Rotary Log for August 4, 2022
Today’s meeting touched upon some of the sobering issues faced by Ukrainians in the evolving war with Russia. But first, the preliminaries. President Joanie presided. VP Yvonne provided support. After the Pledge, Past-President Justin led us in the four-way test and Al Lantinen in song with “God Bless America.” Senor Rice gave the invocation.
Up next, guests and visiting Rotarians were introduced. Flagg introduced Butch Ritchie—very funny—and Conrad Rahn, a potential future club member. Also, party of the Flagg party was Dr. Thomas King and Volodymir Rozanski(?) from Ukraine.
Volodymir is here on a J1 Visa working at the Gaslight and trying to make his way home. His father currently serves in the Ukraine military.
Barb Miller introduced Tim Sanborn who apparently holds multiple titles including ‘skeeter control in Rye.
Dave Underhill’s guest was his wife of 48 years, Linda. District Governor, Melissa Lesniak, joined us from the Dover Club.
Moving right along, Joannie recognized Yvonne for her previously unheralded countless contributions to our club. Behind the scenes, Yvonne has kept club matters moving smoothly forward. Joannie also informed us that 70% of the club’s members have paid their annual dues. If you haven’t paid, please pay as soon as possible as dues were due in July.
In our announcements segment, Dennis Moulton asked for help with producing the weekly Rotary newsletter for the month of September. Dennis will be on vacation and needs someone to fill in. He will train anyone willing to help. Please contact Dennis if you are interested.
Community Service Chairperson Midge Nelson wants your ideas. If you have any ideas regarding Rotary community service outreach, please contact Midge.
Yvonne updated us on our annual Christmas Tree sale fundraiser. The trees will be ordered soon. It’s coming! You know it. Get ready to sign up and volunteer!
Barb Miller informed us about a new fundraiser, Portsmouth Monopoly. A specialized Monopoly game board is being made that will include names of local business and individuals who buy a space on the board. Playing pieces are being devised as you read this. More to come.
New member Sarah informed us a new committee has been formed, the Mental Health Awareness Committee. Sarah will chair the committee and has asked for members to join the committee in its efforts to address mental health issues in our community. Please contact Sarah if you are interested.
Cleo, chair of the new member committee, has asked for members to nominate new members. If you have anyone in mind, please contact Cleo.
Caitlyn Hassett is heading up a committee to find a new location for our meetings as our contract with Portsmouth Country Club is nearing its end. Anyone interested in participating can join Caitlyn as the Atlantic Grill on Friday, August 5, at 11 am.
Cleo and Neal are working on our 100th anniversary gala to be held at Jimmy’s on March 28, 2023. Mark that date!
Turning to our new money-making enterprise introduced by Joannie, Mad Money was up next.
Steve Wood started us off by telling us about the time he was set to receive an award from the club. He was sitting at one of the round tables and reached across it to shake Justin’s hand. Well, wouldn’t you know, there were glasses of tomato juice on the tables.
It almost goes without saying what happened next. Sure enough, Steve’s tie hit one of the glasses and dumped the tomato juice in his lap. He was wearing a light blue suit, so the effect was immediate.
Fortunately, there was an elderly lady sitting at the table, she advised Steve to go to the bathroom, take off his pants and soak the stain in cold water. She then told him to fold his jacket over his arm (after telling him to put his pants back on first----of course!) and use the jacket to cover the stain. When it came time to stand up to receive the award, he followed her instructions and pulled it off. Who knew?
Not to be outdone, Tube Locke told us about the time he slept in the pro shop at the country club. He was 15 and stayed there overnight with a 16-year-old friend. And, of course, they had a gun with them, you know, just in case.
Well, during the night, they heard people outside and thought someone was trying to break in. In the heat of the moment, they shot through one of the windows. Yeah, that’ll teach ‘em.
Yeah, it sure did. The trespassers were state troopers. Almost needless to say, the two were quickly put in handcuffs and interrogated. After a full confession, they were let go—the luck of the naïve! Now that is a story to tell your 8-year-old brother, i.e., that is your 8-year-old brother that was there with you to see the whole thing.
Also, up for a potential Darwin award was none other than Triple-P. Flagg told us about the time he went to New York on a private plane. One of his boarding school friend’s fathers owned an airplane. They all flew to an airport in New York in what was, up until then, an uneventful trip. After landing, the father told the two boys he had to refuel and had to go to another part of the airport to do so. He told them to go to the terminal and he would meet them there.
Well, being somewhat of a math savant, Flagg remembered the geometric theorem that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So, the quickest way to get to the terminal was to cross the runway. Okay, they thought, we are young and fast—we can cross the runway before any airplane hits us. And we can see the planes coming so we can do this! Yup, they sure did do this. And yup, the airport guards in the jeep with machine guns saw them do this, too.
After being interrogated, the two were let go. Why you ask? Who knows? Must be more of that youthful naivety. Oh, to be young and dumb again!
Joannie continued the meeting by giving us an update on budgetary issues. Some $2,500 dollars was approved for the Basic Needs committee to put together boxes of love. Operation Warm Coats was given $10,000 dollars for . . . warm coats.
The other Neal is back with our latest historical moment. The first Rotary club in Ukraine was formed in 1929. It began as part of the Finland District, moved to the French District and became its own district July 1, 2014. The country now boasts 46 clubs and 850 Rotarians.
