Most memorable moment from this year’s Rotary

Sitting back for a second as the sale was about to start and the national anthem was being sung, thinking of all the hard work done by so many over the past year.

Most unusual sale

Eye of the beholder… But I loved seeing the odd combos of stuff people were carrying away. Like a fire grate and a woman’s blouse (size medium), or a desk lamp paired with a bag of legos, or 8 hula hoops and a box of fishing lures. Not your average shopping trip.

Most unforgettable member

Mary from Sequim Rotary, her 40th year volunteering here.

Most interesting volunteer

Too many to single any one out. Lots of quirky folks at this event. 

Signature rotary hat

Dude with the chicken hat

Signature rotary room

All so unique and reflect the personal styles of the volunteers in there and the stuff donated. No real way to compare TV/Audio with Better Clothing with Bikes.  But if you want to get a feel for the shear volume and scale of this event, all you had to do was take a peak at the Bulk Clothing Dept. 

Best display this year

I really liked the Children’s Toys and Clothes in the gym. So many different and little things, could easily be a chaotic jumbled mess, but those volunteers really put together an appealing and easy to shop dept. 

Busiest time this year

When wasn’t it? Felt like a 12 day sprint. 

Most noteworthy comment

A first time shopper asking, “Where did all this stuff come from?”

First thing most people notice when they arrive

The scale of it all. 

This year’s proceeds (best guess) as compared to last year?

It’s a secret until the volunteer thank you pick-nick this coming Sunday. 

Best 2019 auction item 

No such thing as best. There’s a different “best” for each person, part of what makes this event so unique and so successful each year. 

Your post-rotary auction plans

Try to rest my feet and get back to my day job.

Best advise for next year’s chair?

Delegate, delegate, delegate – and make time to circulate and talk with all the volunteers. Can easily get bogged down in the thousands of tasks and needs, but important for the Chair to be involved on a personal level with as many as possible. 

If I did this again I would…

continue praying to the Sun gods to keep the rain away.

If I did this again I wouldn’t…

forget to buy new shoes before we start. 

Anything else to add?

A thanks to all the volunteers, donors and shoppers who made this year a success. Everything from the time, talent, stuff and money you gave all goes back to our community in so many ways.

Adam Matschek is the owner and manager of Bainbridge Ready LLC. He and his wife Laura, as well as their dog Lewis, are lucky enough to live on Puget Sound’s greatest island