Project Night Scheduled

Newport Rotary will complete its Civic Improvement project on Howard Boulevard, Newport with a final Project Night scheduled for Monday, August 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm.

The project will consist of two 6 foot park benches that will be installed along the Howard Boulevard sidewalk, a popular area for walkers and general foot traffic in the Newport area. The Rotarians will be assisted by Jimmy from Amos Parker Builders.

Rotarian dress will be work clothes for the evening, and everyone should dress for the heat.

The project is funded by a Grant from The Rotary Foundation.

Newport Rotary Learns the Benefits of Massage

Kay Provetero, a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist from Cape Carteret, was the speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday night, July 28, 2008. Dick Newton, the Program Chair, introduced the speaker and identified her as someone who has personally helped him when recovering from a knee injury.

Provetero, a graduate of Atlantic Christian College (now Barton), taught elementary school in Wake County before moving to Cape Carteret and and 1987 began practicing massage therapy. She has several national certifications, and completes over 200 hours of continuing education annually.

A practitioner of Myofascial Release and Craniosacral therapies, she described both techniques, the history of massage, and also the benefits of massage, including improved circulatory, lymphatic and muscular function, relaxation and the release of pain-killing endorphins. Massage also emphasizes mind-body connections and the unblocking and balancing of life energies.

Proverto's husband, John, accompanied her to the meeting as a guest of the club. There were no other guests.

A tremendous meal was prepared by Susan Newton of steak, baked potato, salad and rolls. Also, it was very hot, as the A/C faltered yet again. Absent from the meeting were Rotarians Steve Baker, Steve Blizzard, Bob Chambers, Manley Smith & Pam Wall. We appreciate everyone making up their missed meetings.

Share Rotary through Videos!

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING WAYS TO SHARE ROTARY!

1) Check out Welcome to Rotary, a short new video segment, viewable now at at www.rotary.org. Less than 4 minutes long, and offering a broad overview of Rotary and the Four Avenues of Service, this video provides an excellent introduction to Rotary club membership for new members.

-Find the video on the RI Web site by going to www.rotary.org and clicking on Members, New Members, Getting Involved or click the link above.
- Encourage clubs to have new members visit the RI Web site and view this video by promoting it in your next newsletter.

2) Welcome to Rotary is included in the new Membership Video Set (427-MU), a multi-video package that includes two DVDs: one for new members and one for prospective members. Each DVD features a compilation of Rotary videos, including Welcome to Rotary, various Humanity in Motion public service announcements, and segments from RVM: The Rotarian Video Magazine, with selections in all available languages. A recent best seller at the RI Convention in Los Angeles at $10 USD, this new video shows new and prospective members what it means to be a Rotarian. Rotarians can visit shop.rotary.org to purchase items from the catalog.

Meet President Cliff

Club President, "Cliff" Richard Schweitzer, was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, CA. In 1993, he moved to eastern North Carolina where he worked as an orthodontics assistant while he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Elizabeth City State, graduating with a GPA of 3.97. Cliff received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the School of Dentistry at UNC Chapel Hill, graduating with honors in May of 2003. After graduation, he made his home in Newport, NC.

Cliff and his wonderful wife, Inez Pope Schweitzer, also a Newport Rotarian, were married July 7, 2007 when Cliff was blessed with an instant family with son, Jimmy Pope, daughter, Whitney Pope and mother in law, Mary Hall.

Cliff enjoys fishing, playing games, dancing and spending time with his family.

Cliff hopes to reorganize and focus Newport Rotary’s tradition of service to Club, Community and the world.

How Can We Fight Child Mortality?

In light of the Rotary President's emphasis to address child mortality issues in our local and world community, what ideas do you have about a specific need or project?

Please Blog your response below to give our committee of RuthAnn, Marilyn & Steve some ideas.

Club Challenged to Fight Child Mortality

Newport Rotary President Cliff Schweitzer challenged the club's members to take up RI President D.K. Lee's 2008-09 emphasis, and to take action to reduce child mortality during this Rotary year. The challenge was made during the July 21, 2008 business meeting of the club.

President Cliff placed the three newest club members, Ruthann Sluss, Marilyn Everett, and Steve Blizzard on the Child Mortality Project Committee, and charged them to investigate and report back to the club an effective way that these concerns can be confronted in our own community or abroad.

RI President D.K. Lee has challenged all Rotarians to "Make Dreams Real" for the world's children this year by having a specific event aimed toward reducing the incidence of child mortality. 30,000 children each day die in this world due to preventable illness, such as preventable disease, improper sanitation & unclean water.

President Cliff also challenged the club to consider the "starting budget" he presented, and to think about what commitments should be renewed or discussed. He implemented a 100% Paul Harris Sustaining Member Program, in which all members are enrolled unless specifically opting out with the Secretary. He also advocated a more aggresive rental program for the Rotary Building.

Newport Rotarians Attend Governor's Installation

Newport Rotary had a good showing of Rotarian support for Governor Lee Dixon's Installation ceremony held at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast on Wednesday, July 16, 2008.

The Installation marked the transition between the administration of Past Governor Wilson Ray of Red Springs, and Gov. Dixon of Morehead City, both very familiar persons to our club. The event was hosted by the Governor's home club, the Morehead City - Noon Rotary Club.

Newport's Mayor, Rotarian & Past District Governor Derryl Garner led the singing of "R-O-T-A-R-Y" and "God Bless America" to help open the event, and attended with his Rotary Partner, Jane. Past District Governor Bevin Wall was recognized as outgoing Rotary Foundation Chair, and as a member of the incoming District Leadership Team serving as District Secretary and District Conference Chair. He attended with his Rotary Partner and Newport Rotarian, Pam Wall. Also in attendance was Newport Rotarian and Morehead City-Noon Honorary Rotarian Harold Chartley.

Newport Rotarian Takes a Fall

It is very unusual for Newport Rotarian Harold Chartley to miss a Monday night Rotary Meeting. So, questions were raised on July 14, "where's Harold?".

It didn't take too many more days to find out. Harold had suffered a fall and injured the back of his head on Monday afternoon, but he was back at Rotary and front and center at Governor Lee Dxon's Installation at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast on Wednesday evening.

Harold was in good spirits and said that he will be back next week! As one of the "Senior" members of the club... we look forward to seeing Harold every week, and miss him when he's not there!

Newport Rotary Sign Errected

After several years of not having a sign at the entrance to town indicating a Rotary presence, an attractive new sign has been errected at the corner of Highway 70 and Howard Boulevard (Nine Foot Road), next to the "Welcome to Newport" sign. The sign, shown here, features the Rotary Wheel emblem, and states the club meeting time and location.

Rotarians Bevin Wall & Amos Parker headed up this project.

Thanks to Diversicare Assisted Living for agreeing to placement of the sign on their property and to "Jimmy" from Amos Parker Builders, Inc. for his expert assistance.

Governor Dixon Highlights Children's Concerns

District Governor Lee Dixon of Morehead City highlighted the concerns of preventable child illness and mortality during his address to the Newport Rotary Club on Monday night, July 14, 2008. This address caps off the beginning of his 48 Governor's addresses to all of the clubs in Southeast North Carolina.

According to DG Dixon, the magic number is 30,000. This is the number of children under the age of five that die every day from preventable diseases such as pneumonia, measles, and malaria. A compelling visual slideshow accompanied his address.

The club was challenged to meet the child mortality crisis with a specific fundraiser targeted toward reducing child mortality. This might be done locally, regionally, or internationally, with or without the use of a Rotary Foundation Grant. The District Conference Cruise to Mexico will also provide an opportunity to work on a service project impacting child mortality.

Newport Rotary has a consistent program of supporting the needs of children in

the community, including annual participation in the Dictionary Project (free dictionaries to Newport Elementary & Grammercy School second graders), Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference (RYLA)(leadership training for High School Juniors), Rotarians Against Drugs Speech Contest (RAD), Service projects and curriculum with local second grade school students. In 2002-03 Newport Rotary partnered with other county Rotary Clubs and the Health Department to provide English & Spanish books on immunization concerns to the County's Hispanic population.

Governor Dixon was accompanied by his Rotary partner Glenda. He was introduced by Club President Cliff Schweitzer.

Rotary President Cleans Up Club

Newly inducted Newport Rotary President Cliff Schweitzer makes good on a promise to "clean up" the Club. With vacuum cleaner in hand, Pres. Cliff leads by example!

One of the "4 Avenues of Service" in Rotary's balanced club menu of service is "Club Service". This is essentially the inner workings of having a functioning club, including the friendship and fellowship aspects of the club, as well as the service aspects of running the club.

Newport Rotary takes pride in being one of the few Rotary clubs in the district to own its own building. Every Newport Rotarian shares in the weekly maintenance of the building by being assigned to the clean-up crew.

Make Dreams Real! District Governor Lee Dixon to Address Rotary Club

District Governor Lee Dixon of Morehead City will be the featured speaker at the Newport Rotary Club meeting of Monday, July 14, 2008.

The Governor will deliver his official address to the club for the 2008-09 Rotary Year and bring us information on the Rotary International and District initiatives.

Our District Governor has requested that in lieu of a gift, that each club put $100 up for a raffle with the winning member getting the funds donated to The Rotary Foundation and credited to their Paul Harris Fellow Sustaining Member account.

Also, the Governor requests a meeting with the club Board of Directors directly after the official club visit, for approximately 20-30 minutes. He will be available to meet and greet Rotarians & Guests prior to the meeting.

Click here for a full biography of DG Lee Dixon.

Boys & Girls Home & Alzheimer's Research Update

Past Assistant Governor Brian Garrett of the South Brunswick Islands Rotary Club in Shallotte, North Carolina was the featured program at the Newport Rotary Club on July 7, 2008 updating the club on two Rotary-supported initiatives, the Boys & Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw and the Coins for Alzheimers Research Trust. Rotarian Garrett is the Chair of the District Committees supporting both efforts, and is on the Board of both organizations. Newport Rotarian Winston Reese arranged for the program.

The Boys & Girls Home of North Carolina is a residential and foster care/adoption program for neglected, abused, and hurting children that emphasizes academic and Christian education in a homelike, Christian setting. Newport Rotary supports B&GHNC through its support of the Rotary Cottage, which is one of several civic organizations funding residential cottages for children on the campus. There are 11 students resident in the Rotary Cottage.

The Rotary Cottage was fully renovated in 2005-06 through the efforts of Rotarians led by Governor Phil Crawford, and this led to the other civic organizations also doing needed repairs. Rotary also established a Legacy Fund for future needs, which is endowed at over $110,000 and has allowed for the recent purchase of a van for the cottage. A replacement of the campus pecan trees, used for fundraising in sales at the Country Store, was recently begun using a Rotary Foundation Grant. Newport Rotarian Amos Parker led a club drive several years ago supporting B&GHNC's "Harvest Train" fundraiser supporting the Country Store.

Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART) has raised over $2.6 Million for direct Alzheimer's Research since its inception in 1995 by South Carolina Rotary clubs. Currently involving Rotary Clubs & Districts in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, this year the fund awarded $250,000 to the Cleveland Clinic / Case Western University and $250,000 to the Univeristy of Alabama- Birmingham for "cutting edge" Alzheimer's Research. Newport Rotary has supported CART by passing the "blue bucket" in its weekly meetings since 1998, this marking the 10th year of support.

The club was thanked for its past & ongoing support of both projects.

Visitors included Steve Blizzard, guest of Rotarian Joe Garner, and Kyle Garner, guest of PDG Derryl Garner. A delicious meal was prepared by Rotarian Maher Saikali and Rotary Partner Mary Saikali.

Past-President Saikali Honored at Ceremony

June 30, 2008 is the last day of the Rotary Year, and July 1, 2008 the start of the new Rotary Year. Therefore it was fitting on the 365th day of the Newport Rotary Club year to honor President Maher Saikali and his administration for a fine year in serving the people of Newport and the World.

Past District Governor Derryl Garner (1973-74) presided over the ceremony in which Past President Saikali was award a Past President's Gavel Plaque, and Past President's pin, both traditions in the club.

Information about the President Cliff Schweitzer and the installation of officers for 2008-09 will appear in the next installment of The Newport Rotary Bulletin.