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Top of the Week August 29, 2019
 
Top of the Week!
August 29, 2019
 
 
 
 
Rotary Rocks! District Conference message from DG Andy Glazier
 
Hello Rotarians and future Rotarians!
 
Our Events Team is working at warp speed on creating a fabulous October 5th RotaryRocks! event for us:
 
A District Conference Like No Other! One Magnificent Day! 

Saturday, October 5th, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, at the Univ of Southern Maine, Portland.
 
Continuing with two of our themes this Rotary year of "Be Creative" and "Think Outside The Box", we are working at warp speed to finalize details for our "District Conference like no other!" Our event Team is confident that we are creating an experience that will excite, entertain, and motivate all, Rotarians and potential Rotarians alike!
 
To maximize participation (the theatre at the University of Southern Maine seats 550), we have set the event registration fee at a mere $20 for the day. This includes event participation, parking, breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
 
What's unique about this high energy event? It's the ideal event for all new (and veteran) Rotarians and potential Rotarians to experience what's happening in our Rotary today. We have asked each club to please have a display table featuring the good work that your club does, be it fund raisers, service projects, or grant work. There will be another 20 display tables featuring Rotary related projects. Connect with Rotarians from other clubs - explain to them what works for you - learn from others what works for them - experience what's going on in Rotary outside of your club.
 
Additionally our New Voices Club Rotarians (the high energy leaders of our future) will be explaining their novel and unique (Thinking Outside The Box) approach to Rotary.
 
And, our Zone 24 & 32 Rotary International Director Jeffry Cadorette, will be our keynote speaker! Jeffry is an exciting, high energy, GrowRotary! motivational speaker with new ideas; you will love him!
 
=> Please register to attend today!
https://rotary7780.org/event/rotary-rocks
 
Bring your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and in-laws - bring all your potential Rotarians. At this price you can afford to bring 20, 30, or more!
 
 
Past President Cleo's Never Ending Project Takes Another Step Forward
 
 
This past Saturday, intrepid Rotarians braved adverse conditions (cloudy and cool) to further the work at the John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth.  The work consisted of scraping and painting the wooden fence in front of the historic house.  Needless to say, these selfless Rotarians succeeded in making a once sad looking fence look pristine.
 
 
Thanks to all who helped out at the project and here's to the collective effort to make this iconic Portsmouth landmark more beautiful.
 
For more pictures of this project click on the link at the end of this bulletin.
 
 
Sarstoon Island Eco Challenge : Kayak Race for Males and Females
 
 
Rotary is looking for 6-12 kayaks to be donated to the Annual Sarstoon Island Eco Challenge
 
About the Challenge
 

2019 marks the 4th Annual Sarstoon Island Eco Challenge! The challenge was created to bring highlight the ecological importance of the region and the river, as well as the illegal fishing that is endangering it. Organizers hope to show that eco-tourism is an alternative to illegal and harmful fishing practices that can support the local economy.

All are invited to attend! Racers from international places are welcome. If you reach out as soon as you can, a kayak can be put aside for you. It is recommended that you stay in Punta Gorda and BTV will be organizing transportation to the starting line.

PRIZES

There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for both the male and female races! There will also be station prizes throughout the race -first person to pass the station gets the prize. The oldest and youngest racers will also receive a prize. During the race, spectators are invited to participate in 5-a-side football marathon, with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th prizes!

Barranco is the southern-most coastal village in Belize, right across the river from Guatemala, and has a population of about 200. Traditionally a fishing and farming village, Barranco has seen a decline in population in recent times. The village is already experiencing severe climate change impacts, including repeated flooding and drastic erosion. One goal of the Eco-Challenge is to bring people back to the village and raise awareness both among everyday people and the government on the challenges facing them.

 
Make Peg’s Day!
 
Dear Fellow Rotarians:
 
Our dear friend and Portsmouth Rotarian Peg Millar is looking for some Rotarian fellowship during the week.  Since Peg is unable to drive it leaves her feeling a bit lonely and isolated.   A half hour visit can go a long way in putting a smile on Peg’s face.  We have had a small circle of our Rotarian’s visiting Peg and helping with errands but with everyone’s busy schedule it would nice to get a few more folks over to spread a little cheer Peg’s way.  Please reach out to Peg for a visit at 603-501-0910.
 
Thank you from Rotary Connections Committee
 
Volunteer for Cross Roads
 
For a great fellowship experience, please consider volunteering at Cross Roads House:
 
Slots are generally on Wednesdays and Saturdays with Cooks working 3-5 pm and Servers 5-7 pm.
 
If you would like to volunteer please text or call Tiffany at 603-380-5872. That way she will know when she has enough volunteers and can coordinate other dates that need to be filled.
 
Or Volunteer At the Salvation Army
 
Another great fellowship opportunity.  Upcoming dates for dinner service at the Salvation Army are September 17, October 29 and November 25.  Volunteers are asked to be at the kitchen at 4:15 to prepare for the dinner service.  If you are interested, contact Sara Treacy.
 
 
PHA Volunteer Coordination
 
Mary Kelliher, Volunteer Coordinator at the Portsmouth Housing Authority forwarded the following:
 
“I'm reaching out regarding a recurring volunteer opportunity that has sprung at two of our resident building. We now hold a coffee hour at our Margeson building on Mondays at 10am and at Feaster on Thursdays at 10am. These are opportunities for residents to get out of their apartments and spend time in a communal space to have a treat together. We'd love to have volunteers sign up for a particular day or recurring days to bring donuts, pastries, and/or fruit (coffee is provided) if anyone would like to do so! This is an easy opportunity to also chat with our resident population, as well. Each building also has a piano, waiting for anyone with a passion for it to play during coffee hour as well!!
 
