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Top of the Week March 7, 2018
 
Top of the Week!
 
Seeking Nominations for the Rev. Allen Humanitarian Award
 
The first recipient of the annual Reverend Gordon Allen Humanitarian Award will be recognized at our meeting on Thursday, April 26th.
 
The intent of the award is to honor the memory of Gordon Allen by recognizing someone in our community that embodies some of the same attributes that we admired so much in Reverend Allen - humility, service to community, love of knowledge, and caring for others, to name a few.
 
Please take a moment to reflect on someone in our club or community that is deserving of this recognition and reach out to the committee members with your thoughts.
 
Committee members - James Petersen, Ellen Labrie, Sara Treacy, Cleo Villaflores, Tom Decker, Leo Gagnon, Paul Lucy, Neal Ouellett, John Pappas, John Rice or Ben Wheeler.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.
 
 
 
Sorry We Missed You
 
If you have a makeup for a missed meeting, please email it to the following link:
 
 
 
Check Your Profile
 
The Communications Committee is asking that everyone log onto ClubRunner and check your profile to make sure it is up to date.  Change is part of life and we hope to be able to reflect those changes in our website.  Happy surfing.
 
 
Rotary Connections is back!!!
 
Rotary Connections let’s our members know that their Rotary club is thinking of them.  Members facing a health issue, death in the family or a life celebration, we are here!  
 
If you know of any of our members who may need a Rotary Connections, please reach out to the Cathy Nickerson or President Ben.
 
 
Let us Know What is Happening!
 
If you have an event or news that you would like to share with your fellow Rotarians, please forward the information to Dennis Moulton for inclusion in the weekly eBulletin. My contact information is d-moulton@comcast.net.  And please send photos!
Read more...
Rotary Log for March 1, 2018
Rotary Log for March 1, 2018
 
 
President Ben opened our meeting on what was National Wheelchair Day. More about that connection later. He complimented the Portsmouth Country Club on their tasteful renovation of our meeting room. Al Lantinen intoned “America.” Greeter and new member Laura Barker led the Test. Aileen Dugan invoked God’s grace.
 
Guests (and Rotarian Hosts.)
 
Don Chick and Jacques Breton (Susan Gold) 
   
Midge Nelson and Robert DeMaxia (Aileen Dugan)
 
Heather Inyact (Tristan Shanley)
 
Happy Dollars!
 
A few Happy Dollars helped plug President Ben’s budget deficit.
 
Len Seagren passed along a $50 check from his neighbor. The donor appreciated our club’s Thanksgiving meal. Joe Cunningham was thankful for the completion of his daughter’s adenoid surgery. Barb Miller’s grand-daughter turned six years old.
 
Announcements
 
Ramona Dow noted that our club is now supporting Seacoast Community Lunch. This non-profit group will soon offer free lunches to local residents. Operations will begin in May at the newly renovated meeting room of Middle Street Baptist Church. Attending diners will enjoy plated meals on clothed round tables. Live music will often be provided. Sounds like a nice experience! President Ben presented a $1,500 check to a representative of this worthy endeavor.
 
 
All information regarding meeting makeup requests should now be sent directly to portsmouthrotary@yahoo.com.
 
Sara Treacy asked for nominating submissions for the First Annual Reverend Gordon Allen Humanitarian Award.
 
The Rotaplast Project juggernaut gained further momentum. Barb Miller brought a $1,500 donation from Eastern Bank. Governor Dave found another cubbyhole in the District’s balance sheet. From it he extracted yet one more contribution. And President Ben announced a $2,000 gift from Service Credit Union.
 
Ben has applications for non-medical Rotaplast Project team members. These applications are also available online at our club website.
 
The $52 raffle was won but your scribe, who was too busy enjoying his steak tips to record the winner. More importantly, Rafflemeister Justin Finn was found toting up the numbers with an official Rotary Appreciation pen. Apparently these pens are now available on the black market. The record clearly shows that nary a post-luncheon talk has been recently given by Brother Finn! Fodder for a future Finn fine? 
 
Guest speakers.
 
 
Todd Hansen and Anne Weidman work together at JSA Architects. The firm provides architectural and interior design for local establishments. The Portsmouth Medical Center and the Portsmouth Library are among the firm’s oeuvre.
 
Two years ago, Todd and Anne founded a non-profit organization, now known as Access Navigators. Its mission was to provide the mobility disabled with better ways to access and enjoy Portsmouth.
 
The duo brought more qualifications to the task than just their professional experience. As President of Strawbery Banke, Anne is a keen observer and participant of local activities. Todd is a former local competitive runner. He actually won our very own Thunder Chicken 5K race in 2000.
 
 
Four years ago, Todd faced the onset of relatively unknown PLS, a degenerative affliction similar to ALS. Today he requires a wheelchair for mobility and a speaker-connected IPad to communicate. Undaunted, he uses his acute personal awareness of disability issues to add urgency and effectiveness to the organization’s efforts.
 
Access Navigators’ basic premise is two-fold. Mobility-disabled people need adequate and up-to-date information regarding access to local facilities and establishments. Armed with this data, they can better plan trips and outings. Conversely, mobility friendly restaurants and attractions need to broadcast their accessibility to attract disabled customers and their accompanying groups. Access Navigators provides a nexus for that information flow.
 
 
The effort began by simply canvassing local venues regarding their access options. This data was compiled and displayed as a web-based guidebook. Product extensions now include a Google Map-based interactive application. “Walk and Roll Routes” highlight local downtown tour loops for the disabled and the general public.
 
Access Navigators is expanding their services to four additional Seacoast towns: Exeter, Dover, Durham and Newmarket. Critical to this expansion is the assistance of many UNH students and other local volunteers.
 
It was a lively talk. And exciting to learn that Access Navigators is already making a positive impact on our community and its residents.
 
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich
Photos by Jim Rini
New Members Photos
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
 
http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome
Speakers
Mar 08, 2018
Double A Baseball with our Fisher Cats
Mar 15, 2018
TBA
Apr 05, 2018
Bring Your Best - Our Own National Holiday - It is April 1st After All
Apr 26, 2018
Rev. Gordon Allen Humanitarian Award
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
Service Credit Union Corporate Office
Mar 07, 2018
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
 
New Member Orientation
Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank
Mar 08, 2018
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Communications Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
Mar 08, 2018
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Infinite Imaging
Mar 14, 2018
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
 
Cash Committee Meeting
Eastern Bank
Mar 29, 2018
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
New Member Orientation
Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank
Mar 29, 2018
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
Photo Albums
MARCH 1, 2018: Access Portsmouth
C. 2018 Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905 Portsmouth NH 03801
Email: portsmouthnhrotary@yahoo.com. www.portsmouthrotary.org.
eBulletin Editor: John Rice