Newport Rotary to Get CCT Theatre Project Update

Carteret Community Theatre in Morehead City lost their building and all their contents during Hurricane Florence in 2018. Since that time, CCT has faced major challenges in finding suitable performance locations while they work to restore the theater. We are going to hear from Pam Wall, CCT President (and Newport Rotarian) about the progress they have made on rebuilding to once again provide live entertainment, summer camps, and other amazing artistic programs for the citizens of Carteret County.

We will hear about fundraising - including the "Rotary Lobby", and progress on "Phase One" of the rebuild featuring a renovated, upgraded building with new seating, new lighting, an expansive stage, a first-class sound booth, expanded concessions, an art gallery, and new bathrooms. For more, see https://www.carteretcommunitytheatre.com/ovation-campaign 

Carteret County Rotary Clubs 100 Years Video debut

Our Rotary 100 year anniversary video - A Century of Service, premiered on Sunday February 23rd to a crowd of over 100 Rotarians, family, friends and guests. What an exciting day.A huge thank you to the Big Rock Foundation for funding our video, Rebekah Brooks and Carteret Community Theatre for donating their facility, the Carteret Community College audio/video team of James and Kyle for setting up projector and sound, and Hitchcock Television for production and creative video work.

The video was filmed last July over 4 days with 36 Rotarians committing their time to being interviewed. It's a busy time of year for Carteret County and while many were asked to participate, it was difficult for many to respond. We are so grateful to those who were able to contribute. Every club was represented by 2 or more Rotarians in the film.

When you take over 20 hours of video interviews and cut all but 18 minutes, there is a lot of good material sitting on the cutting room floor. The full-length interviews are available for viewing on the Rotary Clubs of Carteret County YouTube channel. We grabbed the gems, but there is a lot more if you take some time to watch what we missed showing in the final product.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the link to our full video: https://youtu.be/2IGPz2tjw-k

Please consider sharing this with friends, family, schools, churches and community organizations. The goal is to expose more people to Rotary and build a foundation for the next 100 years of Service above Self. We have speakers available to talk to groups in our area and around the world. Now is the time to put a focus on who we are as Rotarians and what we do. It is our time to grow and increase our impact.

Enjoy the video and thank you for your personal Service Above Self as a Rotarian in Carteret County.

Questions or concerns: contact Barbara Johnson at barbarafjohnson@live.com.

Newport Rotary Restocks Little Free Libraries

Newport Rotarians (l-r) Anita Moreau, 
Tammy Blizzard & Rick Moreau
make sure our libraries are clean and
well-stocked!

Neither rain, nor snow, nor the bleakness of day will stop Newport (NC) Rotary from taking care of their dozen Little Free Libraries placed strategically around the community. While most of these libraries are self-sustaining, we like to monitor all of them to ensure they are filled with great reading material and kept neat and clean. Some locations have more children, so we make an effort to maintain a small stock of replacement juvenile literature, along with magazines and the occasional comic book (and every now and then, a donated Hot Wheels car).

Most people follow the “take a book, give a book” method, but some may not always have a book to give, and that’s perfectly fine—we just want everyone to read and have fun. This has been a great project that we started three years ago, and we continue to find new reading treasures all the time.

Do you have a book desert in your town? Consider investing in a Little Free Library or two, and provide those folks with a refreshing dose of literary nourishment. Contact us at Newport Rotary if you are interested at NewportNCRotary@gmail.com. 

Newport Rotary Promotes Post-Helene Blood Drives

Photo credit: American Red Cross

Newport Rotary is promoting giving blood at our local blood drives during the upcoming month. Several recent Hurricanes have reduced available blood supply and the need is urgent. Please consider giving blood and encouraging others to do so. 

The local schedule can be accessed at this link or on the American Red Cross webpage. Please confirm all dates and times with the Red Cross local contact.    

Some local dates and sites (as of date of posting): 

• October 8, 2024, St James, Newport 
• October 10, 2024, Crystal Coast Wellness Studios, Morehead City
• October 11, 2024, Havelock Moose Family Center, Havelock
• October 11, 2024, Emerald Isle Community Center, Emerald Isle
• October 17, 2024, Glad Tidings Church, Morehead City
• October 21, 2024, First Methodist Church, Morehead City

Newport Rotary Donates to WNC Disaster

Hurricane Helene damage, Sept 2024
photo credit: NPR

Newport Rotary members personally donated $750 to Western NC Hurricane Helene Relief effort during its October 7, 2024 meeting, an amount that was matched by the club for a total $1,500 donation. Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, leaving countless families in need of urgent assistance. The funds are being sent to the Rotary District 7730 Foundation to support direct funding of Rotarian led projects and supplies in Western NC (Rotary District 7670). Thanks to Steve & Tammy Blizzard, Richard & Anita Moreau and Bevin & Pam Wall for their generous donations.

Newport Rotary Labor Day Party

Newport Rotary will have a Labor Day Party in lieu of its regular meeting on Monday, September 2, 2024 at 5:30pm. This is a thank-you for the hard work put in by Newport Rotary members over this very busy spring and summer. Rotary members Bevin & Pam Wall will be hosting at their home at 1661 Highway 24, Newport. 

Bring spouse, SO, family or guest. Dress is beach/ Rotary casual, so bring your hard soled shoes if you want to go in the water. Any kids must be supervised in the water by adults and have age appropriate flotation gear. Weather permitting there will be water sports, sunning, hot-tubbing, sailing, etc. Bring your summer game of choice for the lawn.    

Food and basic drink will be provided. BYOB for your special beverage. Prepare to have fun. 

A word on the location. This is a direct turn off of Hwy 24 onto a private unnamed drive on the "sound side" between Buena Vista Drive and Florida Park Drive. The green mail box will be marked with balloons. Bear left near the end of the drive.  

20 Volunteers Support School Cleanup

 

NES First Day of School Volunteers

Newport Rotary's annual "First Day of School Cleanup" at Newport Elementary School took place on Saturday, August 17, 2024 with 20 Rotarians, friends of Rotary, school teachers and staff attending. 

In about 2 hours the school grounds were put in a friendly, welcoming condition for first time and attending students during the first week of school. Grass was mowed, trimmed and blown, shrubberies pruned, hanging plants hung and in about 2 hours of intense activity scheduled for the cooler morning hours. 

NES Principal Laura Parish and Rotary Club President Dennis Barber thanked all of those in attendance. It really means a lot to the school, staff and visitors to know that the community supports the school. It also gives a great impression to visitors that Newport is a welcoming and engaged place to be! Thanks to all those who made it out and donated equipment, including Rotarians Pres. Dennis Barber, Maher Saikali, Julia Capps, Tristan Thomas, Matt Shortway & Bevin Wall.