Flags for Heroes 25 - Honor Your Hero Today

Again this year, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary will fill the Ipswich South Green and line the Rowley Town Common with full size American flags to honor our heroes.  

 

These eye-catching displays will run from May 24 to July 6 spanning Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day.    

 

Register Online and pay by credit card or check. Click HERE to register.  Each flag sponsorship is $35, and the proceeds help Rotary provide local scholarships and fund community service projects. 

 

Or Register Manually by picking up a sponsor form at one of our convenient drop-off locations in Ipswich.  Simply fill in the form, also attached HERE, and bring it with your payment to a drop-off site:  

 

BankGloucester, 143 High Street, Ipswich

Institution for Savings, 2 Depot Square, Ipswich

 

Rotary Honors Road Race Volunteers
 

Posted by Bob Wicks on May 09, 2025

On May 5, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for supporters of our annual Road Race. Rotarians, volunteers and sponsors assembled in The Brewers Table at the Ipswich Ale Brewery. 

 

Rotary Board member and event co-chair Lisa Shanko spoke briefly about the event and expressed the gratitude of the club.  The ‘Ipswich Ale Half Marathon for Rotary’ is the club’s signature fundraiser of the year, annually raising over $35,000 for community service projects and humanitarian support.

 

Again this year, the club donated $10,000 to the Ipswich Family Y.  Presenting the check was club Treasurer and event co-chair Ted Garside.  Rotarian and Y Executive Director Chris Bevilacqua accepted on behalf of the Y.  Representing the host Trustees of Reservation was Rotarian and Crane Property Director Chris Moore along with his family. 

 

In the photo, Ted Garside presents the check while Secretary Mary Foote-Hill, Race Director Andy Ellis, Chris Bevilacqua, and Lisa Shanko look on.  

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Adopt a Highway cleanup
 

Posted on Apr 30, 2025

In honor of Earth Day and our love of community, a small but intrepid group of Rotary volunteers braved the elements last Sunday 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 up this section of roadway twice each year to help sustain its pristine beauty for our residents and for travelers heading towards Cape Ann.

Wrapping up the 2025 Half Marathon for Rotary

Posted by Bob Wicks on Apr 26, 2025

Last Saturday, 417 runners from more than 20 states 'stormed the Castle' in the annual Ipswich Ale Half Marathon for Rotary.  The funds raised help Ipswich-Rowley Rotary support several of our important service missions, including school and camp scholarships.  Since the inaugural race in 2016, our premier fundraiser has raised over $200,000.

 

First among the men was David Perloff with a time of 1:19:46.36.  First female finisher was Lauren Reissfelder, not far behind at 1:30:45.55.  This scenic road race winds through bucolic Ipswich, starting and ending at the Trustees properties on Castle Hill and Crane Beach.

 

In the photo at the left, eventual male winner Perloff leads the charge up Castle Hill.  

 

It takes many hands and a lot of planning to make an event of this magnitude successful.  As President Tom Murphy so aptly stated in his letter of appreciation to the community, we are especially grateful "to Andy Ellis, our Race Director extraordinaire for coordinating and guiding us all.”  We also acknowledge the vital support provided every year by the town, including the Town Manager, the Ipswich Police and Fire Departments, and the departments of Building, Health, and Public Works.  We also appreciate the area residents for their understanding during race hours. 

 

Seen at the right are Race Director Andy Ellis and Co-Chair Ted Garside   

 

And this race is not possible without the generous support of our partners and sponsors.  Principal partners include Ipswich Ale Brewery, the Ipswich YMCA, the Institution for Savings, the Trustees of Reservations, and Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals – and our onsite physician Dr Fiona Breslin.  The event also is sponsored by Bank Gloucester, Kayem Foods, Marathon Sports, Action Ambulance, Ipswich House of Pizza, and East End Bagels.

 

Read more...

Our Presidents Elect Attend Training Seminar

Photo shows our Co-Presidents Elect at North East Presidents Elect Training Seminar (NEPELS) in Framingham last week.  

 

President Elect George Gray is seen at the left, standing next to District Governor Elect Pooja Singla.  President Elect Doug Shealy is seen immediately to the right of the banner.  

 

Photo by District Governor Nominee Tim Kelley.  

New Record for Rotary's February Food Drive

Posted by Bob Wicks on Mar 06, 2025

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Community Service Co-Chair Chris Davis has announced the results of their 2025 February ‘Share the Love’ collection for The Open Door Food Pantry. 

