Rotary Log for December 19, 2019
President Leo rang the meeting to order by inviting Fawn Babcock to the microphone. Fawn spread holiday cheer with a wonderful rendition of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. A hard act to follow, Susan Gold then recited a Rotary fellowship prayer.
Larry Gray introduced new member Charles Yduate or “Charlie Why” for short. Charlie is a retired civil engineer who now has more free time to volunteer. A Notre Dame graduate with an MBA from Michigan, he was born in Columbia and is a native Spanish speaker. He’d be an excellent travel companion since he has visited all but two states in the USA. Charlie is already jumping right into the Rotary spirit by volunteering for two Christmas tree shifts. He lives in Portsmouth with his wife and has three children. By the way, Charlie roots for Notre Dame when they play Michigan.
Leonard Seagram presented Friends Forever International with a check donation for $5,000. Receiving it was Chelsea, a previous Northern Ireland graduate of Friends Forever who now works for the organization. Friends Forever is a non-profit started by Portsmouth Rotary in 1986. It has now grown to a large multi-country organization. There are programs bringing together Israeli Arabs and Jews, Cyprus Turks and Greeks.
Friends Forever actually was the brain child of Robert Raiche of our club. It was originally a program to bring together Northern Ireland Protestant and Catholic youth. The organization recently bought property in Belize and has expanded to adults, too, specifically women in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
We next presented the Portsmouth Country club wait staff with our annual Christmas tip, collected over two weeks from table baskets. Allison and Crew were very grateful, and we are equally so for their expert service week after week.
Nick Aeschliman
Rick Wallace
It was a special Rotary Day as six people received Paul Harris Fellows. As always, Mort did the presentations. The Paul Harris Fellow acknowledges individuals who contribute $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation or are given a PHF by the committee. Two were first time recipients while the rest were multiple time achievers. First time honorees are Nick Aeschliman and Rick Wallis. Multiple Paul Harris recognition went to are Ed Mallon, Aileen Duggan, Dennis Moulton and Richard Lyons.
The 50/50 raffle was $45 with a bonus of $125. Paul Lucy won the raffle, but it was not a match.
General Announcements.
Joanie Dickenson thanked Jon Flagg and his daughter for volunteering at the soup kitchen. Due to the fact that school was canceled last week high school interact club students could not volunteer. Joanie also thanked Al Lantinen for filling a stocking to be donated to a 17-year old high school boy.
Justin Finn gave a tree update. Friday the 20th is to be the last day of tree sales. The club purchased 1,400 trees and only 20 are left. Justin also read a note from Larry Murphy thanking him for the opportunity to sell trees. Larry noted a young couple with a newborn baby having a wonderful experience buying their first tree. Those heart-felt stories helped make our Christmas Tree sales event a special community. And in case you were wondering, Lindsey Hery added that you do not need to email her about tree shifts.
Tiffany thanked those who volunteered at Crossroads in 2019 as well as sorted donations. Next Crossroads dinner is Saturday January 4th. We will not be serving on New Year’s Day.
Leo next asked everyone to give a round of applause for Tiffany who brings Peg to meeting every week. Tiffany then stated it is a group effort of many.
Marie Brownell held her golf committee meeting after last Thursday’s meeting.
Today’s guest list included Dan Lyons brought by Richard Lyons and Bridget Corbett invited by Susan Gold. Larry Gray brought Charlie Tduate, and Josiah Babcock his talented daughter, Fawn.
Steve Caron was a visiting Rotarian from the Andover, Ma., club.
Respectfully submitted, Madeline Warren
Photos by Tube Loch
