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Rotary Passes the Gavel at Annual Installation

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jul 03, 2021

On June 30, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary held its 98th Installation Dinner. Clint Dalton, a second generation Rotarian, was installed as Club President for 2021-22 by District Governor Terry Curran. Terry also installed the club Officers and Directors.

Other highlights included the presentation by co-President Cushing Titcomb of Rotary's 'Person of the Year' to pharmacist Alex Doyle. Mr. Doyle was recognized for his life saving efforts to secure vaccines and protective equipment for residents and first responders. Co-President Martha Mauser also inducted new member John Psiakis.

Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to Alex Doyle, President Clint Dalton, President Elect Ray Morley, and Assistant Governor Jim Stone. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International, and the Paul Harris awards represent the Rotary spirit of exceptional ‘Service Above Self’. Co-President Lisa Shanko then coordinated a series of club awards that recognized two out-going Directors and several other members for exceptional service.

This year’s co-Presidents, Martha Mauser, Lisa Shanko, and Cushing Titcomb hosted the event, which featured our tradition of ‘Passing the Gavel’, a line-up of Past Presidents who sequentially passed the gavel along to new President Clint Dalton. The outgoing Presidential team was honored by President Dalton for their strong leadership during the pandemic year.

Despite the inclement weather, it was a gala evening at Ray Morley's Ipswich Inn. For a captioned summary of the evening's highlights, view the annotated slide show by clicking HERE, or find the show in the Photo Albums section located in the left panel of our home page at www.ipswichrotary.org. Note: To view the longer captions, click on the individual photos.

Flags for Heroes Dedicated - runs to July 10

Posted by Joan Arsenault on Jun 26, 2021

On June 14, 2021, the Town of Ipswich dedicated a field of 100 flags to honor heroes. A stunning display of ten foot poles and flags will grace one of the main gateways of our town, the beautiful and historic South Green, until July 10. Ipswich-Rowley Rotary developed this field of honor to recognize the heroes in our lives. The field honors anyone who has made a difference in a someone’s life such as first-responders, medical professionals, teachers, essential workers or those who have served in the military. It is an especially poignant year to start this project to honor heroes given the COVID pandemic.

We are grateful to our event co-chairs, (Joan Arsenault and Paula Bishop), the event committee (Julie Nelson, Martha Mauer, Laurie Cameron, Dottie Levesque, Jim Tedford, Tony Marino, Ted Garside, and Mary Foote-Hill), our public relations team (John Muldoon, Deb Richards and Bob Wicks), and to all the hard working Rotarians and volunteers who made this possible. A special thank you to Jim Graffum, Tom Palance, Select Board Member Linda Alexson, and Senator Bruce Tarr for their participation and support, as well as to the residents of Ipswich for making ‘Flags for Heroes’ a huge success. To view a slide show of the Flag Day dedication, click HERE, or visit our Photo Album section on the home page.

Please visit the South Green and walk among the flags. Sponsorships are sold out this year, but an application for next year is available on our website at www.ipswichrotary.com.

Rotary Presents 2021 Scholarships

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jun 16, 2021

The Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Club presented scholarships to eleven 2021 High School graduates from Ipswich and Rowley on June 8.

Graduates received $500 or $1,000. Since planning began during pandemic restrictions, the traditional presentations at a club meeting were not possible and the club arranged a special outdoor event to ensure safety. We are grateful to our hard working Scholarship Committee, led by Sr Leonore Coan, and for the great weather.

Again this year, the event took place in front of Ipswich High School. Accompanied by their families, the students were recognized with a large sign displaying his or her name in calligraphy print. On hand to congratulate them were members of the scholarship committee and club leadership.

Rowley 9-11 Memorial Maintenance

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jun 08, 2021

Rowley residents and Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians Bob Snow (kneeling) and Doug Shealy joined club President Martha Mauser to freshen up the 9-11 Memorial Garden in Rowley on Memorial Day.

The memorial remembers several Rowley residents who perished on that fateful day in 2001. Again this year, the beautiful plantings were donated by Country Gardens in Rowley.

Rotary and the town are planning a joint 20th anniversary remembrance in September, including a new flag pole.

