Santa Claus is coming to town at 11 am on December 14. Gather with your family at Ipswich Town Wharf on East Street to greet Santa as he arrives with a little help from his friends at the Ipswich Fire Department. Then accompany the Jolly Elf, the Grinch, Buddy the Elf, and the Interact elves for a joyful ‘Jingle Bell Walk’ on Water Street along the scenic Ipswich River to Town Hall.
At Town Hall, Interact will host ‘Santa’s Village’, full of fun, prizes and auctions. The youngsters can visit Santa, and everyone can bring joy to other children by donating an unwrapped toy to 'North Shore Kids’. Entertainment also will be provided by the Ipswich High School String Quartet. And for a small fee you can enjoy yummy food served by Rotarians and Interactors in the Council on Aging cafeteria.
For the 14th year, this annual community celebration of the season is produced and hosted by the Ipswich High School Interact, a community service club sponsored by Ipswich-Rowley Rotary and the Ipswich Public Schools. The event also benefits Wellspring House in Gloucester.
Wellspring House inspires families and adults on the North Shore to achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training and career readiness.
The Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund supports children in our community by providing gifts for local families.
Happy Holidays!
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.' 
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!!! 
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.
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.
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”.
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Rowley, MA 01969
United States of America