Rotary Log: January 19, 2012 (Michele Albion)

The third Rotary meeting of the year started off with a recommendation from Russ to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the song “We Shall Overcome.” What a great way to remember what Dr. King meant to this country. Thanks for the lyrics Russ!

Our packed agenda included 21 Rotarians celebrating birthdays and 13 celebrating anniversaries in the month of January. There were numerous guests introduced this past Thursday which was followed by a number of announcements and speakers.

Ted spoke about the Jeremy Alex Fund and provided an exciting update that after seven years, the fund is now Rotary’s second largest endowment. The Jeremy Alex Fund is designed for helping kids at risk to find the right road ahead. Ted invited Tracey Tucker, the Executive Director for New Heights, to speak about the New Heights Ski Program that provides transportation, lessons, and qualified instructors for kids in their out of school programs. Ted also invited Bryan Mascio, a teacher at the Robert J. Lister Academy, to educate Rotarians on the academy’s mission. The academy is an alternative high school to Portsmouth High School designed for students who have been unable to succeed in more traditional settings and students attend for the need for a new start. Bryan introduced us to Damien Sullivan who explained how he and others enjoyed the experience of raking 42 lawns in the rain, snow (remember October?), and the nicer fall weather. He feels the academy programs helped him achieve what is possible. Damien then handed off the microphone to Hannah Bean who spoke about the personal growth she has experienced and learned the value of hard work and sweat equity.

Next up was Russ Grazier Jr. who talked about his full circle experience and music program with the Portsmouth Music and Arts center. The program allows different levels of students to have unique opportunities to play with ensembles.

Bill entertained us with his introduction of all  his guests seated at the front of the room. The Board was asked to donate $3000, which was approved, to the Portsmouth High School’s band for their trip to the happiest place on earth, Disney World. This donation helps to place the PHS band on a national stage and participate in the parade. With this donation the students will have an experience they will always remember, and that is what it is all about.

With all of the early excitement at the meeting we were able to welcome back Lynn-Dell who enthusiastically quoted Robert Frost, explaining “home is where you go and they have to take you in.” Welcome Back.

We also welcomed Shawn O’Rourke into the club. Shawn is a public accountant in Dover and Portsmouth and this time of year he explained he is never short on work. Shawn is a volunteer for the National Cancer Awareness and is looking forward to building a better community with the club.

Two additional announcements were made including the Rotary Auction being held April 19^th at the Marriot. There will be an auction meeting after next week’s Rotary meeting. Tenley reported that there have been over 82,000 hits on the live webcast for the Concert for the Troops.

After all that fun, we finally made it to Michele Albion, who has written two books on Thomas Edison. Michele grew up in Maine and is the mother of four children. Michele asked for Rotarians to shout out what Thomas Edison had invented and we heard the light bulb and the phonograph immediately, which were correct. We also heard THE INTERNET from the back of the room!!

Michele spent a majority of her discussion quoting Edison through his famous career of inventions. Rotarians might have also learned a few interesting facts including that Edison was home schooled since teachers thoughts he wasn’t smart enough. Edison also can be credited for all of us answering the phone with a “hello,” not “ahoy.”

Other inventions that occurred on Edison’s watch included motion pictures, cement houses, and domestic rubber. Edison thought his cement houses succeeded; it would be his greatest invention. Edison was not shy in expressing rejection of inventions that competed against his including the radio and television. He has no problem praising inventions that did not compete, such as the airplane.

Many states claim Edison’s fame so you can visit Edison museums all over the country including Canada, eh. Thanks for your time Michele!

To finish our weekly meeting off, Mark Sullivan won $74, but was rejected from the bonus. Keep in mind; bonus is $625 next week. You can’t win, if you don’t play.