Holiday Schedule Posted

Newport Rotary will not meet Monday December 21, 2015 and Monday December 28, 2015 due to the holidays. We will meet again on Monday January 4, 2016 at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building.

As it will be the beginning of the new year, we will be discussing plans for programming and service projects during the first half of 2016.

We wish everyone a joyous holiday season filled with family and friends. 

Habitat for Humanity Speaker today

The November 23, 2015 speaker at Newport Rotary will be Max Sligh with our local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Newport Rotary Meets at 5:30pm on Mondays. Guests are welcome.   

Please Note Holiday Date Changes

There has been some shifting of dates for Newport Rotary. Please note these for your calendar. And, you can always check the Newport Rotary webpage calendar for the most up-to-date information.http://newportrotary.blogspot.com/    

Upcoming NRC events: 

Monday, November 23

5:30pm

 Newport Rotary- Community Program- Max Sligh of Habitat for Humanity

Monday, November 30

5:30pm

 Newport Rotary- Service Project- Tree Trimming @ Croatan Ridge

Monday, December 7

5:30pm

 Newport Rotary- Social- Christmas Party

Monday, December 14

5:30pm

 Newport Rotary- Program TBA

Nov 16 Program- Hospital - BC/BS Insurance Crisis Program

The Nov. 16 program at Newport Rotary will be by Hospital Board member John Davis on the Insurance issue currently in the news. See News-Times article. Remember- Invite a veteran to enjoy this program, free of charge. Guests are welcome. 

Nov 9 Community Program: The Station Club

After weeks of Hootenanny prep (our biggest annual event), finally a regular Rotary club program for Newport Rotary. Tim Bartlow from The Station Club will be with us. Rotarians and guests are invited. 5:30pm, Monday at the Rotary Building! Coffee & light snacks will be served.    

Newport Rotary Coordinates Another Successful Halloween Hootenanny

Over 3500 people attended the Newport Halloween Hootenanny this year, a record recent attendance. The event is in it's 6th year of coordination by Newport Rotary. It truly is a community effort with the town, other civic groups, and the business community chipping in. You Rock, Newport! A special thanks to Newport Rotarians Pam & Bevin Wall for leading the Rotary organizational effort. Many comments were to the effect that it was the best organized they had ever seen it!

• Click here for the thank you letter to our sponsors. 
• Click here to view photos. 
• Click here for a movie. 
• Click here for the Hootenanny website!   

October 19 Program: Rotary Foundation Update

Join us October 19, 2015 for an update on the good things our Rotary Foundation is accomplishing at home and abroad. We are "this close" to eradicating Polio, but our Foundation is also continuing to be active in many other areas of focus. Find out how we are doing. 

Columbus Day Pause

Newport Rotary will not meet October 12, 2015, due to the Columbus Day holiday.  

Hootenanny Highlights Newport Events for October

Link to Hootenanny website for the article! 

Newport Rotary Cleans Up!

Newport Rotary's service project on September 21, 2015 was to clean up 3 pedestrian benches that were prior Rotary projects in town. Here the group poses for a photo by the Rotary bench located in front of the Newport Elementary School and the History Museum. 

(l-r) Newport Rotary's Winston Reese, Derryl Garner, Steve Blizzard,
Maher Saikali, guest Julia Saikali, Joe Garner and Pam Wall.
Not pictured: Bevin Wall

September 21- Community Clean Up Day

Newport Rotary will have its September "hands-on", community service project at several locations on September 21, 2015 starting at 5:30pm. We will meet at the Newport Rotary Building on Howard Blvd., and go from there to clean up our community benches on Howard Blvd. and Chatham Street, followed by sprucing up our garden corners at the Newport History Museum and Newport Elementary School. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Bring your favorite bucket & rake! It should be beautiful weather to be out and "do good" together!   

PDG Derryl Garner

The September 14, 2015 Newport Rotary program with be "Newport in the 1960s in Pictures", narrated by the Hon. Derryl Garner, former Mayor of Newport. 

The presentation includes an assortment of photos from various photographers of Newport events, places and people. 

The public is welcome.

