Events

Aaron’s Presents is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers 1) hands-on, individualized mentoring, 2) materials/services, and 3) logistical help to any child in 8th grade or below who wants to carry out an idea that benefits at least one other person, animal, and/or the environment. We follow the children’s vision as they create and lead a memorable, meaningful, and fun experience by practicing kindness, empathy, and generosity.

In the process, the children discover the value of their ideas and unique qualities and their ability to make the world better exactly as they are at every age and stage. Ours is a new approach to “community service”, because we’re asking kids to start seeing giving not as an occasional obligation but as their larger purpose.

Leah Okimoto started Aaron’s Presents in January 2014 as a way to honor the memory of her son. At other phases of her life, she has composed music for musical theatre, run a legal recruiting firm, tutored and mentored kids, and volunteered at homeless shelters, hospitals, schools and meal kitchens. She graduated from Harvard University in 1998 and currently lives on the campus of Phillips Academy in Andover, MA with her husband and two daughters.

Top Notch Scholars positions inner-city youth for success based on the principles of Intentional Psychology, an approach that’s been effective in helping improve human performance & achievement.

Run for the Troops is seeking volunteers for the Christmas Dinner for Veterans at the Veteran's Outreach Center in Haverhill on Thursday, December 12th.

Help is needed to:

• Set up
• Serve dinner
• Clean up.

If you are available to help in all capacities (from 1:30 to 5:00 pm), please sign up under "All Tasks" in the online signup. If you are only available to help with specific tasks, please sign up under the individual task.  

Questions can be directed by email to Bill Pennington or phone: 978-886-8587.

Thank you for supporting our troops!

Jemma Lambert has dedicated the majority of her career to public service in the municipal context. The deliberately public-facing nature of the work that underpins the work as Director of Equity & Engagement is of particular interest to Jemma whose professional and academic interests center on citizen engagement and in improving the safety net and quality of life for all in a given community.

Jemma has served as teaching faculty for Suffolk University, Dalhousie University and the University of Alberta where she has taught in the areas of Public Administration Professionalism, Citizen Engagement and Consultation, and Leadership and Decision-Making. Jemma’s work in Canada culminated in her authorship of the Citizenship Engagement curriculum for Canada’s National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration.    Jemma received her Bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Hampshire College and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University.  

Jemma has had the pleasure of developing Leadership Academies in several municipalities; an initiative focused on connecting residents with their local government leaders. She considers this work to be profound and deeply rewarding.  Andover's Leadership Academy is an 12 week course designed to enhance townspeople's understanding of Town government operations and for municipal leaders and townspeople to learn from one another through conversation. The program is designed to advance understanding of and participation in civic affairs as well as to increase awareness of the challenges facing municipal government.

You, your family and guests are cordially invited to celebrate the holidays with us on Thursday, December 19th starting at 5:30 pm at the home of Mary Ann Millar in Andover. Appetizers and dinner buffet will be provided.  If you would like to bring a dessert or beverage to share or need Mary Ann's address, please email Diana who will be coordinating incoming fare.

We will also be collecting unwrapped gifts for pre-school children and canned food to benefit the Andover/No. Andover YMCA who generously offers meeting space throughout the year for our Club.  CLICK HERE for the Amazon Wish/Gift List.  Gifts from the wish list can be mailed directly to the YMCA if preferred.

RSVP by signing up online (click blue button under Online Registration to the left) or via the sign-up sheet which is being circulated at the weekly meetings.  If you are signing up for more than one person, please use the appropriate registration category to help ensure adequate food. 

Looking forward to celebrating this joyeous season together!

For the past seven years Andover Rotary has hauled in more money from a day of bell ringing for the Salvation Army than any other group in the Greater Lawrence area.

This year we go for our 8^th year. Our secret? Corny music and bad dancing.

On Friday, December 20, from 9:00 to 5:00, in front of Old Town Hall, come ring with us and drop some bills in the kettle.

The Rotary Club of Andover will go for its eighth consecutive win for the biggest cash haul in the Merrimack Valley for the Lawrence Salvatio Army. The Free Christian Church, once again, will try to topple us but we are the Harlem Globetrotters and they are the Washington Generals. (If you are under 40 you may have to ask a Boomer or Wikipedia.) And the Washington Generals always lose...

