Rotary Log: June 2, 2011 (Pakistan)

Ted Alex introduced us to his guest Michelle Wagner, who is a nurse and he is hoping a possible new member of our Club.  Also visiting was John St. Pierre from Greenland.  Shari Donnermeyer introduced her father-in-law, who travelled here from Lincoln, Nebraska, and who is still very spry for 87, proving that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.  Peg Millar introduced her neighbor Lou.  Bill Hurley introduced us to  Erin Misick, who he mentioned has 4 weeks of perfect attendance as a guest! 

Under the category of happy bucks, this is certainly a busy and happy time of the year for many Portsmouth Rotarians.   Nick Aeschliman’s son was married and is currently on his honeymoon in Hawaii.   I believe that’s two sons in two years, so good job Nick!  Marie Brownell just returned from New Orleans where she had a wonderful visit with her granddaughter Carly, who was just born! 

Steve Mailhot gave happy bucks in honor of his parents 50^th wedding Anniversary.  Marc Greer shared that his son Michael had just graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Rotarian Peg Millar is recently returned from one month in her favorite place, Prince Edward Island, where she celebrated a great, big Birthday with a surprise party thrown by her friends. 

Gene Bailey just returned from two weeks in Las Vegas on vacation, lucky guy!  Speaking of lucky, Russ Grazier celebrated not only his son Russ Jr.’s first home purchase, but the fact that he and his wife Barbara would be empty nesters.  He now has four open bedrooms at his place on Middle Street if anyone is interested. 

President Diane shared that the flags were flying at half mast today in honor of former District Governor Walter Payson, who passed away.  The Vocational Committee is pulling together their annual awards ceremony on short notice and were looking for deserving nominees. 

The Golf Tournament, as of this writing, I’m certain has sold the remaining spot for 1 team to play.  The Tournament will take place Friday, June 24^th.  They are still looking for volunteers so give John a call or email him if you can help out with a hole, raffles or otherwise. 

John Pratt gave many thanks to one of their major sponsors, Springers, and Rotarian Greg Bolduc, for once again donating a Tag Heuer watch, men’s or ladies, to be raffled off as part of the Golf Tournament.  Only 500 tickets maximum will be sold, and they are available for $5 each or 3 for $10.  Other sponsors recognized included Living Innovations, PIscataqua Savings Bank, Kennebunk Savings, Provident Bank, the Comfort Inn, Hazen and Sawyer, PIscataqua Landscaping, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and Beswick Engineering, in loving memory of departed Portsmouth Rotarian Paul Beswick. 

Our surprise speaker, filling in on short notice, was Rotarian Waheed Mansur, who was in Pakistan when Osama Bin Laden was shot and killed by US forces. 

Waheed works for the State of NH Department of Resources and Economic Development as a Commercial Consul, and owns homes in both the United States and Pakistan.  In giving his perspective , it wasn’t surprising to hear he was against war, not only from a humanitarian stand point, but also from an economic development view.  He shared his  connection to Pakistan, it’s geographic location and significance, as well as the impact of our operations there on our relationship.  He also explained why he felt that nationalism and religious intolerance were hindering economic self-sufficiency in Pakistan and the entire region.  It is his belief that we are currently giving too much monetary aid to the region that comes with no strings attached.  He feels the process for granting monetary aid to foreign countries should be more transparent to the public, and should buy us more good will in the region that it currently does.  He advocates the use of US economic aid in the development of the infrastructure and investing in businesses and economic development in Pakistan as a way to improve our relationship with the country and provide lasting economic recovery.