Ipswich Ale Half Marathon for Rotary

Thanksgiving Food Basket Delivery - Ipswich

Interact - Jingle Bell Walk Celebrates 15 Years

Rotary Service - Senior Lunch

Rowley Bandstand Renovation

Ipswich Dinner Bell

International Friendship Exchange

Rotary Shoe Collection Stimulates Opportunity

Posted by Ann Witzig on Oct 16, 2026

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary, in partnership with Paula Henrys Fitness and the Ipswich Family YMCA, donated 228 pairs of gently worn shoes to Soles4Souls charity.
Through sorting, grading, re-commerce, repurposing, repairing, and responsible end of life solutions, Soles4Souls extends the life of shoes and clothing to maximize their impact while reducing environmental waste.

In low-income countries, long-term work can be scarce. Soles4Souls works with like-valued partners to help people start and grow businesses – using donated shoes and clothing to create sustainable livelihoods. Vetted partners in-country purchase the donated shoes and clothing and resell them at a modest markup to 4Opportunity entrepreneurs and thrift store.

Here's what this donation made possible:
• Diverted 285 pounds of waste from local landfills, extending the life of these items and reducing their environmental footprint with every wear.
• Created over $2,063 in economic opportunity for families and communities around the world through Soles4Souls' 4Opportunity and 4Relief programs . This opportunity translates into essentials, education, and a path toward greater stability.
• Provided a family with consistent access to quality food, housing, and education for two full months in places like Haiti and Honduras.

Is a Green Burial right for you?

Posted by Andrea Lacroix on Oct 14, 2026

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is teaming with the Rotary District 7930 Environmental Action Committee to host a series of information sessions focused on environmental sustainability.

The first program in this series will explore natural burial options beyond the traditional funeral.

We realize this is an important topic that we all would rather avoid. But in order to make the right decision for you it's important to know your options.

Please join us on Zoom, October 29 at 7pm, as ‘Campbell Funeral Home’ owner and Funeral Director Lauren Campbell explains the benefits and limitations of ‘Green and Natural Burials’.

To receive the Zoom link, please contact Andrea at amlacroix@yahoo.com.

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Hosts Bingo

Posted by Lisa Shanko on Sep 16, 2026

Join your friends and neighbors on October 16 as Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians host a fun night of BINGO!! There will be light refreshments, cash bar, a silent auction, and some great prizes for our Bingo winners!!!!

Each registration includes two Bingo card books. Additional cards can be purchased at the event. Doors will open at 6pm. Bingo begins at 7. Space is limited.

Use the flier QR code or click HERE to reserve your space.

Proceeds will benefit the Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Charitable Trust, which funds our service projects and helps support local nonprofit organizations.

Included among these initiatives are Ipswich and Rowley scholarships, Ipswich Dinner Bell, food assistance to Ipswich and Rowley residents from The Open Door and Newbury food pantries, our sponsored youth programs, Ipswich Family YMCA, Senior Care, and others.

Flier designed by The Local News.

We are especially grateful to our Diamond Sponsors who have generously donated toward the cost of food, venue, advertising, and supplies:

Clinton Dalton, Esq. Brigantine, P.C.

Ipswich Investment Management

BankGloucester

Institution for Savings

World Cleanup Day 2026 in Ipswich

Posted by Doug Shealy on Sep 23, 2026

Our club supported World Cleanup Day on September 20th by picking up trash along Rt 133 heading towards Essex.

The crew from left Captain Doug Shealy (front), Jim Tedford, President Susanne Pedersen, and Martha Mauser

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary has a long tradition of helping keep Ipswich beautiful.

One area of focus is our semi-annual maintenance of Route 133 from County Road to the Essex town line as part of the state's ‘Adopt A Highway’ program.

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Brings Birthday Joy in Every Bag

Posted by Ann Witzig on Sep 16, 2026

Anya Ciarametaro, Open Door Gift Coordinator, Paula Bishop, Diane Herth

Birthdays are particularly joyous celebrations for families and friends. For a family experiencing food insecurity, this occasion is a hardship. Stress, social pressure, and tough choices can rob their children of being royalty for a day.

What’s the solution? Birthday – In – A Bag!

As they do each Fall, Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians packed 50 shopping bags filled with supplies to create an instant birthday party for eight children. The bags include all the trimmings – cake and frosting mix, tablecloth, box of games, streamers, party hats and favors, plates and napkins, and banners.

These bags of wonder were split between The Open Door and First Parish Newbury food pantries which serve Ipswich and Rowley families in need. Clients of both pantries with children can pick up or request a birthday-in-a-bag with their deliveries.