...But only if you join in the merrment on Friday, December 20th from 9 am to 5 pm in front of Andover Old Town Hall. Sign up for one or more one hour shifts. Shifts involve serious emoting, like dancing, singing and (if you're Doug Mercurio) begging. Friends and family members are invited!

Coordinator: Mark Spencer (mspencer@wateranalytics.net, 978-884-6958)

Provide help at Lazarus House Food Pantry on Thursday, January 2,  from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.  We are looking for four volunteers. Enjoy fellowship with the volunteers and residents at Lazarus House while doing good and making a difference in the Rotary way. 

4 Volunteers are needed each month

Meet the Makers - The Heart Behind Pinch Dab Dash: 

Hi there! We’re Andrea and Eric, the founders of Pinch Dab Dash, and we’re thrilled to share our culinary journey with you. Like many of you, we found ourselves juggling busy lives and the familiar question, "What’s for dinner?" That’s when we realized the need for flavorful, easy-to-use solutions in the kitchen.

With Andrea’s extensive knowledge of cooking and her talent for replicating global flavor profiles, we’ve meticulously crafted our gourmet blends to bring the taste of classic worldly cuisine straight to your kitchen. At Pinch Dab Dash, we believe in gourmet made easy — that cooking should be an exciting adventure for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience.

Our ready-to-use blends simplify the cooking process, allowing you to whip up delicious meals without the hassle of buying, measuring, and mixing individual spices. Each blend is a testament to our commitment to quality and flavor, designed to inspire your culinary creativity and help you feel confident in the kitchen, knowing that the perfect spice is at your fingertips.

We invite you to join us on this flavorful journey. Ask us questions, share your cooking stories, and let us be your trusted companions in the kitchen. Together, let’s make gourmet cooking simple, fun, and effortlessly delicious!

Essex Capital Partners was founded in 1995, and since its inception, has owned, developed and operated a portfolio of commercial properties in the greater New England region.

ECP’s first solar project was CRL Solar in White River Junction, VT, which entered commercial operations in 2012. Since that time ECP has successfully developed and capitalized 14 MWdc of solar projects in Massachusetts and Vermont.  As a family business and owner-operator, we take a long term view towards equipment and vendor selection, community relationships and sustainability. 

Brian Healey is an Owner/Founder of the Janz Corporation and the Janz International Foundation. Brian’s business focus has been with environmental safety, homeland security and healthcare. Brian was a former owner of California Products Corporation, where he created a successful subsidiary that was eventually purchased by Apollo Global. As an entrepreneur and inventor, Brian has started 6 companies and has also worked at Telemus (a Division of Raytheon) and Philips Healthcare, where he was the VP of Business Development/Government. Brian grew up overseas and graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Brian and his wife Fran live in North Andover. As a side interest, Brian has been a Volleyball Coach for elite high school girls for over 18 years.

The board invites members review the club surveys. 

It is a strategic visioning session. A light supper will be available.

Past President Claudia SooHoo leading!!

Members must register!!

Al Getler is a past president of the Andover Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Al lived and worked in the Merrimack Valley serving as the publisher of the Eagle Tribune, Andover Townsman, and the creator of Andovers Magazine. Al will be speaking about what Rotary has meant to his life as he prepares to help a Vermont club reignite and to speak at a district conference in Ohio. Oh, and he'll have help from a friend.

James Moore has more than 30 years in the banking and mortgage arena, but today he will speak with us about his role as President of the Merrimack Valley Toastmasters.  Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado with approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,000 clubs in 150 countries. Learn how Toastmasters can help improve your public speaking and build leadership skills!

Andover High School students made a splash on the world stage recently after winning an international physics competition and being invited to a laboratory in Germany.

It all began at the start of the 2023-2024 school year when then-junior Richard Chen approached physics teacher Daniel Donovan with a lofty idea. Chen, a member of the Andover High School Physics Club, wanted to enter a group into Beamline for Schools, a challenging particle physics competition.

