On April 17th, Erica Thoits, Director of Community Relations of CASA of NH, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a volunteer organization with over 500 volunteers and always in search of more. They work as advocates, providing a voice for children of neglect and abuse throughout NH. Volunteers are just normal folks who have a heart to help.
Welcome to Rotary Club 6460 in District 7870.
We meet In Person
Mondays at 12:00 PM
Nashua Country Club
25 Fairway Street
(mail to: P O Box 401, Nashua, NH 03061)
Nashua, NH 03061-5130
United States of America
(mail to: P O Box 401, Nashua, NH 03061)
Nashua, NH 03061-5130
United States of America
On April 10th, Kathy Farland from Stepping Stones, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the work of Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones provides needed services for youth facing homelessness in the Greater Nashua Area. Youth ages they service are anyone under 26 years old.
On April 3rd, Ben Viscovich, a physical therapist from Washington, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding healthy aging. Mr. Viscovich used a PowerPoint to review his topic. He was trained in Seattle and has done research in physical training of elderly. He focused on strength training as key to elderly physical therapy and training.
On March 20th, Peter Lally from the Nashua Center for the Arts, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Spectacle, an organization he started about 10 years ago that helps manage municipally owned facilities in Lowell, Nashua and Laconia. Spectacle also helps produce events/contracts events with touring artists. Spectacle assists with ticketing, marketing, booking, event staff, and more. The Nashua Center for the Arts opened on April 15th.
On March 13th, Wendy Hunt from the Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding work that the Chamber does. The Chamber is an advocate for the business community to the NH legislature. There are weekly meetings to review the bills before the legislature and decide on need for chamber support or action.
On March 6th, Judge Jackie Colburn NH Superior Court and Attorney Dave Tencza, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding National Judicial Outreach Week. Judge Colburn presides over the NH Drug court with and has an impressive CV highlighting her education and special accomplishments. Jackie’s presentation talked about National Judicial Outreach Week – Preserving the Rule of Law. She has been sitting as a judge since 2009. They both provided narration to the presentation and had good audience interaction.
On February 27th, Dante (zoom) and Roseanne from the Nashua High Rotary Interact Club, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding their club’s focus on fundraising. They meet Thursdays and have consistent involvement from their members. Roseanne’s focused on getting students involved in volunteering for events like helping schools with their holiday fairs. This year, New Searles, and Main Dunstable elementary schools received help from their club. They also assist with selling Christmas trees and seek gift baskets from local business owners, which are later raffled off. Their recent Christmas basket raffles raised $600. They are going to do a breakfast themed basket from the stonewall kitchen next, which was donated by our own Bill Barry.
On February 6th, Jude Everett addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her personal story of helping migrants in need. Jude has been a high school teacher for 25 years teaching Spanish, Russian, and Latin. She has recently transitioned to teaching English as a second language. In 2021 she went to Mexico’s southern border and lived there for 5 weeks in an asylum shelter which are filled with families who have come from mostly central American countries and Mexico.
On January 9th, Rick Fabrizio, the Director of Communications and Public Policy for the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding technology and the introduction and expansion of broad band in New Hampshire. He mentioned growing up with technology in the 1980’s living in Newington, a small town with little or no broad band access. Cable companies were hesitant to install lines because the ROI was minimal.
On November28th, Dr. Mario Andrade, Superintendent of Schools for the Nashua School District, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Nashua School District. Dr. Andrade held many previous educational positions and wants to collaborate with schoolteachers and leaders. Covid brought him to Nashua during the pandemic from Rhode Island. He had become a Covid educational consultant. The rapid jump to remote learning allowed him to reconsider how schools should be structured. He came here first to be an Assistant Principal. Shortly after moved to Elm Street as a Principal. Four months later he superintendent left and he became the assistant superintendent.
On November 7th, Nashua Police Athletic League Executive Director Shaun Nelson and Nashua Pal Police Liaison Officer Bennet Stusse addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Nashua Police Athletic League PAL programs. He also talked about the recently completed renovations on their building and their upcoming Tactical Christmas holiday gift giveaway. Rotarians were invited to tour the facility and can reach out to schedule a tour by reaching out to Shaun at shaun@nashuapal.com.
