Portsmouth Rotary Log March 26, 2020
Our second Zoom meeting began at 12:15 with President Leo and the Pledge of Allegiance. Craig Taylor acted as moderator and electronic Sargent-at-Arms.
Though most of us were muted, you could see lips moving in time with Leo. Judy Ringer favored our computers with a bright and beautiful Star-Spangled Banner. John Rice gave a thoughtful and inclusive invocation.
It should be noted that 51 of our members were logged on today. We hope more of you will join this format next Thursday. Personally, being a Luddite, I found it easy to be involved and will continue electronically despite my shortcomings. A few reminders and suggestions as you tune in. Be aware of background, especially it happens to be the loo. Also, please engage the mute on your screen until called upon to speak, else we become the Tower of Babel.
Leo presented two easy options for service in these hard times. Crossroads house for one will accept prepared foods for their residents and gratefully receives them at the front door.
An excellent second choice is Gather, which seeks donations of appropriate snack foods for school age children. These goodies could include fruit cups, granola bars, peanut butter crackers and more. Without school lunch programs, food insecurity is even greater for these students. Leo says the board of directors will consider financial aid to these programs next week.
The program moved along. In “Rotary History Mode” a poem from the minutes of the February 18,1968 meeting was read. Jon Flagg then took up the banner, noting the club’s last meeting at the Rockingham Hotel was March 29, 1973. That was just a few days before that establishment closed.
Subsequently, meetings were moved to Yoken’s out on Lafayette Road. Since our club was founded March 28, 1923, a birthday cake seemed in order and Jon was presented one, candles and all. Alas, only virtual cake for the rest of us.
The Poetry Hoot, under Dave Holden’s direction, then proceeded from classical to home grown. Sara Treacy and Ben Wheeler produced original work of sweet sentiment and clever wording. A special treat came from Ben’s daughter, Emma, to the delight of all. Past president James regaled the cyber crowd with Tom Sawyer’s approach to work.
Then David Holden went classical and a bit British on us. Aileen Dugan proffered Roethke’s “Waking,” beginning with I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. An inspirational poem about Rotary was Jon Flagg’s entry, which we should hear more often.
Al Lantinen offered Marge Piercy’s “To be of use” with beginning line “The people I Iove best jump into work headfirst.” Neal Ouellett threw a curve with “The Revenant” where a dog speaks from the grave to his master, “I never liked you, not one bit.” And John Rice rounded it out with Frost’s “Choose Something Like a Star”.
We finished with the 4-Way Test, unmuted. Look forward to seeing you on the screen next week.
Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen
