Local Insurance Agent to Speak

Michelle Garcia

Michelle Garcia, Agency Owner of the Havelock Allstate Agency will be our guest speaker on Monday January 8, 2018 at Newport Rotary. She will be speaking about her involvement in the local community and trying to make a difference. Michelle tries to be involved with as many positive community events and programs as possible, including the local domestic violence shelter. She was also a Newport Halloween Hootenanny sponsor and participant. Guests are welcome. 

Holiday Wishes

Newport Rotarians, We had a great time with everybody at the club Christmas party at Bevin & Pam Wall's house last night. Thanks for all the help from many difference quarters to make it a success. We missed those who could not attend. Please also keep your thoughts and prayers with the Derryl Garner family during this holiday season. We miss him! A joyous holiday season to all! Bevin & Pam Wall

Dec 4 Program- RSVP

Dora Jones from Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) will be the program on December 4, 2017 at Newport Rotary. Bring a guest! 

PDG Derryl Garner Passes

With sadness we report the passing of Past District Governor Derryl Garner of Newport Rotary on December 3, 2017. His funeral service will be held at Newport Baptist Church on Thursday at 11:00am, officiated by Dr. Gary Carroll and Reverend Jack Bowen. Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Newport. 

Information on Mundenfuneralhome.net. 

Ushering in the Christmas Season with our Seniors!

There's no better group of Rotarians anywhere, than Newport Rotarians. They all have such loving, giving spirits – and this afternoon was a grand example of just that. We gathered together at Croatan Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newport to kick off their Christmas Season. As residents crowded into the Dining Hall…they were greeted with cheery hello’s, a beautifully decorated tree, platters of cakes and cookies, and gifts for everyone. The festivities got underway quickly as Josie Mullin tuned her ukulele, and she and Rick Moreau led everyone in singing well-known Christmas carols and tunes. A friendly visitor, Leslie Goff, sang a beautiful acapella solo of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Refreshments followed the singing and then the gift giving began. Rotarians Pam and Bevin Wall, Lindsay and Matt Shortway, Erin Smith, Larry and Sharon Howard, Browning Sanderson, Josie Mullin, Maher Saikali and Rick and Anita Moreau got to play Santa Claus – ably aided by little elves – Donna Kelly, Rachel and Levi Shortway, Adalyn Grace Smith, and Elijah, Ephraim and Levi Goff. Activity Director Cami Barden was absolutely thrilled with all that was done – and we are talking now about planning another “get together” in the spring. Every resident received a gift (blankets and Christmas trinkets and ornaments). One lovely woman was moved to tears by her purple blanket – “how did you know it was my favorite color”. The only thing missing is a picture – we were so busy having fun that we absolutely forgot to take any – so you’ll just have to use your imagination to see how big those smiles were. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in any way…and a special thanks to those who rolled and wrapped the blankets, the ukulele strummer and all the carolers. Pres. Anita. 

Kick Off Christmas at Croatan Ridge!

Tuesday, the 28th of November, is our Christmas kick off at Croatan Ridge. It is scheduled to start at 2 PM...and shouldn't last more than an hour...if you get there at 1:50 we should be good. We are providing cookies, gifts, song, smiles and lots of Christmas cheer. You met the activity director, Cami Barden, at the last meeting..and she is so excited about our participation. So come get your Christmas on - if you have a Santa hat - bring it along. Josie said she will bring her Ukelele... we have books with all the words for the songs... and like my old pastor used to say... if you can't sing, whistle... if you can't whistle, hum... if you can't hum, grunt - but come and show the folks there a good time. See you Tuesday. Pres. Anita. 

Bill Gates says Polio End Game is Near

This article was flagged by Newport Rotary's Browning Sanderson. Read it here. 

Newport Rotary Wraps Blankets for Seniors

Newport Rotarians & family help wrap Holiday Blankets for Seniors.
The blankets will be part of the Holiday packages delivered at our
upcoming holiday visit to Croatan Ridge Nursing Home in Newport.  

Food Drive a Huge Success

The food drive was a huge success - thanks to everyone who participated - Newport Rotary's Larry Howard, Anita Moreau, Rick Moreau, Steve Blizzard, Matt Shortway, and Friends of Rotary Tammy Blizzard, Grace Blizzard and Erin Smith...it wouldn't have happened without you. Because so much food was collected, we cut the whole thing short by 45 minutes...but, we will schedule another one for the spring, the week before Easter - I'll let you know the particulars in plenty of time to put it on the calendar. Pres. Anita.  More on the Food Drive.  

Free Third Grade Dictionaries Delivered

Newport Rotary delivered dictionaries to local third graders at Newport Elementary and Grammercy School this past week.

Newport Rotary has been providing each third grade student with their own dictionary since 1996, when they started the project county-wide.

Participating were Rotarians Maher Saikali (Coordinator), Anita Jo Eadie, Larry Howard, and Matt Shortway.    

Save the Date- Food Drive

SAVE THE DATE

NOVEMBER 18TH – 10 AM UNTIL 2PM

ROTARY SPONSORED FOOD DRIVE FOR

MATTHEW 25 FOOD PANTRY

NEWPORT NEIGHBORHOOD WALMART

HIGHWAY 70, NEWPORT

WE NEED ALL HANDS TO GIVE AN HOUR or MORE

MATTHEW 25 WILL PROVIDE SNACKS AND DRINKS AND WILL TRANSPORT ALL FOODS COLLECTED TO THE PANTRY

WE NEED YOU TO GREET WALMART CUSTOMERS BEFORE THEY GO INSIDE, SMILE, GIVE THEM A LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS AND THANK THEM PROFUSELY.

WE ARE ROTARY – SERVICE ABOVE SELF – HELPING THE COMMUNITY OF NEWPORT THRIVE.

Upcoming Newport Seasonal Events

List of events the Town of Newport has to offer:

Dec. 2nd Winter Fest: Winter Fest will be held from 4 to 6pm at the Newport Community Park under the large pavilion. This is a free event for all ages. Santa will be there, there will be a selfie booth, Christmas games and craft activities, hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas Carolers, 2 Christmas story telling time, and the lighting of the Town’s Christmas Tree.

Dec 3rd is Newport’s annual Christmas parade. This begins at 3pm and will go down Chatham St.

Dec. 6th Tryon Palace Trip: You will need to be at the Community Park by 8:30am so we can be to the Palace by 9:30am. The Cost is $10 and transportation is included. Seating is limited and the deadline to sign up is Dec. 1st. Contact Kathy Jo Buttery at Town Hall to reserve your spot; 252-223-4749 or email recreation@townofnewport.com. Bring a bag lunch. For ages 50 and over. But must be able to get around on your own. There is a lot of walking involved with the trip.

Dec. 31st New Year’s Eve Celebration: This event will take place at the Community Park. Time to be announced.

The town is also working on providing a bath scrub/salt class, painting class, jewelry class, basket weaving class, glass fusion class and they are also working with the Health Dept. on offering some type of nutrition class.

If there is something that you are interested in doing please let us know, we want your feedback. You can send your ideas to Kathy Jo Buttery at Town Hall at recreation@townofnewport.com or call 252-223-4749.

Newport Rotary Receives Multiple Foundation Awards

Newport Rotary's support of The Rotary Foundation was on display Saturday night, Nov. 4, 2017 in Wallace NC at the District 7730 Rotary Foundation Banquet. Pres. Anita Moreau and Pres-Elect Rick Moreau were in attendance to pick up numerous 2016-17 awards on behalf of Past President Maher Saikali, who could not attend. PDG Bevin Wall, who received an individual recognition, and Past President Pam Wall were also in attendance. Newport Rotary's District Grant - "The Home [Cooking] on the Range" Project with our partner, our local food pantry, was also on display. The support awards are noted in the photo captions, below.

Newport Rotary recognized as an EREY Every Member Every Year Club

Newport Rotary receives 100% Foundation Member Giving Award

Newport Rotary recognized as 100% Sustaining Member Club (min $100 per member) 

Newport Rotarian Receives Highest Rotary Foundation Award

Past District Governor Bevin Wall of Newport Rotary was recognized on November 4, 2017 with The Rotary Foundation's highest award. Read more.  

Hootenanny a Great Success

See the article & photos on the Hootenanny web site! http://newport-hootenanny.blogspot.com/

All Hands on Deck for the Hootenanny

We need everyone! This is our big day!