Last May, the team received news that it was one of the competition’s three winners and earned the team a trip to Hamburg, Germany to test their experiment.

Only the third team from the United States to win this competition, the team is bound for Germany in September 2024, excited for a unique two-week long learning experience that will serve Andover students in years to come.

 Nasser and Kathleen run Transmural Systems, a medical device company addressing structural heart failure.  Transmural Systems is a Clinical Stage Medical Device Company with a Platform of Innovative Transcatheter Electrosurgery and Heart Failure Therapies headquartered in Dundee Park in Andover. 

They have been residents of Andover since October 1997 and will share insights into the pioneering work that they and their team do every day, right in our back yard!

Join us at Stone Hill at Andover on Friday, Feb. 21st starting at 5:00 pm for our next Fellowship/Bourbon After 5.

Andover Rotarian and Stone Hill Executive Director, Karla Rossi, and Culinary Director, Victor Casado, will be treating us to their beautiful facility and some great fare from the kitchen.Check out the menu - this will be a Bourbon After 5 you won't want to miss!

Please sign-up which will help Karla and Victor gauge the amount of food to prepare.  Rotarians and their guests are invited.

Monica is a strategic nonprofit leader developing comprehensive plans for inclusive, community-wide art and social impact projects. She effectively curates experiences and manages projects to ensure alignment with organizational values and mission.  Monica is the new Executive Director of the Essex Art Center and will oversee EAC’s mission and work to advance the Center’s education and exhibition programming and broaden its impact.

Join us for a Winter Getaway, Friday Feb. 28th (arrival) to Sunday, March 2nd (departure) at the White Mountain Hotel & Resort in North Conway, NH for great fun, food and fellowship!

Who: Rotarians, families and friends are all invited. You do NOT need to be a member of the Andover Rotary.

Includes: Two night package (two breakfasts and dinner on Sat. at Ledges Restaurant in the resort).

Cost: Single occupancy - $725; Double occupancy - $435 per person.

Deadline: Reservations due 30 days in advance (by January 29th)

Children:  Children are welcome and if they are 17 years and younger, they may stay in your room free of charge but you must let the hotel know in advance as they may have to add a bed, in the room.  Meals for children are not included in the cost.

How To Register: Call Catherine Hayes-Blake at the Resort 603-356-7100 or 800-533-6301 ext 432 or direct line 603-356-5070.  To receive the special rate, please inform them you are coming for the "Andover Rotary Get A Way Weekend" AND also use the "Online Registration"  (to the left of this announcement) to let us know you have made your reservation with the hotel.  

For any questions, contact Sheryl at: 978-618-2820. We hope you can join us!

Cancellation Policy: Any room cancellation outside of fourteen (14) days prior to arrival will be charged a $25.00 cancellation penalty.  Any room cancellation within 14 days prior to arrival will be charged a $25.00 cancellation penalty.  Any room cancellation inside of 14 days prior to arrival and up to the day of arrival will be charged the full per person package price.

Since 1809, the Andover Bookstore has been located on Main Street, in the heart of historic Andover, MA. We take pride in being the country’s oldest continuously operating independent bookstore, in the value we add to our local community, and in our part in the fight to save small, local independent bookstores across the country from the faceless, ruthless online corporate behemoth that threatens all of our Main Streets.

Sarah Klock has worked as the manager for the Andover Bookstore since August of 2022. An lifelong reader, Sarah has loved being a part of the storied history of Andover Bookstore and has bold visions for its future in downtown Andover. She believes that a town that supports a bookstore is a town worth living in. Sarah lives with her husband and three kids in Ballardvale.

Katie provides audit, tax, and consulting solutions to sophisticated nonprofit organizations, including multi-service human & social service providers, residential and day treatment agencies, early education and care (EEC) agencies, and independent schools. She has extensive experience auditing nonprofit organizations in accordance with Uniform Guidance/Single Audit and Government Auditing Standards as well as those with Uniform Financial Statement filing requirements.

Join us at Jamie and Mary Lyman's home on Friday, March 21st, starting at 5:00 PM for our next Fellowship/Bourbon After 5 event!