Newport Elementary School Thank You

The following was received from Jody McClenny, Principal of Newport Elementary School, regarding the recent "First Day of School" Project conducted by Newport Rotary. Click image for the larger size.  

Ready for the First Day of School: Newport Rotary Project

Newport Rotary gets the front entrance to Newport Elementary School looking spiffy. School staff loved the flowers and finely manicured shrubs when they showed up for school on Tuesday morning. Newport Rotary Project signs were completed and placed on Tuesday. The school front office staff has diligently been watering the flowers, and they are blooming, even in this heat! New Newport Elementary Principal Jody McClenny says "thank you".

Service Project - First Day of School

Newport Rotary will meet at 5:30pm August 17, 2015 at the front door of Newport Elementary School to do some beautification work in advance of the first day of school next week. Dress in your work clothes for planting and sweeping! Bring your yard tools, especially your favorite rake. One hour project! Guests are welcome to help!  

August 24 Program: Recent Legislation Impacting Newport

Vickie Miller
NC League of Municipalities

Vickie Miller, the Grassroots Coordinator with the North Carolina League of Municipalities, will be the guest speaker at Newport Rotary on August 24, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. Ms. Miller will be sharing information about some recent legislation that impacts towns such as Newport. The public and guests are invited. 

The North Carolina League of Municipalities (League) is a nonpartisan association of more than 540 hometowns in North Carolina, with a mission to enhance the quality of life in municipalities through excellent municipal governance. Ms. Miller's role as Grassroots Coordinator includes responsibilities for coordinating outreach activities of the League membership that strengthen relationships with state elected officials and working with the Governmental Affairs Team, the League’s Legislative Action Committees, and as a liason with other groups. 

Ice Cream Social

Beat the Heat. 

Newport Rotary. 

Ice Cream Social. 

Today. 

Just Bring Yourself (and a friend).  

Last African County Polio Free for the Past Year

A vaccinator looks for children that were
missed during  the mop up phase of a polio
 immunization drive in Maiduguri,
Nigeria. Photo by Diego Ibarra Sánchez

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, and the last to have endemic polio, has been one year polio-free. It is one of three countries left on the endemic polio list.

Newport Rotary has been a force in the eradication of polio for over 25 years. Read more.   

District Governor Scheduled to Visit

Gov. Dave Baggett

Newport Rotary will host District Governor David Baggett from Fayetteville this afternoon, July 20, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served. Guests are welcome. He will meet with the Club Board and Officers after the meeting, at 6:30.

Governor Baggett is a Physician Assistant, with a principal practice focus in Cardiology, following a 26 year career as a Field Artillery officer in the United States Army. Dave has served District 7730 as Secretary, Group Study Exchange (GSE) Chair for six years, and as Assistant Governor. Click here for a more complete Governor's Bio.  

Past-President Recognized for Service

President Maher Saikali recognizes outgoing President
Joe Garner with a Past-President's Plaque July 13, 2015 at Newport Rotary   

Rotary Transitions Celebrated

Pres. Maher Saikali

DG Dave Baggett

On Monday July 13, 2015, Newport Rotary will celebrate the transition of club leadership as Past-President Joe Garner retires and President Maher Saikali takes the reins.

On Monday July 20, 2015, Newport Rotary will host District Governor Dave Baggett from Fayetteville as he brings the RI Presidential message, theme, and special programs to our club, as well as district emphases. Family & Guests are invited. Snacks will be served.  

No July 6 Meeting- Holiday Observance

Newport Rotary will not meet July 6, 2015 due to the holiday observance for the 4th of July.   

Newport Rotary has Leadership Transition

Pres. Maher Saikali
Newport Rotary 

One July 1, 2015 we welcomed Maher Saikali as the new President of Newport Rotary for the 2015-16 Rotary year.

Maher is the owner and operator of C-Co Mini Mart on Hwy 70, Newport. We look forward to a year of inspiring leadership- we have a full plate of service projects and networking events planned!

We thank outgoing President Joe Garner (retired from IBM and Red & White Grocery) who completes his second term as club President.  

Newport Sesquicentennial

Join us tonight for Newport Rotary.

Our guest speaker is Diane Johnson, who will bring us information on the town's sesquicentennial celebration.  

