Legislative Update: Senator Joan Lovely Addresses Salem Rotary Club
The Salem Rotary Club, joined by the Salem Chamber of Commerce, recently welcomed State Senator Joan Lovely for a legislative update on the work being done on Beacon Hill.
Senator Lovely highlighted a productive session as the Senate has passed 130 bills, 33% more than the previous session. She noted recent transparency reforms including online committee votes, posted bill summaries, and hybrid public hearings that make it easier for residents to participate.
On education, she shared updates on increased Chapter 70 funding, free community college tuition, and universal free breakfast and lunch in public schools. She also announced $150,000 in earmarked funds for upgrades to a Salem school auditorium.
Turning to the budget, Senator Lovely flagged serious concerns about proposed federal Medicaid cuts, noting that 80% of Massachusetts recipients are seniors, children, and people with disabilities. She credited Attorney General Campbell with recovering over $200 million in federal funds through litigation.
On housing, she highlighted the Affordable Homes Act, a $5 billion investment with 90,000 units already underway, and closed with an overview of 11 ballot questions heading to voters this cycle, encouraging Rotarians to stay engaged and informed.
Calendar Winners!
Jen Close sold the winner to Thomas Furey!
50:50 Raffle
$1,185 Pot
Ryan Guilmartin (played by Rinus Oosthoek) and Chamber Member
No Winners this week!
Visitors and Guest Rotarians
Connie Fredericks was a of Adria Duijvesteijn’s for a second time.
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.
Salem Pantry Market Hours
April 10 | 2:30-4:30 PM
May 2 | 8-10 AM
Ota Exchange - Seeking Host Families July 26 - August 3, 2026
The City of Salem is seeking local families to host visiting students from its sister city, Ota-ku in Tokyo, Japan, as part of a long-standing cultural exchange program now in its 35th year. From July 26 to August 3, 28 middle school students (ages 13–14) will travel to the North Shore for a week of English language learning and cultural immersion, and each student is placed with a host family—creating meaningful connections, cultural understanding, and often lifelong friendships. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity for families, especially those with (pre)teens, to experience another culture right at home while making a lasting impact on a young person’s life. Families interested in hosting, or who would like to learn more, are encouraged to reach out at salemotaculturalexchange@gmail.com.
Club Events
Why should you go to fellowship events?
Because they’re fun!
Dutch Drinks April 10 5pm-ish Location Witchside Tavern
Join your fellow Rotarians for some fun and fellowship. It is delayed one week due to Good Friday. We will certainly host it close to The Market where several Rotarians will be volunteering that afternoon.
District News
Rockin’ with Rotary Saturday, April 11, 5:30 PM | Danversport
Live music, BIG energy! Sue Gabriel shared information about Beverly Rotary’s big fundraiser featuring the eight-piece, horn fueled rock machine, Chin Friction. Click here for more information.
District 7930 Spring Conference Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Salem Waterfront Hotel
Registration is open and only $99 for a fun-packed day including lunch buffet! Deadline to register is April 18, 2026. Working with our own Carolyn Shapiro, they plan to pack in a fun and energizing day: - Hear the latest in the District over an amazing luncheon - Participate in a district service activity - See the sites of the amazing city of Salem via a (optional) trolley tour, and; - Go Pirate! Visit one of Salem's top attractions - Real Pirates Salem Click this link for more information and register!
Salem Rotarians Say . . .
There was no time for happy dollars this week, so let's reuse last wek's because I am lazy. Sue Gabriel brought in a treasure this week that had the Club a buzz! A photo of our Club’s founding fathers was discovered by neighbors of a Beverly Rotarian who passed it on to Sue. The photo features what is presumed to be the first board of directors of the Salem Rotary Club, with President George Ashton seated center. The original image is at the hotel, but below is an annotated copy along with some history and the list of charter members, which was including with the photo.
Where we met
Our first 8 meetings took place at the Roger Conant Inn, but membership increased so rapidly that getting into larger quarters was inevitable. For some time we debated whether to take the 2nd floor of the Lynde Building at 145 Essex Street, or the Frankling Building at the corner of Essex Street and Hawthorne Boulevard. During the negotiations, the management of the Franklin Building offered the club a trial meeting, including a free meal. Following that evening, and in spite of rent that was $1- per month higher, the Franklin Building became our permanent meeting place. We had 54 members at that time, and they chipped in over a thousand dollars to purchase tables, chairs, dishes, linens and various other necessities. George Morrill gave us a large tapestry to hang on the wall, and Robin Damon contributed a clock with the proviso that it should always be placed facing the speaker. Pictures were given by Clarke Brown, Bill Strangman and Frank Tuttle, and somehow, a piano was procured.
Charter Members of the Salem Rotary Club
Harry C. Annable, Department Store (Almy’s) George W. Ashton, Shoes – Retail Henry M. Batchelder, Commercial Banking (Merchants National) John M. Bosshart, Principal – Salem High School J. Clarke Brown, Hardware – Waters and Brown Edward K. Burbeck, Physician Robert P. Butterick, Telephone Service James N. Clarke, Haberdashery Leland H. Cole, Trust Company (Naumkeag) Robert W. Hill, Lawyer George W. Hooper, Laundries William E. Lavender, Printing William B. Mansfield, Unknown George A. Morrill, Rugs & Draperies Aubrey A. Nelson, Photographer Fred A. Norton, Insurance Arthur H. Palmer, Men’s Clothing Laurence E. Pedrick, Druggist (Ropes) Leonard B. Pickering, Coal Dealer George W. Pitman, Contractor J. Foster Smith, Cotton Mill (Pequot) S. Fred Smith, Salem Electric Light William F. Strangman, Dentistry Clarence R. Taylor, Unknown George E. Taylor, Optometry Alvah P. Thompson, Unknown John L. Tudbury, Salem Gas Company Josiah B. Wentworth, Wholesale Meat (Swift) Frank U. Wetmore, Unknown Edward L. Whitman, Salem Evening News