Rotary Provides Senior Citizen Lunch to over 120

Posted by Bob Wicks on May 31, 2021

On Thursday May 20, about 21 Rotarians participated in a service project, our much-anticipated annual Senior Luncheon.  This year, in view of the vaccine rollout, it became a hybrid event.  Tri-Chairs Laurie Cameron, Mary Foote-Hill and Dottie Levesque created a well-organized activity that began with a drive-thru distribution of food and goodies.

The event really began the day before, on Wednesday May 19.  Several Rotarians gathered in the kitchen at Ray Morley’s Ipswich Inn to cut and chop vegetables for the beef stew that Chef Ray was preparing for the next day.  On hand ‘sou chefs’ were Laurie Cameron, Sr Leonore Coan, Julie Nelson, and Nat Pulsifer.

Sponsor a Flag, Honor a Hero

Posted by Julie Nelson on Apr 30, 2021

Ipswich Rotary is accepting sponsors for a new program called the Flags for Heroes project. This will be a large display of 3 by 5 foot American flags on 10 foot poles created to honor our local heroes. This hero may be a veteran, teacher, medical professional, mentor, or any person you would like to honor for their contribution to your life or to the community.

If you would like to sponsor a flag during this installation, a flag will be dedicated to your hero with a tag that includes their name and title throughout the display period. There will be a public dedication event on June 14, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at South Village Green.

The flags will be displayed from mid-June to early July, and used again in future installations. Proceeds to benefit Ipswich Rotary Charitable Trust. $50 per sponsorship. Limited to the first 100 sponsors, first-come first-served.

Sponsor forms and payment are due May 31, 2021. Forms are available at the Institution for Savings branches at Depot Square and County Road, and the BankGloucester office on High Street; or download it HERE For more information, please contact Paula at 978-500-8532.

Rotary Picks Up Trash on Route 133

Posted by Bob Wicks on Apr 30, 2021

Several members of the Ipswich Rotary club recently conducted the club’s twice annual cleanup in the stretch of Route 133 between the intersection of Routes 133/1A and the Ipswich/Essex line. More than the usual amount of trash had accumulated along the road during the pandemic; and while doing the dirty deed, the team noticed that fireballs appeared to be the nip of choice.

In this photo are the cleanup team of Doug Shealy, Tom Murphy, Eric Josephson, Cindy Quinn, and Jim Tedford. And, no, they did not pick up this food along the road. Relaxing at Zumi's after the event.

Seen below right, Doug is loading the bags to be taken away. Yes, we retrieved our Rotarian from the pile before the truck pulled out.

At left, Tom and Eric pose with their 'catch of the day'.

Rotary Rings the Dinner Bell

Posted by Bob Wicks on Apr 12, 2021

Rotary President Martha Mauser and Rotarian Diane Herth prepare vegetables at the Ipswich Inn for the April 5 Dinner Bell, hosted by Rotary.  The meal was created by Rotarian Ray Morley, chef/owner of the Inn, and several Rotarians joined in the effort.

Prior to the pandemic, weekly Dinner Bell meals were held at the Masonic Lodge.  In the interest of public safety during the on-going health crisis, meals are prepared by the host organization and delivered by them to those in need.

The photo is courtesy of Rotarian John Muldoon, editor and publisher of TheLocalNews.

Interact Completes Homeless Clothing Drive

Posted by John Muldoon on Apr 08, 2021

IPSWICH — After just one week of collecting goods, a group of high school students has sent it off to a charity that supports the homeless.

The students asked residents for clothes they no longer wanted or to donate toiletries.
Last Saturday, the group assembled on Congress Street in Ipswich to load the donated goods into cars and bring them to Lowell.

“Basically, we got everything we needed in a really large quantity”, said Interact President Audrey Berger. “No one expected this much stuff. We’re really glad Ipswich got together and helped us.”

Dana Falardeau loads a car.

Students in the Interact Club set about helping Living Waters, a group that supports the chronically homeless in Lowell. Its website says it provides meals, mobile charging, mail pick-up, laundry, rest rooms, referrals, hygiene, haircuts, clothes, workshops, and case management.

The students set up four collection points, at Town Hall, Zumi’s, Ipswich High School, and the Ipswich YMCA. Berger said some people made their own care packages with toiletries and other goods they bought.

