Rotary Log: May 10, 2012

President Tony called the meeting to order with the ringing of a bell and introduction of visiting Rotarians from Manchester, Worcester, and Ohio.

True to tradition, the meeting began with Portsmouth Rotarians pledging, singing, praying, and reciting the mission as a group.

There’s something solid and comforting about that…

NEW MEMBERS:

Three new members were welcomed:  Bob Morden: joined in ’87, left for a while in 2004, and said he’s “glad to be back and to see many familiar faces.”  Bob Lewis has been a Rotarian since 1976 (Portsmouth is his 7^th club) and in the banking industry for 44 years. Jamie Thompson: from Amesbury, MA, joined Rotary in 1990.   WELCOME  TO ALL!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Gary Spears- New stuffed animals needed for donation to local hospitals, police departments, etc.  Thanks to Donna Llewellyn for contribution. 

Contact Diane Lavigne to volunteer for Salvation Army Soup Kitchen June 28.  Contact Sara Treacy fo duty July 26 and beyond.

Bill Hurley presented Donations Committee overview- $ 10,000 budget, committee members interview staff at community non-profits.  Email Bill for list of recipients.

Cathy Edison made a pitch for Rotarians to support Basic Needs Committee’s efforts to match $2,000 through cash/check contributions.  Cathy is collecting funds.

Dave Underhill-  May 17 is deadline for Awards Nominations!

Ted Alex presented on Hands-on Projects at Point of Graves and Peirce Island, stressing “Fellowship, Fun, and Friends.”  Great work accomplished Saturday, May 5, in partnership with Friends of the South End.

GUEST SPEAKERS:  Molly Bolster and Paul Rollins of The Gundalow Company.

Executive Director Molly Bolster described the non-profit’s mission with passion and eloquence.  I will take the liberty of quoting from the website (www.gundalow.org) as follows – “By linking our region’s past with the need to protect it for the future, the non-profit  Gundalow Company inspires individuals to take responsibility and become better stewards of our maritime region.  Our message is to appreciate the river systems, and to understand the need for protection and action.  And all this through the wondrous experience of two humble, single-masted wooden boats.”

Public Day Sails offered Memorial Day weekend through October (online ticketing available.) The 2-hour public sails are a great way to explore the Piscataqua Maritime Region and learn about our unique waterways while sailing aboard the new Gundalow, Piscataqua.   The Gundalow Company also offers school, camps, and Youth Group Programs. 

Ship builder Paul Rollins went through the “nuts and bolts” of construction and said the Piscataqua was built to be able to sit on rocks, mud, whatever surface the river presents.  The ship’s timbers (eaves,) hailing from Boston’s naval shipyard, provided what Rollins described as “a virtual Gundalow kit.”  And the wood has a history.  (Although the company is not quite sure what that is---Rollins said, with a smile, that “We like to say the wood’s from The Constitution—can’t document that, but it sounds good!”   

Rollins spoke, too, about the community effort involved in the building of the new gundalow.  Local sawmills contributed materials, students from Portsmouth High School helped build, Strawbery Banke Museum provided the site, scores of volunteers provided labor and love.  The gundalow, said Rollins, built for safety and durability, has four water-tight bulkheads “so we can bring those 4^th graders home again.”  Good idea… great project…excellent presentation.