Christmas Party Scheduled

The Newport Rotary Club Christmas Party will be hosted at the home of Maher & Mary Saikali, 100 Peggy Court, River Landing, Morehead City, NC at 6:30pm, Monday December 17, 2012. We will see you there!    

Rotarian Andy Searle Passes

After a long illness, Rotarian Andy Searle passed away on November 28, 2012 at Harborview Health Care Center.

Our thought and prayer go out to the Searle family. A Memorial Contribution has been made to The Rotary Foundation in Andy's memory, so that he can continue to advocate peace and goodwill around the world.

Andy's humor and perseverance will be missed.

Click here for the obituary.

Club Receives Grant for Dictionaries in Schools

The Newport Rotary Club has received a grant from the Newport Pig Cooking Contest to continue it's Dictionaries in Schools distribution for local third graders for the 2013-14 school year. The club was notified by letter of its acceptance on December 11, 2012.

Newport Rotary pioneered a County-wide Dictionaries in School event for all county second graders in 1997-1998, and got all county Rotary clubs involved. The 2012-13 dictionary distribution (now to third graders at Newport Elementary, Gramercy and Grace Baptist schools) is pending for this month.

More Food Drive News

Newport Rotary will continue its efforts to assist the local Food Bank at The Matthew 25 Fund, St. James Methodist Church, serving the needs of the poor in the local community this holiday season.

The next collection point will be at the Newport Red and White Grocery Store on Friday, December 7, 2012, between 3pm and 6pm. Any available Rotarians are urged to attend.

Last weeks collection brought in two heaping grocery carts of food and $21 cash donation. The Food Pantry is still bare, and needs our additional support.

Governor-Elect Talks Future Vision

Guest Speaker DGE Andy Chused

The Guest Speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday night was District 7730 Governor-Elect Andy Chused from Morehead City, who addressed the club on the multitude of changes occurring with our Rotary Foundation next year, called "Future Vision", and previewed some of the district goals for 2013-14. He was invited and introduced by Past District Governor Bevin  Wall.

Future Vision is in the last year of its three year pilot process with about 20% of the Rotary Districts in the world. The program was adopted to streamline our Foundation's operations for improved efficiency and focus its efforts to achieve greater impact and public recognition. It includes a more forward-looking, simplified, collaborative and Rotarian-controlled grant process, with "sustainability" for 10 years being a benchmark. It also looks at integration of numerous programs, such as scholarships, grants for projects, and vocational training teams working collaborative with a single set of project objectives. Read on for more about Future Vision.

Recent Speaker to lead National Polio Immunization Day Trip

PDG Nancy Barbee with Pres. Steve
at Newport Rotary

Past District Governor Nancy Barbee from the Trenton, NC Rotary Club, a recent speaker at the Newport Rotary Club on the topic of our Rotary Foundation, will lead a National Polio Immunization Day trip for Rotarians and guests to India. You can contact Nancy for more information at nbarbee@gmail.com. Here is a brief look at the itinerary:

• Feb. 18 Day 1---Arrive Delhi and go directly to hotel.--HOTEL
• Feb. 19 Day 2----Rest day—optional afternoon shopping.-HOTEL
• Feb. 20 Day 3----Visit WHO and POLIO PLUS offices. Afternoon tours of New Delhi/Old Delhi-----HOTEL 
• Feb.21 Day 4---Morning flight to Calcutta, Rotary projects --HOTEL
• Feb. 22 Day 5---Morning tour of Calcutta—Mother Teresa’s Mission, etc., evening Rotary meeting. —HOTEL
• Feb. 23 Day 6---Travel to Dhanbad.—afternoon with host families---HOSTS
• Feb. 24 Day 7—Dhanbad—HOSTS---NID
• Feb. 25 Day 8—Dhanbad—HOST---NID—MOP UP
• Feb. 26 Day 9—Dhanbad—Hands on project, polio surgery ----HOSTS
• Feb. 27 Day 10—Leave for Calcutta and flight to Agra via Delhi.
• Feb. 28 Day 11 Overnight in Agra
• March 1 Day 12 Morning tour of Taj Mahal, an afternoon transport back to Delhi, flight back to USA.

