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Top of the Week May 16, 2019
 
Top of the Week!
May 16, 2019
 
Annual Community Baby Shower
 
United Way of the Greater Seacoast and their Woman’s Leadership Council hosted the 7th annual Community Baby Shower on Saturday, May 11th at the Community Campus.  Over 70 new mom’s and mom’s to be (and Dad’s) were showered with all the things babies need to get off to a good start.  In addition, guests had the opportunity to visit 15 Community Resource tables to learn about organizations that are available to help them with basic needs and other supports.  Prize drawings for those taking advantage of visiting resource tables included car seats, strollers, pack and play’s and more.   Cash Committee  funding as well as club volunteers Cathy Nickerson and Ramona Dow contributed to this incredibly successful event.
 
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. As of now, we have 111 adults and 40 children registered. 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
 
 
Presidential Project at the John Paul Jones House
 
Click the link below to see more photos from the project.
 
 
Crutches 4 Africa
 
There will be a loading party on Saturday, May 11, at 9 AM at the Biddeford site (30 Gooch St. Biddeford, Maine).  Anyone available to help load is invited to participate in this fellowship event. In the past there have been about 10 Rotarians helping out, but it would be wonderful if we could get 15+ to participate.
 
Anyone who wants to chip in should contact Bill Hurley or Leo Gagnon.
 
Thank you in advance for your involvement.
 
 
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
We still need volunteers for Cross Roads for the following dates:

Wednesdays:
June 5
July 3
August 7

Saturdays:
May 25
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 May 9, 2019
Rotary Log for May 9, 2019
 
On a cool, but beautiful Spring day President Cleo called the meeting to order.  Following the Pledge, Al Lantinen once again led a vigorously sung patriotic number. Today’s greeter, Matt Randall, initiated the Four-Way Test.  Aspiring Club Chaplain John Rice offered another sterling invocation.
Announcements
Cleo thanked the Hands-on Committee for yeoman service on her President’s project, the sprucing up of the John Paul Jones House. Another session is scheduled for Saturday.
The Seacoast Recovery Forums continue, according to Governor Dave.  When this announcement hits your inbox, the next meeting is scheduled for June 3, 6 to 8pm, at Wentworth Douglas Hospital Garrison Wing Auditorium.
Tiffany impresses with her leadership of our club’s service to Crossroads House.  Cooks and servers are needed for Saturday May 25 and Wednesday June 5th.
The Interact Club at Portsmouth High School thrives under the guidance of Joanie Dickinson, Craig Taylor and Donna Harvey. This Saturday the Club will be doing an annual clean-up project at Wallis Sands State Park.
The annual Vocational Awards program fast approaches.  Lexi is looking for Committee members and nominees.  Our fantastically informative website has the form.  This is a great opportunity to recognize an unsung hero in the categories of Public Service, Education, Health and Human Services, and a General class.
Finally, appearing for Bill Hurley, who’s been noticeably absent for several weeks due to business obligations, was Joe Cunningham.  Joe announced that on the already jam-packed upcoming Saturday he and Bill will be loading a container with thousands of pieces of equipment.  Crutches for Africa is the cause, putting to good use perfectly serviceable mobility devices for poorer places in this world.
The Raffle
Craig Taylor’s number was pulled for the $51 prize, and there was a $125 match!  All the better for the club, as Craig generously donated the winnings back. What a guy!
The speaker- Anne McSally, Hospice Help Foundation
Death and dying are not usually associated with words like uplifting and hopeful.  Yet, today’s speaker, Anne McSally, brought a measure of both to a very upbeat presentation about Hospice Help Foundation. Standing in for Executive Director Marsha Filion, Anne described a unique non-profit incorporated in 2015. An organization that has assisted hundreds of individuals and their families at the end of life.
 
The mission is to provide financial support for hospice patients and their families who have dire financial need. This help is designed to enhance quality of life and lift the financial and emotional burdens that accompany a terminal diagnosis.
The Foundation accepts requests for otherwise unfunded needs of dying patients. These applications are vetted by social workers and approved by the Foundation’s board of directors.  Anne effectively shared that mission through a series of positive and poignant stories.
Among those tales was one about a homebound man who was provided with a motorized scooter. He simply wanted to go fishing with his wife. Another person was provided with art supplies.  An elderly woman with broken glasses was helped to purchase a new pair.  
 
We often take so much for granted.  Home Health Foundation doesn’t. The group assists people with basic needs such as rent and utility payments.  It helps set minds at ease with assistance for funeral expenses. The agency is there to support people who have no resources to call upon at the end of their lives.
 
According to the website, hhelpfoundation.org, “Our support transcends the usual scope of hospice care by providing assistance for services not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, and is available to patients regardless of which hospice provides their care”.
 
In her concluding comments Ms. McSally had three “asks.” First, spread the word about the Foundation. Second, donate. And, finally, volunteer.  And she planted a seed: where are you with your advance directives?
Respectfully submitted, Neal Ouellett
Sorry no pictures this week!
New Members Photos
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
 
http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome
Speakers
May 16, 2019
Our Upcoming Year & Your Input
May 23, 2019
Scholarship Day !!
May 30, 2019
Our Veteran's Count
Jun 06, 2019
Experience the MV Viking Sky's near disaster in March off Norway from an eyewitness passenger
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Membership Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
May 16, 2019 11:00 AM
 
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen
Salvation Army
May 21, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:15 PM
 
New Member Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm
May 23, 2019
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Basic Needs Partner Service: Cross Roads House
Cross Roads House
May 25, 2019
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Cash Committee Meeting
Eastern Bank
May 29, 2019
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
Board Meeting
Service Credit Union Corporate Office
Jun 05, 2019
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Photo Albums
5/2/19 poetry day
John Paul Jones Hands On Project May, 2019
C. 2019 Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905 Portsmouth NH 03801
Email: portsmouthnhrotary@yahoo.com. www.portsmouthrotary.org.
eBulletin Editor: John Rice