Newport Rotarians report 2pm.

Volunteers Report 5pm.

Hootenanny 6-9pm

Cleanup usually over by 10pm.

Pam, Bevin & Anita Jo... Hootenanny Coordinators

New Club Photo Posted on the Member Page

Click here for the photo. 

Newport Rotary Supports Solar Light Project in Puerto Rico

Newport Rotary Club members, Thank you for your kind contribution to the Light Up the Night campaign. It will be of great help to those in need of electricity in Puerto Rico. Most recent news about restoring power are not good and they may mean further delays and more challenges for the population. We are in touch with Rotarians in Puerto Rico who have been working tirelessly distributing food, water and other supplies to families in rural areas. They are excited about the solar lights we will bring as they have seen the need everywhere they have gone.
Thank you again for your generosity!


Magda G. Baggett, Past District Governor, Chair, Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief, Rotary District 7730, Southeastern North Carolina

We Are Busy... Upcoming Newport Rotary Events

There are a lot of important dates coming up in your Rotary life - but we'll try to make them as fun and easy as we can. I know the holiday season brings many obligations and opportunities - so I wanted to give this information to put on your calendar as early as possible. The success of our Service Projects depends on you.

• First and foremost - OCTOBER 31...the HOOTENANNY - we need everyone to give as much as they are able in time and energy.
• November 4 - the Rotary Foundation Banquet in Wallace - a chance to mix and mingle with fellow Rotarians from Eastern North Carolina
• November 6 - Rotary meeting - we're bringing Josie Mullin into the fold
• November 7 - Dictionary Presentation at Gramercy School - 2:15 to 2:45 - this is a fun thing to do.
• November 13 - Dictionary Presentation at Newport Elementary School - 10-11:30 AM - - it's a fun thing to do.
• Nov 28 - 2 PM - Croatan Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center - Christmas tree trimming, cookies with the residents - caroling and gift giving. The folks there look forward to our visit - and we look forward to being with them. On a side note -several years ago Newport Rotary built, installed and then planted outside gardens raised gardens for the residents to use and enjoy. They are still being used - and in fact, they have been the source of fresh vegetables and flowers for Croatan Ridge. It's good to know that we can give gifts to the community that keep on giving.
• Dec 4 - Regular meeting - Our speaker will be Dora Jones from Coastal Community Action

Note: because we have the service projects listed above, we will not have a meeting on November 20th...so your help with the service projects will count as a meeting - and Thanksgiving week is all yours. So mark your calendars - try to carve out a bit of time - it only takes a little of that to leave a lasting impression. 

District Rotary Foundation Banquet is Approaching

Past RI President Ron Burton will speak! 

Several Newport Rotarians will be attending the Foundation Banquet on November 4th in Wallace and have offered to arrange a carpool if anyone is interested in going. It's a "dress up" event  and would make an enjoyable evening out. Call Bevin Wall for carpool information. Former Rotary International President, Ron Burton will be the speaker. You can register for the event on the District 7730 website at www.rotary7730.org. See the sidebar for November 4th. 

Info: District 7730 Foundation Banquet, River Landing Clubhouse, Wallace, NC, Registration: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Cash Bar: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Introductions: 6:00 pm, Buffet Service: 6:16 pm, Program: 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm. The cost is $40 per person.  

Hootenanny Prep Schedule

Newport Rotarians, here is the work schedule for the Hootenanny. All meetings will be at the Newport Rotary Building unless otherwise specified. Names listed of those who volunteered at the 10/16 meeting.

• Thurs, Oct. 19 2pm-5pm (at Bevin & Pam's house): Anita M, Rick M. 
• Mon, Oct. 23 2pm-5pm:  Matt, Anita Jo, Maher 
• Sun, Oct. 29 2pm-5pm: Anita Jo, [Need Volunteers]  
• Mon, Oct. 30 2pm-5pm: Anita M, Rick M., Maher     
• Tues, Oct. 31 2pm-5pm: Anita M, Rick M., Maher. All Club Members must be on site by 4pm.  

Call Pam if you have any questions. 

October 16 2017 Meeting: Hootenanny Approaches

The October 16, 2017 Newport Rotary meeting will be a work session regarding our upcoming event, the Newport Halloween Hootenanny. All members need to attend. This is our big event for the year!  

