Rotary Club of Portsmouth NH
Portsmouth
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Service Credit Union
3003 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
United States of America
Our Club meets in person and via zoom simultaneously. Meeting zoom information will be emailed on weekly basis. Through April we will be meeting at Service Credit Union, 3003 Lafayette Road Portsmouth NH 03801
NEW 2022 Ornament - Old Ferry Landing

 

 

     <----  Click on the ornament to buy online now
Photo by Don Chick from Don Chick Photography
 
28th Annual Golf Tournament
Rotary Log for March 16, 2023
 
Sunshine and a brisk winter’s day greeted Rotarians at Service Credit Union. A far cry from the week’s crazy Nor’easter with its rain, sleet and snow. Smiling Greeter Frank Nappo welcomed Rotarians and guests, many wearing bright shades of green in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day. Nice to see a glowing Ann Bliss return, after her life changing two months in India. More from that country later.
 
President Joanie called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
 
Al Lantinen impressed the crowd as he directed singing of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. John (O) Sullivan offered a traditional Irish Prayer. Returning Rotarian Frank Nappo guided us through the 4-Way Test.
 
Guests impressively included: Rotarians via Zoom from India, Tom Morgan’s wife Ann, Jonathan Day (Priscilla MacInnis) and Monte Bohanan (Karen Conard.) Also on hand were Ukrainian student Vol Lysianskyi (Yvonne Legge) and Joe Sunderland (President Joanie).
 
Portsmouth’s Little Tokyo and Saigon prepared the delicious luncheon. Thank you to the volunteers doing valuable set up and clean up.
 
Announcements.
 
Special kudos and gratitude to Barb Miller for her leadership as William Cash Committee chairperson. And thank you to Steve Bennett for agreeing to take over that position.
 
Important dates to note begin with Thursday’s meeting as we will snap a group picture. Tuesday, March 28th from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. is an impromptu gathering at the Library Restaurant for the “official” 100th Anniversary toast. Next Thursday, March 30,  is the Annual Joke Show. The big 100th Anniversary Party at the Elks is April 20 at 5:30 p.m. and Changing of the Guard is June 22.
 
Paul Harris Awards.
 
 
Foundation Committee co-chair Aileen Dugan, eloquently talked about the high honor of being named a Paul Harris Fellow.
 
 
From there Karen Conard and Priscilla MacInnis welcomed our newest Paul Harris Fellows, Monte Bohanan and Jonathan Day. Monte is well known locally for his work at the Music Hall and grassroots efforts with the Halloween Parade. He is Portsmouth’s newly named Director of Communications and Community Engagement.
 
Jonathan Day was a 2017 Ten-to-Watch Winner. He is an Air National Guardsman, marketeer, Halloween parade lead dancer and extraordinary volunteer. Those efforts include work with Seacoast Rep and Big Brothers. He is the managing partner of Centrus Digital. Congratulations to both winners!
 
Our program.
 
 
We moved from local Rotary pride to reaching around the world and making a difference. Speaker Bob Herold, International Service/Foundation Committee co/chair,  introduced us to the Rotary Dialysis Centre project in Narnaul, India. This life changing initiative was funded through the efforts of our club, the Naurnal Rotary Club, district funds, a Rotary Global Grant, and the power of Rotary International.
 
 
Speaking to us via Zoom from the northwest corner of India, an amazing Narnaul Rotarian named Gaurav gave us a tour. We saw a local hospital stocked with the necessary equipment to allow for kidney dialysis.
 
 
Though 7600 miles away, the facility stands as a huge credit to the power of Rotarians working together. Free of charge, this center offers hope to people with end stage renal failure. Thanks to Bob Herold and his team for representing our support. At this point about 1200 patients have been enrolled.
 
Hats off to our tech committee for working hard to maintain the Zoom connection with our friends in India. The huge video screens provided by Service Credit Union made the experience even more impactful.
 
 
The weekly raffle prize was $44 dollars with a $100-dollar bonus. Chris Oberg won it all. His lucky 7 was a match.
 
All in all, the meeting is a good lead into this week’s feel good Paul Harris Award Day.
 
Respectfully submitted, Nancy Notis
Photos by Don Chick and Francoise Meissner
Club Photo
 
For years we took an annual picture of our members! In recent times it was a photo shot from the balcony of the Portsmouth Country Club!
 
On March 23rd at our regular meeting we want to update our group picture. This time on the beautiful staircase at the SCU. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. This photo will be shared far and wide as we celebrate our club’s 100th anniversary!
 
 
Raise A Glass
 
Join your fellow Rotarians to raise a glass and toast US!  It is our club's one hundred year anniversary and we will gather at the Library Restaurant on March 28, from 4 to 5 pm.  See you there!
 
 
Portsmouth Rotary Club turns 100 years old in 2023! 
 
 
Our club has accomplished so much over the last 100 years, and we have so many things to be proud of.  Now, it's time to celebrate our successes as we look forward to the next 100 years.  Above is a SAVE THE DATE for the party and a link to RSVP.  Our committee is sure it will be a night to remember.  We look forward to celebrating with you.  
 
 
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.  
 
 
Mar 15,  - Francoise Meissner and Midge Nelson
April 19, - Bob Herold Family
May 17, - Janice Cassidy and Cathy Nickerson
June 21, - Judy Ringer and Sara Treacy
July 19,
Aug 15
Sept 20
Oct 18,
 
July 19th, Aug 16th, Sept 20th, Oct 18th, Nov 15th and Dec 20th are OPEN.  
PLEASE SIGN UP & Thanks!