In the photo, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Past President Ann Witzig receives the 2024 Presidential Citation from Past District Governor Lori Karas.
Ipswich-Rowley Rotary members, working together, completed 17 of 20 goals set by the club at the beginning of the 2023-2024 Rotary year.
The goal categories outlined by Rotary International are:
- Enhance Participant Engagement
- Increase our impact
- Expand our reach
- Increase our ability to adapt
In recognition, our club received the 2023-2024 Rotary Citation from Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally. This is the most significant award a Rotary Club can earn each year.
On hand last week to present the award to Past President Ann Witzig was Past District Governor Lori Karas. Lori reminded us that is important to ‘celebrate the things we do since it is a catalyst for new members’. 
Some of our notable accomplishments during the past year include:
- Environmental Grant to support regional efforts to preserve regional water resources
- Comfort and assistance to senior citizens – including ‘Coffee with a Rotarian’, ‘Lend-a-Hand’ small projects support, annual Senior Lunch, and quarterly ‘Ipswich Dinner Bell’
- Food distribution – collecting and delivering food in support of The Open Door food pantry
- Youth programs – our annual programs include several school based service clubs, youth leadership development, international youth exchange, and scholarships including our yearly $10,000 donation to the ‘Gerry Beauchamp Camp Scholarship Fund’ at the Ipswich YMCA
- Centennial Gift of $15,000 – to support the updated community garden and recreational facilities being developed by the Ipswich Housing Authority (IHA)
- Tree planting at the IHA County Road campus
- Veterans and First Responders support – aka ‘Flags for Heroes’
- Public health – installing Buddy Benches at all school and library locations in Ipswich and Rowley, supporting Rotary International’s Polio eradication program, and funding ‘Manny’s Swing’ to assist an autistic child in Ipswich
Together we achieve more than we can alone.
In the photo, Ted Garside, Immediate Past President Ann Witzig, Andy Ellis and Chris Bevilaqua. At a recent Volunteer Appreciation Dinner hosted by Rotary at the Ipswich Inn, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary presented our annual $10,000 donation to the ‘Gerry Beauchamp Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund’ of the Ipswich Family YMCA. Gerry was a long-time Ipswich YMCA Executive Director and a Rotarian whose passion was helping children reach their full potential. This memorial scholarship continues his legacy of youth development.
The fund was initiated in loving memory by his wife Trish. Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is pleased to be one of many community partners working with the Y to grow the endowment and make it permanent.
It is appropriate that our contribution comes from proceeds of our half marathon road race. As Y Director, Gerry was instrumental in establishing this event as our premier annual fundraiser. Rotarians and current Ipswich YMCA Executive Director Chris Bevilacqua and road race advisor Andy Ellis apply their expertise to ensure our tradition survives and flourishes. Club Treasurer Ted Garside serves as race project manager for Rotary.
Mary currently serves Ipswich as Assistant Town Manager and Human Resource Director. A dynamic and innovative human resources leader, her strong community service commitment extends well beyond her official duties and includes, among others, volunteering at the Ipswich Council on Aging, Ipswich Illumination, and the Ipswich Food Pantry (The Open Door). Throughout her life, Mary has sought opportunities to assist those who are suffering, in need or in crisis; as a town leader, she encourages other employees to help. Her personal interests include participating in community events, running, horseback riding, and walking our beautiful community trails. Mary enjoys relaxing with her family, spending time at the beach, and reading.
Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is thrilled to welcome Mary to the Rotary family, where we achieve more together than we can alone.
From left, President Ann Witzig, Mary Gallivan, and her sponsor President Elect Tom Murphy.
(Bob Snow photo)
To all the hardy volunteers who braved the cold rain on race day, we owe a debt of thanks. These sturdy souls endured unseasonable conditions to ensure the safety of the runners during the 2024 'Ipswich Ale Half Marathon'. Their persistence and diligence went a long way to make the annual event a success
Ipswich-Rowley Rotary plans to do just when they host an appreciation buffet dinner at the Ipswich Inn on June 4.
Rotarians seen in the photo, from left are President Elect Tom Murphy, Chris Davis, Race Coordinator Andy Ellis, Kathy Frederick, John Witzig, President Ann Witzig, Susanne Petersen, Paula Bishop, John Herth (behind Paula), Diane Herth, Susie Ellis, Ivan Ndanga, Martha Mauser, Ted Garside, Lisa Shanko, and Mary Foote-Hill.
Other Rotarians on hand to brave the elements in 'Service Above Self' but unavailable for the group photo were Laurie Cameron, Rev Brad Clark, Dottie Levesque, Katie Platt, Diane and Jim Tedford.
And, finally, we want to again congratulate all the intrepid runners! For them, it seemed like just another day at the races as they bravely 'stormed the Castle' at Castle Hill in 2024.
Scholarships chair Kathy Frederick presents a check for two Ipswich YMCA youth camp scholarships to Ipswich Y Executive Director and fellow Rotarian Chris Bevilacqua. Looking on are President Ann Witzig and Director Dr. Doug Shealy.
These scholarships will provide for two campers from Ipswich and/or Rowley to attend the Y’s Cedar Mill Camp in Rowley this summer.
The club also held a cleanup project at the camp this past weekend.
On April 25, the Ipswich Housing Authority (IHA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the creation of an outdoor community space centrally located within its property at 95 County Road. The area abuts Bowen Hall which houses The Open Door/Ipswich Food Pantry. The project is partially funded by Ipswich-Rowley Rotary as part of its Centennial anniversary gift to the town. Several years ago, the club also played a major role in restoring Bowen Hall for the food pantry.
Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians present for the groundbreaking were President Ann Witzig, Centennial chair Martha Mauser, IHA liaison Chris Doktor, Open Door Director of Operations Jen Perry, and Events chair Lisa Shanko. Open Door CEO, President and Gloucester Rotarian Julia Hazen LaFontaine also is seen in the photo.
Ipswich-Rowley Rotary successfully completed its annual food drive to benefit The Open Door’s Ipswich Food Pantry and is pleased to announce that 
1230 pounds of food was collected in February at seven locations in Ipswich and Rowley. The Open Door staff said they appreciated both the quantity and the quality of the food donated.
1230 pounds of food was collected in February at seven locations in Ipswich and Rowley. The Open Door staff said they appreciated both the quantity and the quality of the food donated.Since Valentine’s Day falls in February, the theme for this year’s drive was “Share the Love” for our neighbors in need. Rotary is grateful for the support of our participating drop off locations and to our friends and neighbors who donated food this year. Donations were collected at the Ipswich offices of The Institution for Savings, BankGloucester, Brookline Bank, the Ipswich YMCA, the Ipswich Public Library, and North Shore 24 Fitness in Rowley.
Our commitment to “Service Above Self” and to helping improve food security and nutrition in our communities extends throughout the year. Ipswich-Rowley Rotary – with more than 70 members – collaborates with The Open Door to deliver dinners to dozens of local families weekly, and many more at Thanksgiving and Christmas. 
Four times each year, assisted by Ipswich High School Interact, we also serve dinner to Ipswich residents at ‘The Dinner Bell’ - a weekly Monday evening community service hosted by the Masonic Lodge. In partnership with the Ipswich Council on Aging, we host an annual Senior Lunch in the Spring, also with the invaluable help of Interact. And recently we launched “Coffee with a Rotarian”, a joint initiative with the COA that brings coffee, conversation, and companionship to homebound seniors in need of a cheerful visit.
Four times each year, assisted by Ipswich High School Interact, we also serve dinner to Ipswich residents at ‘The Dinner Bell’ - a weekly Monday evening community service hosted by the Masonic Lodge. In partnership with the Ipswich Council on Aging, we host an annual Senior Lunch in the Spring, also with the invaluable help of Interact. And recently we launched “Coffee with a Rotarian”, a joint initiative with the COA that brings coffee, conversation, and companionship to homebound seniors in need of a cheerful visit.
Ipswich High School Interact leaders of the 2023 Jingle Bell Walk met with Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians last week to announce that revenue from the event nearly doubled from the previous year. They were on hand to present ‘Ipswich Caring’ with a check for $1,500. Additional proceeds will fund their micro loan projects with Kiva.
For more than 40 years, non-profit Ipswich Caring has assisted Ipswich families in need. With the help of over 200 volunteers, ‘Ipswich Caring provides financial and in-kind support to youth, adults and families through a variety of programs and services’. Like Rotary, this group is dedicated to ‘Service Above Self’.
Now in its twelfth year, the Jingle Bell Walk also collected over 100 toys for ‘Toys for Tots’. Past District Governor David Gardner generously assumed the role of Santa this year, arriving by boat at town wharf, and leading the Jingle Bell Walk along the Ipswich River to Santa’s Village at Town Hall where he was visited by the children and their families. Santa was ably assisted by Joni Gardner as Mrs. Claus, along with volunteers from Ipswich-Rowley Rotary and the Ipswich Police and Fire departments.
In the photo, Interact members presenting a check to ‘Ipswich Caring’ Executive Director Cheryl Forster-Cahill (on the right) are Jenny White, Charlotte Donahue, Annika Johnson, and Jane O’Connell. Photo by John Muldoon.
Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is about to launch a new service program of home visits with isolated older adults. Leading this exciting initiative is club Director and Gerontologist Susanne Pedersen; our Community Services Director Chris Davis, who envisioned the program; Nathan Lemmon who is working on a training video; and President Ann Witzig.
The US Surgeon General, the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and Dr. Ruth (our first US Ambassador to Loneliness), have all recently acknowledged epidemic proportions of loneliness and isolation throughout the United States and the world. Older adults who have difficulties leaving their homes are particularly vulnerable to isolation, loneliness, and associated health issues.In response, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is developing "Coffee with a Rotarian", a program to provide friendly, well-organized, social connections for older adults through casual home visits with coffee and conversation. Research shows that companionship can provide social connectedness, which is not only enjoyable, but also important for one’s overall health and wellbeing.
At a gala dinner last Saturday evening at the Ipswich Country Club, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary was one of seven area Rotary clubs that were honored with Massachusetts Senate Citations presented by State Senator Bruce Tarr. Senator Tarr noted the clubs were being recognized for their historic founding by local business leaders in 1923, and for their many years of community service and social support. As he put it, “700 years of community and international service are represented in this room”.Accepting the citation for Ipswich-Rowley Rotary was club President Martha Mauser, who is seen with Senator Tarr in the accompanying photograph. (Photo by Ted Costa, Gloucester Rotary)
Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is in its 99th year of serving the community. Follow us to learn more about the exiting plans we have to celebrate our anniversary over the next two years.
At Cable Hospital 2009, with Ben Collins in the same relative position as in the 1953 photo below.
At Cable Hospital 1953.
Charter Members at the Olde Manse, 1923.
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Rowley, MA 01969
United States of America