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Thursdays at 12:15 PM

Portsmouth Country Club

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

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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 February 24, 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 February 11, 2021

Rotary Log for February 11, 2021

Our self-proclaimed Club Cupid, a.k.a. President Jon, called the meeting to order. He then led the Pledge. Jon brought in a “ringer” to vocalize a song inspired by the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Judy (Ringer) beautifully sang Gershwin’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” Padre John Rice reprised an old Shaker prayer “Love is Simple.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Joe Cunningham has been privately gathering music stands for donation to local school music departments. If any Rotarian seeks a new home for their unused music stand, Joe will pick it up at your house.

Nancy Clayburgh reports that $2,500 was raised at a recent Jenness Beach Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The incursion occurred on a snowy 25 degree day!

Jon issued a plaintive appeal for Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Several members suggested a romantic handwritten note. Jon was probably overjoyed at the thought that he is now free to dispense with a $5.95 Hallmark card this year.

Throughout the meeting, Jon wore a Rotary hat. He finally told us why. The prior week he had worn the hat to a local store. A young man there inquired if he was indeed a Rotarian. The lad went on to explain that several years ago he had received a chess set through the Jeremy Alex Foundation. Later, through playing chess with his somewhat-estranged father, they were able to re-establish a relationship. Upon hearing the story, Ted told Jon that as Rotarians we do many things in service. Only later do we learn of all the blessings bestowed.

GUEST SPEAKER

Ken Murphy introduced our guest speaker, Brian Hart. Since 2002 Brian has been Executive Director of SELT (Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire).

SELT is a non-profit organization. It is dedicated to protecting and sustaining the region’s lands. Its conservation goal is to foster clean water, recreation, fresh food, wildlife diversity and healthy forests.

Brian presented some numbers to us. SELT works through 52 towns in Rockingham and Stafford counties. These cover 31% of the state’s population. SELT has an annual budget of $1.3 million and a professional staff of fifteen people.

SELT conserves land through two avenues. One employs conservation easements whereby the landowner enters into a legally binding agreement limiting property use. The second avenue involves outright ownership of the land by SELT due to purchase or donation. SELT currently has 23,858 acres of land under conservation. Of these, some 15,114 are under easement and 8,744 are owned outright. These overall numbers have doubled over the last eight years.

SELT pursues three strategies in its conservation efforts. The first focuses on “Farmlands For The Future.” This attempts to maintain arable soil. It also aids new farmers to acquire working management of conserved farmlands.

A second strategic focus is on “Living Landscapes.” This entails acquiring large blocks of undeveloped land. Wildlife diversity and recreational opportunities are fostered under the plan.

The third strategy is “Protecting Drinking Water.” While land acquisition costs are high, Brian averred that alternative costs of filtration and monitoring at central water facilities are even higher.

Brian concluded his thoughtful presentation by outlining SELT’s plan to establish its headquarters in Epping. Offices will be at the center of a working farm. Fundraising is underway now for this project. Local business owners can contribute and thereby access New Hampshire Business Tax credits.

Our Four Way Test concluded the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich

Photo 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
Alpha Graphics

Mar 10, 2021 8:00 AM -
Mar 31, 2022 9:00 AM
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Alpha Graphics

Apr 14, 2021 8:00 AM -
May 05, 2022 9:00 AM