Portsmouth Rotary Log for February 13, 2020
President Leo opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Al Lantinen led the song and John Rice favored us with the invocation. Guests and visiting Rotarians were introduced.
There were several announcements. Leo encouraged attendance at the Annual World Peace and Understanding Dinner, slated for February 5-9 PM, in South Portland. More info can be found on our District website.
Trish explained her recent absence. She has been helping Peg Millar move, at least for now, to Florida. Peg, who sends us greetings, will live with or near her son in the Sunshine State.
Barbara Miller announced a $2,200-dollar Cash Committee donation to R.W. Traip Academy’s Project Graduation.
Joanie Dickinson gave us an Interact update. She’ll be travelling to Nepal March 15-26, a trip sponsored by the Philadelphia Rotary club.
Paul Harris Fellow awards went to Cathy Nickerson (PHF+1) and Aileen Dugan (PHF+5.)
Snow/rain notwithstanding, we partnered with the Dover Club for a Rotary social last Tuesday.
The raffle for $43 was won by Mark Lorusso. Hopefully he’ll donate it to the Log Writers Pension Fund.
James Petersen and Linsey Hery, doing their own version of the Academy Awards, announced the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers and directors. And the envelope please…
Senior Directors- Ted Alex, Nancy Notis, Neal Ouellett
Director- John Bohenko, Barbara Miller
President- Jonathan Flagg President Elect- Justin Finn
Vice President- Joannie Dickinson
Treasurer- Stephen Wood
Assistant Treasurer- Joe Bove
Secretary- Lindsey Hery
Assistant Secretary- Caitlin Burke
Sergeant-at- Arms-John St Pierre
Assistant Sergeant at Arms- Julia Thompson
Immediate Past President/Membership- Leo Gagnon
New Generations Director- Tristan Shanley
Community Service Director- Betsy Scott
Club Service Director, Public Relations- Susan Gold
Rotary Foundation/International Service Director- Robert Herold
Vocational Service Director- Caitlyn Hassett
The slate was unanimously approved by a single voice vote.
Our program consisted of several individual performances by cast members of the Seacoast Repertory Theater. It is a pleasure to know that SRT is healthier than is has been in recent memory. In just five years, the company has increased mainstage productions from five to nine per year, a remarkable turnaround.
Artistic directors Ben Hart and Brandon James described the multiple areas that SRT impacts the community. From student scholarships to PAPA to Senior Repertory Theater. The theater presents more than 300 performances yearly.
Two songs by cast members from the current production of Ragtime delighted us and showed off the remarkable talent that SRT attracts.
The next production, A Chorus Line, was amply promoted by a passionate rendition of What I did for Love, the signature song of that production. It made me want to see it again. And just in case you were wondering, A Chorus Line opens in March.
We’re all a little bit better off by having SRT right here in Portsmouth.
Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen
Photos by Sara Treacy
