The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
CLUB RECAP
As we went to press, the Club had just completed its annual Golf Tournament. We’ll have a complete report on who won, plus the financial numbers from the tournament next month.
The day before, we handed out four Vocational Awards in an emotional and enlightening program.
Vocational Award Winners
A large contingent was expected to brave inclement weather to attend Rotary Day at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on June 24th. Justin Finn was looking forward to leading the crowd at the all-you-can-eat buffet table. More to come on that, too.
President Ben was happy to announce that a huge deficit in our $19,000 general fund has been erased. It was just another example of the Club stepping up in a time of need. We also gave $1000 dollars to Craig Taylor to help meet his Pan Mass Challenge pledge.
Another $1000 dollars went to the Cape Town, South Africa, Rotary Club. Yvonne Legge will personally present the check when Portsmouth’s “Voices from the Heart” sings there next month. The group’s concerts will benefit underprivileged children. Cape Town Rotary is helping put up singers.
The Club’s Basic Needs Committee awarded $5,000 to our partnering charity, the Ritchie McFarland Center. Past President Ted Alex also led a hands-on project at the center. Fifteen Rotarian volunteers participated.
There were several Paul Harris Presentations: Cindi and Mary Jane Shanley, communications guru Susan Gold, as well as Art Oxner. Past President Bill Hurley earned a fifth PHA.
Cindi Shanley is pinned by Marie Brownell
Art Oxner and Bill Hurley accepting their awards from President Ben Wheeler
As always, our guest speaker programs were strong. Portsmouth City Manager John Bohenko, himself a Rotarian, gave an optimistic “State of the City” report. Nancy Euchner spoke about “Seacoast Village,” an organization that helps seniors “age in place.” Steve Turner and former Rotarian Del Record gave a provocative talk about their campaign to “Bring Back the Trades.” Del’s family has created the Record Family Foundation to do just that.
Steve Turner and Del Record
Finally, an impressive class of 12 Portsmouth High School students each won $2,900 Rotary scholarships. Money that was raised at last year’s Christmas Tree sales.