Rotary eBulletin October 21, 2014

Portsmouth Rotary Club Log Report for Thursday, October 16, 2014 by Russ Grocery, Jr.

Preparing my first-ever log report, I asked for advice from past president Dave Underwood. 

“Just try to spell everyone’s name correctly,” he told me.  I’ll do my best and apologies for any snafus.

We welcomed visiting Assistant District Governor Midge Nelson, as well as the return of Rotarian Janice Wood. There was some debate as to whether it was Bill Mortimer’s birthday. Bill denied it, but President Trish thought it best to celebrate just in case.

The Birthday Boy !

Janice introduced the club to this year’s commercial wreath project. She encourages all who plan on decorating their businesses this holiday season to include a Rotary wreath. Basil Richardson (official pine cone collector) and Dennis Moulton will even deliver the wreath to your business. It’s a great way to support the club this holiday season.

Have no fear: this man will deliver wreaths to your home for free!

John Lyons both sponsored and introduced new member Richard Ryzman. He serves as Business Development and Media Relations Director at Darci Creative. Rich is a UNH graduate who fell in love with the Seacoast and looks forward to serving in the club.

Welcome to Rotary, Rich!

Past president Neal Ouellett served as fine master. If we are behind budget in this line item, he quickly rectified the situation. I was fined three times, including for my facial hair…

David Underhill then shared a wonderful video about the upcoming “Bridge the Gap to End Polio” event. On Saturday, October 25 at 9am, Rotarians from throughout the district will gather to walk the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth. You can register for this important event at www.rotary7780.org. David shared that only three countries remain with endemic polio. Rotary’s efforts are needed now more than ever as we work to eradicate this disease. For this event, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation will match your gift two to one. Go register!

Jim Rini introduced our speakers for the day: Jane Bard and Paula Rais of the New Hampshire Children’s Museum. Jane serves as President of the museum, having been with the organization for more than 20 years. Paula is the museum’s Vice President of Development and Community Engagement.

Children's Museum President Jane Bard

Jane and Paula wanted to re-introduce us to the museum. However, we quickly learned that many in the room have visited the museum over the years. Further, several Rotarians have served on its board and committees.

The mission of the Children’s Museum is to foster and develop children’s potential. It does this through a wide range of hands-on exhibits and programs that engage the entire family. The museum was located in Portsmouth for its first 20 years. Now you’ll find it in Dover where home is a renovated 1930s armory building. The structure has received a silver rating for its LEED certification. There are 93,000 visitors each year, with 12% coming from Portsmouth. The museum is a nonprofit organization that relies on fundraising for 40% of its budget. The remaining 60% comes from admissions and programs.

Museum VP Paula Rais

While hands-on exhibits target children ages 1 to 12, there are experiences to engage the entire family. The museum develops all its exhibits internally. Each exhibit is totally unique and not found at other museums. Among the most popular exhibits is a replica gundalow from the Gundalow Co. in Portsmouth. There’s an exhibit called “Build It, Fly It” where you do just that. Another exhibit utilizes green screen technology to place children in a variety of environments on a television screen. Youngsters may find themselves, among other places,  in the desert, the Great Barrier Reef, or the Arctic.

In addition to the more than 20 exhibits, the museum hosts an Alzheimer’s Café. There is also an  “Exploring Our Way” autism partnership program. Both programs bring families into the museum for social experiences that meet unique needs . The museum also offers a “Museum In Reach” program to benefit  Title I schools. It includes bussing subsidies to ensure all children have access to the museum.

Paula and Jane also shared info about their S.T.E.A.M. education programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.)  The museum’s “Make It or Brake It” club encourages hands-on experimentation for children. You’ll also find New Hampshire’s only annual Maker Faire. Anyone who makes anything can participate. Last August’s Second Annual Faire was so successful it drew 16,000 attendees. And there’s even an art gallery called “Gallery 6” which showcases semi-professional and professional artists.

Jane and Paula closed by encouraging community members to get involved through sponsorship, volunteering, or even joining the board or a committee. It was a very informative presentation and I for one am looking forward to my next visit to the museum.

Respectfully submitted, Russ Grazier, Jr.