Rotary Log for March 1, 2018
 
 
President Ben opened our meeting on what was National Wheelchair Day. More about that connection later. He complimented the Portsmouth Country Club on their tasteful renovation of our meeting room. Al Lantinen intoned “America.” Greeter and new member Laura Barker led the Test. Aileen Dugan invoked God’s grace.
 
Guests (and Rotarian Hosts.)
 
Don Chick and Jacques Breton (Susan Gold) 
   
Midge Nelson and Robert DeMaxia (Aileen Dugan)
 
Heather Inyact (Tristan Shanley)
 
Happy Dollars!
 
A few Happy Dollars helped plug President Ben’s budget deficit.
 
Len Seagren passed along a $50 check from his neighbor. The donor appreciated our club’s Thanksgiving meal. Joe Cunningham was thankful for the completion of his daughter’s adenoid surgery. Barb Miller’s grand-daughter turned six years old.
 
Announcements
 
Ramona Dow noted that our club is now supporting Seacoast Community Lunch. This non-profit group will soon offer free lunches to local residents. Operations will begin in May at the newly renovated meeting room of Middle Street Baptist Church. Attending diners will enjoy plated meals on clothed round tables. Live music will often be provided. Sounds like a nice experience! President Ben presented a $1,500 check to a representative of this worthy endeavor.
 
 
All information regarding meeting makeup requests should now be sent directly to portsmouthrotary@yahoo.com.
 
Sara Treacy asked for nominating submissions for the First Annual Reverend Gordon Allen Humanitarian Award.
 
The Rotaplast Project juggernaut gained further momentum. Barb Miller brought a $1,500 donation from Eastern Bank. Governor Dave found another cubbyhole in the District’s balance sheet. From it he extracted yet one more contribution. And President Ben announced a $2,000 gift from Service Credit Union.
 
Ben has applications for non-medical Rotaplast Project team members. These applications are also available online at our club website.
 
The $52 raffle was won but your scribe, who was too busy enjoying his steak tips to record the winner. More importantly, Rafflemeister Justin Finn was found toting up the numbers with an official Rotary Appreciation pen. Apparently these pens are now available on the black market. The record clearly shows that nary a post-luncheon talk has been recently given by Brother Finn! Fodder for a future Finn fine? 
 
Guest speakers.
 
 
Todd Hansen and Anne Weidman work together at JSA Architects. The firm provides architectural and interior design for local establishments. The Portsmouth Medical Center and the Portsmouth Library are among the firm’s oeuvre.
 
Two years ago, Todd and Anne founded a non-profit organization, now known as Access Navigators. Its mission was to provide the mobility disabled with better ways to access and enjoy Portsmouth.
 
The duo brought more qualifications to the task than just their professional experience. As President of Strawbery Banke, Anne is a keen observer and participant of local activities. Todd is a former local competitive runner. He actually won our very own Thunder Chicken 5K race in 2000.
 
 
Four years ago, Todd faced the onset of relatively unknown PLS, a degenerative affliction similar to ALS. Today he requires a wheelchair for mobility and a speaker-connected IPad to communicate. Undaunted, he uses his acute personal awareness of disability issues to add urgency and effectiveness to the organization’s efforts.
 
Access Navigators’ basic premise is two-fold. Mobility-disabled people need adequate and up-to-date information regarding access to local facilities and establishments. Armed with this data, they can better plan trips and outings. Conversely, mobility friendly restaurants and attractions need to broadcast their accessibility to attract disabled customers and their accompanying groups. Access Navigators provides a nexus for that information flow.
 
 
The effort began by simply canvassing local venues regarding their access options. This data was compiled and displayed as a web-based guidebook. Product extensions now include a Google Map-based interactive application. “Walk and Roll Routes” highlight local downtown tour loops for the disabled and the general public.
 
Access Navigators is expanding their services to four additional Seacoast towns: Exeter, Dover, Durham and Newmarket. Critical to this expansion is the assistance of many UNH students and other local volunteers.
 
It was a lively talk. And exciting to learn that Access Navigators is already making a positive impact on our community and its residents.
 
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich
Photos by Jim Rini
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