 

Davis said that he is “pleased to report that our February food drive was successful and reached our goal of 1500 pounds of food delivered to The Open Door to help our neighbors in need.  This represents a new record for our annual winter collection.”

 

He added that Rotary is “grateful to our friends and neighbors in Ipswich and Rowley who supported and contributed to this vital effort.  The demand for food pantry assistance has never been greater.”  He also thanked “our Rotary volunteers, especially John Witzig who helped me deliver and retrieve collection boxes at 13 drop-off locations in Ipswich and Rowley.” 

 

This effort would not have been possible without the support of town facilities and local businesses which served as collection locations.  The participating locations were Ipswich Town Hall, Rowley Town Hall, Ipswich Public Library, Rowley Public Library, Ipswich YMCA, North Shore 24 Fitness, Institution for Savings (2 offices in Ipswich), Brookline Bank, BankGloucester, 3 Sweet Peas Bakery, Choice Graphics, and Mark Warner Martial Arts.

 

Davis continued that “Rotary is delighted to have reached our goal and to make a meaningful contribution to food security in our communities.  Working together, we can make lives a bit better.” 

 

In the photo, Chris Davis and John Witzig deliver one of the collection boxes.

Three More Members Join Ipswich-Rowley Rotary

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jan 29, 2025

We are delighted to welcome Gina and Joe Healy, and Larry Jordan to the Ipswich-Rowley Rotary family, where we achieve more together than we can alone.

 

Larry Jordan resides in Beverly and serves as the Commander of VFW Post 1093 in Ipswich.  He also is a member of American Legion Post 80 in Ipswich and of the service dog organization Canine Companions.  Larry has been instrumental in raising the profile of veterans services in Ipswich and was a leading force behind the highly successful 2024 D-Day parade and remembrance.  Larry enjoys spending time with family, reading, painting, photography and traveling.  His interests also include colonial history and assisting Vietnam veterans.  Larry is a retired Director of Risk Management for Anheuser-Busch.  Larry’s Rotary sponsor is Ipswich High School classmate Laurie Cameron.            

 

We also welcomed a couple of dedicated humanitarians who recently transferred from the Lakes Region Rotary Club in Laconia, NH after moving to Ipswich to be near family.  The Healy’s are sponsored by Community Service Chair Chris Davis. 

  

Joe Healy served as Lakes Region Rotary Treasurer and was a frequent volunteer.  His activities included serving lunch at the Laconia Salvation Army and supporting the club’s major fundraiser, an annual car show.  Joe is a retired health care executive, including at Lahey Clinic, Harvard Community Health Plan, and as Chief Operating Officer at the Joslin Diabetes Center.  He looks forward to bringing his experience to our service projects and partnering organizations such as The Open Door.  Joe especially enjoys time boating, reading, traveling, and doting on his grandchildren. 

 

Gina Healy is not only a former Rotarian, but also a past member of the Reading Lions Club.  She loves giving back to the community and meeting like-minded, service oriented people.  Her key interests are working with kids and food insecurity.  In New Hampshire she volunteered at the Guilford Got Lunch Program and served monthly meals at the Salvation Army.  In Reading, she was liaison to the Leo’s, the Lions sponsored High School Club.  Gina spent her career in education, most notably as Principal of Blind Brook High School in Rye Brook, NY and as Assistant Superintendent in the Bedford, NY school district.  When not volunteering, Gina enjoys hiking, boating, traveling, and choral music both as a performer and section leader.

 

In the photo - Joe Healy, Gina Healy, President Tom Murphy, and Larry Jordan

(Photo by Bob Snow)

Help Rotary Feed Your Neighbors This Winter

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jan 19, 2025

With a Valentine’s Day theme of “Share the Love” with our neighbors in need, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary has announced its annual February food drive to benefit “The Open Door” food pantry.  The Open Door’s Ipswich pantry serves citizens of Ipswich, Rowley and surrounding communities.  According to club Community Service chair Chris Davis “the food pantry has seen continually increasing demand over the last year from local residents who are dealing with food insecurity and Rotary, as always, is eager to provide community support.”

 

This year, the club has organized 13 food collection sites in Ipswich and Rowley.  Drop off locations in Ipswich include the Ipswich YMCA, Ipswich Town Hall, the Ipswich Public Library, The Institution for Savings offices in Depot Square and on County Road, BankGloucester, Brookline Bank, and Mark Warner Martial Arts. 

