Rotary Log for April 12, 2018
President Ben opened the meeting promptly at 12:15.
Al Lantinen led us in God Bless America.
Señor John Rice provided the Invocation.
Len Seagren led us in the Four-Way Test.
At 12:30 Ben brought the meeting back to order.
Former President Mort Schmidt told us the story of late Rotarian Andy Jarvis. Andy emigrated from Greece well over 100 years ago, landing on Ellis Island. Young Andy was penniless. He lived in a New York City basement apartment doing menial jobs before moving to Portsmouth.
In 1923, Andy Jarvis joined Portsmouth Rotary. Over time he became quite successful as owner of the Rockingham Hotel and Jarvis' Restaurant.
“The streets of America are paved with gold,” he told old friends from Greece. “You just need to know where to find them."
Andy was very philanthropic. He started a school for the blind in his home town back in Greece. He was one of the original donors to the Piscataqua Foundation. Andy left a substantial gift to Rotary before he passed at age 99. There was just one string attached. He requested that every year on his birthday, we would give a toast in his name. And we have ever since.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
Guests introduced were Sue Labrie, John Lyons, Sr and Chris Pappas.
Club Announcements
Frank Firicano is recruiting for the Communications Committee.
Kathy Nickerson of the Basic Needs Committees is looking for donations to provide books for the Richie McFarland Children's Center. To date they have raised more than $400.
Billy Hurley said that Rotary had donated $6000 for Crutches for Africa.
James Petersen tells us that on April 26th Rotary will be awarding the first Reverend Allen Humanitarian Award. That’s also the day that saplings will be distributed for each of us to plant. It’s all part of Rotary’s “Plant A Tree” initiative.
Peter Grace announced that the Annual Portsmouth Rotary Golf tournament is Friday June 22nd at the Pease Golf Course. He mentioned the committee members and said that sponsors are needed.
Barbara Miller proclaimed that Rotary’s next Social is 5PM April 19th at the Bar at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre on Bow Street. We will also have a social on June 24th the NH Fischer Cats game. Lastly, she mentioned that the Cash Committee also needs new members.
Dennis Moulton won $72 in the 50/50 raffle. Be sure that he is sent a 1099…
Guest Speakers
Dave Holden introduced Wes Tator and Jennings Boley of the Seacoast Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby.
Their mission is to create a livable planet. A few quick facts:
- They focus on solutions.
- They are Not for Profit.
- They are International.
They share some of the same ideals as Rotary. Specifically, they aim to create a better world through education, community and improved health.
Clearly climate change has been hitting home here on the Seacoast. The Spring floods were mute testimony to that. Citizens proposes a simple solution:
- Place a fee of $15 per ton on fossil fuels emitted at the source-- mine, well or port,
- Return 100% of the revenue to U.S. households,
- Apply a border adjustment to discourage businesses from relocating to where they can emit more CO2
Their goal:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500% in 20 years,
Create 2.8 Million jobs, boost our GDP and save 200,000 lives
They would like to plan for no more than a 1.5 to 2-degree temperature increase by the end of the century. Unfortunately, we are more likely to see a three- degree increase.
Five or so years ago they could get little traction in Congress. Now the organization is supported by 72 legislators in both parties. He encouraged us to contact our Congressmen and attend one of their meetings at South Church.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15.
Dutiful Scribe du jour, Everett Eaton
Photos by Tube Loch
