Bob Montague Remembered

Rtn. Bob Montague

Former two-time Newport Rotary President Bob Montague passed away in Orlando Florida on February 16, 2014. Bob, always one to greet visitors and club members with a big smile and warm words, will be long remembered for his imprint on the Newport community.

He served as Newport Rotary President in 1956 and 1991. he was an early postmaster of Newport, served on the Carteret County School Board and the Carteret General Hospital Board, and established Americare Assisted Living Facility in Newport. Bob and hist first wife, Katheryn, were an integral part of the Newport community. Later in life Bob married Dee Bryson, also a Past President of Newport Rotary. Bob was a dear friend, and will be sorely missed. See his full obituary here.     

What is the Future of Newport?

Newport Town Manager Angela Christian talks innovation! 

New Newport Town Manager, Angela Christian was the guest speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday, February 24, 2014. She was invited and introduced by former Newport Councilman Steve Blizzard.

Ms. Christian shared some of her experience with innovating change in Onslow County while she was there as Assistant County Manager for about 7 years. Having just met with the Newport Town Council during their retreat this past weekend, she indicated that many of the same things has been discussed and debated.

Manager Christian with Newport Rotary
President-Elect Joe Garner

Key among these is what do the citizens of Newport want Newport to look like in 5, 10, or 20 years? If Newport is going to thrive, not merely survive, it has to be attractive for people to visit (a destination) and attractive for business to invest in and develop. She pointed to the Highway 70 corridor as being a major asset of the town. She also pointed to the downtown area and then discussed how the City of Asheville had taken a downtown on the decline, and with innovation and encouragement had built on the assets that community had to make it a "destination". Newport has things it is known for, like being "the Town with Old Fashioned Courtesy" and the home of the Newport Pig Cooking, and needs to build on those attributes.

A great deal of discussion with club members followed on ways to be "business friendly" and encourage investment from the private sector. Tax and user fee policies were discussed, as well as water and sewer capacity. Ms. Christian was thanked for her thoughtful program and innovative position on town growth!       

Newport Rotary Off for President's Day

There will be no Rotary meeting on February 17, 2014 in observance of the President's Day holiday. Rotary will resume next Monday evening, February 24, 2014 at 5:30pm. Guests are welcome. 

Remembrance: Dick Newton

Newport Rotary's thoughts and prayers are with the Newton family today on word of Dick's passing. The funeral is Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 2pm at St. James Methodist Church. 

New Newport Town Manager to Address Newport Rotary

Angela Christian at Newport
Town Hall Chambers 
Photo credit: Dylan Ray 

New Newport Town Manager Angela Christian will be the guest speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday, February 24, 2014. Rotarian and former Town Councilman Steve Blizzard will provide the introduction.

According to an article in the Carteret County News Times, Ms. Christian was hired as the new full-time manager on Jan. 28. Ms. Christian was previously chief operations officer for the Onslow County government for six years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University, a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and has completed the Public Executive Leadership Academy at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has her credentialed manager designation from the International City/County Management Association.

We welcome Angela to our community and as a guest to our Rotary Club. 

Valentines Event Photos

Click here for the photos, courtesy of Joe Garner. 

That Valentine's Magic!

During their 2014 Valentine's Event Monday night, an overflow crowd of Newport Rotarians and guests were treated to feats of prestidigitation by local Magician - The Amazing Billy Collins!

Sabrina Cooper, Guest of New Rotarian
Tammy Cooper, gets a surprise!

A charismatic professional with years of magic experience, Billy brought a dynamic and fun show of card tricks, sleight of hand and illusions to the near capacity crowd of Rotarians and guests on hand. A comedy magician and illusionist, he has trained with some of the world’s best magicians, and is an award winning performer, writer, and produce. Contact or learn more about Billy at the Billy Collins & Co website. he has upcoming shows at the White Oak River Bistro in Swansboro.   

A festive dinner featuring Chicken Marsala and a valentine dessert

Newport Rotarians are spellbound!

was prepared by Pam Wall, and served by Maitre D' Bevin Wall. Decorations fitting to the occasion were abundant, provided by Sharon & Larry Howard. 

The club also did a 20 Question's Mixer of famous couples throughout history. Did we ever figure out who Robin Hood was? or Brad Pitt for that matter! We enjoyed being with our special guests for the evening! Well Done! 

Battle of Newport Barracks Park Dedicated

Following up on a recent Rotary Program, the Battle of Newport Barracks Park was dedicated on February 2, 2014. Carteret News-Times story.  Jacksonville Daily News story. Click here for more on the Battle of Newport Barracks.

Valentine's Dinner Set

Newport Rotary will hold its annual Valentine's Dinner next Monday night, February 10, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. The Valentines Dinner is a traditional event for Newport Rotary going back to the origins of the club in the late 1940s. There will be special entertainment.  Rotarians and their guests are welcome. Please call or email Club President Pam Wall with your guest count at pamwall11@gmail.com. Festive attire is encouraged. Guests are $10, pay at the door. 

Snow Bunnies top Blizzard's Blizzards in Snow Trivia Challenge

Newport Rotarians were highly competitive during the Snow Trivia Challenge during their regular meeting Monday night. In a very close result, the Snow Bunnies team emerged victorious over the Blizzard's Blizzards team. Questions included trivia on sleet, hail, freezing rain, ice, snow, nor-easters, wind chill, coldest temperatures,  hypothermia, orange snow, yellow snow, winter songs, and the Winter Olympics. The winners claimed bragging rights and candy hearts. 

Update on the Windmill Project

This information updates our January 20, 2014 Newport Rotary program regarding windmills in Newport by John Droz.

It became official today that Torch Energy threw in the towel regarding the proposed Mill Pond wind project! [Click here for the News Times article].

This came about because of two reasons:
1 - they realized that Newport and Carteret County would definitely impose quality protections for citizens, businesses, the environment and the military, and
2 - they saw that there was very strong community support for those protections.

This was a community victory, and an exceptional example of what can be done when citizens work together in a constructive, effective way. Before we have an official celebration, we MUST complete the fine effort that we have initiated, by seeing that Newport andCarteret County finish the upgrade for their wind ordinances, including ALL of the Bullet Points [on my webpage at http://www.wiseenergy.org/Energy/BulletPoints.pdf]. We are no longer under the gun, but we also need to be better prepared for another such possibility. Please support those two efforts, and I will keep you posted on their progress. We'd also like to improve H484, Senate Bill 3, and the DOD Clearinghouse process. Three months ago most local citizens had little knowledge of what those things were. Today a lot more do, and I'm hoping that many will join me in working on those important state matters.

THANK YOU for your commitment and sacrifice to making our community a better, safer place to live. By: Jogn Droz. 

Feb 3 Program: All About Snow

Join us for the February 3, 2014 Newport Rotary Meeting when the topic will be...

what else...

SNOW.

You may want to brush up on your snow trivia... 

Newport Rotarian has connection to Super Bowl

If watching the Super Bowl, please note the young fellow who will be holding the American Flag during the opening ceremony. 

This is Jesse Lennon, son-in-law of Newport Rotarian Dick Newton's daughter Susan. 

We know that he- and Dick & Susan - are excited about this honor!