Let Mary know if anyone might be interested.
 
 
 
AmeriCorps Seeks Rotary Volunteers 
 
Mary Kelliher is the Volunteer Coordinator for AmeriCorps working out of Portsmouth Housing's Greenleaf Recreation Center with the Resident Services team which assists low-income residents, senior residents, and residents with disabilities in finding resources for different needs, such as budgeting, financial literacy, transportation, etc. Mary and AmeriCorps is seeking volunteers who would be willing to volunteer. One example of a volunteer opportunity is assisting an older female resident who lives alone in moving heavy furniture (strong people needed!) into and from a UHaul during her planned move from her Feaster apartment to Connor's Cottage. If there are any volunteers intersted in lending a hand please contact Mary at maryk@nh-pha.com
 
 
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 August 22, 2019
Rotary Log for August 22, 2019
 
As President Leo gonged us to order, something felt different. It only took a second to pinpoint the change. His sartorial presentation gave a first impression that he was wearing a clerical collar! Alas, it was simply a white ring collar shirt showing itself beneath a dark shirt and sport coat.
This wasn’t your scribe’s imagination. Cathy Nickerson led us in song. Then the Most Reverend Leo jokingly said that he was still in Seminary. Therefore, he implored Nancy Notis to deliver the invocation. Our President is likely to be defrocked by next week’s meeting.
 
Guests (hosts) and visiting Rotarians.
Megan Oneeil (Ian Oneeil)
Alyssa Picard (Madeline Warren)
Jodi Scholes  (Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia)
 
Announcements.
The Tall Ships recently visited. Leo recounted a cool event during their stay. Sandy Tucker met the president of the Rotary Club of Benicia, Ca., who presented her with their club flag!
Leo gave a thank-you shout out to all who worked on the John Paul Jones House paint project. He next rattled off a quick list of upcoming events. “Help the Dam Rotarians” can be joined for their trip to India in February 2020. Friends Forever goes to Belize next month. Don’t forget “Rotary Rocks,” the district meeting on October 5 in Portland. Leo has the details. 
Basic Need’s Cathy Nickerson reports that the Richie McFarland Center needs volunteers for its annual “Touch A Truck Day” October 28. Our current charitable partner, Crossroads, is planning several new initiatives. These include holiday gift bags, a Valentine’s Day event and a Father’s Day celebration. As a reminder, sign up for Crossroads cooking and serving opportunities with Cathy or Tiffany. Lastly, Rotarians are asked to bring in diapers and baby wipes on each of the first three meetings in October. They will be much appreciated by Crossroads’ clients.
 
Raffle.
Judy Lotto won the raffle. She promptly donated the $44 to Crossroads. Her generosity was not rewarded as no bonus match ensued.
 
Guest speaker
Cathy Nickerson introduced our guest speaker, Music Hall EO Patricia Lynch. Patty has been there since 2004. The historic venue’s as a theater dates back to 1878.
The Music Hall first pursued Patty because of her experience with two similar theaters in Minnesota. There, she led both organizations through financial and operational turnarounds. Her bona fides proved prescient. The Music Hall has prospered mightily under her direction. During her tenure, its annual budget has grown from $1.7 million to $6 million. Capital and Reserve Budget fund raising has netted $15 million. More than 130,000 patrons attend Music Hall performances annually.
Cathy notes that Patricia is not just a gifted administrator/leader. She is also a published writer and playwright. Patricia proved to be a trouper in all good senses of that word. Ms Lynch proceeded to gave an energetic, whirlwind representation of The Music Hall.
She began by recounting this past year’s performances and then previewed upcoming attractions. These include ”Telluride By The Sea” and a collaboration with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. Also on tap is an NPR program, “The Moth.”  David Blight, Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Frederick Douglass, will be here. Not coincidentally, Douglass himself twice spoke from the very same stage! “Annie” is this year’s holiday special, presented in cooperation with the Ogunquit Playhouse.
Patricia emphasized that The Music Hall is not just a venue for staged performances. It is a community of local people involved in a variety of shared cultural interests. The organization offers a plenitude of these opportunities. Book, film and directors clubs and more are all available for our participation.
Similarly, Patricia explained that The Music Hall also gives back to our community. The “Fill The Hall” project is one such example. It is a collaboration with the local Gather organization. Each seat in the hall is filled with a food bag provided by contributors and destined for local needy recipients. The “Give The Gift Of Magic” project donates hundreds of tickets for the holiday series. They go to underprivileged children, veterans and seniors.
Patricia lauded the 322 volunteers that serve as ushers, administrators, kitchen tour guides and more. They provide 22,552 hours of much appreciated help during the year.
There was a bittersweet ending to her talk, as Patricia discussed stepping down from her post in June 2020. She intends to pursue writing and consulting work full time. Patricia Lynch will be missed, but her legacy will be leaving The Music Hall in fine form.
 
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich 
New Members Photos
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
 
http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome
Speakers
Aug 29, 2019
Parking in Portsmouth
Sep 05, 2019
University of NH - Meet the New President
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Upcoming Events
Cash Committee Meeting
Petersen Engineering
Aug 28, 2019
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Infinite Imaging
Sep 11, 2019
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
 
Communications Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
Sep 12, 2019
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen
Salvation Army
Sep 17, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:15 PM
 
Membership Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
Sep 19, 2019 11:00 AM
 
Cash Committee Meeting
Petersen Engineering
Sep 25, 2019
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
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Photo Albums
Polio+
8/8/2019: Kathy Giles, Rector of St. Paul's School
John Paul Jones Hands On Project August, 2019
C. 2019 Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905 Portsmouth NH 03801
Email: portsmouthnhrotary@yahoo.com. www.portsmouthrotary.org.
eBulletin Editor: John Rice