Rotary Log for May 7, 2020
The first mid-morning Rotary meeting was virtually rung to order at 10:30AM.
Al Lantinen brightened the start of everyone’s day with a song about smiling.
John Rice led an invocation remembering the life of Dr. Jim Clayburgh, Nancy Clayburgh’s husband. Jim was a frequent visitor and friend to Rotary. A scholarship fund in his name will be managed by Rotary. More to come.
Leo then shared some COVID-19 virtual leaning principals distributed by the “Association of Leadership Programs”. In short, the message was we can and will continue our mission virtually. The reading also reminded us to stay compassionate during these times.
The Zoom meeting was then turned to Caitlin Hassett who shared Vocational Award applications are due May 21st. We are looking for nominees for each of the four vocational categories: Education, Health & Human Services, Public Service, and General.
Nominees should be non-Rotarians that go above and beyond to help their community. Caitlin sent out an email with an attached application.
The mike was then given to Joe Bove who shared news of a scholarship foundation set up in Jim Clayburgh’s name. Please reach out to Joe for information on where to mail checks.
In other news… the board, on behalf of International Giving, authorized a $15,000 grant to the South Berwick / Elliot Club’s “Healthy Learners Program.” Due to the current crisis, this grant is going towards ventilators for Zambia. It allows our club to keep international outreach moving forward.
In the spirit of Mother’s Day upcoming on Sunday, Jon Flagg gave a woman centered historical moment. The first Rotary club community project was in 1905 when Rotary was founded. The effort was to construct a comfort station for women in downtown Chicago.
Back in the day, public restrooms were typically only in saloons. Women, unaccompanied by men, were not allowed in saloons. So Rotary created comfort stations out in the streets. Saloons did not like this. It took business away from men coming in for a drink and relieving themselves.
Also, in 1978 a California Rotary club admitted three women. At the time, women were still not able to join Rotary. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1987 Rotary decided that clubs could invite women to join. And there is your Mother’s Day-focused Rotary historical moment.
Jon Flagg stated he’s been spending a lot of time during quarantine watching movies. So, Rotarians then took a fun couple of minutes to share what movies they have recently watched.
Sara Treacy suggested “Red Joan.”
Larry Murphy, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”
Françoise Meissner, “The Darjeeling Limited,” directed by Wes Anderson.
John Tabor, “Marx Brothers: A Day at the Races.”
Sandy Tucker, a local documentary called “Food Fight.” This is a film about the fight of Market Basket employees to get their ousted beloved leader, Arthur Demoulas, reinstated.
Today’s Speaker: Tina Sawtelle
Cathy Nickerson introduced our speaker, Tina Sawtelle, incoming Music Hall Executive Director. Tina is currently Music Hall CFO, but she becomes executive director July 1, 2020.
Tina’s interest in the arts began at an early age. Growing up on a rural horse farm near Greenville, Maine, she learned to play bass guitar. While no longer performing, it was her interest in music and attending UNH that brought her to the seacoast. She’s lived here ever since.
The Music Hall temporarily closed in March due to Coronavirus. But the organization is actively working on many strategies to withstand the pandemic. They will be able to survive. For starters, the organization received a PPP Loan through the CARES act. This has allowed them to maintain their team of 28 full-time staff. Unfortunately, all part-time staff had to be laid off. These people worked their shows, which aren’t happening right now.
While the Music Hall is closed, much-needed construction projects progress quickly. The replacement of an ancient HVAC system is one of those projects.
Reopening Plans
The Music Hall has been successful in rescheduling shows. Artists are eager to get back to performing and are being rebooked for the next 12 months. Local businesses benefit a lot from foot traffic to shows. Annually, The Music Hall contributes approximately $9 million to the local economy. Revenue comes from shows and visitor related spending at restaurants, parking and local shopping.
Leadership and staff are actively working on developing new safety protocols for both patrons and artists. They await more guidance from the Governor this week. In the meantime, The Music Hall remains focused on offering a range of summer programming (following all new rules.) The theater contemplates hosting more local, less known artists to allow for social distancing in the big theater. Unfortunately for today’s environment, big names attract large crowds and out of state visitors.
Tina also plans to work with curatorial staff, leadership team and the board to strengthen and add new kinds of programming. The goal is to stimulate greater use by patrons and meet demographic wishes. She wants to bring in new artists to attract a younger demographic as well. But she remains cognizant of keeping the classical and jazz acts for regular patrons.
Tina wishes to forge new partnership and grow existing ones within the community. This, she hopes, will continue to bring high quality programming to Portsmouth. The Music Hall already has key partnerships with Ogunquit Playhouse, New Hampshire Radio, and UNH among others.
A big way The Music Hall gains funding is through corporate sponsors. Sponsorships allow businesses to be recognized and thanked for their contributions. Most of their sponsors are local restaurants. Tina understands a lot of restaurants will need to back out of corporate sponsorship during these times. The best thing The Music Hall can do to help corporate sponsors is to safely reopen. She awaits new protocols and social distancing guidance to do just that.
Some Music Hall events we can still look forward to
The annual “Fill the Hall” in collaboration with Gather on the Last Saturday in June- June 27th from 9AM-3PM. This event feeds over 700 kids over the course of the summer. Other events include:
Kevin Nealon- July 31
Whose Live Anyways? - August 26th
They Might Be Giants- September 9
Lewis Black- September 11
29th Annual Kitchen Tour- September 27
Justin Willman- September 27
White Christmas November 25- December 13 in partnership with Ogunquit Playhouse.
Peter Grace led us out of the virtual meeting with the 4 Way Test.
Respectfully submitted, Madeline Warren
Photos by Don Chick