Feel free to bring a beverage of your choice to enjoy, and snacks to share if you'd like. There’s plenty of parking available on both sides of School Street and along various sections of Central Street.

Rotarians and their guests are welcome. Please sign up in advance so our hosts can better prepare for the number of attendees.  

Recently 60 Minutes reported on fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid that has created the worst drug crisis the United States has ever faced.

Last year, more than 70,000 Americans died from a fentanyl overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's a higher death toll than U.S. military casualties in the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan combined. 

Drug cartels in Mexico have flooded the United States with fentanyl, often hiding it in counterfeit pills designed to look like authentic prescription pills, including OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, and Adderall. And fentanyl is also showing up as an additive in street drugs, like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. This has led to an increased risk of accidental overdoses, cases where someone has unwittingly ingested fentanyl without knowing it was present.

This week, as part of our ongoing Andover Cares efforts, Paul Salafia will present on this harrowing topic.

The Rotary Club of Andover is pleased to welcome Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan for his annual Town Meeeting preview. 

Also, Joanna Reck, a member of the Central Street Historic Study Committee will provide an update from the committee as well. 

Attention all Presidents-Elect, Club Treasurers, Club Secretaries, Public Image, Membership, Foundation Chairs, new Rotarians, and all Rotarians!

The 2025 Rotary 7930 District Learning Assembly will take place on Tuesday, April 10, 2025, at the Four Points Sheraton, 1 Audubon Road, Wakefield.

The session for Presidents-Elect and Assistant Governors will begin at 4:30 pm, while all other attendees should plan to arrive by 5:00 pm. This is a valuable and essential event for all Rotarians.

A buffet dinner will be served, and a cash bar will be available during the fellowship and dinner. Registration is $50, and our club will reimburse half of the cost upon submission of your receipt to Treasurer Elaine.

Ready to register? Register here. 

Handmade with love by Gale Page, these warm wonders have fleece on the outside and cozy sherpa and hand pockets inside. Learn about the inspiration to start this small business ~ Cozy Plankos.

Noon to 2 pm for 8th graders at the Andover High School Field House.

Questions can be directed to Aixa Hilario DeKelley

We have been informed by the event organizers that they have filled all their volunteer slots. 

A Joint Board Meeting for both current and incoming Board members will take place on Wednesday, April 16th, beginning at 4:30 PM at the Andover/No. Andover YMCA.

Please RSVP to ensure we have enough seating. Club members are always welcome to attend.

Richard brings 39 years of distinguished service within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), culminating in his retirement in October 2024. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the Physical Security organization. As a key leader responsible for developing and implementing Physical Security Policies and Standards for an organization of over 100,000 employees across more than 500 facilities, Richard ensured the highest levels of safety and compliance. His expertise extended to co-authoring critical policies, including the Department of Homeland Security's Interagency Security Committee guidelines and the Active Shooter Policy, demonstrating his commitment to interagency collaboration and forward-thinking security measures.

Richard was deeply engaged with Government Accountability Office (GAO) security audits, leveraging his expertise to ensure robust security frameworks and address areas of improvement. Under his leadership, the IRS developed cutting-edge physical security software designed to streamline compliance with federal standards, enhance operational efficiencies, and serve as a benchmark for other federal agencies seeking to elevate their physical security protocols. Richard's contributions have not only strengthened the IRS's security posture but have also influenced broader federal security initiatives, reflecting his lifelong dedication to safeguarding employees, facilities, and the public.

Our friends at South Church have reached out to our club for support in a meaningful collaboration between the Town of Andover and the South Church Social Justice Coalition (SJC). Together, we aim to ensure that school children have access to nutritious food during Spring Break week.

The initiative, called Happy Vacation Food, will support over 660 food-insecure schoolchildren in Andover. These children typically rely on free school breakfasts and lunches, but with Spring Break, they won't have access to those meals, which adds extra strain on families already struggling to afford enough nutritious food. The Town is providing the funding for the food, and the SJC is organizing the logistics—but they need our help on Saturday, April 19th, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Volunteers will distribute tote bags of groceries to people in their cars at three designated sites, and some bags will be delivered to homebound families. In addition, pickup trucks, vans, or SUVs will be needed to transport tote bags and supplies.

