Home Page | Rotary club of Portsmouth

We meet In Person

Thursdays at 12:15 p.m.

Portsmouth Country Club

80 Country Club Lane
Greenland, NH 03840
United States of America

Our Club meets in person at the Portsmouth Country Club and via zoom simultaneously. Meeting zoom information will be emailed on weekly basis.

Venue Map

Portsmouth Rotary News Briefs

Help Wanted!

Looking to get more involved in the club? Here are a few opportunities to help our club by volunteering your time and effort.

People to set up and run the Audio Visual (ZOOM) Cart - we have a team of people but could use a few more. Please reach out to Dennis Moulton or President Midge.

John Rice has asked for some more Rotary Log writers and more people interested in participating in our “Inspirational Readings” at our weekly meetings. Please reach out to John Rice or President Midge.

Dennis Moulton announced he will be moving to Spain in January for an extended period so we need someone (or a couple of someones) to take over publishing the Log. If you possess basic computer skills, it is easy to do and Dennis will train you. Please reach out to Dennis or President Midge.

It takes all of us to make the Rotary Club of Portsmouth a vibrant, engaged club, so I hope you will consider one of the above positions.

Please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns.

Salvation Army Food Service

The nightly Salvation Army soup kitchen sets up in this Emergency Disaster Services truck and parks under the lights at the back of the Middle Street Baptist Church at 18 Court St, Portsmouth. Two volunteers arrive at 4:50 pm and work inside the truck (with heaters) to put the hot food into containers to give out to diners through the window. Dinner starts at 5:00 pm and is over at 6:00 pm. We clean up and are finished by 6:15 pm. Our Club has signed up to serve every third Wednesday of the month for the next 11 months. Please text me, Sara Treacy, at 603-661-8588 if you can sign up.

September 18 - Ramona Dow and Jerry Dionne

October 16 - Ben Wheeler and Doug MacDonald

Please contact Sara Treacy if interested in participating for future dates & Thanks!

President Midge opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Jules, our newest member, guided us through the 4-Way Test. Al was song person and Charlie provided the invocation.

Guests and fellow Rotarians were introduced.

Announcements.

Midge says there will be an India trip send-off on September 22. Details to come…

Eileen Coute rose to thank Rotarians for donating to her company’s support of the Austin Home…Priscilla MacInnis disclosed that Thanksgiving Dinner planning is underway. Volunteers are always welcome.

Cathy Nickerson announced a Rotary new member social on September 17 at the Music Hall members bar. Signup info to come.

Charlie Bourdages touted the opening of the Rail Trail and encouraged all to give it a go.

Ian introduced new member Ryan Levasseur. Welcome to Rotary, Ryan.

The program.

Our speaker was Ted Kitchens, Manchester Regional Airport director. He holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and is an Accredited Airport Executive of the American Association of Airport Executives. Just for good measure he is also a Rotarian.

Ted’s primary focus is strategizing to increase business at Manchester Regional Airport. The catchment area is from the seacoast to SE Vermont and just north of 495 to north of Concord.

Manchester Regional served 73,000 passengers last year and on average has cheaper fares than Boston. Ted constantly works with airlines to increase flights and thereby enhance Manchester’s appeal. Recently, JetBlue committed to offering service in January 2025. Breeze Airline has increased the appeal of its Florida flights.

During Q&A, Ted discussed dynamic pricing. Something I didn’t understand well but learned that if a flight is 80% full then the airline has covered its costs.

The ongoing problem of delayed or canceled fights was discussed—especially since there are few alternatives. Ted repeated his earlier statement about convincing airlines to increase the number of flights. He also suggests that the first flight of the day is least likely to be delayed, since the aircraft is already at the airport.

In sum, it’s clear that Ted has his work cut out for him! Interesting presentation.

Mark Perkins won the 50/50 and returned his prize money to the club. There was no match.

Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen

Photos by Don Chick and Peter Muccia

Service Above Self