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Thursday, November 18, 2021
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Recently the Newburyport Rotary Club distributed 240 dictionaries to third graders at the Bresnahan and River Valley Charter Schools.

Here are NBPT Rotarians Nikki Misenheimer, Jennifer Hwang and Ken Smith distributing dictionaries to one of the 3rd grade classrooms at the Bresnahan School.

Rotarian Susan Christ delivers this year's dictionaries to the third graders at the River Valley Charter School in Newburyport.

Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Newburyport's meeting on August 12, 2014.

 Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF) announced a generous gift from the Newburyport Rotary Club will be recognized with the naming of the Literacy Specialist Room-B244 in the new Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School. A naming ceremony to be held in the fall with the school’s opening and will recognize this gift and others as part of the NEF’s donor recognition campaign currently underway.

“The NEF is very grateful for this generous donation, and we are proud to have the Rotary name on a room at the new school,” said Jay Iannini. “This gift and recognition is a shining example of the community support and collaboration that helps to make our schools outstanding. We hope this gift will inspire others to join in the naming recognition program and get their name on a room, too.”

Through the NEF’s donor recognition program, “Make Your Mark,” rooms at the new school can be named to recognize and honor an individual or organization and the donation supports the NEF’s mission to enhance education in the Newburyport Public Schools.

Rotary chose the NEF as the recipient of their major donation this year as the NEF is “near and dear to the heart” of current Rotary president Cindy Johnson, said Sue Thomas, Rotary spokesperson. 

“One of the major areas of focus for Rotary International is basic education and literacy, and the NEF was a perfect fit for our donation this year,” said Johnson. We have supported literacy efforts in the schools with past donations, with our 3rd Grade Dictionary program, and this year with our new "Rotary Readers" program that had members as guest readers in classrooms K-6. We seized the chance to memorialize our club's support with a naming at the new school and look forward to our donation being used to enhance education here in Newburyport.”

Each year, Rotary makes a donation to a local organization with the funds raised from its annual Chef’s Table Dinner. Geri Dorr chaired the event this year and it is a collaboration of many of our club members and one of our major fundraisers. For the past few years the entire profit has been donated to one recipient. In the past donations were made to AJH and the Newburyport Public Library.

Chris Skiba accepts the Rotary donation from Ray Nippes of the NED and Cindy Johnson, President of Newburyport Rotary Club 

 Club Secretary Nikki Misenheimer and Past President Ann Ormond accept the 2014 Service Club Bell Ringer award from Salvation Army Officer and fellow Rotarian, Jeff Brunelle.  The award was presented at the Salvation Army annual Volunteer Dinner held on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. This is the third year in a row that the Newburyport Rotary Club has been recognized for collecting the most donations during the Christmas Bell Ringing season.  Congrats to all Rotarians who "stood the kettles" on cold winter days.

Fellow Rotarian and Salvation Army officer, Lt. Jeff Brunelle was presented a Paul Harris Fellowship from the Newburyport Rotary Club at our club's regular lunch meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.  Jeff exemplifies  "Service Above Self" in his participation in Rotary events and his service to the community through the works of the Salvation Army of Greater Newburyport..  Jeff and his wife, Meghan, have been the officers in charge of the Salvation Army Corp in Newburyport for the past three years and have accomplished many projects and programs. These including the recent completion of brand new handicapped bathrooms and the installation of a generator to supply power for the emergency shelter.

Our congratulations to Jeff for this well deserved award and honor.

Date:            6-24-2014                                                      Attendance:  38

Lunch Choices:  Baked Stuffed Haddock with Balsamic Greens; Pan Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera with Roasted Red Pepper Cream    

Invocation: Jeff delivered a heartfelt invocation thankful for Cindy’s leadership over the past year and Rotary’s ability to continue to serve the community ever better.

Guests:  Norm Jutras

Student Guests:      Casey Ross, Scholarship recipient from Triton H.S. and her mom, Caryn

Guest Speaker:      Cindy, our out-going President will make some summary remarks.

President and Meeting:

HAPPY DOLLARS:  Max expressing his satisfaction that Andiamo let him have a second plate for lunch for the first time!  Grace for her para-legal having a beautiful baby girl and for Cindy’s capable leadership over the past, most wonderful, year.  Ann for acknowledging what a lovely man David Murison was and how he will be missed.  Chris said he had 20 Happy Dollars for a successful baseball season, the naming of the auditorium at the Bresnahan School and for the outstanding leadership that Cindy provided over the past year!  Vicky praised Cindy’s leadership and in her inimitable style lauded her asserting, ‘it’s all about the jokes!’  Deb for praising Cindy for the excellent leadership that she provided during a year that seemed to go by so fast and for working with Vicky during the year.  Walt for raising $650.00 in his fundraiser.  Jeff for Cindy and the leadership she provided over the past year; for Nick and the leadership he will provide during the upcoming year and for Rotary winning the trophy again for Ringing the Bell!  Rotary garnered $8,400.00 to lead all of the other service organizations in the city and has won three of the four sides on the trophy! 

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES:  Nick Chapman 6-11; Walt for his Anniversary on the 21^st.  Tom Howard and Norm Jutras have birthdays upcoming.

MEETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Cindy indicated that Russ and Sheila were absent because Sheila’s sister had just passed away.  No other information was available. 
• Cindy presented Casey Ross with her Norman H. Russel Scholarship for academic excellence.

          Cindy spoke about her past year as President of Rotary.  She began, “Crazy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  But Rotary does that and succeeds!”

She reiterated her goals for the past year which were met and in most instances exceeded her expectations.  Her goals were to:

• Engage as many people as possible in club activities
• Increase Membership
• Meet Foundation giving goals, increase giving to Rotary International and become a first class giving club.
• Infuse new energy into Rotary
• Find a new restaurant
• Tell a joke every week

She related that all of these goals were accomplished.  There were four new Paul Harris Fellows in addition to many former Paul Harris Fellows who achieved the goal once again.  The average amount per member for giving to RI had increased distinguishing Newburyport Rotary and she was proud of that accomplishment. Membership had increased more than any other club in the district.  Andiamo has become the new luncheon home for Rotary and has provided the membership with the most delicious meals.  The enthusiasm and energy of the club is palpable.

Cindy thanked all the members of the Board and the people who worked with her to make the year such a success.  She ended her comments with one last joke!

A duck walks into a bar, jumps up on the stool and says to the bartender

“Got any grapes?”

Bartender says, “NO,” and tells the duck to get out.

Next day the duck returns, jumps up on the stool and asks the bartender

if he has any grapes.

Bartender says NO and tells the duck to GET OUT!

But the duck keeps coming in.

Finally, the Bartender tells the duck that if he asks that question one more time

He’s going to nail his beak to the bar!

Next day the duck walks in.  Hops up and says, “you got any nails?”

Bartender says, “No.

Duck says, “Got any grapes?”  

Deb also told a joke in honor of Cindy’s last day.

Seems that Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson went camping together.

Sherlock wakes him up in the middle of the night and asks him to look out

and tell him what he sees.

Watson says, “I see millions and millions of stars.”

“And what does that mean?” Sherlock asks.

Watson says it means that there must be other worlds like Earth out there

and the possibility that life exists in other parts of the universe….

Sherlock cuts him off.  “No you idiot.  Someone’s stolen our tent!”

Nick Chapman, the President elect, came to the podium.  He banged the gavel on the bell and put the transition into effect. 

Thank you Cindy for a fulfilling year.  And thank you Nick for assuming leadership for the coming year

Raffle:    Louis indicated that the raffle amount was $305.00 with 50 cards left in the pack.  Cindy pulled the winning ticket, #209989 held by none other than, Bob Keiver!  He pulled the 9 of Spades, however, so the amount will continue to build.