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 November 13th, Phil Sletten of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding an overview of several fiscal data points for our state and its residents including income rates, housing information, employment information, revenues, and a tax breakdown.
On November 6th, Madison Hawkes, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Miss America Opportunity and the Miss NH Scholarship program. Madison is a recent graduate of Plymouth State University. There she served as the President of the American Cancer Society on Campus: Plymouth State Chapter, University System Student Board Rep, and was an avid volunteer on campus. In the last 4 years she has volunteered for the American Cancer Society as the youngest committee chair for the Rockingham County Relay for Life and founded the Plymouth Relay For Life. Madison has raised over $80k in honor of her mother who is a cancer survivor.
On October 30th, Dr. Laura Landerman-Garber, president of Holiday Card 4 our Military Challenge, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Holiday Cards 4 our Military Challenge, making sure some very special heroes all across the world get a special gift. For 20 years, Landerman-Garber has been sending hundreds of thousands of special deliveries for the Holiday Cards 4 our Military Challenge. The challenge is to send cards to our heroes in all branches of the military. She’s been collecting handwritten and homemade letters from people all across the country and shipping them out to our nation's heroes.
On October 16th, Paula Lochhead, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nashua Historical Society, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Nashua Historical Society. The society was founded over 150 years ago and is one of the oldest in the state. The Nashua Historical Society is a volunteer run, independent, non-profit organization and receives no operating support from the State of New Hampshire or the City of Nashua. Founded in 1870, the Historical Society's motto is "Preserving the Past for the Future" and in support of its mission, the Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets materials pertaining to Nashua history.
On October 2nd, Tiani Coleman, president of the NH Independent Voters and NH Ranked Choice Voting organizations, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding ranked choice voting. Tiani has been an insider in each of the two major parties, but has been a registered independent for more than two decades. Tiani is an attorney living in Amherst.
On September 25th, Kathy and Larry Hersh, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding their trip to the Galapagos Islands in May 2023.
- They were guests on a private yacht, the Grand Majestic
- They saw tons of sea lions!
- They cruised through the Galapagos Islands, starting off in San Cristobal
On September 18th, Deb McLoud and Alice Handwerk from Breakthrough Manchester, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Breakthrough Manchester. Alice is Director of Philanthropy and Communications. Alice has a background in social work in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. before coming to Breakthrough, and lives in Amherst with her family. Deb has been Executive Director since August 2018, with a previous background in finance and philanthropy. She serves on several boards and community groups in Manchester and throughout the state and was part of Leadership NH in 2020.
On September 11th, Rotarian Kent Swanson, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Veterans Count. After retiring ten years ago, Kent joined Nashua Rotary and was looking for something else to get involved in. He joined Veterans Count and is in his seventh year of fundraising. Veterans Count provides critical case management and emergency financial assistance to service members, veterans, and their families since 2007. The idea for the program started with two guys from Hollis NH and a $500k grant.
On August 28th, Chris Johnson is the new General Manager & Advertising Director of The Nashua Telegraph, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the state of The Nashua Telegraph. Chris Johnson is the new General Manager & Advertising Director of The Nashua Telegraph. A graduate of Framingham State University, Chris lives with his wife of 29 years, and is a father of 3 kids and 2 dogs. Chris started his position at The Telegraph in June 2023.
On August 21st, Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the state of the Nashua Police Department. Chief Rourke began his law enforcement career with the Milford Police Department, subsequently moving to Nashua a few years later. The Chief gained broad experience across the Department’s various divisions during his years with the Department and was named Chief in March of 2022. Chief Rourke is actively involved in a number of local and state organizations, including Family Promise, PAL, NH Congressional Awards, and the NH Police Standards Board.
On August 14th, Queen City Improv, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding "Queen City Improv" founded in 2017. It is a comedy troupe based in Manchester, New Hampshire and proud to be part of the local entertainment scene. They specialize in improv comedy, where our members create and perform scenes with no script or preparation. Our comedy shows feature a variety of short-form and long-form improv games, all of which are designed to make the audience laugh and have a good time.
On August 7th, Dr. Karen Spohn, an Associate Professor of Economics and Finance in the Division of Business and Security Studies at Rivier University, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Economic Outlook and The Federal Reserve. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics with a concentration in Finance from the University of Delaware. Dr. Spohn has over 20 years of teaching experience in higher education institutions including Marietta College, Ohio University, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 2013, she was named the Business Educator of the Year at the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards. Her current research focus is ESG Reporting and sustainable investing.
On July 31st, Steve Buxton, Nashua Fire and Rescue Chief, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Nashua Fire and Rescue. Chief Buxton has been with Nashua Fire and Rescue (NFR) since 1992. He became a Captain in 2013 and the Chief in 2022. He is an original member of Nashua dive team and Nashua hazard team. He also has a degree in fire science. Steve is a 5th generation firefighter and is also a member of the Lions club.
On July 24th, Meghan Oliverio from the Granite State Children’s Alliance, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), a neutral place where a child can be interviewed regarding physical abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing a serious crime, or domestic violence. Forensic interviewers conduct the interviews with the child.
On July 10th, Megan Keil a regional volunteer who served in the Peace Corp (PC), addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Peace Corps and Rotary International CoOp. She, herself, has been in the Peace Corp. She has a BS in Biology. She has just completed her term as Rotary President in Dover, NH.
On June 12th, The Rotary Club of Nashua announced the recipiants of the Rotary Club of Nashua 2023 Community Grant Awards. The Community Grants committee includes: Bob James, Charlie Hall, Theresa Lussier, John Sias, Bill Barry, Jeb Curelop and Deb Novotny. Ninteen Organizations applied for community grants. The decisions to pick the winners were very challenging, and grants were selected for 4 winners ranging from $4,000-10,000. Grants are meant to help organizations with a specific project/purpose.
On June 5th, The Rotary Club of Nashua announced the Rotary Club of Nashua 2023 Scholarship Awards. Paige Hultman and Jane Marquis (co-chairs of the Scholarship Committee) welcomed families and recipients. The committee was Nick Coffey, Steve Hedges, Doug Barry, Casey Castor and Chuck Rehberg.
On May 22nd, Doria Brown, Energy Manager for the City of Nashua, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Nashua Community Power (NCP). Started in 2019, it is a way to purchase electricity from multiple sources to take advantages of power sources and different rates. It combines the buying power of individuals and business to get the best rates. All Eversource customers were enrolled by April 23, 2023 unless enrolled in an alternate private program.
On May 15th, Barbara Costa, Community Policing Coordinator with our Nashua Police Department, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the many programs offered by the Police Dept. National Night Out, Citizens Academy-a 9 week program, Autism registry, Dementia registry, Neighborhood Groups and our Police Athletic League (PAL).
On May 1st, Mike Morin addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding his 53 years as a radio and television personality. After retiring from WZID-FM in 2014, Mike returned to the airwaves in 2019 as host of the Morin in the Morning, on FRANK FM. His writing career began in 2004, where after 18 years, Mike produces a humor column every other Sunday for the Nashua Telegraph. His TV credits include work as a television weatherman and nine years co-hosting nearly 300 candlepin bowling TV shows.
On April 24th, Mike Carrier from the Rotary Club of Plymouth addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the #6 Styrofoam recycling program their Club initiated in 2022, in collaboration with other northern New England Rotary Clubs. Styrofoam is 98% air, but takes up a lot of space (35% volume in landfills). If we can recycle it (which very few places offer, hence it ends up in the waste stream and ultimately our landfills), we can significantly reduce the space it takes up in our landfills. The answer is densification.
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.
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).
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