Rotary Log for October 13, 2016

Rotary Log for October 13, 2016

by Rich Greulich

Photos by Sara Treacy

President James gonged our meeting to order and led the Pledge. Greeter Donna Harvey led the Test. At that point “Lady Di” Foley, sitting next to your scribe, was overcome by a loud sneeze. A Rotarian across the room shouted out “God bless…”. Before he could finish the thought and as if on cue, songster John Rice launched into a spirited rendition of “God Bless America.” Hitting cleanup, Reverend Allen also invoked God’s blessing.

Guests (and Rotarian hosts) included Shannon Mini (Barb Miller) and Madeline Warren (Aileen Dugan). We applauded fellow Rotarian Ashley Bush’s birthday this week.

James reminded us that the Fun Box was still open for fun event suggestions. He noted that the next few meetings will have political guest speakers. Increased class participation with questions is encouraged. So if you haven’t posed a question to a visiting politician yet, come up with a fresh and meaningful one!

International volunteers were made aware of the upcoming National Polio Immunization Day in Nigeria on November 28-December 9.

Bob Sheesley touted the End Polio Bridge Walk on October 22.

Aileen Dugan invited everyone to the Rotary 100^th Anniversary Dinner to be held on November 10 in Portland. Twenty two of our club members are going. More are welcome!

Priscilla McInnis called for five more Thanksgiving Turkey cookers.

Pinch-hitting for Ted Alex, James thanked fellow Rotarians who volunteered at the recent Friends Forever hands on project. He singled out for praise new member and participant Donald Sutherland. These projects are excellent ways for new and old members to become mutually acquainted.

Our president gave a shout-out to Tom Decker and Jeff Marple. This duo donated 100 pink ties to the Portsmouth Police Department. As a result our local gendarmerie will be “pink tie guys” on October 27 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Happy Dollars were here again! Jay Gibson honored his daughter’s wedding. Lexi Manus loves her husband. Frank Piricano became a Portsmouth resident. Donna Harvey and husband celebrated their 27^th anniversary. Cindy Tucker extolled the street smarts of our local squirrels. Her new granddaughter made Fine-Meistress Nancy Notis happy. But apparently not happy enough to allow Richard Smith to escape. In the wake of Bob Dylan winning the Nobel Prize for Literature (go figure!) Nancy challenged Cuzin’ Richard. Simply name five of the troubadour’s songs. He gave a valiant effort but ultimately came up short and paid his fine.

Even happier days are when we induct new members. Two newbies were introduced this week. Deb Anthony had prior association with the Dover Rotary Club. She is involved with the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Deb is enthusiastic about further serving our community. Sait Riega-Campos recently moved from New York City to Portsmouth. He was accompanied by a hearty letter of recommendation from the President of the NYC Rotary Club. Sait expressed his interest in giving back and paying forward to others. Welcome Deb and Sait!

Proving that brevity trumps eloquence, Jim Rini introduced our guest speaker. Kevin Kurland is the founder/owner/operator of Smokey Quartz Distillery (SQD). Located on Route 1 in Seabrook, SQD is a craft distillery.

Kevin served in the U.S. Air Force. Following his active duty he earned an engineering degree at UNH. He subsequently served as a Reservist and did two tours of duty in Iraq. During his second tour in 2008 Kevin read a Wall Street Journal article describing the fledgling craft distillery industry. He sensed a business opportunity and proceeded to learn about distillery practices. After developing his business plan he started buying the requisite equipment in 2013. With help from his father, step-father and brother, the Kurland family team built the entire distillery.

The first product, a local organic corn-based vodka, was produced in 2014. The current product portfolio includes vodka, rum, moonshine whiskey and bourbon. The award-winning V5 Bourbon is named in honor of the five veterans involved in the distillery construction. Last year total SQD production was 550 twelve-bottle cases. Current annual run rates are heading toward 800 twelve-bottle cases. The products are sold in 15 N.H. Liquor Stores and served in nearly 50 local restaurants.

Kevin is dedicated to using ingredients from American and, if possible, local sources. For example, the barrels for aging bourbon are from Wisconsin. The glass bottles hail from Missouri. The bottle labels are designed and printed locally. Local corn mash from local N.H. farms is used to the extent it’s available. Only the corks are from Canada.

Informative and fun tours and tastings are available at SQD’s site in Seabrook. Your scribe has enjoyably done both and recommends them.

Oh, yes. Smokey Quartz Distillery is named after New Hampshire’s Official State Gemstone!

Respectfully submitted, Rich Greulich