From left: Louisa Roesler, Audrey Berger, Dana Falardeau (in front), Sam Orroth and Steven Yon, with some of the donations they received.

Interact Collecting Clothing for the Homeless

Posted by John Muldoon on Mar 18, 2021

Now’s the time to start spring-clean your closets and get rid of your dated wardrobe — a group of high school students is launching a clothing drive to help the homeless.

Starting Sunday, boxes will pop up in four locations to collect toiletries and clothing. The week-long drive (from March 22 to 29) is being organized by the Rotary sponsored Interact Club in Ipswich High School. Seen in the photo are club officers Audrey Berger, President; Louisa Roesler, Vide President; Rowan Galanis, Secretary; and Sam Orroth, Treasurer.

The drive will support Living Waters Center of Hope in Lowell, which helps the chronically homeless in Lowell, club president Audrey Berger said. Its website says it provides meals, mobile charging, mail pick-up, laundry, rest rooms, referrals, hygiene, haircuts, clothes, workshops, and case management. For more information about Living Waters, click here.

President's Welcome

t is an honor to once again be president of the Ipswich/Rowley Rotary Club, and I am pleased to have shared this year with Lisa and Cushing.

This year of Covid has provided both stresses and opportunities. I am so proud of this club that we have continued to meet weekly via Zoom, and that so many of our members have signed in and continue to make this such a strong club. We continue to be involved in our communities and provide Service Above Self.

It is my hope that before I pass the baton to President Elect Clint Dalton at the end of June we will be able to return to face to face meetings, in at least a limited capacity.

Sincerely,
Martha

Rotary Assists The Open Door Food Pantry

Posted by John Muldoon on Mar 03, 2021

For the fourth year running, the Rotary Club of Ipswich and Rowley has held a post-holiday food drive.

Last week, Ipswich Rotarians dropped off non-perishable goods, including food, games, puzzles and books, at the Open Door in Ipswich. In previous years, Rotary held a “reverse Advent” drive, in which people would put one item per day into a bag in the run up to Christmas. The pandemic changed plans this year, so the club modified the event and called it “Make Kindness Contagious,” said organizer Elaine Richter.

These donations were made possible by generous contributions from Rotarians and our neighbors in the community.

In the photo, from left, are Susan Otis and Glen Prescott of the Open Door; and Rotarians Martha Mauser, Elaine Richter, Cindy Quinn, and Julie Nelson.

Happy Holidays from Ipswich-Rowley Rotary

Posted by Bob Wicks on Dec 11, 2020

Seasons Greetings from our first, and hopefully only, virtual Holiday Party this week.

Rotary and Doyle Drug Store Donate PPE

Posted by Bob Wicks on Dec 09, 2020

The Rotary Club of Ipswich-Rowley recently teamed up with Conley’s Drug in Ipswich to provide the Ipswich Police Department with additional personal protective equipment. To fund the project, Rotary secured a District Grant, and Conley’s owner Alex Doyle generously agreed to sell at cost.

“Alex gave us a discount so we got more than what we would have,” said Rotary co-president Martha Mauser. Doyle said the supplies consisted of hand sanitizer, gloves and masks.

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary always is grateful to our generous community partners.

Seen in the photo are Rotary co-President Lisa Shanko, Conley's owner Alex Doyle, police Chief Paul Nikas, and Rotary co-President Martha Mauser. Photo courtesy of thelocalne.ws.

Rotary Assists Disabled Veteran

Posted by Bob Wicks on Dec 07, 2020

On November 7, 2019, disabled Marine veteran Micaila Britto was granted guardianship of a Grant Dane service Dog from the ‘Service Dog Project’ in Ipswich. This gift was made possible by a $20,000 District Grant put together by the Ipswich Rotary Club. Since then, her dog Rabbit has become her best friend and an indispensable part of her life.

Micaila visited the Ipswich Rotary virtual meeting last Thursday to bring us up to date on her first year with Rabbit, named for her litter and the iconic ‘Winnie the Pooh’ character. Ms. Rabbit, as she calls her, stands 31 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.

