December 16, 2010:Rotary Log (annual meeting)

At our last meeting of 2010, Rotarians were full of holiday cheer as they were welcomed into the Red Hook hall by greeter Liz Wivell. Although still a couple months away, members were apparently encouraged to celebrate Chinese New Year as well (Year of the Rabbit), lining up to help themselves to a tasty serving of fried rice and chicken stir fry.

As we finished our meals, Reverend Allen opened our meeting with a blessing of good tidings and Tenley treated us all to a glowing rendition of "I’ll be Home for Xmas." Keeping in line with the holiday spirit, we had a report on Christmas Tree Sales. As it turns out this year was a great success, selling out this past Tuesday, and notably closing out our first year with fencing instead of security guards, much to the delight of the Rotary charity cashbox.

Rotarians then welcomed our guests, a good many of them visiting Rotarians from other clubs – serving as a good reminder to all of us to visit other Clubs when given the opportunity, as one of members recently did in Mexico.

As we all began to dig into our Blueberry Cobbler (served with great joy to Reverend Allen, albeit with the hint of sadness noticeably present when ice cream is absent), we were on to more serious and bureaucratic matters: the nomination of our upcoming officers.

As Chairperson of the Nominating committee, Janice Wood addressed the Club and announced the following officers and nominees. All nominees were unanimously agreed upon by members in attendance.

Immediate President: Diane Foley (acknowledged )

Incoming President: Anthony Delyani (who apparently likes a good antipasto)

President Elect: Nancy Notis

Vice President: Dave Underhill

Secretary: Lisa Mills

Assistant Secretary: Darlene McAllister

Treasurer: Joe Bove

Assistant Treasurer: Ryan Bishop

Sergeant at Arms: Marie Brownelle

Assistant Sergeant at Arms: Cathy Edison

Trisha Cummings

John Papas

Bill Hurley

Ben Wheeler

Lyn-Del

Jim Rini

Maureen Sullivan

Linda Browning

Ted Alex

Neal Ouellett

Jamie Stefano

Next, came the Grinch (otherwise known to us as Neil Ouellett), to dole out our last fines of the year. Among the vicious evils that Neil railed against were doggie bags, diet coke, free lunches, making people look good, and hugs. Bah Humbug!

Now came happier times with awards and accolades for our Fellow Rotarians. Among the honored were all of our members 60+ years of age, Jonathan Flagg and the Flagg Family for their service, Dave Underhill for the great job he’s doing with the new website, and to all Rotarians for a good year of jobs well done.

As we look forward to 2011, Lyn Del reminded us to sign up for the Visioning Meeting to be held in the Levenson Room of the Portsmouth Public Library, January 22^nd.

Bill Hurley was next up to the podium to briefly report on the many ways in which our Club through our charitable efforts and the William Cash fund was able to assist many in our community by dispersing funds for individual projects and local charities.

Trish Wellington closed our meeting with a discussion of Operation Warm, an initiative first launched with the aid of the Longwood Rotary Club of Pennsylvania. Operation Warm, through charitable donations, purchases new winter coats for children in need. Since 1998, over 600,000 coats have been distributed, providing warmth, dignity and self esteem to our nation’s youth and future. A worthy cause to be sure, and one we should all consider as the mercury drops in our thermometers.

Happy New Year’s everyone!