On April 29nd, Nashua Fire Chief Brian Rhodes, addressed the Rotary club of Nashua, regarding the Nashua Fire Department. Born and brought up in Connecticut, Brian joined the Nashua FD in 1986, became a lieutenant in 200, a captain in 2004, Deputy Chief in 2011, Assistant Chief in 2016, and Chief in 2018. Brian started with a little trivia of his own: there are 6 fire houses in Nashua (plus the communications center), the NFD employees 180 people, and there are 38 people in the Fire Suppression Division covering our city 24 / 7 / 365.

On April 15th, Kevin Flynn and Jeannie Gonyer from the St. Joseph Mobile Health Clinic, addressed a joint meeting of the Rotary club of Nashua and the Rotary Club of Nashua West, regarding the St. Joseph Mobile Health Clinic (MHC). Kevin Flynn is an employee of St. Joseph’s Hospital and in charge of the MHC.  Jean Gonyer is the program manager with a nursing background. Starting with a bit of Nashua trivia, Kevin informed us that the founder of St. Joseph hospital was the pastor at St. Aloysius Parish.  His funeral service was the only time the city of Nashua had closed in history, 1917.

0n April 1^st, Al Fulchino of Fulchino Vineyard, 187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, Fulchino Vineyard. Al is a member of the Hollis/Brookline club which often meets at his vineyard.  Al is the 5^th generation involved in wine making, he even uses his grandfather’s wine press in his processing. 

0n March 11th, Vasudha Wanchoo, Managing Director of the Jhamtse Gatsal Children Community and Mark Foley, president of the US-based non-profit Jhamtse International, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. This organization provides a safe and nurturing home to children who come from situation of neglect, trauma, and abandonment in Eastern India. It is located in the Himalaya Mountains near Nepal and Bhutan.

0n February 4th, Fritz Weatherbee, Newspaper and television reporter of great renown in the state, and a ninth generation New Hampsherite, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, growing up in New Hampshire. Fritz was born at SNHMC when it was known as Memorial Hospital.  After being born in 1936, he grew up in Milford and his first memories were of World War II starting at Pearl Harbor.  He finds it hard to believe he is the age he is and does not feel his age.

On December 10th, Jared Barbosa, founder and CEO of the International Soccer Club, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the International Soccer Club. Jared is a graduate of Salem State University, and received his Masters from Rivier, where he’s currently enrolled in a certificate program for education administration. He currently works as a guidance counselor at Fairgrounds Middle School.

On December 10th, our own Larry Hersh and Adrian Levesque, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the progress of recent International Projects. Larry Hersh updated all of us on two Mexican projects.  An update for the Guatemalan Nursing/MidWife training project was given by Adrian Levesque. 

On November 26th, Amy Joy Teas and our own Frank Teas, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, their personal journey learning their infant son has Sotos syndrome. Soon after young Frankie’s birth, they felt something wasn’t right, it took many doctor appointments to get an accurate diagnosis, most physicians haven’t seen a case of the syndrome, it is reported to occur in 1 in 10,000 to 14,000 births and some experts feel it may be closer to 1 in 5,000.  The disorder is characterized by the individual’s distinctive facial appearance, typically a long, narrow face, a high forehead and a small pointed chin, some have a narrow mouth palate.  Affected children tend to grow quickly and are much larger than their peers, but their growth levels off and they are in the normal range as an adult.

Bill Barry introduced our first speaker, Democratic candidate for Governor former state senator Molly Kelly. Ms. Kelly discussed her plans for expanded state funding for all levels of education, expanded health care and a New Hampshire that works for everyone, not just a few.  Ms. Kelly grew up in a family of 11 children and was focused on, “if one of us was going to succeed, we all had to succeed”.  She was critical of the Sununu administration’s stance on school “vouchers” and how the Trump administration agenda has crept into New Hampshire.

 

Frank Teas introduced Governor Chris Sununu.  He noted how his administration has cut the “red tape” to allow for more opportunity for all New Hampshire residents.  He touted how he does not have a school “voucher” program but has created educational choices for low income families.  He talked about how unemployment in New Hampshire is at an all-time low and the lowest in the United States.  He also noted that full-day kindergarten was approved under his administration.

On October 15th, Kelly Ayotte, former US Senator from NH, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the commission on preparedness to biological attack and defense. Senator Ayotte is a former Attorney General for NH.  Her topic today is on a commission on preparedness to biological attack and defense.  She earned her law degree from Villanova.  As Senator, she championed the fight against the opioid epidemic.

On September 24th, James Donchess the Mayor of Nashua, since 2015, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the State of the City. A former Eli from Yale, lawyer and fellow Rotarian, Mayor Donchess is enjoying his second time as Mayor of Nashua. Tim Cummings was also introduced as Nashua’s Economic Director to support the discussion. Mayor Donchess listed a number of actions and improvements, planned and underway, to continue to make Nashua a better place to live.

On August 27th, John Burkitt, from Gate City Bike Co-op, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, “Let’s Put People on Bikes” and the “Gate City Bike Co-op”. While working for Hewlett-Packard, he travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, South America and Africa before his retirement in 2005. John returned to cycling in 2000, mostly utilitarian biking such as commuting, grocery shopping and cycle touring. In 2009, he attended the United Bicycle Institute in Oregon to become a certified bicycle technician and in 2010, working out a friend’s basement, he began rescuing and repairing discarded and unwanted bicycles and giving them away through groups like the Nashua Soup Kitchen and the Boys and Girls Club. Between 2010 and 2017, his organization Let’s Put People on Bikes delivered about 600 bikes throughout the Nashua area. In 2017, John teamed up with Donald Pare to start Gate City Bike Co-op.