Joy is again created, one bag at a time.

Members of the First Parish Newbury team receive bags from Diane Herth (center) and John Herth (right)

President Susanne Pedersen, Laurie Cameron, Diane Herth, Paula Bishop, Cindy Quinn

Rotary Maintains the 9-11 Memorial in Rowley

Posted by Bob Wicks on Sep 07, 2026

On Saturday, September 5, volunteers from the Ipswich-Rowley Rotary club gathered in Rowley to prepare the 9-11 Memorial Park for this year's remembrance. The park was created by the Town of Rowley and is maintained by Rotary to remember the three Rowley residents who tragically lost their lives in the 2001 World Trade Center attack.

Rotarians were once again led by our 9-11 team captains from Rowley, Doug Shealy and Bob Snow.

Rotary Deliveries Food Weekly in Ipswich and Rowley

Posted by Bob Wicks on Sep 07, 2026

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary volunteers continue weekly food deliveries in Ipswich and Rowley on behalf of the Newbury Food Pantry.

In the photo, John Herth loads up his truck for deliveries in Ipswich in August.

Rowley Student Receives Rotary Scholarship

Posted by Bob Wicks on Aug 05, 2026

Rowley resident Danika Prendergast accepted her $2500 scholarship from Ipswich-Rowley Rotary at the club’s regular meeting on July 30 at the Village Pancake House in Rowley.

Danika is heading to the University of Alabama to major in criminology and criminal justice. Her goal is to become a police officer.

In addition to her academic accomplishments at Triton Regional High School, Danika was a leader in her school. She served as a class officer for four years and was President of the Community Service Club. She participated in numerous sports and was a DECA officer and a National Community Service Ambassador.

She and Maggie Carlberg, our Ipswich recipient, already have made meaningful contributions to their communities and plan to continue that commitment in the future. We congratulate them on their achievements and wish them the best of success.

Pictured, from left, President Susanne Pedersen, Scholarship Committee Chair Katie Filtranti, Committee members Cindy Quinn and Gina Healy, Danika and her mother. Eagle eyed viewers will spot committee member Bob Wicks on the Zoom screen between Susanne and Katie.

Rotarians Volunteer at the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry

Posted by Ann Witzig on Aug 08, 2026

Ipswich-Rotary Rotarians volunteer weekly at the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry, delivering food to both Rowley and Ipswich residents. Pictured is Rotarian John, assisted by fellow Rotarians Ann Witzig, John and Diane Herth, and Gina and Joe Healy.

The pantry serves the seven towns of Newbury, Newburyport, West Newbury, Salisbury, Rowley, Ipswich, and Georgetown. The 100% volunteer First Parish Newbury Pantry provides food to over 750 people each Friday, serving guests by assisting them with online ordering, filling orders, delivering groceries, and offering contact-free pickup for those who have transportation. https://www.newburyfoodpantry.org/

Rotary Helps Provide New Trees at Pony Express Park

Posted by Bob Wicks on Aug 05, 2026

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary has again partnered with the Ipswich Department of Public Works, Ipswich Shade Tree Committee, and Corliss Brothers to add more beauty to our town. This time, trees were planted at the Town’s Pony Express soccer fields on Candlewood Road, a site previously occupied by polo fields.

The former Pony Express Farm property was purchased by the town about ten years ago with financial assistance from Essex County Greenbelt and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Chris Davis, Rotary’s Community Service Co-Chair outlined the project: "Although the grounds are frequently used by Ipswich youth soccer teams and their fans, the fields and parking area remained barren with almost no trees.'"

Davis added that "Rotarian Jim Tedford procured 19 trees from Corliss Brothers last Fall and we arranged, along with the Shade Tree Committee, for the DPW to plant the trees in May. Rotary also purchased mulch that four Rotarians spread around the young trees in June.”

According to Davis, "Rotary has committed to assisting Fred Blum of the Shade Tree Committee with the challenging task of weekly watering. The trees are located far from the nearest water source, so in some cases water must be lugged in jugs."

Rotary Remembers Heroes Past and Present

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jul 09, 2026

Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians and volunteers removed “Flags for Heroes” from the Ipswich South Green and the Rowley Common today. But the message of this non-partisan tribute to honor and valor, especially during our nation’s 250^th Anniversary year, will remain in our hearts and minds every day.

We want to especially thank Paula Bishop who processed all the registrations and beautifully hand crafted the dedication medallions. It was a major and loving effort.

