An effervescent Bob Sheesley served as Greeter today. It’s a role he seems to relish, along with leading of the Four Way Test. President Ben opened the meeting with the Pledge. Then, he turned to songbird Al Lantinen who did his best to lead us in The Star Spangled Banner. Many in the audience thought Ben was overly generous in his reaction to our singing.
“That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Ben said.
Sara Treacy redeemed us with her invocation.
Among the many guests was Linda, wife of our own District Governor Dave Underhill. It was, he noted, their fifth Rotary meeting of the week. Such is the life of a DG and we thank you for your service, Dave.
Announcements and Miscellany
Richie McFarland Children's Center needs volunteers for their annual
Touch a Truck fundraiser, September 23
rd from 10 AM to 2 PM. (It is almost as exciting for children and grandchildren to climb the big rigs as it is for parents and grandparents!) We were reminded that our Basic Needs Committee is partnering this year with the Center.
Ted Alex’s Merry Hands-on Project Band was departing aboard the Alexandria for White Island Saturday evening. This was ostensibly to prep for a Sunday morning project. The odor of cigars, it is said, forced Rye Beach residents to close their windows for the night. But let’s put the joking aside. Ted has always been a mighty club leader for good, old-fashioned, get-your-hands-dirty work. Great effort, Ted and all of the White Island volunteers!
On Seven-day Notice are two new Christmas Tree sellers, er, outstanding individuals, Mary Gail Sycamore and Yvonne Legge.
On the theme of Christmas, President Ben announced that the ornament this year will be…you guessed it - a silhouette of White Island.
As always there were numerous Happy Dollars. We seem to have a very happy club indeed.
The highlight of every meeting for a certain table - the 50/50 Raffle - was won by Bob Smith. He collected $63, but, alas, no match.
The Program
Past-President James auditioned for a future term as President with a humorous plea for some culprit to return his badge. This was followed by a sterling introduction of the Guest Speaker, Melissa Paly. Ms. Paly is the newest
Conservation Law Foundation Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper. The Waterkeeper is the eyes, ears and voice of our rivers, streams, lakes and bays. Most notably, the Waterkeeper oversees Great Bay Estuary, according to our knowledgeable speaker.
Through a thorough presentation of data, maps and graphic pictures, we learned that the Estuary faces challenges. The watershed feeding Great Bay covers 52 towns in two states with a growing population of 40,000.
Great Bay is so shallow that pollutants from the seven rivers that feed it take 36 tidal cycles to flush. The resultant overabundance of nitrogen wreaks havoc on the estuarial system. Fully half of the eelgrass has been lost in the last 20 years. Eelgrass is critical to support fish, fowl, and crustaceans. Most of the once-abundant oyster beds have been lost as well.
Inadequate wastewater treatment has been established as a primary pollution source, hence the $86 million dollar Peirce Island upgrade. Other key pollutants are septic systems, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste.
But the news isn’t all bad. Melissa highlighted a number of success stories. There are ever-growing land trusts on both sides of the river. An oyster bed restoration is underway. Twenty entrepreneurial oyster farmers are working the estuary and selling to local restaurants. Experiments with dam removal and fish passages are encouraging.
As to what we can do as individuals, Ms. Paly suggests we use less fertilizers and pesticides. Keep those septic systems in good order. And for goodness sake, clean up after your dogs!
Overall an informative presentation overlooking the verdant Portsmouth Country Club course and the Great Bay Estuary beyond!
Respectfully submitted,
Neal Ouellett
