We celebrated the Rev. Gordon Allen Humanitarian Award on this day. President Ian opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Ken led the 4-Way Test. John Rice, accompanied on guitar by Olin Johannesen, assistant music director at St. John’s Episcopal Church, sang a verse of the Scottish classic “Bonnie Charlie.” The song was a favorite of Rev. Allen, and we did a respectable job on the chorus “Will he no come back again.”
St. John’s Assistant Priest Rev. Anne Williamson was on hand to deliver the invocation. Rev. Allen was Rector there for 20 years. Anne gave us a Gordon Allen favorite; the Robert Burns classic “Some have meat but cannot eat.”
Guests and visiting Rotarians were introduced, including a group from Families First, and members of the Overtones, Portsmouth Pro Musica’s former Capella singing group.
Mort Schmidt was here to help direct our annual toast to Andrew Jarvis. Andy, a former club president, immigrated penniless to Portsmouth from his native Greece back in the day. He told anyone who would listen that in America, the streets are paved with gold. You just must work hard to prove it. And Jarvis did, amassing a small fortune before he passed.
Fine master Neil ensued, quickly freeing up dollars for the club’s coffers.
With that, the program began as Humanitarian Award Chair James paid tribute to the memory of Gordon Allen. Gordon was Rotary’s unofficial chaplain for decades (a position he held years before in the British Army.) A club member for 39 years, his warmth, humor and intelligence were as much a personal trademark as his booming, unique pre-meal blessings.
In addition to his priestly duties, Rev. Allen served on the Salvation Army board. He told me, with a smile, that whenever he won the 50/50, he gave it to the Salvation Army. (And somehow God made him a frequent winner!) Gordon died while walking his beloved dog, Molly. His passing in December 2016 affected far more people than the congregation of the churches where he served. It seemed right that our club established an award to honor his memory.
As a bridge to the presentation of the honor itself, Olin Johannesen and Jennifer Mulhearn from St. John’s performed Allison Krauss’s beautiful “A Living Prayer.” There was hardly a dry eye in the house when they finished.
Nancy Notis then announced the award's recipient, Dr Albert Lantinen. Over the years Al selflessly devoted time, talent, and steady leadership to serving others. He was involved with his medical partner in the creation of the Portsmouth Prenatal Clinic a few years before it became what is now Families First. He continued to provide Obstetric care there until retirement. This, he felt, was his most significant contribution to the community, caring for those who need our help most.
Shortly thereafter, he joined Rotary and has been a regular face at many of our hands on projects, though he loves Christmas tree sale best.
Al sang for many years with Portsmouth Pro Musica as well as serving as its treasurer for 15 years. Currently he is on the board of Seacoast Pathways, a recovery clubhouse for adults with mental health issues. He also served meals at the Salvation Army and Crossroads House. He has done all this, said Nancy, with humility, reliability, humor, and a genuine concern for others.
Al was a long-time member of the Overtones, who were coaxed out of retirement to sing once more. Dr. Lantinen for all his singing skills, loves the occasional silly or gimmicky song. The ‘tones did not disappoint, dragging Al into the chorus line for a rendition of Dinah Shore’s 1952 classic “Sweet Violets.”