 

Rowley drop off locations include North Shore 24 Fitness (formerly MAC) on Route 1, Rowley Town Hall, the Rowley Public Library, Three Sweet Peas Bakery Café, and Choice Graphics.

 

Davis identified some of the most needed food items including “canned tuna and chicken, canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups and stews, rice, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut and other nut butters, cereals, 100% juice and juice boxes, healthy snacks like granola bars, as well as cake, muffin, and pancake mixes.  And please, no glass containers.”

 

The food drive will run from February 1 through February 28.

Jingle Bell Walk Marks 15 years

Posted on Jan 05, 2025

 

 

On December 14, Ipswich High School Interact held the 15^th annual Jingle Walk community-building fundraiser.  This event, begun in 2009 by the then ‘Ipswich Rotary Club’, has been organized and sponsored by Ipswich Interact since 2011.  This much anticipated annual event has become a town tradition which aims to connect the community and lift everyone’s spirits during the holiday season!

 

The Jingle Bell Walk begins with Santa’s arrival at town wharf and ends at Town Hall where the celebrants enter ‘Santa’s Village’ of food, games, face painting, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa.  The Ipswich High School String Quartet provided entertainment.  A major part of the fundraiser involves raffles where baskets and gift cards, generously donated by local businesses, are given out.  

 

"We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and donors", said Interact President Jenny White.  "This event would not be possible without the incredible support of these local businesses, which consistently give back to our community."

 

White added that "This year, approximately 300 people joined us for the festivities, many participating in the Jingle Bell Walk.  A walk led by Interact elves began at the Ipswich Town Wharf, where Santa arrived on a firetruck, and ended at Town Hall where the main event took place.  We are gratified by the tremendous support we receive from the community."  

 

With the proceeds from this year’s fundraiser, the Interact Club will donate to Partners In Development in Ipswich.  Unwrapped toys also were collected for North Shore Kids. 

 

Finally, White stressed that "We want to thank our main cast of Bob Gillis (Santa), Cory Binette (Buddy the Elf), and Evan Morris (The Grinch), along with the Interact elves and Rotary volunteers.  We also appreciate the invaluable support of the Ipswich Police and Fire departments, and the Ipswich Public Schools."

 

 

Cast photo courtesy of the Ipswich Local News/Coco McCabe.  All other photos by Interact.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Members Join Ipswich-Rowley Rotary

Posted by Bob Wicks on Dec 18, 2024

From left:  President Tom Murphy, Steele Sartwell, sponsor Deb Mahoney, and Chris Moore with his sponsor Tom Murphy

 

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is delighted to announce that Chris Moore and Steele Sartwell have joined Rotary, where we achieve more together than we can alone.

 

A resident of Ipswich, Chris Moore is Director of the Crane Estate.  Previously, he served for several years as the Business Manager for the Trustees.  In his capacity as a local non-profit leader, Chris has extensive experience working with local community and business leaders, as well as with town administrators.  As might be expected, Chris enjoys outdoor recreation, especially fishing.  Club President Tom Murphy is the sponsor and mentor for Chris. 

 

Steele Sartwell of Ipswich is a Vice President of Business Banking at Citizens Bank.  He is a member of both the Newburyport and Amesbury Chambers of Commerce and serves as a mentor, educator and presenter at the American Corporate Partners Veterans Organization.  His volunteer activities have included the Manchester, NH Foodbank.  Steele is a lifelong resident of the North Shore and previously volunteered and organized fundraisers for Action, Inc., GHS Sail, and HAWC.  Drawing on his skills as an experienced relationship manager, Steele looks forward to assisting Rotary in its mission and engaging more area residents in community service.  Membership Chair Deborah Mahoney is Steele’s sponsor and mentor.         

 

We welcome Steele and Ashley, Chris and Rachel to the Rotary family.  

Rotary Helps The Open Door Put Happy in Thanksgiving

Posted by Bob Wicks on Nov 26, 2024

A major initiative of Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is helping 'The Open Door' food pantry bring joy to area families in need of assistance. 

 

At last week's meeting, President Tom Murphy presented Executive Director (Gloucester Rotarian) Julie LaFontaine, center, and Director of Operations (Ipswich-Rowley Rotarian) Jen Perry with a $2000 donation.  Julie commented that 'The Open Door is powered by the community to meet the needs we have.'  This year alone, she has seen a 30% increase in the number of people seeking assistance.  Jen added that 'The Open Door has been collecting food items at area markets including Shaw's in Ipswich and Market Basket in Rowley.  Holiday baskets will be assembled and distributed next week.'  

