Classification talks (which is Rotary-speak for introducing yourself to the club) were the feature of last Thursday's meeting of the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.

First up was recently inducted member John Platt, who described himself as a freelance writer who wears lots of hats - journalist, publisher, futurist, activist, cartoonist and photograph"ist". Among the subjects he has covered are endangered species, technology, business and the environment. John began his writing career with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, where he wrote advertisements, brochures, membership materials and Web site content. Since moving here from New Jersey he has been active in newsletters, press releases and ad campaigns. He has published 2,000 articles, 80 short stories and "multiple thousands of words" for Web sites, ads, etc. His short story "All Hands" appeared in "From the Borderlands," which features contributions from Bentley Little, Whitley Strieber, Stephen King and others (he is one of the "others").

Craig Tukey spoke next. He was born in Damariscotta and grew up in New Harbor, where his father owned a service station. Although his family wanted him to go to college, he felt the call of the sea and joined the Merchant Marine, which allowed him to see a lot of the world. He was drafted into the Army in 1960 and after basic training in Texas served for a year in Korea. Upon his discharge in 1962 he became an insurance adjuster in Boston. His first love was cars, however, so he switched to a GM dealership for seven or eight years, and then to VW. When an opening in the VW dealership in Augusta became available in the 1970s, he moved there. He recalls that the VW Beetle cost $1,525! His next move was to Strong Chevrolet, where he was a manager for 20 years. In the early 1990s, the auto business was down, so he took the required courses and went into real estate, coming to the Boothbay area in 1995. He was invited to join the Rotary Club in 2000, and has since served as president and auction chair.

Adam Maguire, "The Financial Coach," was the final speaker. He came here 10 years ago when his wife's family offered to sell their house on Southport. Adam describes himself as an investment analyst, personal debt counselor, mutual fund broker, financial advisor, insurance agent, certified long-term care specialist, annuity provider, college investment planner, and retirement planner. His official title is "registered investment advisor. Adam's clients include lobstermen, restaurateurs, B&B owners, realtors and welders. When working as a stockbroker, he had a client roster of 2,500; he is now halfway toward his goal of 300 clients, which will make it possible for him to actually communicate with all of them on a regular basis.

In the business meeting preceding the program, President Skip Kreahling invited members to attend the dedication of the "Twin Villages Light Project," the centennial project of the Damariscotta-Newcastle Club, on Saturday, December 8 at 10 a.m. Mike Thompson introduced guest Rick Todd from Boothbay.

On Thursday, December 13, Carolyn Johnson, a Rotarian from Yarmouth and frequent visitor to our Club, will update us on the Guatemala Literacy Project, which provides much-needed textbooks and pencils - as well as hope - to children attending school in Guatemala's rural areas. Daniels will be greeter that evening and offer the invocation, with Jason Lorrain and Brenda Blackman as waiters and Connie Jones as program chair. Monthly house­keeping assignments in December are: Tammy Blackman, steward; Bob Pike, innkeeper; Bill Kautzmann, 50/50; and Adam Maguire, Sergeant at Arms.

The following Tuesday morning, December 18, we will kick off holiday festivities by visiting the Damariscotta-Newcastle club for breakfast at 7:15 a.m. and a program featuring the Lincoln Academy Singers; President Skip is accepting RSVPs for this exchange visit. That Thursday, December 20, we will have our own traditional Club carol sing for residents of St. Andrews and the Boothbay Green. Please note that carolers will meet at 4:30 that afternoon; non-singers who wish to join us for supper please come to the clubhouse at the usual time. Dinner will be only $5 that evening. There will be no meeting December 27 on account of the holidays.

Want to learn more about Rotary or about our Club? Interested neighbors, visiting Rotarians and guests are invited to join us for our weekly meetings each Thursday at our one-of-a-kind Rotary Clubhouse at 29 Oak Street in downtown Boothbay Harbor. The bell is rung and dinner is served promptly at 6:30 p.m., then comes a short business meeting and special speaker, and the evening ends by 8 p.m. Check us out on the Web: www.boothbayharborrotary.org.