Downtown Beautification Project

Monday, May 5, 2014 will be a Service Day, where we will be working in Downtown Newport on the gardening beds we established and cleaning up our pedestrian benches. With the weather getting better, people are now out and about and appreciate our various projects that add color and comfort to their walk about town. Specifically, we will meet at the regular time and carpool or caravan to the location of the projects. Bring your work or gardening gloves, spades, shovels, clippers etc. We need all hands! 5:30 start time! We will have drinks there!

See our prior related articles. Installing the first benches on Howard Blvd. Installing the Chatham Street Benches. Replacing the North Howard Blvd bench. Our last Spring Cleaning the Benches Day. And, our prior Downtown Beautification efforts, going all the way back to 2009.  

Newport Rotary at the Ballfield!

The April 28, 2014 Newport Rotary Meeting will commence at the Rotary Building at 6:30pm, where we will then walk over as a group to support The Newport Little League and have a group outing. Food is available at the Little League Concession Stand for purchase.

Please note the later - 6:30 start time- to coincide with the posted game start. 

Newport Pig Cooking Thank You

Thanks to all of you with Newport Rotary that helped work to make the Newport Pig Cooking a success this year. From the BBQ Cullers, to the Director of Entertainment, to the Honored Guest, our own Derryl Garner, Newport Rotarians continue to be well represented at our towns signature event. We honor the Rotarians and other civic leaders who were involved with the formation of the Pig Cooking. It can't be done without all of us pulling together. 

April is Magazine Month

Don't be a crustacean.
Read your Rotarian!

One of the great benefits of being a Rotarian is being connected to the vast network of Rotarians here and abroad. We stay connected with the Rotarians in our own club by seeing them (at least) weekly. We visit other clubs to expand our network of friends and acquaintances. Another great way of cementing that connection is by reading the monthly The Rotarian Magazine.

April is Magazine Month, so for the April 21, 2014 Meeting, a select group of Rotarians will digest for you their favorite recent article from the publication. Make sure you read your copy, so you can stay abreast of develops in Rotary, business, society and the needs of our world!

In the words of Rotary Foundation Chair D.K. Lee "The Rotarian, which is edited here at RI headquarters in Evanston, Ill., USA, has a circulation of about 500,000. Around the world, 31 more magazines are published in more than 20 languages. In total, these 32 magazines reach more than 1.2 million people. To make this happen, it takes more than just an editorial staff – it also takes the good work of Rotarians. I always feel that the best part of reading any Rotary publication is the opportunity to find out what other clubs are doing. Each issue, each article, is a chance to be informed and inspired."

Rotary on Stage: Mayhem Ensues

The first "Rotary Meeting" or a "Fractured Fairy Tale"-
you be the judge... 

Rotarian John Scibal, from the Morehead City Noon Rotary Club, was the guest presenter at Newport Rotary on Monday afternoon. He staged an audience participation reading that illustrated how the first Rotary Meeting occurred (with a few liberties and anaychronisms spread about). Rtn. Tammy Cooper assisted the "Director". Our Area's Assistant Governor for the 2014 Rotary year, Bob Melone, also a reknown thespian, was also in attendance and helped with the program. A good time was had by all, and fortunately, the reviewers for the Tony Awards were not present. The august cast included Steve Blizzard, Joe Garner, George Bergamini, Maher Saikali, and Bevin Wall.

Amid the broadwayesque mayhem, our Fire Chief George Bergamini was inducted as a member of the club, with his wife in attendance. Welcome George!


John Scibal, in addition to being a directorial genius, is a Past Assistant Governor and is our District Governor Nominee Designate for 2016-17.

Newport Pig Cooking Assignments

Newport Rotary "Cullers" at the Pig Cooking!

Newport Pig Cooking - Rotary Volunteer Coordinator Steve Blizzard says volunteers are needed for the following time slots this weekend:

• Culling (4 needed) 11:30 - 1:00:  Steve Blizzard, Bevin Wall
• Chopping (1 needed) 10:00 - 11:30
• Chopping (2 needed) 11:30 - 1:00

Everyone working around food MUST wear a hat! Please bring your own. If more volunteers are available over the above listed slots, there are openings on the serving line 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Please Email Steve at stmbliz@msn.com to confirm your availability, and at this point- just show up! I am sure we can use all hands!.

Beach Mayor Talks Economic Engine

Atlantic Beach Mayor Trace Cooper was the featured speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday, March 31, 2014. His talk centered on the importance of the beach community to the overall health of Carteret County, including Newport, and also on a number of initiatives progressing in the beach town. Councilman Rick Poillon was also present. Both guests graciously answered many questions posed by the group. 

Mayor Cooper stated that the town was in excellent shape with it's primary local government responsibilities, that of providing basic safety services to its citizens, like police, fire and water. A unified strategy on sewer still eludes the town, but is a very divisive issue and is a discussion for another day. "The Circle" privately owned project is still a slow moving venture in this economy, but is key to the town's branding effort and future prosperity.   

The town is now looking at proactive and achievable ways to draw people to the beach community. It is a far different recipe to develop Atlantic Beach's recreation sites, meant to attract visitors, than for the mainland communities, who are providing recreation opportunities for their own residents like ballfields, etc.   

Key among the initiatives are the town's ambitious Park project, including a Children's Splashpad (Newsletter, p.11), and a massive Skateboard Park, a town re-branding effort, the First Annual Beach Music Festival May 17, 2014 at the Circle, and beautification of the entry to town (site of the old bridge). We appreciate Mayor Cooper and Councilman Poillon being with us. We also welcomed Guest Amanda Keller from First Citizens Bank.