Marge Chiafery and Meredith Moody are co-coordinators of this SJC initiative. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Meredith Moody at Eredithm3@gmail.com or 978-807-4251.

We invite you to participate in this Happy Vacation Food event and help make a difference for local families!

To sign up for transportation:
Sign up here

To sign up to volunteer at a pickup site:
Sign up here

To sign up to provide deliveries:
Sign up here

Mark Spencer holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has spent two decades in environmental research, research and development and product development. He was last Director of Technology for Agiltron, a contract R&D company north of Boston. He spent a decade at NASA Ames Research Center measuring infrared absorption of atmospheric species. His experience in securing and managing government funded R&D programs will be used to expand the technology of water quality analysis.

CLICK HERE to register for the meeting.

On Saturday, April 26th, Andover WECAN will be holding the 2nd Annual Youth Sustainability Fair  (Fair) at the Cormier Youth Center from 1- 3 PM.  The goal of the Youth Sustainability Fair is to increase youth engagement in local climate education and highlight youth-led work that is being done, all while promoting community building around environmentalism. 

The Fair received a grant from our Charitable Trust this year which includes having a Rotary booth at the event. We need four volunteers to staff our booth and Gail will arrange the handouts/supplies for the booth prior to the event.

If you are able to help, please sign-up. Questions about the Fair can be directed to Steve Fink.

On Thursday, May 1st,  Andover Elder Services (AES) will be hosting a Volunteer Recognition Dinner at The Robb Center to honor their volunteers.

Our club has been invited to assist with this event as servers and helping in the kitchen. Doors will open at 4:30 pm with dinner being served at 5:00 pm.  Volunteers are requested to arrive by 4:15 pm.  

If you're available to help, please sign up.  We need four to six volunteers and you are invited to stay for the dinner.  Questions about the volunteer role(s) can be directed to the AES Coodinator Ashley English.

Note: Andover Elder Services is one of our grant recipients this year.

Nicole Kramer, Joined the MHL as the Programming and Partnerships Manager in 2022. Our resident community convener was eager to get to know the people, places and ideas that make Andover unique. Nicole comes to us from the Salisbury Public Library where she was Assistant Director and responsible for community relationships and programs. In her free time, Nicole loves to bake apple pies and almond scones.

Memorial Hall Library is the public library for the Town of Andover. With an MHL library card, you can access books, media, electronic resources and research databases, and much more. Learn about some of the lesser-known library resources including the library of things, makerspace, educational and enriching programs for all ages, and other services available from your local library!

Please note the new weekly meeting location starting this week and going forward is the Lanam Club, 260 North Main Street, Andover.

It takes a dedicated team to create an unforgettable event, and we’d love for you to be part of ours on Thursday, May 8th at the 27th Annual Citizens Who Care Gala.

We’re looking for volunteers to assist with the following:

• Room setup (starting at 3 pm)
• Silent auction setup (starting at 3 pm)
• Door greeters (starting at 5:15 pm)
• Silent auction checkout (after the auction closes)
• Breakdown and clean up (following the event's conclusion).

Feel free to sign up for more than one role.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Ann Ormond.

A reminder starting next week, May 16th and thereafter, the weekly breakfast meetings will be held at the Lanam Club.

Reminder: Our weekly meetings now take place at the Lanam Club.

Our own Jean Leider will present on her recent Rotary District 7930 Rotaplast Mission to Cebu, Phillippines.   

The March 2025 mission to Cebu marked Rotaplast’s 20th visit to the region. It was supported by District Governor Tom Hankard (7930), under the leadership of Past District Governor Terry Resendez Curran, who is set to serve again as District Governor in 2027 when another mission is planned.

The Rotary Club of Andover contributed $1,600 in support of the Cebu mission.

We have a great opportunity to spread the word about our fantastic Rotary Club at Andona's Clown Town event on Saturday, May 17, from 10 AM to 4 PM.  We will have a table under a tent near the Gazebo beside the town hall,  with our information and to welcome potential members who have brought their family to Clown Town.  We need an additional 4 members to take a two-hour shift from 12-2 or 2-4.