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 April 25^th, 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 11^th 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 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.

On March 14th, Carmen Acabbo from 50 Legs Charity, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding 50 Legs Charity for those injured in the Boston Marathon bombing. Carmen Acabbo is on the board of the 50 Legs Charity.  Her sister, Celeste, lost both legs at the finish line of the Marathon in 2015 when the bombing occurred.  She was not a runner but there supporting her sister, Carmen.  A video was shown highlighting the work of 50 Legs.  (50legs.org)  It has provided artificial legs for over 650 amputees. 

0n January 31st, John Jurczyk, President of St. Joseph Hospital, SVP of Covenant Health, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the ongoing effects of the Pandemic on local hospitals. John shared a PowerPoint presentation with the club. It has been about 18 months since his last update was given. John wanted to share impact and accomplishments during the pandemic.

 

 

Our Zoom meetings will open at 12:00noon .... at 12:05pm our meeting will begin. We will have a hard stop by 1:00pm. You can use our current Zoom link, which is also sent to you every Friday via email.

 

The club was entertained with a nice medley of Christmas classics in barbershop quartet style harmony by Houston Gallaway, Roger Menard, and Paul Belair + one; members of the Granite Statesmen Barbershop Chorus.  Songs included – Gloria, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, Stupid joke song; Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is coming to town; as sing-alongs; We Wish you a Merry Christmas was the closing song sung by all.  

0n November 29th, Drs. Jerrilyn Sullivan and Ernie Marino, the Planning Department Manager for the City of Nashua, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, reducing inflammation and preventing disease and how many diseases are caused by inflammation. Surprise sources of inflammation include cosmetics, food and stress…

0n November 15th, Julie Capozzi, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding breathwork for managing stress. Julie has been a guidance counselor, is a breathwork practitioner and reiki master, and currently teaches full time at Mount Wachusett Community College teaching psych and sociology programs.  Julie opened with gratitude and defined breathwork.  Anyone can do it, because it only requires your breath.  She talked about the energy in every cell and the tension that can be released through breathwork.

0n September 27th, Dr. Garth McKinney, Nashua School system superintendent, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the state of the Nashua School system.  Dr. McKinney had previous time in NH working in Merrimack, then Texas, before returning to Nashua.  He spoke and presented a very educational PowerPoint about the Nashua school system.  It included the mission statement and new goals and objectives to keep all the students, faculty and staff safe with the current pandemic.    Per the Governor of NH, Nashua students now attend in person for all schools.  Some of the efforts to keep all safe include limiting the number of volunteers, screening and testing students when appropriate and keeping all mindful of social distancing.

0n September 13th, Vanessa Palange from NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management Mission: Prevent/mitigate/prepare for and respond to any hazards that impact NH.

 

Field Services: handles issues ‘on the ground’ and is in contact with officials and emergency management directors.

 

Operations: does training and exercises, works with police in the state for major events; they also have a 24/7 on-call officer; handles the State of Emergency Operation Center

0n August 16th, Kathy Farland, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding how “Stepping Stones” helps homeless youth in our community. Kathy Farland is a foster parent who came from the business world and saw the need to open a drop-in center for homeless youth in our community. Stepping Stones helps homeless youth, ages 25 and younger, in Nashua and surrounding towns.

On July 19th, Thomas Dougherty and Amy Bottomley, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the MicroSociety Academy Charter School (MACS).  Thomas brings his years of technical support and Amy brings years of education to the school.  Amy led the presentation.  The school is presently located at the former Dartmouth-Hitchcock building. They offer school from K-8th grade, preparing students for high school.

On June 21st, Past President Charlie Hall led our program. Charlie mentioned there were 25 local non-profit organizations that requested funds to help them with their on-going efforts to help our fellow citizens.  The committee helped numerous organizations with gifts of $1500 to $3000.  Each recipient shared how the grant would be used and a little about their respective organizations.

On June 7th, Dr. Yvonne Vissing, a professor at Salem State University, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding homelessness in NH and Nashua.   Dr. Vissing is author of Out of Sight, Out of Mind – book focused on homelessness in small communities in New Hampshire.   What is homelessness?  majority of homeless people are families; no longer just a lone man or someone on skid row.  Many are working, at least part time, and many are unaccompanied minors.

On April 27th, Julie Seven Sage, a high school junior, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her entry into the Xprize Competition. Julie wants to become a physicist and increase the public’s awareness of sciences and technologies.  For her entry into the Xprize Competition, Julie designed and developed a new mask design to provide the needed comfort and safety for current Covid conditions.  The mask is see-thru to allow facial expression to be seen.  It has a squishy gasket to seal better and fit more comfortably on the face.  There are some other features to enhance voice recognition while masked.  The filter material is replaceable and can be a material of the wearer’s choice.