Membership Roundtable 2

Join us at Newport Rotary for the Monday, June 29, 2015 Program where we conduct Part 2 of our Membership Assessment.

• How do we take the pulse of our community? 
• How do we best connect with those who want to help us? 
• How do we best reach out to those in need in our community?  

Membership Roundtable

Join us this afternoon. Beat the heat. Sip some Ice tea. Talk Rotary membership! Let's have a productive talk! See you there.

Brazil RI Convention Program

With many Rotarians flocking to Brazil for the International Convention, we will get a couple of perspectives on this event from past participants as our program on June 1, 2015, 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. Guests are welcome.  

Newport Rotary Supports Bicycle Safety Event

Newport Rotary donated 20+ six-packs of Pepsi products for the First Annual "Gear Up for Safety" Bicycle helmet give-away event on Saturday May 30, 2015 from 11am to 1 pm.

The event will feature a patriotic-themed family bicycle parade, free helmets for “Safety Rules and Tools School” participants ages five through 12, free bicycle rodeo events, prizes and free snacks and refreshments. For more information, call Newport Town Hall at 223-4749.

The event is sponsored by the Newport Recreational Advisory Committee in partnership with the Newport Police Department and the Newport Fire Department. The program is funded by a grant from the NC Bicycle Helmet Initiative Program.

Back Door Safety Rail

Thanks to Winston Reese & Joe Garner
(for tool loan), we have a safe rear exit.  

Memorial Day Break

Remember, the Newport Rotary Meeting 

is cancelled on Memorial Day Monday. 

Thank a Vet for his or her service! 

Newport Rotarian Recognized for Membership Efforts

Rtn. Bevin Wall

Bevin Wall of Newport Rotary has been invited to the Member Sponsor Reception at the Rotary International Convention at Sao Paulo Brazil in June, 2015.

The invitation comes in recognition of his Gold Sponsor Membership Status, the highest recognition Rotary bestows upon a member in honor of their commitment to Rotary’s membership growth.

Wall is a past club president and served District 7730 as Governor in 2002-03.

See the prior article on awards to Newport Rotarians. 

Newport Rotarians Spruce Up Downtown

Rotary helper, Chris & Rtn. Pam Wall 

The May 18, 2015 Service Project of the Newport Rotary Club was to "spruce up" two garden beds they established as club projects several years ago. The club has been providing regular maintenance for the sites around town since then.

Colorful annuals and perennials were planted in the garden bed at the bed across from the Newport Elementary School on the Newport History Museum corner.

Scrubs and trees were pruned and manicured at the "drop off lot" of the Elementary School, further down the street.

Rtn. Pam Wall, helper Chris, Rtn.
Steve Blizzard, Pres, Joe Ggarner

Thanks to All the Newport Rotarians, pictured below, who helped with the project, and our helper, Chris.  

PDG Bevin Wall, Pres. Joe Garner,
Rtn. Pam Wall, helper Chris 

PDG Derryl Garner, Pres. Joe Garner

Working Together- Community Project Today.

Reminder - This afternoon- Monday, May 18, 2015 @ 5:30pm: Service Project / Meeting: Community Bench & Garden Cleaning. This is semi-annual maintenance for several of our previous projects around town. Please wear appropriate clothing for yard work and bring your tools. We can knock this out in 1 hour! Meet at Newport Rotary Building. 

May Rotary Schedule Published!

The following events are schedule for May 2015 at Newport Rotary!

May 2014 

• Monday, May 4, 2015 @ 5:30pm: Social Meeting: Cinco de Mayo at Newport Rotary (and Planning for Garden Beds Project Publicity. 

• Monday, May 11, 2015 @ 5:30pm: Club Meeting: Workday - Spring Cleaning the Newport Rotary Building. All hands on deck needed. Wear workclothes and bring your cleaning supplies.   

• Monday, May 18, 2015 @ 5:30pm: Service Project / Meeting: Community Bench & Garden Cleaning. 

• Monday, May 25, 2015: No Meeting: Memorial Day Holiday  

Newport Librarian to Speak

Alice Chavez, Librarian at the Newport Public Library, will be the guest speaker at Newport Rotary this Monday, April 27, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. 

