Rotary Log for August 22, 2019
As President Leo gonged us to order, something felt different. It only took a second to pinpoint the change. His sartorial presentation gave a first impression that he was wearing a clerical collar! Alas, it was simply a white ring collar shirt showing itself beneath a dark shirt and sport coat.
This wasn’t your scribe’s imagination. Cathy Nickerson led us in song. Then the Most Reverend Leo jokingly said that he was still in Seminary. Therefore, he implored Nancy Notis to deliver the invocation. Our President is likely to be defrocked by next week’s meeting.
Guests (hosts) and visiting Rotarians.
Megan Oneeil (Ian Oneeil)
Alyssa Picard (Madeline Warren)
Jodi Scholes (Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia)
Announcements.
The Tall Ships recently visited. Leo recounted a cool event during their stay. Sandy Tucker met the president of the Rotary Club of Benicia, Ca., who presented her with their club flag!
Leo gave a thank-you shout out to all who worked on the John Paul Jones House paint project. He next rattled off a quick list of upcoming events. “Help the Dam Rotarians” can be joined for their trip to India in February 2020. Friends Forever goes to Belize next month. Don’t forget “Rotary Rocks,” the district meeting on October 5 in Portland. Leo has the details.
Basic Need’s Cathy Nickerson reports that the Richie McFarland Center needs volunteers for its annual “Touch A Truck Day” October 28. Our current charitable partner, Crossroads, is planning several new initiatives. These include holiday gift bags, a Valentine’s Day event and a Father’s Day celebration. As a reminder, sign up for Crossroads cooking and serving opportunities with Cathy or Tiffany. Lastly, Rotarians are asked to bring in diapers and baby wipes on each of the first three meetings in October. They will be much appreciated by Crossroads’ clients.
Raffle.
Judy Lotto won the raffle. She promptly donated the $44 to Crossroads. Her generosity was not rewarded as no bonus match ensued.
Guest speaker
Cathy Nickerson introduced our guest speaker, Music Hall EO Patricia Lynch. Patty has been there since 2004. The historic venue’s as a theater dates back to 1878.
The Music Hall first pursued Patty because of her experience with two similar theaters in Minnesota. There, she led both organizations through financial and operational turnarounds. Her bona fides proved prescient. The Music Hall has prospered mightily under her direction. During her tenure, its annual budget has grown from $1.7 million to $6 million. Capital and Reserve Budget fund raising has netted $15 million. More than 130,000 patrons attend Music Hall performances annually.
Cathy notes that Patricia is not just a gifted administrator/leader. She is also a published writer and playwright. Patricia proved to be a trouper in all good senses of that word. Ms Lynch proceeded to gave an energetic, whirlwind representation of The Music Hall.
She began by recounting this past year’s performances and then previewed upcoming attractions. These include ”Telluride By The Sea” and a collaboration with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. Also on tap is an NPR program, “The Moth.” David Blight, Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Frederick Douglass, will be here. Not coincidentally, Douglass himself twice spoke from the very same stage! “Annie” is this year’s holiday special, presented in cooperation with the Ogunquit Playhouse.
Patricia emphasized that The Music Hall is not just a venue for staged performances. It is a community of local people involved in a variety of shared cultural interests. The organization offers a plenitude of these opportunities. Book, film and directors clubs and more are all available for our participation.
Similarly, Patricia explained that The Music Hall also gives back to our community. The “Fill The Hall” project is one such example. It is a collaboration with the local Gather organization. Each seat in the hall is filled with a food bag provided by contributors and destined for local needy recipients. The “Give The Gift Of Magic” project donates hundreds of tickets for the holiday series. They go to underprivileged children, veterans and seniors.
Patricia lauded the 322 volunteers that serve as ushers, administrators, kitchen tour guides and more. They provide 22,552 hours of much appreciated help during the year.
There was a bittersweet ending to her talk, as Patricia discussed stepping down from her post in June 2020. She intends to pursue writing and consulting work full time. Patricia Lynch will be missed, but her legacy will be leaving The Music Hall in fine form.
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich
