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Top of the Week June 14 2019
 
Top of the Week!
May 30, 2019
 
Rotary Fest
 
Have you signed up yet for RotaryFest, our free, one-day (June 22nd), District Conference at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth? If not, better get with it.  Even though there is no registration fee, we need to know how many Rotarians and guests there will be in order to have enough free food and drink. Registration is a snap; click on the link on the Home Page of our District website. rotary7780.org
We have been adding more fun and tasty items to the agenda: a Moon Bounce for kids, cotton candy and popcorn machines, and lots of free coffee in the morning. We promised you Rotary speakers and here is the tentative lineup:
  • Bob MacKenzie from the Kennebunk RC speaking on opioid use disorder to be followed by Narcan training for those who are interested.
  • A panel of younger Rotarians discussing what drew them to Rotary and how we can interest others.
  • PDG Sheila Rollins presenting on the service trip she and a group of Rotaractors took to Puerto Rico to help out with hurricane relief.
  • Our International Outreach team talking about their trip to Romania.
  • Scott Linscott of the Westbrook-Gorham RC discussing Donate Life.
  • Short presentations on some of the District and Global Grant and other International projects being carried out by a few of our Rotary clubs.
Of course, you can attend any or all of the speakers or tour the park, fly kites, listen to music, play games, or just socialize and relax. It is up to you.
We have lots more to share about this unique and fun district conference so keep your eye peeled for future emails and District newsletter articles. This will be an event you won’t want to miss.
Lawrence Furbish
RotaryFest Chair
 
 
Save the Date!
 
 
Tie on your walking shoes and join the fight to STOP DIABETES at the American Diabetes Association’s inaugural New England Classic Walk.
  • July 13, 2019 on the Durham campus of UNH. Walker check-in at 11 am.
  • Choice of walk routes from 1 to 5 miles    (or more!)
  • Information expo and family fun at the finish
  • Registration will open soon at www.diabetes.org/newenglandclassic
  • In the meantime, more info can be found at www.necwalkatunh.home.blog
 
Volunteers are needed for advance planning and day-of-event. Contact the walk coordinator, Barbara Sehr, at bsehr@iuk.edu to volunteer or get further information.
 
 
Volunteer for Cross Roads
 
Upcoming dates for meal service at Cross Roads House:

Wednesdays:

July 3
August 7

Saturdays:
July 20
 
Cooks 3-5 pm and Servers 5-7 pm.
 
If you would like to volunteer please text or call Tiffany at 603-380-5872. That way I will know when we have enough volunteers and can coordinate other dates that need to be filled.
 
 
PHA Volunteer Coordination
 
Mary Kelliher, Volunteer Coordinator at the Portsmouth Housing Authority forwarded the following:
 
“I'm reaching out regarding a recurring volunteer opportunity that has sprung at two of our resident building. We now hold a coffee hour at our Margeson building on Mondays at 10am and at Feaster on Thursdays at 10am. These are opportunities for residents to get out of their apartments and spend time in a communal space to have a treat together. We'd love to have volunteers sign up for a particular day or recurring days to bring donuts, pastries, and/or fruit (coffee is provided) if anyone would like to do so! This is an easy opportunity to also chat with our resident population, as well. Each building also has a piano, waiting for anyone with a passion for it to play during coffee hour as well!!
 
Let Mary know if anyone might be interested.
 
 
 
AmeriCorps Seeks Rotary Volunteers 
 
Mary Kelliher is the Volunteer Coordinator for AmeriCorps working out of Portsmouth Housing's Greenleaf Recreation Center with the Resident Services team which assists low-income residents, senior residents, and residents with disabilities in finding resources for different needs, such as budgeting, financial literacy, transportation, etc. Mary and AmeriCorps is seeking volunteers who would be willing to volunteer. One example of a volunteer opportunity is assisting an older female resident who lives alone in moving heavy furniture (strong people needed!) into and from a UHaul during her planned move from her Feaster apartment to Connor's Cottage. If there are any volunteers intersted in lending a hand please contact Mary at maryk@nh-pha.com
 
 
Sorry We Missed You
 
If you have a makeup for a missed meeting, please email it to the following link:
 
 
 
Check Your Profile
 
The Communications Committee is asking that everyone log onto ClubRunner and check your profile to make sure it is up to date.  Change is part of life and we hope to be able to reflect those changes in our website.  Happy surfing.
 
 
Rotary Connections is back!!!
 
Rotary Connections let’s our members know that their Rotary club is thinking of them.  Members facing a health issue, death in the family or a life celebration, we are here!  
 
If you know of any of our members who may need a Rotary Connections, please reach out to the Cathy Nickerson or President Ben.
 
 
Let us Know What is Happening!
 
If you have an event or news that you would like to share with your fellow Rotarians, please forward the information to Dennis Moulton for inclusion in the weekly eBulletin. My contact information is d-moulton@comcast.net.  And please send photos!
Read more...
Rotary Log for June 6, 2019
Rotary Log for Meeting of June 6, 2019
 
President Cleo called the meeting to order with only a few more weeks to go until the “Changing of the Guard.” Al Lantinen started the song and Bob Smith guided us through the Four-Way Test. John Rice recited a portion of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s D-Day prayer in honor of the 75thanniversary of the Normandy invasion. 
 
Guests
 
Tom Decker brought his wife Dr. Anne Decker who also happened to be today’s speaker. Tom’s other guests were Audrey Decker and Degen Miller. Richard Lyons invited his son Daniel Lyons. Donna Abisi, visiting from the Hampton club, was Marie Brownell’s guest.
 
Announcements 
 
There were many June birthdays and anniversaries. If you happen to see one of these Rotarians wish them a Happy Birthday! 
Cleo Villaflores, June 3
Dennis Moulton, June 5
John Tabor, June 5
Moe Sullivan, June 8
Dick Seery, June 9
Aileen Dugan, June 10
Paul Lucy, June 16
Ian Oneail, June 20
Patricia Cummings, June 23
Stephen Zadravec, June 23
Wayne Semprini, June 28
Cliff Taylor, June 28
 
Cleo also ran through a list of Rotary anniversaries for a total combined 268 years of service. Josiah Babcok went on 7-day notice. We also were fortunate to welcome two new members into the club. Susan Gold sponsored Nicole Scarneo. Nicole is an Area Manager for Bangor Savings Bank and enjoys spending time outdoors. John Bohenko sponsored John Madden. John M has lived in the seacoast area for 18 years and currently resides in Rye. John’s wife Jen is also in Rotary. They have three kids one of which is currently in college. Next year he will have two kids in college and the year after all three.
 
John Pappas won the raffle of $45 and the bonus for $100. Perhaps he should share some of the pot with John Madden to help pay for three kids in college! 
 
A Titanic-Like Experience
 
Dr. Anne Decker was our speaker, sharing her “vacation” from hell aboard the MS Viking Sky. Dr. Anne had everyone on the edge of their seats during her account of a 27-hour rescue. On March 23, 2019, she and her friend from back in 7thgrade went on a vacation cruise. They were hoping to see the Northern Lights but instead had a Titanic-like experience. 
 
Anne’s #1 advice to anyone going on a cruise is pay attention to the muster station drills. Those drills might come in handy as they did for her. The forecast called for 70-plus mph winds and 60-plus foot waves. No other ships left port that morning except the Viking Sky.
 
The incident began as a day like any other. Then a code was sent over the loud speaker which made the crew’s faces all go white. The code was quickly followed by the muster station signal. At that moment, Anne’s heart dropped. She and her friend ran to their muster station which was in the ship’s dining room.
 
Suddenly, a tsunami-like wave came through an open window of the muster station. Anne found herself swimming in the ice-cold Nordic water. She held on tight to a grill, the only piece of furniture stabilized to keep from going overboard. Meanwhile, Anne’s fellow cruise ship mates were being pinned under tables and chairs. 
 
Thinking that this was the end, Anne managed to get a text message out to her family. “Thank you for a blessed life. I love you,” she wrote.
 
The crew managed to get Anne and the others at the muster station to a safer location. Anne was treated for hypothermia. People around them gave the dry shirts off their back to help. Meanwhile, the ship began to evacuate passengers. First the injured, then the handicapped, followed by people who were hysterically yelling, “The ship is sinking!”
 
At midnight the captain in his thick Norwegian accent announced: “Tugboats are very far from the ship. You will soon be evacuated. You will be able to continue with your vacation.”  
 
“Vacation?!” thought Anne. As this horrifying experience was far from her idea of a vacation. Later, her friend grabbed her face and explained, “He’s saying EVACUATION not vacation.” 
 
The ship was able to evacuate 400 people. Anne and her friend safely made it back to port. The engineers told the duo that they had witnessed “the Face of God” today. Anne looked up the meaning of “Face of God.” It’s what you see when you are about to die. Anne and everyone on the MS Viking Sky that day barely escaped death. 
 
When Anne disembarked, the chair of the company was in port with several men in black suits. Lawyers seems to be the most likely the explanation for who these guys were.  As compensation for their troubles, Anne received a free cruise with the chair of the company. Anne felt comforted knowing that he would be on the boat. 
 
 
Meanwhile, Anne’s husband Tom was on a March Madness trip to Vegas. As soon as he received Anne’s text message, he packed his bags and boarded a flight. He missed most of the basketball games he’d planned to watch. But more importantly, he saw Anne and her friend arrive home safely with only a few bruises.
 
Dr. Anne’s story was one of the most remarkable tales I’ve ever heard. She was lucky to not only escape with her life, but with her positive spirit still intact. On another note, I’m never going on a cruise.  
 
Respectfully submitted, Madeline Warren
New Members Photos
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
 
http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome
Speakers
Jun 20, 2019
Our Vocational Awards!!
Jun 27, 2019
We gather on this "solemn occasion" ....
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Cash Committee Meeting
Petersen Engineering
Jun 26, 2019
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
New Member Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm
Jun 27, 2019
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Portsmouth Rotary Golf Tournament
Pease Golf Course
Jun 28, 2019
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 
Membership Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
Jul 18, 2019 11:00 AM
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Photo Albums
Rotary Scholarships
C. 2019 Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905 Portsmouth NH 03801
Email: portsmouthnhrotary@yahoo.com. www.portsmouthrotary.org.
eBulletin Editor: John Rice