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We meet In Person & Online

Thursdays at 12:15 PM

Portsmouth Country Club

80 Country Club Lane
2nd Floor
Greenland, NH 03840
United States of America

Due to Covid-19 our club is currently meeting only via Zoom, please log in to ClubRunner for Zoom meeting information. thank you

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Due to the overwhelming response of the Portsmouth Rotary 2020 Gilley's Diner Historic Ornament, we are happy to report a new supply will become available mid-January

BUY OUR ORNAMENT AND HELP PORTMOUTH AREA RESTAURANTS AND WAITSTAFF WHO HAVE BEEN HIT SO HARD BY THIS PANDEMIC

This year we picked the iconic Portsmouth diner “Gilley’s” as our Christmas Ornament. Who has not been to Gilley’s? Its been around since 1912 and it is as famous as the tugboats and the North Church!

This year has been so hard for both restaurants and their waitstaff, that the Portsmouth Rotary Club has chosen to take all of our net proceeds from the sale of our Gilley’s ornaments and buy, at retail, gift certificates to local restaurants, and then we are going to take those gift certificates and distribute them to waitstaff who have been so impacted by Covid. Its one of the 100’s of ways Portsmouth Rotary supports our local community along with scholarships, food banks, the homeless shelter, coats for kids, building playgrounds, and the list goes on. We are 100% volunteer, so when you buy a Rotary ornament or Christmas tree, all of the net proceeds go to the community! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah everyone!!!

<---- Click the ornament to buy online

Gilly's Diner History https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20080111/BIZ/801110415

Become a Rotarian! https://portsmouthrotary.org/sitepage/how-to-become-a-member

Click here to complete the application for a 2021 Portsmouth Rotary Scholarship!

Top of the Week January 27, 2021

Top of the Week!

Keep Up to Date on the COVID-19 Pandemic

For up to date information and available resources in New Hampshire visit the State's web page:

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/?ocid=eventhub

The City of Portsmouth's website is also a great source for local COVID-19 information.

https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/city/covid-19-information

Helping Cross Roads House in These Trying Times

Some of the ways you can still help at Crossroads:

• Meal Preparation - Prepare food in your home and drop it off at the shelter. This includes both dinner entrees and bagged lunches. Whether we provide the ingredients and pans, or you do, this will help us to continue serving residents three meals a day when volunteers are unable to come into the shelter. Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Kristina Siegenthaler, at k.siegenthaler@crossroadshouse.org, or 603.436.2218 ext. 107, for more information.

• Donations of Food and Supplies - Donations of food items and supplies from our “Wish List” are greatly appreciated at this time. You can view our “Wish List” online at www.crossroadshouse.org/donations/wish-list. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at any time, or you can shop our Amazon.com Wish List (http://a.co/gOnxxkK) from the comfort of your home and have items delivered to the shelter.

• Monetary Support - Our annual “Benefit by the Sea” fundraiser has been posted to August 29, 2020. This event provides funding for nearly 30% of our shelter operating budget. Now more than ever we need your help to ensure we can continue serving some of our most vulnerable neighbors. If you are able, click the link below to make a donation today. The gift you give today will make a tremendous difference for the families and individuals who rely on Cross Roads House to make it through this difficult period.

Rotary Dinner Service the Salvation Army

Yes, even in these trying times, Rotary continues to serve...

Dinner, that is, at the Salvation Army's new facility on Heritage Avenue.

Rotary participation is being limited to two people per service.

If you would like to participate please contact Sara Treacy at 603-661-8588.

New Scholarship Fund Honoring Dr. Clayburgh

Nancy Clayburgh whose husband Jim passed away on Friday, May 1^stwould like to establish a Rotary scholarship fund in his name.

Dr. James B Clayburgh Scholarship Fund. Anyone wishing to support this fund may do so by mailing contribution to Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905, Portsmouth NH 03802-0905.

Rotary Log for January 21, 2021

Rotary Log for January 21, 2021

The stars were perfectly aligned for our weekly Zoom meeting.

President Jon called us to order, exactly on time. For once, there were no technical difficulties. This was fortunate since more than 50 people were online as he led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Al directed the group in singing My Country, ’Tis of Thee.

John Rice offered an inspirational invocation, referencing bold individuals from our region that clearly made a difference. Much like the day’s speaker.

Guests introduced included: Marion Cheney, Dover Rotary/District Governor Elect 2023;

Pam Gray, Kittery Rotary;

Gregg Dowty, Dover Rotary;

Linda Underhill, wife of Dave Underhill;

Lena and Kate Wyand, neighbors of Dave Underhill; Priscilla Denham, niece of Priscilla MacInnis; Jeff Cassidy, son of Janice Cassidy and Peggy Cassidy, daughter-in-law of Janice Cassidy/astronaut Chris’s wife.

Past President Cleo announced the club’s annual meeting is Thursday, January 28. The session will be part of our weekly Zoom meeting. The purpose is to elect officers and directors for the upcoming Rotary year. Please plan to attend.

The program.

Rotarian Janice Cassidy proudly introduced her famous astronaut son, NASA Astronaut Chris Cassidy. A York High School graduate, Chris was ultimately accepted by the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation, he served as a Navy SEAL for 11-years before applying to be a NASA astronaut in 2000. Initially rejected, Chris went on to have a distinguished combat tour in Afghanistan, helping to destroy one of Osama Bin Laden’s sanctuaries. With his resume thus improved, Chris was finally accepted into the astronaut program in 2004.

Chris detailed his work as an astronaut. His out of this world presentation showcased a video of the International Space Station and his routine there. The thrill of taking spacewalks and pride representing the United States fueled Chris’s passion. He has spent 54 hours doing spacewalks outside the International Space Station. These walks are scripted, quite dangerous, and not done easily.

With the pandemic raging down on Earth, Chris served aboard the Space Station from April to October 2020.

“It was a great time to be gone,” Chris said. “A great year to be in space.”

His extended down to earth Q & A shared insight into an Astronaut’s daily life. Sixty percent of time is devoted to science in their orbital laboratory.

Space food, among other things, can be pouches of chicken, tuna, and granola. Powdered drinks, where water is added, are the rule. Anything chocolate is a huge treat in space. In fact, candy and junk food are hoarded.

Sleeping in space is easier than one might think. Each person gets a “refrigerator-sized” quarters. The sleeping bag is strapped to the wall. Awake, one exercises 1 1/2 hours a day, using a treadmill, self-attached attached with bungee cords and harnesses. There are no showers, just wipes.

Many members of our club, like myself for example, have enjoyed watching Chris’s life journey. From York High football star to Navy SEAL to astronaut.

“It seems like he’s reached his pinnacle,” Janice told us. “But knowing my son, who can say what still lies ahead.”

Thank you, Chris, for making us proud! And thank you Priscilla MacInnis and her program committee for another great speaker.

The meeting was closed with the reciting of the 4-Way Test.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy E. Notis, Log Writer

Photos captures by Don Chick

New Members Photos

To see photos of our new members click on the following link:

http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome

Basic Needs Committee Meeting
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Jan 13, 2021 8:00 AM -
Feb 03, 2022 9:00 AM
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Alpha Graphics

Feb 10, 2021 8:00 AM -
Mar 03, 2022 9:00 AM
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Alpha Graphics

Mar 10, 2021 8:00 AM -
Mar 31, 2022 9:00 AM