Top of the Week!
May 30, 2019
Rotary Fest
Have you signed up yet for RotaryFest, our free, one-day (June 22nd), District Conference at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth? If not, better get with it. Even though there is no registration fee, we need to know how many Rotarians and guests there will be in order to have enough free food and drink. Registration is a snap; click on the link on the Home Page of our District website. rotary7780.org
We have been adding more fun and tasty items to the agenda: a Moon Bounce for kids, cotton candy and popcorn machines, and lots of free coffee in the morning. We promised you Rotary speakers and here is the tentative lineup:
- Bob MacKenzie from the Kennebunk RC speaking on opioid use disorder to be followed by Narcan training for those who are interested.
- A panel of younger Rotarians discussing what drew them to Rotary and how we can interest others.
- PDG Sheila Rollins presenting on the service trip she and a group of Rotaractors took to Puerto Rico to help out with hurricane relief.
- Our International Outreach team talking about their trip to Romania.
- Scott Linscott of the Westbrook-Gorham RC discussing Donate Life.
- Short presentations on some of the District and Global Grant and other International projects being carried out by a few of our Rotary clubs.
Of course, you can attend any or all of the speakers or tour the park, fly kites, listen to music, play games, or just socialize and relax. It is up to you.
We have lots more to share about this unique and fun district conference so keep your eye peeled for future emails and District newsletter articles. This will be an event you won’t want to miss.
Lawrence Furbish
RotaryFest Chair
RotaryFest Chair
Save the Date!
Tie on your walking shoes and join the fight to STOP DIABETES at the American Diabetes Association’s inaugural New England Classic Walk.
- July 13, 2019 on the Durham campus of UNH. Walker check-in at 11 am.
- Choice of walk routes from 1 to 5 miles (or more!)
- Information expo and family fun at the finish
- Registration will open soon at www.diabetes.org/newenglandclassic
- In the meantime, more info can be found at www.necwalkatunh.home.blog
Volunteers are needed for advance planning and day-of-event. Contact the walk coordinator, Barbara Sehr, at bsehr@iuk.edu to volunteer or get further information.
Volunteer for Cross Roads
Upcoming dates for meal service at Cross Roads House:
Wednesdays:
July 3
August 7
Wednesdays:
July 3
August 7
Saturdays:
July 20
Cooks 3-5 pm and Servers 5-7 pm.
If you would like to volunteer please text or call Tiffany at 603-380-5872. That way I will know when we have enough volunteers and can coordinate other dates that need to be filled.
If you would like to volunteer please text or call Tiffany at 603-380-5872. That way I will know when we have enough volunteers and can coordinate other dates that need to be filled.
PHA Volunteer Coordination
Mary Kelliher, Volunteer Coordinator at the Portsmouth Housing Authority forwarded the following:
“I'm reaching out regarding a recurring volunteer opportunity that has sprung at two of our resident building. We now hold a coffee hour at our Margeson building on Mondays at 10am and at Feaster on Thursdays at 10am. These are opportunities for residents to get out of their apartments and spend time in a communal space to have a treat together. We'd love to have volunteers sign up for a particular day or recurring days to bring donuts, pastries, and/or fruit (coffee is provided) if anyone would like to do so! This is an easy opportunity to also chat with our resident population, as well. Each building also has a piano, waiting for anyone with a passion for it to play during coffee hour as well!!
Let Mary know if anyone might be interested.
AmeriCorps Seeks Rotary Volunteers
Mary Kelliher is the Volunteer Coordinator for AmeriCorps working out of Portsmouth Housing's Greenleaf Recreation Center with the Resident Services team which assists low-income residents, senior residents, and residents with disabilities in finding resources for different needs, such as budgeting, financial literacy, transportation, etc. Mary and AmeriCorps is seeking volunteers who would be willing to volunteer. One example of a volunteer opportunity is assisting an older female resident who lives alone in moving heavy furniture (strong people needed!) into and from a UHaul during her planned move from her Feaster apartment to Connor's Cottage. If there are any volunteers intersted in lending a hand please contact Mary at maryk@nh-pha.com.
Sorry We Missed You
If you have a makeup for a missed meeting, please email it to the following link:
Check Your Profile
The Communications Committee is asking that everyone log onto ClubRunner and check your profile to make sure it is up to date. Change is part of life and we hope to be able to reflect those changes in our website. Happy surfing.
Rotary Connections is back!!!