Food Needed for Local Poor

In Memoriam: Rotarian Andrew Searle

Our condolences to the family of Rortarian Andrew Searle, who passed away November 27, 2012.

He will be missed, and his contributions to a better world live on.

Food Drive Dates Announced

Initial Collection Points for the Food Drive serving the needy in the Newport Community:

• Friday, November 30, 2012 at Newport Red & White Grocery Store 3pm-6pm
• Friday, December 7, 2012 at Newport Red & White Grocery Store 3pm-6pm

Other dates and locations may be added as they become available. Proceeds benefit the Matthew 25 Fund of St. James United Methodist Church, a charitable corporation benefiting the Newport Community.

Scholarship Award Winner Overcomes Obstacles

Katherine Myrick (2nd fr left), and the Moses Howard family

Katherine Myrick is an impressive young lady. She is the 2012-13 Winner of the Moses Howard Scholarship sponsored by the Howard family and the Newport Rotary Club.

Katherine addressed the club during its regular meeting on November 26, 2012 on the topic of education, her education goals, and the hurdles she had to overcome in pursuing her education thus far. A first generation college student, she is pursuing her AA Degree at Carteret Community College, and has recently been accepted into the Transfer program to complete her BA or BS at UNC-Chapel Hill. She hopes to major in Physical Therapy or in a major that will let her work on the issue of children's obesity. Katherine was accompanied at the meeting by her mother, Marcelle Myrick, and her grandmother, Beatrice Mahoney.  

The Moses Howard Scholarship is presented annually to a 2nd year student attending Carteret Community College. Moses Howard, a Past President of the Newport Rotary Club, was integral in the establishment of Carteret Community College, sat on its Board, and was a Carteret County Commissioner. The award was presented by Newport Rotary Past President Larry Hoard, son of Moses Howard, and other members of the Howard family.      

Newport Food Pantry in Dire Need

Tammy Blizzard, Director of The Matthew 25 Fund

Tammy Blizzard, Director of the St. James United Methodist Church Matthew 25 Fund, was the featured speaker at the November 19, 2012 meeting of the Newport Rotary Club. She informed the club of the dire need for food items for the less fortunate in the Newport community during the Holiday season. The pantry is bare.

The Matthew 25 Fund operates with the Thrift Shop at St. James as an independent 501(c)(3) charity that evaluates need and provides tangible emergency financial, food and clothing support for the less fortunate in the community. Proceeds from the Thrift Shop fund the "giving" part of the ministry. The organization also hosts monthly "Federal Food" giveaways. There is a loose "network" of churches and non-profits that work together to try to meet these needs. The Matthew 25 Fund is a key player in the Newport community and Carteret County.

While started by the church, the organization is independent, and is now a community wide endeavor. It accepts referrals from many sources.

Newport Rotary is planning its Food Drives now to support the Food Pantry during the holiday season.

Newport Rotary Receives Giving Award

District 7730 Rotary Foundation Chair PDG Nancy Barbee from the Maysville, NC Rotary Club was the guest speaker at Newport Rotary.

Our Speaker: District Rotary Foundation Chair Nancy Barbee,
with President Steve Blizzard

Ms. Barbee and Assistant Governor Bill Kaeser presented to the club an award for ranking highly among the 51 clubs in the district in per capita (per member) giving to our Rotary Foundation. Only 11 clubs district-wide were honored for reaching the award milestones. The club reached and exceeded the $100 average per member goal and had 100% member participation. She said that Newport Rotary was already a "believer" in our Foundation and supported it with giving and participation in its programs.

Assistant Governor Bill Kaeser presents our Foundation's
Support Award for 2011-12

"Instead of talking about all the good things our Foundation does, I will share with you some of the personal moments in my life where our Rotary Foundation had touched someone and made a difference in their life". 

