At our meeting last Thursday morning, Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians and guests were treated to an unusual double speaker program. Both sessions were fun and enlightening.

Joao Alfonso, our 2024-25 inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil, entertained and informed us with a tradition that helps define Brazilian culture, the cultural phenomenon of Carnaval. Running from the Friday before Lent to Ash Wednesday, Carnaval is a major driver of the Brazilian economy, attracting over 46 million participants and generating just under $2 billion (US) dollars annually.

The celebration traces its roots to the Portuguese colonial period when settlers brought the “pre-Lenten tradition of ‘Entrudo’, a festival of street games, water fights, and general revelry. Over time, these festivities merged with African cultural influences, especially rhythms and dances brought by enslaved Africans, helping to shape the early forms of samba. Today, Carnaval is a symbol of Brazilian identity, celebrated in diverse styles across the country – from the glamorous parades in Rio to the street blocos in Salvador and Recife.”

 

Our District Committees need volunteers.  Please consider participating in one of these Committees.  Many hands make light work.  These Committees usually meet once a month over Zoom.  It is a great way to learn more about Rotary beyond your club.  You can enhance your skills and learn best practices.  Use your Rotary experience and enthusiasm to help other Rotarians.

 

If you're a seasoned Rotarian or a newer member, we can use your participation.

 

Please reach out to DGE Pooja Singla or to these Committee Chairs with interest or questions.

 

Foundation Chair Alexander Falk

Membership Chair 2024-25 Peter Majane

Membership Chair 2025-26 Liz Cullen

Public Image Chair Tim Kelley

Environmental Committee Chair Andrea Lacroix

Interact Chair Keith Harris

RYLA Chair Christina Harris

Rotary Youth Exchange Bob Ford

 

All are welcome to participate in these Committees.  Thank you in advance.

In honor of Earth Day and our love of community, a small but intrepid group of Ipswich-Rowley Rotary volunteers braved the elements to complete our semi-annual cleanup of the two-mile segment of Route 133 between the Route 1 intersection and the Essex town line. President Tom Murphy, the club’s ‘Adopt a Highway’ Chair, was joined by President Elect Doug Shealy and Vice President Susanne Petersen.

As usual, our team collected several bags of rubbish which were later picked up by the Town DPW. Rotarians clean this section of roadway twice each year to help sustain its pristine beauty for our residents and for travelers heading towards Cape Ann. 

Camp Rotary, the renowned service project of the Lynn Rotary Club, has been offering life-changing experiences for children for over 100 years at its beautiful Boxford property on the shores of Stiles Pond. There are several weeks this summer where we have beds for older campers that we believe may go unused. In an effort to get these beds filled with deserving campers, for a limited time we are offering clubs the opportunity to send campers to camp at a discount. The regular cost of camp is $35 registration fee and $1025 for the week of camp. For the following select weeks, we can offer Rotary clubs the ability to send TWO campers for this cost instead of one!

It is important that the club pays close attention to the dates, gender and age parameters for each week.
 

Have you made your contribution to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund-SHARE this year?

 

The Rotary Club of Winchester's 36th annual Charity Golf Tournament is on Monday, May 19, 2025, and we expect another great event again this year at the Winchester Country Club. We expect to sell out again this year.

We rely solely on our valued sponsors, donors, and auctions to raise the funds to support our annual charity fund. For more information, go to www.winchesterrotarygolf.com