This all came about due to a traumatic, life changing injury that Micaila suffered while on active duty with the US Marine helicopter launch and recovery unit. The chronically painful effects of her injury include balance and mobility issues. Fortunately for Micaila, the Service Dog Project gives preference to veterans and first responders. When Ipswich Rotarians learned of her plight, they acted quickly.

Give IpswichRowley-Opoly – a Great Holiday Gift

Posted by Bob Wicks on Nov 22, 2020

The 'IpswichRowley-Opoly' games are in stores now, just in time for Christmas. Your whole family can enjoy the local themed fun while supporting our communities through Rotary. The game sells for $30 and you can pick up yours at any of the following convenient locations:

Jettie’s Bagels, 5 Depot Square, Ipswich

Windhill Realty, 16 Market Street, Ipswich

Corliss Brothers, 31 Essex Road, Ipswich

Henry Bear’s Park, 3 Market Street, Ipswich

Northern Lights Farm Stand, 243 High Street, Ipswich

Haircrafters, 15 Market Street, Ipswich

BankGloucester, 143 High Street, Ipswich

Rowley Family Dental Center, 434 Haverhill Street, Rowley

Act fast, supplies are limited!

Ipswich Rotary serves the communities of Ipswich and Rowley. We are grateful to the many sponsors who made this unique fundraiser possible.

Ipswich High School Interact Seeks Community Help on Service Projects

Posted by Bob Wicks on Oct 07, 2020

Ipswich High School Interact is a Rotary sponsored service club sanctioned by the Ipswich Public Schools and advised by Ipswich Rotary. Last week, the club leaders presented their plans for two new service projects at the weekly meeting of the Rotary club, currently held on Zoom.

As he has for many years, Rotarian Keith Harris serves as their Rotary Advisor. Faculty member Michelle Barclay begins her third year as the Faculty Advisor. The officers for 2020-21 are President Audrey Berger, Vice President Louisa Roesler, Treasurer Sam Orroth, and Secretary Rowan Galanis. Board member Angelina Rix also was on hand for the virtual presentation. Harris commented on the solidarity of the club, which despite Covid-19 restrictions had 35 members at their first Zoom meeting. He also commended the club and its leaders for their commitment and teamwork.

To kick off the year, the Interact club has initiated two projects: the “Interact Community Service Fair”, and an “Oral History” project with the Ipswich Council on Aging.

The ‘Service Fair” project will reach out to local businesses, non-profits, and town government seeking volunteer opportunities and possible internships for students. The goal is to help Ipswich students fulfill the requirement of 30 hours of community service by the end of their junior year or beginning of the senior year. Students will be encouraged to “advocate for themselves” and to “enhance their communication skills and build their character”.

This project is a continuation of one initiated last year under the leadership of then President Kayla Laddin, but interrupted by the pandemic outbreak.

Students will join the event through a series of Zoom fairs. Representatives from participating businesses and organizations will be invited to the appropriate fair. Interested business partners will be sent a brief Google Form survey in which they can describe their opportunities. Students also will receive a Google Form to assess their interest and allocate them to the appropriate fair. The target date to hold the fairs is October 21.

Interested business and non-profit leaders are urged to contact President Audrey at 21bergera@ipsk12.net ASAP.

In the “Oral History” project, students are conducting a series of video interviews with senior citizens. When completed, the club will share the videos with appropriate community outlets, such as ICAM, and on the Ipswich Rotary website.

Seen in the front of the High School are the 2020-21 Interact officers: President Audrey Berger, Vice President Louisa Roesler, Secretary Rowan Galanis, and Treasurer Sam Orroth

Rotary Remembers 9/11

Posted by Bob Wicks on Sep 10, 2020

This week, Rotarians performed annual maintenance to the 9-11 Memorial in Rowley. The memorial remembers several Rowley residents who perished on that fateful day in 2001. Again this year, the beautiful plantings were donated by Country Gardens in Rowley.

Seen in the photos are Ipswich Rotary Past President, and member of the Rowley Select Board, Bob Snow and his wife Jami. Due to the extremely dry weather this year, it was decided to conduct the maintenance later than usual.

Rotarians and neighbors will stop at the site tomorrow at 8:44 am for a few moments of reflection and remembrance.