Rotary Log for December 14, 2017
Our final club meeting of calendar 2017 was one of the year’s best! New officers were elected. Information was well communicated. Humorous quips abounded. A great jazz keyboard performance was enjoyed.
President Ben opened with the Pledge. Al Lantinen sang for his lunch. New Rotarian and Greeter Judy Lot tested us. John Rice showed that life is not so short that it doesn’t deserve a meaningful invocation now and then.
A moment of silence was observed. Eric Weinrieb’s father, Jerry, passed away earlier in the week.
Aileen Dugan presented the Nominating Committee’s proposed slate of officers for the 2018-2019 year. The following officers were unanimously approved for election:
President- Cleo Villaflores
President-Elect- Leo Gagnon
Vice President- Jon Flagg
Treasurer- Steve Wood
Asst. Treasurer- Joe Bove
Secretary- Marcie Bergan
Asst. Secretary- Lindsey Hery
Immediate Past President- Ben Wheeler
Club Service Director- Susan Gold
Vocational Director- Lexi Leddy
Community Service Director- Betsey Scott
International Service Director- Bob Herold
New Generations Director- Joanie Dickenson
Director- John Bohenko
Director-Craig Taylor
Sargent-at-Arms- Justin Finn
Asst. Sargent-at-Arms- John St. Pierre
Senior Directors- Aileen Dugan
Ted Alex
Dan Hoefle
Donna Lewallen reported that Operation Warm is keeping needy recipients toasty. More than $1,200 worth of new coats and other winter apparel have been delivered. Donna invited two leaders of another local non- profit, OneSky Community Services, to briefly describe their organization’s activities.
OneSky has served Rockingham County residents since 1983. It helps more than 1,200 individuals annually. One needed service it supplies is the meaningful integration of disabled individuals into the workforce.
Our Interact Club has been active. Joanie Dickenson said that they stuffed more than 40 stockings to deliver to Crossroads. Colleen Westcott invited Rotarians to attend Interact’s Christmas Party. The event will be held at noon on Thursday, December 21 at the Portsmouth High School.
Cleo Villaflores indicated that the Christmas Tree Sale should wind up this weekend. As of our meeting, less than 100 trees remained unsold.
Tom Decker won the raffle. His winnings were $43 plus $75 for a successful match. That should help defray the cost of the crutch that Tom was sporting. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tom!
President Ben thanked Rotarians who helped at the Senior Holiday Celebration. More broadly he thanked all club members for their active participation throughout 2017. His sincere and thoughtful appreciation for our efforts ended the business part of the meeting on a nice note.
But there were several more notes to be sounded. Cuzzin’ Richard introduced our guest musical performer, Max Logue. Max performs at many venues in the Seacoast area. A Portsmouth native and UNH grad, Max is a Tommy Gallant Scholarship recipient. That’s the university’s most prestigious music scholarship.
Max repertoire includes classical jazz, contemporary jazz and pop/rock songs interpreted through his jazz filter. On his keyboard, the gifted pianist displayed jazz virtuosity that may have been the best musical performance to grace our meetings. It was truly outstanding.
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich
Photos by Chad Chadwick
