The Mathews Rotary Club selects a community service project to perform each summer, with the organization’s motto, “Service Above Self,” as its driving force. This summer has been no different, in spite of sweltering temperatures.

Club member Tim Hill said that Chuck Dawson of the Mathews Land Conservancy contacted the club about a project at Bayside, located at the end of Route 14 in Bavon. The Mathews Land Conservancy owns the property, and it’s a popular stop for bicyclists during the annual Tour de Chesapeake. Dawson told Hill that vandals were destroying the grounds around the gazebo, which overlooks New Point Lighthouse and the confluence of the Mobjack and Chesapeake bays, and that a fence was needed. He requested a vehicle gate that could be opened for maintenance and a pedestrian gate to allow access to cyclists and hikers.

The club decided to take on the task as its community service project for this year. During two half-Saturdays, and after much sweat and cold-water ...