She recounted several personal situations where she knew that lives had been changed, including a memorable one about her student, Darrell, and the impact that a local Maysville Rotary Club project, supported by a grant from our Foundation, provided meals and an educational opportunity that was lacking in that community. Years later, an adult Darrell approached her and thanked her and Rotary for the impact the program had on his life and his situation.

Halloween Hootenanny Website Online

As further promotion for the Newport community Halloween Hootenanny, a new website has been established. Click here to go to the Hootenanny website.

In the Community: Hospital CEO Details Growth

Hospital Pres. Richard Brvenik

New Carteret General Hospital President Richard A. Brvenik was the featured speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday night, detailing numerous areas of need, necessary growth, and cost issues affecting medical care in our community. He was the guest of Newport Rotarian and Town Mayor Derryl Garner.

Mr. Brvenik stressed the hospital's mission to maintain quality as its highest goal. He stated that Carteret County presents a unique set of conditions for health care, including a disproportionately large senior population, but maintains an "11th healthiest" ranking out of the hundred North Carolina counties in a recent statewide study. He recognized that consumers have many health care options, but that Carteret General Hospital compares favorable with their competitors, and encouraged comparative research at http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.  

Many improvements have been deferred over the years, and a significant investment in the hospital's infrastructure is needed to keep pace with the rapidly changing environment of health care, which includes projected mandates from The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare).

Artist Rendering of Proposed Carteret General Hospital Expansion

Discussed in more detail was the $53 million dollar proposed project that would build a new multidisciplinary, community based Cancer Center, affiliated with the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center; expand the Cardiac and Radiology clinics to include cardiac catheterization, build 68 new private rooms, a more visible front entrance, and Maternity ward improvements; invest in technology including expending the use of orthopedic robotics; create a Wound Care Center;  and, invest in significant information technology systems upgrades.

Mr. Brvenik responded to questions from Rotarians on the specifics of the project, including costs, timing, and the effect of new legislation, as well as the hospital's position on Taylor Extended Care Facility in Sea Level, which has recently been discussed in the local news. He was accompanied by Newport town resident John Davis, also a member of the hospital's Board of Directors.

2013 Group Study Exchange Team to England & Wales

Newport Rotarian and past District Governor Bevin Wall presented the program on October 1, 2012 on the topic of the 2013 Group Study Exchange Team to England and Wales. Wall was selected team leader in September to lead the team, that travels in February and March of 2013 to District 1100 including the major English city of Bristol, England.

Wall described the process for selection of team leader, alternate, and then for the composition of the Non-Rotarian Team members, nominated by Rotary clubs from across the district. 4 team members have been selected for this team, plus the Team Leader and alternate. The alternate team leader is Gene McClennon from the South Brunswick Islands Rotary club.

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families. 

Service Meeting Planned for October 8

Rotary Club President Steve Blizzard announces that the September 8th meeting will be a service meeting.  We will meet at the Friends of the Library book shop (old H&H Electric building) across from Newport Town Hall. Club members will be sorting through the Halloween Hootenanny games and assessing any repairs that need to be made prior to the event on October 31.  There will not be a meal this week. 

This marks the 2nd year that the Newport Rotary Club has coordinated the Newport Halloween Hootenanny.

Newsletter Details Projects

The August 15, 2012 issue of Courtesy News details several upcoming Newport area nonprofit events and fundraisers. Included are: Heritage Days (Sept. 14, 15), Pickin' n' Grinnin' (each Fri 6:30pm), the Newport Christmas Parade, Newport Pig Cookin' (Mar 30-31, 2013), and the Halloween Hootenanny (Oct. 31, 2012) sponsored by Newport Rotary. Click here for the Newsletter.      

Newport Citizen Survey Posted

The Town of Newport has distributed their Newport Citizen Survey 2012 for residents to complete to help them with the Town's Strategic Planning Process. They want to know what town residents think about the community and municipal government. See article regarding Commissioner David Heath's Strategic Planning program at Newport Rotary. Click here for the Survey, which can be downloaded and delivered or mailed to the Town of Newport, P O Box 1869, 200 Howard Blvd., Newport, NC 28570.

