October 6, 2011: Portsmouth Rotary (Discover Portsmouth)

A lovely day, tender chicken, a tangy mushroom salad, strong attendance, an interesting speaker, and six guests: what more could one desire in a Rotary meeting?

President Tony Delyani shared a couple of discoveries about things Portsmouth Rotarians can be proud we’re doing.  The Club donated some 200 prior years Christmas ornaments to the Discover Portsmouth Center (we kept a dozen from each year for posterity,) and is allowing the center to keep the proceeds.  The Club also sent funds to Vermont and Canada to help District 7780 reach its $10,000 goal to help victims of Hurricane Irene. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. New Member Social

 Thursday, October 13, 7-9 pm

 Jim & Ellen Labrie’s, 1451 Ocean Boulevard, Rye (the house with the angel) All 

 Portsmouth Rotarians are invited.  RSVP:  lbrowning@mortgagenetwork.com

2. Christmas Tree Sales

 Steve Parkinson reminded all that the sale is a requirement of membership and to be on the lookout for details…

3. Items Needed

 Eugene Bailey made a plea for eyeglasses and cell phones for redistribution to folks in need.

4. Harvest for Hunger

Friday, October 28, 9 am- 6pm

Lafayette Plaza

Volunteers needed for this food drive for the Salvation Army and Seacoast Food Pantry

GUEST SPEAKER: 

Maryellen Burke: Discover Portsmouth Center

A 16-year resident of Portsmouth and executive director of the Portsmouth Historical Society, Maryellen described the Discover Portsmouth Center’s role as “the gateway to arts, culture, and history” in the City of Portsmouth. 

Since opening its doors to the public four years ago, the Discover Portsmouth Center has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors.  Staff and volunteers share information about the city’s arts, culture, and history resources.  Visitors watch a film that Maryellen described as covering “400 years of history in 12 minutes.” 

A main objective of the Center is to help residents and visitors alike understand the importance of history and the arts & culture to the City.  Ms. Burke asked that we remember that our cultural organizations are the key drivers of the local economy, contributing some 38 million dollars to the local economy each year.

First by accident (lack of money) and later by design (starting with the residents and visitors who had the foresight to recognize that we should not allow all of the historic homes in the Puddle Dock neighborhood to fall victim to the wrecking balls of urban renewal – sorry- I couldn’t resist…)   “NH’s oldest Seaport is now", said Maryellen, “a major cultural destination.”

Other highlights:

The Discover Portsmouth Center has embarked upon a 1 million dollar capital campaign.

First year goal:  $125,000.  The Center would like to be open year-round (currently May 1 thru Oct. 31)

Gala Fundraiser: October 21

Next year’s exhibit:  Shoals Laboratory and Dig / Smuttynose Island will be next season’s focus.

NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER:

John Huntsman, Presidential Candidate

Raffle winner:  Jon Flagg, not a match

Winner of Portsmouth Country Club gift certificate:  Janice Cassidy