On October 31st, Dan Healy, the new City Clerk, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding voter information. Dan is from Derry and was happy to talk about the services of the clerk’s office. Birth certificates, marriage licensing, death certificates, dog licenses, and the keeper of city records are some of the services. Dan spent time talking about voter information.
On October 24th, Taylor Caswell, NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding building a vibrant NH economy. Taylor Caswell’s bio can be found at https://www.nheconomy.com/about-us/bea-commissioner. Taylor opened by sharing his own story about Gerry Prunier, concluding that just the mention of Gerry’s name could make things happen. He then dove into an overview of what’s happening in the economic space in New Hampshire and the role that his department is playing.
On October 17th, Mark Hastbacka, FBI Boston, Special Agent, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Ghislaine Maxwell apprehension In NH. Mark was a Nashua Police Officer and Detective from 1987 to 1997, before heading to the FBI Miami, Special Agent through 2003. While in Miami he was transferred to international terrorism in 1999. He was a Case Agent for the “Florida Four” IRA gun smuggling operation and the Case Agent for the Florida portion of the 9/11 hijackings. He was in Miami through 2012, supervising the International Terrorism Squad. Mark returned to Boston in 2012 through the present. He works in Boston and Bedford, NH. He was worked on the Boston Marathon bombing.
On September 26th, Peggy Gilmour, former NH State Senator and Lobbyist for Preti Strategies, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her NH Legislature experience and Fall Agenda. Senator Peggy Gilmour of Hollis was a NH State Senator from 2012 to 2014 in District 12. Senator Gilmour has been a leader in the healthcare industry for over 20 years as a former CEO/President Home Health and Hospice Care and as President of the NH Home Care Assoc. of NH. Senator Gilmour is a graduate of Boston University.
On September 12th, Bob Bianchi, Vice President of the New England Racing Museum, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the New England Racing Museum. Bob is active in the New England racing museum including providing numerous upgrades for technology and displays. The New England Racing Museum was built in 2012 by the Racing History Preservation Group. The museum was built slowly to prevent incurring debt. Mission is to collect, preserve and educate the public on the history of motorized racing in New England.
On August 29th, Jeremy Griffths the STEM coordinator for the Adult Learning Center, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding STEM integrations in local elementary schools. Jeremy explained STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. He focuses on introducing STEM to students at a young age to advance the field.
On August 22nd, Alderman Richard A. Dowd, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Nashua Middle School Renovation Project Update. Rick, a lifelong resident of Nashua, graduate of Nashua High School, and St. Anselm College. A commissioned Naval Officer. Rick has spent over 36 years in Nashua political and appointed offices, such as Zoning Board, Board of Education, and Board of Alderman (6 terms).
On July 25th, NH Secretary of State Dave Scanlan, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding voter confidence. Mr. Scanlan took office on January 10, 2022. Prior to that, he served as Acting Secretary of State upon the resignation of then Secretary of State Bill Gardner on January 10, 2021, and as Deputy Secretary of State since 2002. Prior to that, he was a member of the NH House of Representative for 8 terms. Born in Pennsylvania, Mr. Scanlan has a degree in Forestry and was a licensed forester in the NH private sector. Mr. Scanlan formed a Special Committee on Voter Confidence in April 2022, and that Committee will be in Nashua on August 15 for a Listening Session (5 pm, Nashua City Hall, Third Floor Auditorium).
On July 18th, Ed Lecius from the Lions Club, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding combining Efforts of Rotary, Lions Club and Kiwanis Clubs, to accomplish shared interest goals. Ed Lecius, is no stranger to many Rotarians in the room and on Zoom today. Ed has had a stellar career in broadcasting, local, state and national politics and public service. A member of the Lions Club since 1971 Ed is a five-time president. A former District Governor and International Director. Most recently Ed was selected as the Chamber’s Citizen of the year.
On July 11th, Martin and Jim Moran from Merrimack New Hampshire, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding their 10-year involvement in the Special Olympics. Martin works at Market Basket and Lavoie’s Farm. Although basketball is his game, Martin also intends to try out for the golf team for the 2026 Special Olympics.