Home-Made Ice Cream Fundraiser Friday

Let's catch those holiday bound tourists streaming into the Crystal Coast with our Home-made Ice Cream Fundraiser on Friday from 3:00-6:00 in the Ocean Way Plaza Parking Lot. We need 3 Ice Cream Freezers and as many of you as want to hang out eating Ice Cream and sipping beverages under the big White Tent. Email Bevin Wall at RotaryBevin@gmail.com if you have a freezer, or can attend. Bring kids or significant others! Have fun while raising a little money!

Member Message: Win One, Keep One

Future Rotarian Ian say "Join the Fun"

Pres. Steve Blizzard thanks the Membership Team
of PDG John Capps, Ian & Gene McClendon  

District Membership Chair John T. Capps, III, Membership Committee Member Gene McClendon and their helper and Gene's grandson, 7 year old Ian Calmes, shared their "Win One, Keep One" membership message with the club during the August 27 Rotary program at the Newport Rotary Club. Simply put:

1. We all have a "Web of Influence", friends, relatives, associates and neighbors who would make good Rotarians and who would fit our Rotary club! 
2. We know why we are in Rotary- now we need to communicate that to others! 
3. We have a great tradition, great people, and an active service program in the Newport community- we have a great opportunity to share what we think is a great thing! 
4. We only have to get one member each to join to significantly increase our ability to serve the community- it's "do-able" for each of us.
5. It's time to reach those future Rotarians, and give them some of the advantages of service and fun that we have enjoyed during our Rotary experience.   

Thanks to John T., Gene, and Ian for their inspirational program! 

Newport Rotary Project Featured on District Website

The news about Newport Rotary is getting around. See the District article about the Newport School- First Day of School Cleanup. See the Newport Rotary website article here. The article was submitted by Assistant Governor Bill Kaeser. Thanks, Bill!

Newport Rotarian speaks on Caribbean Projects

Past President Pam Wall of Newport Rotary was a panelist Saturday on the Projects Panel at the District 7730 Rotary Foundation Seminar. She addressed the group on opportunities to partner on grants and "twin" with specific Caribbean area Rotary clubs to advance projects and fellowship opportunities. Other panelist addressed grants in India, El Salvador, Mexico, and grant topics such as Water & Sanitation and Literacy.

Pam is the District 7730 "Caribbean Partnership" Chair, has worked cooperatively with numerous Caribbean clubs on grants and training, and attended last year's Caribbean partnership Celebration in the Washington DC area. See the Caribbean Partnership website for more information at: http://www.caribbeanpartnership.org/wordpress/.  

Town Engages in Strategic Planning

David Heath

Town Councilman David Heath was the featured speaker at the Newport Rotary Club Community Program on August 20, 2012 at the Newport Rotary Building.

Councilman Heath spoke about Newport's efforts at strategic planning and the status of several town iniatives. The strategic planning process is being guided with assistance from the Carteret County Economic Development Council and is being led by Councilman Heath and Councilman (and Rotary President) Steve Blizzard. Some of the very important issues being addressed include water and sewer needs, management of growth, zoning, and promotion of business and job opportunities.

Newport Rotary has a dedicated community program scheduled monthly throughout this Rotary year.

Service Project: First Day of School Cleanup

Newport Rotarians organized and invited its members and friends to join new Newport Elementary School Principal Richard Paylor in "sprucing up" the garden beds in the front of the school just in time for the arrival of staff and students in the coming weeks. It was a great way to introduce Newport Rotary to their new elementary school principal after years of conducting projects at the school. Newport Rotary conducts the Dictionary Project giveaway of free dictionaries to all school third graders annually, organizes the Halloween Hootenanny in which the students participate, and have conducted numerous hands-on, joint service projects with individual classes over the years. Participating were Town Mayor Derryl Garner, Grocer Joe Garner, Attorney Bevin Wall, Spa Owner Pam Wall, Law Enforcement Officer Jack Askew, Realtor RuthAnn Sluss, Retired Col. Hal Clark, and guest McKenzie Wall. Thanks to the Town of Newport for donating the mulch!