 

On Monday, Rotarians swung into action to help deliver those baskets.  Volunteers distributed food both on Monday and Tuesday.  Helping on Monday were Andrea Lacroix, Chris Davis, Diane Herth, Gina Healy, Julie Nelson and Brian Nelson.  Picking up the mantle of service on Tuesday were Andrea, John Herth, Tom Murphy, and Gordon Harris. 

 

Seen in the second photo are the Monday volunteers. Open Door Ipswich Coordinator and former Ipswich-Rowley Rotarian the Rev Glenn Prescott is seen behind the group. Julie Nelson was hand but unavailable for the photo.    

 

 

    

Thank You Nat Pulsifer!!!

Posted by Bob Wicks on Nov 24, 2024

 

Thank you, Nat, for your immense contributions to our club and community.  Your imagination, kindness, and devotion to community made Ipswich a better place for us all. Those of us in Rotary were honored to serve with you!!!   

 

Last Thursday morning, dozens of Rotarians - past and present, friends, and neighbors packed our meeting room at the Village Pancake House and donned 'bowties' to celebrate Nat and his devoted wife Holly.  Many of those present participated in a fun but respectful roast of our departing hero, as can be seen in the collage.  Nat and Holly, best wishes for your new life in Maine. 

 

 

Lt Pulsifer, We Salute You!    

 

 

 

 

 

The photos were taken by Bob Snow.       

Rotary Celebrates Local Heroes

Posted by Bob Wicks on Nov 18, 2024

 

On Thursday evening, sixteen Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians and guests travelled to Danversport to participate in the Robert C. Wood Memorial Heroes Dinner.  Local heroes honored for making Ipswich and Rowley just a bit better were Kerrie Bates and John Muldoon.  The event was hosted by Past District Governor (PDG) Alexander Falk, seen at the right in the presentation photos.   

 

Kerrie Bates (right) is the legendary Director of ReCreation and Culture for the Town of Ipswich.  Kerrie is a well-known innovator whose engaging events bring the community together and draw countless visitors from around the area.  She and her team have made Ipswich a destination.  During her long tenure, Kerrie has introduced and overseen notable cultural, musical and historical activities such as 'Ipswich Illumination', 'Voices from the Beach', 'Downtown Tuesdays', 'Ipswich is First ... Period', and '16 Elm Street, Within These Walls'.  Nat Pulsifer nominated Kerrie, who was joined by her husband Daniel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Muldoon is the founder, publisher, and editor of the Ipswich Local News, a highly readable local paper that serves both communities and helps our club maintain the high profile it enjoys today.  In October, the Ipswich Local News was named a ‘Distinguished Newspaper of the Year' by the New England Newspaper & Press Association.  Unfortunately, John was unable to attend the Heroes Dinner since the paper was celebrating its fifth anniversary that evening.  Accepting for John was his nominator Bob Wicks.  

 

Read more...

Rotary Rings the Dinner Bell

Posted by Bob Wicks on Oct 29, 2024

On Monday, October 28, more than a dozen Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians turned out to serve over 150 local residents at the weekly Ipswich Dinner Bell.  Rotary provides this service four times each year and is among several community organizations who volunteer to fund, prepare, and serve free hot meals.

 

Our chef once again was longtime Dinner Bell volunteer Denny Drislane.  Rotarians assisted him by plating and serving food and beverages, setting and decorating tables, and cleaning up.  As always, a great time was had by all.

 

In addition to our chef, special thanks go to our Community Service Chairs Chris Davis and Diane Herth.  The photos were taken by Diane. 

 

  

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Receives Rotary Recognition

Posted by Bob Wicks on Sep 16, 2024

 

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.

 

Rotary Supports Beauchamp Scholarship at the YMCA

Posted by Bob Wicks on Sep 15, 2024

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. 

 

Gerry made a real difference in our community.  His compassion and quick wit brightened the day for anyone who met him.  Thanks to the initiatives of Trish Beauchamp and the Ipswich YMCA we all have an opportunity to brighten the day for others.  

Celebrating 100 Years of Service

 

 

Photo by Cristin Bradley - finishing touches by Choice Graphics

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Honored for 100 Years of Service

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)

Celebrating 100 Years

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.