification if a bike goes missing), new helmets, and a challenging course for the kids to ride. The Brunswick Rotary Club took on the challenge when the Brunswick Kiwanis could not continue. There is an amazing partnership now with the Town of Brunswick, The Merrymeeting Merry Wheelers, the local United Lodge of Masons, Lowe’s, and several other local groups. This is a wonderful, fun day of police dog displays, water safety groups, the Brunswick Fire Department, food and drinks, and the opportunity for prizes (like free bikes!!). All this is FREE. This fun and learning activity will be taking place on Saturday May 19 at the Walmart parking lot at 9:00. I am never sure who has more fun, the local kids or the helpers at this Bike Rodeo. It is a day of smiles.

On Friday night May 18th the Brunswick Rotary Club will be putting on a program called Midcoast Maine’s Got Talent. This is also a fund raiser for the Brunswick

Rotary Club’s Community

Fund, but more importantly it is a

FUN raiser at

Crooker Theater. This year we will be having 24 entertainers providing almost two hours of local talent. The interns from the Maine State Music Theater will be working with the participants for an opening and a closing number. There will be a silent auction of local gift baskets, a Times Record subscription, some local crafts, and a myriad of items yet to be determined. This is a wonderful event to be enjoyed by all for a nice family evening of fun. Watch for the opportunity to buy tickets and bring your friends. Curt Dale Clark and Teresa Gillis are coordinating the show so we have two incredibly talented people with not just local but even national prominence to make this a remarkable evening.

There is another activity which everyone should immediately place on their calendar. The Brunswick Rotary Club will, once again, be sponsoring the Games on the Mall on the Fourth of July. This event has been popular for many years as some of the children who participated many years ago are now bringing their own children. This will have many of the old favorite games: three legged races, balloon races, wheelbarrow races, orange exchange races, pie eating and watermelon eating contests. There will be food and water for all. The price? Free. Truly a fun event for the entire family. Traditionally, the newest President of the Brunswick Rotary Club is one of the participants in the blueberry pie eating contest and all get to see him/her with a very messy face afterwards.

Again quoting from the Rotarian: “Wherever we live, whatever language we speak, whatever work our clubs are involved in, our vision is the same. We all see a world that could be better and that we can help to make better. We are here because Rotary gives us the opportunity to build the world we want to see – to unite and take action through Rotary: Making a Difference.”

The Brunswick Rotary Club meets each Monday noon at The Daniel, 10 Water Street, Brunswick. All are welcome to attend our meetings and we are always looking for like-minded individuals whose only requirement is a commitment to make the world a better place by service to others.

For more information, visit brunswickmainerotary.org.