The MDI High School Interact Club, sponsored by MDI Rotary, numbers nearly 40 socially conscientious teens who serve the local and world community. Currently the club is supporting an international effort to stop human trafficking and slavery.

One of the Bar Harbor Rotary Club's biggest success stories is the Interact Club, an integral part of Mount Desert IslandHigh School, led by French teacher Lori Fineman. The club numbers nearly 40 teens who are active in school, as well as being socially conscientious citizens, and are willing to serve their local and world community. Sponsored by the Bar Harbor Rotary Club, the Interact Club is part of Rotary International.

This year's Interact projects have been varied. The club raised money to do Christmas shopping again for two Emmaus House families. On Dec. 11, they held a Middle School dance with proceeds supporting their international project "notforsale.org," which tries to put a stop worldwide to human trafficking and slavery. Club members also went Christmas caroling at Birch Bay Village and entertained the residents.

The Interact Club recently honored club member Macy Horton with the Bob Noonan Award at the club's annual dinner. This award, presented each year, honors an unsung hero in the Interact Club who has good attendance and is dedicated to the club's mission of "service above self." It is named for the late Bob Noonan, a Bar Harbor Rotarian who was a key founder of the Interact Club.

The MDI Interact club also has been instrumental in starting a new Interact Club at EllsworthHigh School. The two clubs have plans for a joint fund raising or social activity in 2010.

The Bar Harbor Rotary Club ended December with a holiday party at Birch Bay Village on Dec. 23. Members brought unwrapped gifts for the "Marines Toys for Tots" program. Since lunch was provided by the club, members gave monetary contributions to the International Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus program.

In 2010 we will continue with exciting new and interesting programs and delicious international lunches at Birch Bay Village each Wednesday at 12 noon. All meals are prepared by talented chef Chris Pasha and his staff. A breakfast meeting is held at Main Street Market and Grill in Bar Harbor at 7 a.m. on Thursdays.  Everyone is always welcome to attend and join in the fellowship and fun. "Just show up" and you will be welcome, or feel free to contact members through the website at www.mditorary.org . Club president Becky Buyers-Basso may be reached at 288-3784.