Rotary Log: February 23, 2012 (Gary Speer)

Rotary Meeting February 23, 2012

The unseasonably warm weather continues, and temperatures were almost 60 today, with a photo of a crocus featured on our Rotary Club’s web site! What a change from last year, and one that most Rotarians I spoke to seem to be enjoying. Attendance was lower than usual, with many on vacation, and more to follow next week when NH schools have their winter vacation week. Our guest speaker was our District Governor Gary Speers, accompanied by his wife Judy. Governor Speers was invited to speak to our Club about upcoming District wide events by President Tony, and he was visibly pleased to find himself at our meeting on the anniversary of the founding of Rotary International.

Past President and Fine Master Butch Ricci was in attendance, and happy to fine PP John Lyons for being the proudest grandparent before the fact he had ever met. Beware John, I don’t think the premature fine will give you immunity from the traditional per pound fine once the baby is born. These guys are merciless, and there’s a budget to make! I was fined for sitting next to my spouse, which was definitely worth the $5!

David Holden was in fine form as he announced the upcoming Poetry Hoot. There is still time for a few more participants, so contact David if you’re feeling poetic.

On Saturday March 24, Club Leaders from throughout our District will gather at the University of Southern Maine - Portland Campus for a day of learning about Rotary opportunities, fellowship, and sharing. New this year: the District Assembly will be co-located with the annual Interact Conference, and our high school Rotary youth will join the adults for plenaries plus have breakouts of their own. Registration is $30 for adults; $18 for Interact members, and includes both continental breakfast and lunch. To learn more about the day’s events, and to register, go to the 7780 District Web site link, found on our Portsmouth Rotary web site, and then follow the registration link.

Thanks to the hard work and the planning efforts of our District Conference Committee and the Freeport Community, we can all look forward to a fun and rewarding District Conference, to be held at the Haraseeket Inn, in Freeport, Maine, from May 18-20^th. I am happy to report that, despite his current impediments, self-proclaimed "party animal" Dr. Mort Schmidt will once again be hosting the hospitality suite for the Portsmouth Rotary Club. DG Gary and his wife Judy will also be hosting a party suite, and he gave everyone at the meeting his assurances that we would be allowed to socialize and "carry on" in true Rotary fashion without interruption, sparking lots of speculation at my table about what that might involve!

Special events he would like to call your attention to include a pre-conference community service event, with Rotarians painting a map of the United States on a local Freeport playground. All are invited to participate, so wear your painting clothes and come early to get involved! Everyone is strongly encouraged to make their Harraseeket Inn Reservations now, which will make them eligible for some nice prizes too! DG Speers listed off many prices, including a free night at the Inn, which can be used for the conference, free conference fees, and one can only expect a stuffed moose or two will be thrown in. There are also savings for early registration for the conference. They are also encouraging EVERY Rotarian to bring a small, new, child-friendly stuffed animal to the conference .