President Ryan announced that this year’s Roster is available. Pick one up at the check in desk, if you haven’t already!
We were joined by the newly elected officers of the EarlyAct Club from the Phoenix School. Salem Rotary has sponsored the Phoenix School EarlyAct Club for more than two decades, and it serves as a school-wide service club for students ages 5 to 13, providing them with an increased awareness of the local community and the world. The first club of its kind in New England, they have partnered with our Club and worked on their own service and fundraising projects throughout Salem and beyond. After an introduction by Head of School Leslie Levesque, the newly elected officers shared their visions for the 25-26 Rotary year.
First up was Jake, EarlyAct’s head chair. He is excited to help with programs for children’s hospitals this year. Next was eighth grader Alfie, who is one of the co-clerks. Alfie plans to get the club more organized and create a calendar of activities which will help remind them about sending thank you notes in a timely manner. Gavin, his co-clerk and fellow eighth grader, is ready to tackle issues around hunger. Leon, EarlyAct’s sixth grade treasurer, is interested in helping animal centers, because who doesn’t like puppies? He shared that they have finances from last year that can be used as well as funds from fundraisers he wants to host this year. Vice President Jay was up next and shared that he wants to get more students involved in the club and help them see the value of participating. Lastly, President Fiona took the podium and shared her commitment to assist marginalized groups, helping to raise awareness, support and fundraising for those who need it.
Calendar Winner!
Marina Moriarty sold by Joanne Scott
50:50 Raffle
$1,670
Fiona & Alfie and Matt Callcut
No winners this week, but each winner answered the other’s joke correctly!
Visitors and Guest Rotarians
We hosted students from the Phoenix School this week.
Volunteer
Let’s not forget our motto, Service Above Self! The Community Service Committee is working hard this year to find more opportunities for Salem Rotarians to serve in our community. If you are new to the Club, this is a great way to engage with other Rotarians and the Salem community. We even have Rotary t-shirts to wear during these projects. If you do not have one, reach out to President Ryan!
CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE – SALEM HOSPITAL LAST DAY: Tuesday, October 7 | Rotary & Phoenix School Collection
We are joining forces with the EarlyAct Club at the Phoenix School to collect children’s books for Salem Hospital. Please bring books to the Phoenix School between now and Tuesday, October 7, or bring them to our meeting that day. They will get the books to those who need them at Salem Hospital. Reach out to Leslie Levesque with any questions.
LIFEBRIDGE DINNER Wednesday, November 12 | 4 PM | Lifebridge
Lifebridge helps the folks in our community who are most in need with important basics like shelter and food. Once every two months, volunteers from the Salem Rotary Club make dinner. Meal prep typically starts around 4/4:30 PM, with dinner service at 5:30 PM. We still need a team leader for this service. Email Hannah Beth Hembree if you’d like to volunteer to lead and/or cook!
DCF HOLIDAY PARTY Date and Location TBD
We will once again be participating in the DCF Holiday Party, which serves foster children across the North Shore. This event allows foster children the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their foster families and often their siblings who are not able to be housed in the same foster home. There are many opportunities to get involved, from wrapping the gifts in advance to volunteer shifts on the day of the event. More details will be shared in the coming weeks!
Club Events
SOLD OUT: Dutch Drinks+: Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Friday, October 3, 2025, 6 – 7:30 PM | Cinema Salem
Matt Callcut is organizing a Rotary outing to The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. A chilling cocktail experience dedicated to the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, you will hear four of his most famous stories, retold and reimagined by Poe historians, at a dark speakeasy. Reservations are restricted to a small number of guests for a 90-minute experience. For those attending, dress up is encouraged!
As we prepare for this year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party Gala & Auction, we are excited to bring our community together for an evening of fun, creativity, and impact. One of the highlights of the night will be our auction, which helps raise the vital funds that fuel our Rotary Scholarship Fund.
To make this event truly extraordinary, we need your help in securing high-quality auction items that will inspire bidding and excitement. Think about:
If you have a great item to donate—or know a business, colleague, or friend who might—please reach out! Sometimes, the best items come from personal connections, and your network could make all the difference.
Please let us know what you can contribute, or who we can reach out to, by February 1, 2026.
Together, we can make this auction unforgettable and raise the resources needed to continue the incredible work of Salem Rotary. We are anticipating this to be a crowd drawing event, so be sure to get your tickets early and please share the event and ticket links on your social media platforms. Thank you for being part of the magic—we can’t wait to celebrate with you at the Mad Hatter Gala!
With gratitude, Jason & Heather Lang Auction Committee Chairs
RI & District News
DG BOB WOOD MEMORIAL HEROES’ CELEBRATION: A Rotary Foundation/Paul Harris Fellow Event for our Veterans: Honoring Those Who Have Served! Wednesday, November 12 | Andover Country Club
Clubs are invited to nominate a local hero in our community and award them a Paul Harris Recognition. This year's honoree must be a military veteran this year. If you have a suggestion for a Salem hero, please contact President Ryan.
OTHER DISTRICT EVENTS
Feb. 12 World Peace and Understanding Event
Mar. 21 “Spring into Action” Polio Fundraiser
May 16 District Conference
Jun. 13-17 RI Convention in Taipei
Salem Rotarians Say . . .
Liz Bradt returned today from an exciting summer. First, she thanked Adria and Olle Duijvesteijn for helping to return her chihuahua Holly, who was the North Salem escape artist this summer. She also shared how beautiful her daughter’s wedding was, despite some inclement weather and reminded the EarlyAct Club that blankets, towels and other goods are also helpful to animal shelters.
Gerrit Bradley expanded the bird report to a wildlife update as he told of his adventure in Maine where he fished, ate red meat, played poker, and did some deep sky country star gazing, something he highly recommends.
Jason and Kerri Consalvo had quite an adventure this weekend celebrating Graham’s 10th birthday. They coordinated a trip of 8 boys to Dave and Busters followed by a sleepover at the Consalvos, that required Jason to do some serious late night hall monitoring, including breaking up a midnight card game at the dining room table. Randy Burba warned that the parties don’t get better in eight years!
Rinus Oosthoek gave his first and only bird report and shared that two birds are now homeless since he and Gina fixed their roof. They are also heading to Spain for a few weeks to assist with olive oil production!
18 Washington Square
Salem, MA 01970 United States of America
NOTE: The fourth Tuesday of the month is an evening meeting, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
If you are interested in learning more about Salem Rotary, please email president@salemrotary.com.