Adkins Encourages Peace Through Service

Pres. Steve and Gov. Don discuss an active Rotary
program with the Board

District Governor Don Adkins made his official visit to Newport Rotary for the year on July 30, 2012, and encouraged the club to embody this years's Rotary theme "Peace through Service". He recognized the club for its tangible service in the Newport community, including recent projects in downtown Newport and planned projects such as the community Halloween Hootenanny. Governor Don thanked the club for its support of worldwide Polio eradication efforts and for support of the humanitarian and educational programs of our Rotary Foundation. He encouraged Newport Rotarians to "keep doing what you are doing", encourage membership growth, and participate in upcoming district events like the Foundation Seminar, Foundation Banquet, and District Conference.

Service Project: Downtown Beautification

July 16, 2012 Service Project of the Newport Rotary Club. ROTARIANS AT WORK!

Rotary Social Enjoyed by All

Enjoy these pictures from the Hotdog Cookout at Newport Rotary Social held at the home of Bevin & Pam Wall on July 23, 2012. Visiting Morehead City Noon Rotarians are John T. Capps, III and Stephen Hellersperk.

Newport Rotary Project Signs Posted

Chatham Street at The Teacherage

Chatham Street by the Gym

Recent Newport Rotary Beautification Projects in downtown Newport were marked with temporary "Newport Rotary Project" signs containing the Rotary Wheel. It helps for people to know who it is that is doing all this good stuff around town...

Councilman Sworn in as Rotary President

President Blizzard (2nd from left) and
the Officers of Newport Rotary 

Steve Blizzard, a Councilman in Newport, was sworn in on July 2, 2012 as the 63rd President of the Newport Rotary Club.

President Blizzard, who grew up in Newport, returned to the area after his retirement from the US Air Force. He currently operates as a Military subcontractor and advisor.

He was sworn in by Past District Governors in the club, local attorney, Bevin Wall and Town Mayor Derryl Garner. In his remarks, President Blizzard stressed the importance of the Rotary club to the town, the necessity to work with and support other local organizations, and the need to strengthen the service provided  by the club in visible ways.

Local Community Service Projects Discussed

Pres. Steve Blizzard leads community projects discussion

Newport Rotarians met on July 9, 2012 at the Newport Rotary Building and discussed numerous proposed service projects for the 2012-13 Rotary year. President Steve Blizzard led the roundtable discussion with club members participating.

Chief among the projects was the clubs agreement to coordinate the Newport Halloween Hootenany October 31, 2012 at the Little League Park.

Other monthly projects planned include a Downtown Flower Bed Beautification Project (July), a cooperative project with the Bud N Shrub garden Club to beautify the Blue Star Memorial Highway entrance into town (August), Assistance to Elementary School Teachers with Bulletin Board / Classroom preparation (August), Newport Little League Seventh Inning Stretch and Ice Cream Treat (August), Blood Drive with the Red Cross, The Halloween Hootenany (October), Food Drive for Matthew 25 Food Pantry (November) and Christmas Tree Trimming at the Croatan Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (December).    

Newport Rotary Banner Exchanged with Argentina Club

Group Study Exchange Team Leader John Scibal of Morehead City recent concluded a Newport Rotary Club Banner exchange with the Rotary Club of Caballito, Argentina as part of the Group Study Exchange with the Argentinian District.

Group Study Exchange is a program of our Rotary Foundation that sends teams of Non Rotarian young professionals to other countries for cultural and vocation exchange.

The Argentina GSE Team visited the Newport Rotary Club in April. Click here for the story.

Second Blessings Founder Lowery Speaks to Club

Rev. Bob Lowery from Second Blessings was the featured speaker at a recent Newport Rotary Club meeting.

