Rotary Log for April 27, 2017
By Al Lantinen
Photos by Tube Loch
President James opened the meeting with a moment of silence to respect the tragic death of Casey Savage, 9. Casey was a victim of a car crash last week in Connecticut. His mother and grandmother are part of our extended family at the Portsmouth Country Club. Steve Wood led the 4-way test and John Rice provided a thoughtful invocation. The Star Spangled Banner seemed to go off well with no one fracturing their throat.
Our many guests were welcomed, and birthdays of Diane Foley and Kevin Shultz acknowledged. A warm thanks to Tiffany McKenna and Marcie Bergan for escorting Peg Millar to Braintree, Mass. Peg presented a donation to the Braintree Scholarship Program.
Rotary Vocational Awards are just around the corner. The deadline for nomination submissions is May 25. We all need to start considering those whom we believe represent service above self.
Nancy Clayburgh reminded us of a clothing drive coming up May 11. The effort benefits Durham’s Echo Thrift Shop and ultimately Friends in Action. Friends is a group that creates social and recreational opportunities for the developmentally disabled. We can bring our gently used clothing to the meeting. Nancy also notes the hands on project at PMS on May 6 which will be planting a garden at the front of the old building. All volunteers are welcome.
On a side note, the Portsmouth city newsletter recently cited our Chess Tournament at PMS on May 4. The story gives credit to Portsmouth Rotary support. Good job, Ted!
Also, here’s a reminder from Joanie. The Interact group will welcome volunteers to the Wallis Sands cleanup on May 13, a Saturday, not the 11th.
There were many happy dollars today but we should take note of one from Holly Sargent of the York Rotary. Ogunquit Playhouse will donate $10 dollars to support End Polio Now for every ticket sold to “Mama Mia” June 1. York Rotary is hosting a reception that night, so have fun and support Rotary International at the same time!
Our speaker for the day was Dave O’Brien, NESN play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox. He had previously been the voice of Red Sox radio on WEEI for nine years. His appraisal of the Red Sox is enthusiastic and positive. The level of talent is high and with star pitcher Chris Sale, the team will be going places. Still, O’Brien was asked why the Sox don’t give Sale any run support. His answer is that the ace works too fast. He throws off Sox hitters, who usually have a longer time in the field.
O’Brien’s most popular player? Big Poppy, of course. Not just for his clutch hitting, but for his outgoing, infectious personality. Poppy, by the way, may be heading for the broadcast booth.
It was interesting to hear O’Brien’s assessment of the Sox’ clubhouse atmosphere. He thinks it’s just fine, thank you very much. And he warns us about ill-informed talk show hosts who make comments without ever being in the locker room (or charter jet.) There was some discussion about the right and wrong way of throwing at a batter. O’Brien does not condone it, but as long as the culture exists, an unspoken protocol will continue.
Dave O’Brien is a true gentleman and a great speaker. His lifelong involvement in sports certainly makes his play-by-play worth listening to.
Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen