Rotary on Two Week Holiday Break

Meetings will resume Monday, January 6, 2014. 

Newport Rotarians Celebrate the Season

(clockwise from left around the table) Hal & Peggy Clark,
Maher Saikali, Susan & Dick Newton, Winston & Jean Reese

Newport Rotarians and guests enjoyed the fellowship of the season during their annual Christmas Party at the home of Maher and Mary Saikali on Monday, December 16, 2013. The home was very festive and decorated for the season.

Rotarians toasted and gave thanks, as well as remembered the continuing needs in the local and international communities. Well done! It was an evening to remember and got us into the Spirit of the Season! 

Rotary Pedestrian Bench Replaced

With the help of Billy Boyd at East Carolina Builders, this Rotary Bench was replaced last week. The prior one was destroyed in a vehicle accident. The bench, located midway down Howard Blvd. across from the Town Park, serves pedestrians utilizing the sidewalk on the main street in town, which is frequently by exercisers, bikers, runners and strollers, alike.  Rotary has erected and maintains 3 benches in town. Thanks to Billy & ECB. All that remains to be done is a little painting! 

Newport Rotary Project Featured in District Newsletter

From the Dec. 2013 Rotary District 7730 Newsletter. Many of our clubs have participated in Matching Grants in the past, providing much needed help in India, El Salvador, Peru, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and many other countries. Last year, 2 Districts in India, offered help to District 7730 to feed hungry children in North Carolina. Yes, we do have children that have little or nothing to eat on weekends or holidays. This is a huge problem that affects a child's school performance and quality of life.

Districts 3010 and 3170 matched our District 7730 District Designated Funds and then The Rotary Foundation gave us a match for a total of $80,000 that came right back to District 7730. Each of our 8 Areas received $10,000 to use for food purchases and distribution. Rotarians and their sponsoring organization have been able to feed many children and will continue to do so throughout the year.

Participating clubs and the organizations they are working with were honored at our Foundation Banquet on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Those clubs participating and their sponsoring organizations [included]:Newport Rotary Club, partnering with Cape Carteret Baptist Church. 

Christmas Party Planned

The Newport Rotary Christmas Party is set for next Monday night, 6:30pm, December 16, 2013 at the home of Maher & Mary Saikali, 100 Peggy Court, Morehead City, NC 28570. A sign up sheet was passed at the meeting on December 9. If you plan on coming and did not sign up, or want to bring a different number of guests, please contact Maher Saikali by email at msaikal@hotmail.com.

We always have a good time and it's gets you in the spirit of the season. Rotary membership prospects (you know who you are!), this is a great time to get to socialize and mingle with our great Newport Rotarians. There is no cost for the party. Bring your spouse! 

New Fire Chief Speaks

Chief Bergamini with Rotary Pres. Pam Wall

Newport's new fire chief, George Bergamini, was the featured program at Newport Rotary on December 9, 2013. Chief Bergamini, who has been on the job in Newport for about two months, described his background and then outlined some of his emphases for the department going forward.

The Chief has a federal service background in firefighting, mostly in the Tidewater Virginia area, and when he retired from that employment, he worked in Currituck County (NC) before accepting the Newport Chief position.

He highlighted the quality of the Newport Fire Department personnel, both paid and volunteer, and also indicated that professional development and administration were two of the areas that could be immediately brought up to a high level. He detailed some recent equipment purchases of defribrillators and thermal imaging machines supported by the Town Board in one instance, and the Volunteer Fireman's Association on the other. One of the main concerns he has is the town's ISO Rating for insurance. He spoke in detail and answered numerous questions relating to how that affects homeowners in the Newport area. The club members asked numerous questions which were well answered. 

Newport Fire Chief to Speak on December 9, 2013

Chief Bergamini

New Newport Fire Chief George Bergamini will be the guest speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday, December 9, 2013. Please join us in welcoming the Chief to town.

The public is invited for the meeting, which starts promptly at 5:30 pm.    

Rotarian Derryl Garner Honored for his Public Service

Sign outside the Civic Center Congratulates Mayor
& Rotarian Derryl Garner for his years of Dedicated Service

Newport Rotarian and outgoing Mayor of the Town, Derryl Garner, was honored at a celebration held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center on December 3, 2013. Over 250 friends and guests crowded into the complex to offer their best wishes on Mayor Garner's 36 years of public service as Mayor of Newport, and his many other government and civic roles he has embraced throughout the years.

All the groups lauded Mayor Garner for his professionalism, integrity, constant presence, and his heart to do what was right for the people of Newport. State Representative Norman Sanderson presented Mayor Garner with the State's highest honor, induction into The Order of the Longleaf Pine.

Newport Rotary was among the groups that honored Mayor Garner. He is a Past President of Newport Rotary and was District Governor for all Eastern North Carolina Rotary clubs in 1974-75.  Past District Governor Bevin Wall of Newport Rotary delivered Rotary's remarks. Click here for the text of the remarks.

Fellow Newport Rotarians Town Councilman Steve Blizzard, and Club Treasurer Winston Reese joined in the celebration. See below for more pictures.

Rep. Norman Sanderson presents The Order of the Longleaf Pine to Mayor Derryl Garner

Moderator Rodney Kemp presides at a packed Civic Center at the Celebration. 

Rotarian & Outgoing Newport Mayor Derryl Garner with his thanks and concluding remarks.

Newport Rotary Trims Tree at Nursing Home

The Tree is Trimmed

Newport Rotarians pose with their "creation". Not bad!

 Newport Rotarians "trimmed the tree" to start off the season of Christmas festivities at Croatan Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center on Monday afternoon, December 2, 2013. The service project was "meeting credit" for the week.

Rotarians were meet by Activity Director Wendi Smith-Gordon, and assisted by Staff Facilitator Daniela Smith and volunteer Margie Ward. Newport Rotarians Steve Blizzard, Joe Garner, Winston Reese and Bevin Wall led the effort. Refreshments were enjoyed by all after the work was done.

Thanks to Rtn. Joe Garner who organized the project and to all of Newport Rotary that purchased a new tree and decorations for this year, the old one being "lost".

Newport Rotarians will take down and store the tree at season's end, so that the project can be repeated next year!

Staff Facilitator Daniela Smith serves snacks...