On June 20th, Beth asked Community Grants Chairperson and Past President Deb Novotny to introduce this year’s award recipients. Deb thanked her committee members Bob James, Brian Law, Erin Gleeson, Jebb Curelop, John Sias and Theresa Lucier for their work on the committee. The purpose of the Awards are to help Non-profits complete projects that help our community. Community Grants were present as follows:
On June 13th, President Beth Covino introduced Jane Marquis who announced the Rotary Club of Nashua 2022 Scholarship Award recipients. There were 3 recipients with parents in attendance. The meeting began with a brief report on the experience from three previous scholarship award winners.
On May 23rd, Rachel Picard, a Nashua native and currently studying to become a surgeon at the University College of Ireland in Dublin, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her Humanitarian Medicine residency in Tanzania, a country of 60 million people in East Africa. The medical system is a pyramid model of health care with clinics, district hospitals, regional hospitals and Tertiary hospitals. The level of care is more intense as one progresses through the system. The inability for many to afford care beyond the district hospital setting creates outcomes that are often dependent on one’s ability to pay.
On May 16th, Mike Apfelberg, is a member of Rotary West and President of Nashua United Way, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding his Trip to Romania aiding Ukrainian refugees.
- Went to Romania to support and aid refugees fleeing Ukraine.
- Reached out to the UN and Red Cross, then realized he worked for the United Way and reached out to their headquarters.
- United Way Romania was doing relief, and he had a couple of zooms to get started.
- Flew into Bucarest, rented a car, and drove to the Ukrainian border, which they call Sighet (Sighetu Marmetei).
On May 9th, Mayor Jim Donchess gave an abbreviated version of his State of the City (the full text can be found on the City’s website). Last 2 years have been challenging, but the city’s response to COVID has been strong and successful. Right now, there’s a slight uptick in cases, but the cases are less severe than previously seen, with significantly fewer hospitalizations. City budget will be proposed tomorrow night. The budget will be affected by COVID and the inflation that we’re seeing now.
On May 2nd, Scott Brown, former US Senator and US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa; known as a builder of political bridges with expertise in both the public and private sector, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding his more than 30 years of experience as a diplomat, senator, military officer, trade negotiator and bestselling author. Ambassador Brown reached the top of the New York Times Best Sellers List with his powerful memoir, Against All Odds: My Life of Hardship, Fast Breaks and Second Chances. The former Senator is a 9th generation son of the American Revolution out of Newington NH.
On April 25th, Lisa May Swatko addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her experiences with Special Olympics and the very positive role it has played in their family. Lisa’s son Ben, who is now 22, became involved with Special Olympics when he was 8 years old, which at that time was the youngest age allowed (now there is a program for those aged 2 through 7). Lisa chose to home-school Ben as it being the best option for him. Because of that, she actively sought out ways to expand his experiences outside of the home through organizations like Cub Scouts and Special Olympics. It was in Special Olympics that they found a strong level of understanding and acceptance.
On April 18th, Dr. Laura Landerman-Garber addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her project, Holiday Cards 4 our Military-NH Challenge. Laura is a mom, grandmother, and former Steelers fan, who finally saw the light and now embraces the Patriots. She also mentioned being a former Rotary Girl of the Month back in 1973. The challenge began in 2003 with her own family, when she gave them the “ticket to Turkey Day” challenge of writing a letter to our Heroes in the service.
On April 11th Bob Dewey, MD addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding “The Health Impact of Climate Change”. Dr. Dewey is a recently retired Interventional Cardiologist who worked at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. He was employed there for over 30 years. He has also been active in the American Heart Association, where he served as President and longstanding Board Member. He is now Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Healthcare Workers for Climate Action where he runs their speakers Bureau. Bob is motivated to speak out on climate and health in order to leave his grandchildren a more livable planet.
On April 4th, Elaine Hamel from Girls at Work, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Girls at Work. Elaine Hamel, was introduced by Beth Covino. Beth had met Elaine years ago teaching and empowering girls in the use of power tools at Camp Spaulding. Girlswork.org is the website for the organization.
On March 28th, Kim of President/CEO of Kim LaMontagne, LLC, Corporate Trainer, International Speaker and Author, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding creating a safe workplace culture that empowers employees to speak openly about mental health and substance misuse.
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