Rev. Lowery related his life experiences growing up in the Newport community, and talked about the importance of youth activities in his life, especially youth baseball. He also spoke about some of the formative influences in his life, including town icon Leon Mann, Jr, who helped teach him about photography. His life changed for the better when he matured some and then found the Lord, resulting in his community mission though Second Blessings.

New Coastal Community Action Director Shares Agency Mission

Ms. Dickson, the new CCA Director, answers
questions from club members after the program

Paula Dickson, the new Executive Director of Coastal Community Action, was the program at Newport Rotary Monday night, April 9, 2012. She told us about her experiences leading up to her selection as CCA Executive Director, and an explained the various programs CCA operates in their 7 county service area.

Ms. Dickson worked with a Christian ministry in the Oakland, CA for many years gaining experience in relevant areas that community action agencies operate, and later moved into working with community action agencies in that area and in several areas in Wyoming. She praised Rotary for the community involvement she had witnessed at each stop of her professional life. She has been Executive Director at Carteret Community Action for 2 weeks.  

CCA is a 501(c)(3) charity, and is one of about 1,200 community action agencies across the country. The goal of the agency is to help improve lives by providing needed resources and support, with an aim toward breaking the cycle of poverty. It manages and operates a broad mix of senior, family and housing services including Head Start, Self-Sufficiency, Weatherization, Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, Retired Senior Volunteers Program, and Section 8 HUD Housing.

Rotarians shared that CCA was started by Leon Mann, Jr., the former Mayor of Newport, and member of the Rotary club, and PDG Bevin Wall was a long-time Board Member and Chair of the Board.

Argentine GSE Team Shares their Story with Newport Rotarians & Guests

View a slideshow from the March 19, 2012 Newport Rotary Club program featuring the five members of the Argentine GSE Team.

Judicial Candidate Kirby Smith Addresses Club

Attorney Kirby Smith from New Bern addresses the club on the
duties of a District Court Judge. He is a non-partisan candidate for
the vacant judgeship created upon the retirement of Chief Judge
Jerry F. Waddell, Jr. in January 2012.  

Judicial candidate Kirby Smith answers a question from the floor during the
March 13, 2012 Meeting of the Newport Rotary Club.

Christmas Cheer Delivered by Newport Rotarians to Elderly

Newport Rotarians Steve Blizzard, Bevin Wall,
RuthAnn Sluss and Amos Parker are all involved
in making the Tree decorating a success! 

Two weeks before Christmas, Newport Rotarians visited Croatan Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newport, put up the facilitaties Christmas Tree, and delivered loads of good cheer to the residents!

Christmas music was played, and a good time was had by all!

Click here for more pictures of Newport Rotarians in action!

Rotarians Install Park Bench Downtown

President Jim Everett (center), and Rotarians including (from left to right)
Amos Parker, Manley Smith and Winston Reese, install the bench.  

Newport Rotarians continued a 5 year project of installing high-quality, permanent Rotary Blue Benches in strategic pedestrian high-travel areas around the Newport community.

The new bench was placed along the Chatham Street corridor across from Newport Elementary School, and at the edge of the downtown area served by sidewalks. The bench is located on property owned by the Howard Family, the former "Teacherage' Building now housing the Newport Historical Society.

The other benches are located on Howard Boulevard, one near the Hwy 70 & Howard Boulevard intersection, and the other in the front of the Newport Rotary Building across from the Newport Town Park and Town Hall. There is a continuous sidewalk connecting those areas and running to Chatham Street.

See more pictures of Rotarians in action in Newport! 

Dictionary Project a Great Success

NRC President Jim Everett and Rtn. RuthAnn Sluss
give each student their own personalized dictionary. 

Newport Rotarians delivered free dictionaries to all 2nd graders at the local elementary schools including Newport Elementary.

Newport Rotary started this project over 15 years ago, spread the project countywide, and have given free dictionaries to thousands of Newport elementary school students!

See more pictures of Newport Rotarians in action!