Newport Rotary has been a regular sponsor of the library through the years. Guests are welcome. Program Chair: Rick Moreau.

Town of Newport receives Rotary-endorsed State Grant

A group of 10 municipalities from across the state, including Newport, are slated to receive assistance with bicycle and pedestrian planning, thanks to grants awarded this month by the N.C. Department of Transportation. Now in its twelfth year, the grant program helps North Carolina cities and towns develop a comprehensive overall strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given community.

Newport Rotary endorsed the Town's application as an interested community organization. See prior blog article and letter of support here.  Click here for the announcement from NCDOT.

Melone to Speak on Carolinas PETS

Assistant Governor Bob Melone of the Beaufort Old Town Rotary will the the guest speaker at Newport Rotary during the regular meeting at 5:30pm Monday April 20, 2015. He will be speaking on the regional President-Elect Training event, Carolinas' PETS. Guests are welcome. 

Christian Motorcyclists Association Pancake Breakfast

The Crystal Coast Messengers (CMA) chapter 951 in Morehead City - will have a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebees in Morehead City on Saturday, April 18th from 8AM til 10 AM...this is an annual thing for us now - we're raising funds for our Run for the Son ride onMay 2nd. All monies raised will go to placing missionaries, Bibles, the Jesus film and transportation for missionaries internationally and within the United States...anywhere God's Word needs spoken - we work to get it there, whether it's across town...over to the mountains...or across the sea. So - you can have a tasty breakfast, with great service (we wait the tables), have some time of fellowship - and support a good cause. Tickets are $6 per person or 2 for $10...so bring a friend or make it a date morning. It sounds like a win-win situation to me - and you still will have time to do all those Saturday things you love to do - hope to see you there - I spent many of my younger years waiting tables...and this helps me keep my skills up - so come let me wait on you. See you then. Contributed by Rtn. Anita Moreau.

April 13 Meeting Change - Continue Service Project

Newport Rotary will continue work on it's Handicapped Accessible Garden Beds onsite at Croatan Ridge Nursing Home, Newport on Monday (April 13, 2015) at 5:30pm. Bring gardening tools and wear gardening capable wear... See you there. We hope to get "finished" ! 

Next Community Work Days Set

Newport Rotary will continue work on it's Handicapped Accessible Garden Beds onsite at Croatan Ridge Nursing Home, Newport on Wednesday afternoon (April 1, 2015) at 2:00pm and on Monday afternoon (April 6, 2015) at 2:00pm. See you there!

More Flower Bed Service Project Fun

March 30, 2015 Workday. Our Raised Flower Beds for the Handicapped start taking shape
at Croatan Ridge Nursing Home. We got one up! What is square? 

Newport Rotary Supports Little League Lighting Improvements

Newport Little League, a partner of Newport Rotary in our Halloween Hootenanny, and an organization Newport Rotary sponsors annually, is on a quest to replace its aging field lights.

Newport Rotary was one of the organizations providing a letter of support for their current grant request.

Support their Glow Run set for April 17, 2015 at 7pm.  

Newport Rotary Works the Pig Cooking

Newport Rotarians cull the BBQ at the Newport Pig Cooking. clockwise from left top, Rick & Anita Moreau, Pam Wall (yellow shirt), Rotarians Steve Blizzard & Winston Reese confer, Rotarians Steve Blizzard, Pam Wall and Tammy Cooper, not pictured: Bevin Wall, Larry Howard

Service Project Times Announced

Work will continue on the Handicapped Flower Boxes project on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Red & White in Newport. Hope to see you there. See more on this project. Call Project Co-Coordinator Pam Wall if you have any questions. 

Newport Rotary will help with cutting at the Newport Pig Cooking at 9:00am on Saturday March 28, 2015.Please wear your Rotary hats, shirts etc! 

2015-16 Club President Review PETS Meeting

Newport Rotary Club President-Elect Maher Saikali teased some the highlights of the recent Carolinas' PETS Session he attended with over 500 other Rotary leaders in Greensboro with the Club during their regular meeting on March 23, 2015. The club also discussed participation in several upcoming community events and projects including the finishing schedule for the handicapped flowed beds project and chopping at the Newport Pig Cooking this weekend.

St Patricks Day Social Tonight

At Newport Rotary today, a St. Patrick's Day Social at 5:30. Wear the Green. Light Beverages & Snacks. 

Next Flower Box Work Session Scheduled

Work will continue on the Handicapped Flower Boxes project on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 3:00 pm at the Red & White in Newport. Hope to see you there.

See more on this project.

Call Project Co-Coordinator Pam Wall if you have any questions. 

District Conference Promoted

Dr. Tom Bell
District Conference Chair 

Rotary District 7730 Conference Chair Tom Bell from the Jacksonville Rotary Club was the program speaker at Newport Rotary on March, 9, 2015.

The District Conference is set for April 24-26 at Atlantic Beach and will offer a number of options for participation. Click here for more information.

You can register through the Rotary DaCdb database.  

Newport Rotary Constructs Flower Boxes for Handicapped

The photos below are from our work project on March 2, 2015 to construct flower boxes for handicapped residents at Croatan Ridge Nursing Facility. The project is supported by a grant from The Rotary Foundation. Thanks, Pres. Joe Garner, Project Coordinator Pam Wall, Pres.-Elect Maher Saikali, Winston Reese, Larry Howard and Bevin Wall.

  

Dawn Rochelle Speaks on World Understanding Month

Click the image to the right for the article on the February 2, 2015 Meeting from the Carteret County News-Times.

Our guest speaker was Dawn Rochelle from the Jacksonville Rotary Club. 

March 2 - Rotary Project Work Day

Newport Rotarians will meet at the Newport Red & White Building to work on their latest community project, building flower beds for vocational activity for nursing home residents. Meet at the regular meeting time of 5:30 at the Red & White. 

Newport Rotary Will Not Meet on President's Day

The February 16, 2015 Newport Rotary Meeting has been cancelled in observance of the President's Day holiday.

Feb 9: Valentines Special Program

A reminder to Rotarians & Guests.

The meeting of Newport Rotary tonight, Feb. 9, will start at 6:30 pm and will include the evening meal and a special program.

We hope to see you there! 

Senior Center Provides Many Activities for Seniors

Pres. Joe Garner (l) and PDG Derryl Garner with January
26 Club Speaker, Cindy Blizzard

Cindy Blizzard, Activities Coordinator and Resource Developer for Leon Mann Jr. Enrichment Center and Carteret County Aging Services, spoke to members and guests of the Newport Rotary on Monday, January 26th, 2015.

The Newport Rotary is a group of Business and Community Leaders "doing good" in our community of Newport and beyond who meet every Monday evening from 5:30-6:30 at the Rotary Building on Howard Boulevard, across from the town park. Rotary is the world's oldest and most prestigious service organization with over 1.2 Million Rotarians worldwide.

The information Ms. Blizzard gave regarding services and opportunities at the Leon Mann Center was well received by all in attendance and many questions were asked and answered. The Leon Mann Center is located at 3829 Galantis Drive in Morehead City, and serves Carteret County senior citizens (age 50) and above with a wide variety of activities, Monday thru Friday from 8AM until 5PM. Carteret County Aging Services strive to support, assist and advocate for Carteret County seniors and their families by offering programs and services to meet their needs in an effort to help those seniors remain independent. 

More information regarding the Leon Mann center can be seen on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/leonmannseniorcenter, and information on the Carteret County Aging Services can be accessed at www.friendsofaging.org.

The Newport Rotary strives to better serve the citizens of Newport by supporting and/or sponsoring local activities and invite those who want to join that support team to join them at the next meeting. They will strive to have speakers who address local interest each month for the purpose of keeping Newport residents better informed about the happenings and opportunities in the community.

Jan 26 Program - About the Leon Mann Enrichment Center

Hear all about the most recent activities and programs at the Leon Mann Enrichment Center ("Senior Center") from their Events / Resource Development Coordinator Cindy Blizzard.   

Healthcare Navigator to Speak January 12

One of our area Healthcare Navigators, Hilary Schultz, will speak to Newport Rotary about the Affordable Care Act and health care options at its regular meeting on January 12, 2015 at 5:30pm. Guests are welcome. Click here for a recent Carteret County News-Times Article about the ACA and area Navigators.