Rotary Connections let’s our members know that their Rotary club is thinking of them. Members facing a health issue, death in the family or a life celebration, we are here!
If you know of any of our members who may need a Rotary Connections, please reach out to the Cathy Nickerson or President Ben.
Let us Know What is Happening!
If you have an event or news that you would like to share with your fellow Rotarians, please forward the information to Dennis Moulton for inclusion in the weekly eBulletin. My contact information is d-moulton@comcast.net. And please send photos!
Rotary Log for March 28, 2019
President-Elect Leo called the meeting to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Judy Ringer started God Bless America. (I mistakenly matched Judy’s range, but was able to switch octaves mid-stream. Luckily, I was singing somewhat under my breath. At least I hope so.) John Rice was called on for the invocation. The lovely Marie Brownell was our Greeter, guiding the assemblage through the 4-Way Test.
Guests
We welcomed several guests. Andrew Guyton (invited by Lindsey Hery,) John Gray (Sue Wolf’s dad) and Pack Knowles, guest of Barb Miller. I introduced Sam Claytor, my invitee. We also welcomed visiting Rotarians Carrie DiGeorge and Joe Reagan of the Portland Club.
Happy Dollars
Basil Richardson and Keith Eveland presented Ted Alex with a more than life size portrait of Ted. The portrait was completed 13 years ago by Keith. (It was hard to understand Basil. Pure speculation is that there is spring cleaning going on at Basil’s house.) Ted accepted the honor with his usual grace.
Kevin Shultz announced that his son at Wake Forest will graduate with no student debt!
Judy Ringer was looking forward to a trip to Chicago this weekend to spend time with family.
Announcements
Jessica Hamilton said that sponsorships for the June 22ndgolf tournament were going well but other opportunities abound. Raffle items are needed.
Ramona Dow, Basic Needs Committee chair, urged us to participate in the Music Hall “Fill the Hall” event. The effort benefits Gather. Bring food items.
Ben Wheeler is working on Star Island hands on projects and is looking for volunteers.
50/50 Raffle
…and this week’s winner of the 50/50 raffle worth $48 was Peter George!
The Program
Jeff Chidester, representing Veterans Count, spoke. Jeff led an exercise to help everyone better understand the plight of veterans in need. He asked us to close our eyes and contemplate the following questions:
How did it feel the last time a family member needed help and you were not able to help?
How did it feel when you could help?
His point was that Veterans Count was ready to help veterans in anyway needed. Jeff notes that he is a 7thgeneration military person and thankful for having great parents and an interesting military experience. He is fortunate and is passionate about helping less fortunate vets.
He pointed out that oftentimes it can be a challenge to help a veteran in need. Frequently, Vets just tell their story to other vets. And that is where Veterans Counts can help.
Jeff directed us to www.vetscount.org/nhto learn about all the ways the organization can help. The website explains how everyone can be advocates for the program by connecting Vets to available support services.
Veterans Count grew from the aftermath of 9/11 with an initial mission of helping Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. The program has since expanded to help all veterans in need ranging from service in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Jeff stressed that 90% of all donations directly support veterans. The help can be as fundamental as paying a heat, mortgage or car bill when a Vet is in stress. Assistance is also available for families of deployed military service members.
Today’s goal for Jeff is that we become advocates for Veterans Counts by linking those in need with Veterans Count’s resources. He gave us phone numbers to call: 800 273-8255 for emergencies and 603 315-4354 for regular assistance.
We were given the following to do list:
- Invite Veterans Count to your office for an educational session.
- Donate.
- Be our advocates, eyes and ears. (We were given brochures that can be handed to those in need.)
Jeff introduced us to his colleague, Joe from Easter Seals. We learned that Veterans Count operates under the umbrella of Easter Seals. In 1919 Easter Seals was formed by Rotarians no less! And then in 1945 Easter Seals expanded in response to the overwhelming number of veterans returning from war with physical disabilities.
Easter Seals helps with bills such as gas, a month’s rent or cell phone. It also provides care coordination services to address underlying issues faced by veterans.
On October 31, 2006 Joe’s unit was hit by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Joe was only 15 feet from the explosion. His entire group was injured in the event. Sadly, six former soldiers from his group have since taken their own lives. In fact, 22 veterans per day commit suicide. Just one more of many sobering reasons we should be helping Veterans Count.
Respectfully submitted, James Petersen
No pictures this week!
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