During the Flag Day Dedication on June 14 at South Green, Rotarian Joan Arsenault reminded us that the annual display represents “the best of what we give and who we are”. Larry Jordan, Ipswich VFW Post Commander, noted that “George Washington inspected soldiers on this green”. Rotary President George Gray added that “the Marquis de Lafayette also visited the green, native American tribes lived here, and cattle grazed on the lawn when it wasn’t in use for military training”.

What better place to honor America, its heroes and our flag.

When a sudden and unexpected major windstorm blew through the area in late May, damaging flags and p

oles, modern day heroes from the Ipswich and Rowley Fire Departments immediately swung into action, securing the areas and protecting the public. Thanks to their prompt and valiant efforts, “Flags for Heroes” 2026 was saved and promptly restored by Rotary Club volunteers.

We will be forever grateful to our first responders, and to all the heroes we honor every day.

Pedersen Installed as President, Arsenault Honored at District Event

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jul 05, 2026

About a dozen Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians attended the District Installation Dinner in Danversport on June 25 to support our new President, Susanne Pedersen. Susanne joined the other incoming Presidents installed by incoming District Governor Terry Rezendes Curran. Terry succeeds Past District Governor Pooja Singla who was honored for her service and many achievements.

Also announced at the meeting was our new District leadership team. Past District Governor Tom Hankard took the stage to install Terry, who in turn installed District Governor Elect Tim Kelley and District Governor Nominee Liz Cullen. Both Terry and Liz previously served in this capacity, Terry in 2021-22 and Liz in District 7780 when her Newburyport club was part of the Southeastern Maine District.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of one of Rotary International’s most prestigious honors, the ‘Service Above Self’ award, to our own Joan Arsenault. Only 150 Rotarians receive this recognition annually out of a population of 1.2 million worldwide. Joan, herself a Past District Governor, accepted the honor from former Rotary Trustee and Past District Governor Julia Phelps. DG Pooja Singla also was on hand to congratulate Joan.

It truly was a grand night of celebration.

At right, Joan, Julia and Pooja.

Below, Team Pedersen celebrates on the deck.

Joan is flanked by President Susanne and PDG Julia.

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Awards Scholarships

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jul 05, 2026

The club annually awards academic scholarships to a student from each of the two communities we serve. These recipients are exceptional leaders and scholars who have demonstrated a strong commitment to community service.

This year’s recipients are Maggie Carlberg from Ipswich High School, and Danika Prendergast from Triton Regional High School in Rowley.

Maggie will be attending Loyola Marymount University to major in psychology specializing in developmental psychiatry. Her goal is to become a psychiatrist in an inpatient or ER facility

Danika is heading to the University of Alabama to major in criminology and criminal justice. Her goal is to become a police officer.

Both students already have made meaningful contributions to their communities and plan to continue that commitment in the future. We congratulate them on their achievements and wish them the best of success.

Maggie received her check at our meeting on June 11. As Interact Club President, she also presented the club’s yearend report to the sponsoring Rotarians.

Danika was unable to attend and will receive her check shortly.

Seen in the photo are Co-President Doug Shealy, Gina Healy, Katie Filtranti, Maggie, co-President George Gray, Bob Wicks and Cindy Quinn. Gina, Bob and Cindy served on the Scholarship Selection Committee chaired by Katie

Rotary installs New Officers, Drislane Announced as ‘Person of the Year’

Posted by Bob Wicks on Jun 23, 2026

Ipswich-Rowley Rotary members gathered last week at the Rowley Country Club to welcome their new leadership team for 2026-27 and celebrate some community heroes.

Susanne Pedersen was installed as the club’s 123^rd President by Past District Governor Joan Arsenault. Our new Board of Directors who will support her also were installed. The incoming officers include Katie Filtranti and Joe Healy as co-President’s Elect, Ted Garside as Treasurer, Mary Foote-Hill as Secretary, and Clint Dalton as Vice President Rotary Foundation. Our other Directors beginning July 1 will be Chris Davis, Diane Herth, Deb Mahoney, Christina Manikas, Martha Mauser, Lisa Shanko, and Immediate Past co-Presidents George Gray and Doug Shealy.

Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of our ‘Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Person of the Year’. We were thrilled to honor and thank Denny Drislane, recently retired head chef of the Ipswich Dinner Bell, who for 13 years served countless delicious and nutritious meals free to Ipswich residents who needed them. In addition to his culinary skills, Denny is remembered for his kindness and friendly demeaner. On hand to celebrate with Denny was his wife Elana, Ipswich Dinner Bell Executive Director Dorothy Calandra, and other members of Denny’s family.