Oct 2: Habitat for Humanity Program

Newport Rotary October 2, 2017 5:30pm Program: Mac Sligh, Resource Development Director with Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity. 

Bring a Guest. 

October 2 is Picture Day

In addition to the other things we will be doing at our Oct 2, 2017 Meeting, we will be taking a official group picture.

Wear your Rotary gear (no hats), or other comfortable clothes.

We will take it after the meeting, so plan to stick around for a bit.

Welcome to our Sept 18 Meeting!

All are welcomed to join us at Newport Rotary. Our "newer Rotarian group" is putting together a program, we will update on the Hootenanny and other projects and activities in progress. 

We welcome Mark & Anita Eadie as new members! 

Please note the Hospice signup that was previously circulated.

Newport Rotarian Collects for TX Hurricane Relief

Newport Rotarian Rick Smith at 75% Off Mattresses at Ocean Way Plaza, Newport (beside First Citizens Bank) is coordinating hurricane relief supplies to go on a 4-Wheeler bound for Texas. Donations of any emergency supplies, canned food, water, clothes, batteries, toiletries, etc are welcome. Donations will be accepted through 4pm Wednesday 8/30/2017 at the store location and will be immediately shipped out. Contact Rick for more information at 7889rick@gmail.com.  

Hurricane Supplies heading West

Newport Rotary Project Welcomes Students on the First Day of School

(l-r) Rotarians Browning Sanderson, Matt Shortway, Julia Saikali,
Pres. Anita Moreau, Rick Moreau, (not pictured: Rick Smith,
Bevin Wall) manicure the entry and grounds of Newport
Elementary School for the first day of school for students 8/28. 

Flowers add a festive touch. Thanks, Rick Smith! 

All mowed, trimmed, weedeated and blown... very nice! 

First Day of School Cleanup at Newport Elementary School 8/27/2017

Hi everybody - This Sunday, August 27th, 2017 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm we are going to clean up the front of Newport Elementary. Please bring your yard tool of choice and a pair of gloves! The kids start school on Monday and it doesn't take very long to make the front of the school look great when we have several people helping. Have a wonderful weekend! Hope to see you Sunday :) Julia Saikali, Project Leader.

Service Message from President Anita

Dear All... We just spent a wonderful 5 hours at a Foundation Seminar...and got word that we have our grant to help the Homeless shelter. What a privilege...but there is so much out there that we can do after that. I am always ready to attend a seminar, or RLI - but what really excites me is that there are so many opportunities for all of you to do the same. There is so much energy when you are with a group of people who want to do good - and the Foundation is there to facilitate all of that. Service Above Self - it's such a great way to live - making life good for many. Let's start looking at opportunities for all of you to learn, get involved and being part of "good people doing good stuff"...in the words of Morehead Noon Rotary President, Gene McLendon. I have some interesting statistics to pass along to you at our September 18th meeting - some numbers that open doors to a myriad of opportunities to do good stuff right here in Newport. Smiles, Pres. Anita Moreau

Cleanup Day Mission Accomplished

During the August 21, 2017 Work Session, Rotarians pitched in to clean out our back room storage closet, make some building repairs, and generally get things ready for the upcoming Hootenanny Season! Mission accomplished!

Hootenanny Chair Pam Wall leads the cleaning charge! 

How tall is that ceiling?

Just WOW! 

Work Session: August 21 at Newport Rotary

We are meeting this Monday, August 21, 2017 at 5:30pm for a work session.

Our goal is to organize our back storage room so that we can prepare a "kids area" for the back so that we can provide daycare/independent space for member kids during meetings.

We will combine work with "social time"! See you there- and invite a guest! 

Service Opportunity: Salvation Army

Fellow Rotarians, Mark your calendars for an opportunity to support the Salvation Army...They're having a Land Dedication Ceremony - 3025 Bridges Street, Morehead City, NC - Wednesday Aug 23rd at 1100 AM...if it rains, they'll be in the Impact Church Sanctuary. This is a big move for the Salvation Army - Pres. Anita

Upcoming: Aug 26 is Foundation Seminar

Click here for information and registration. 

Service Opportunity: Newport Community Festival

On September 9, 2017, from 10am-2pm, Newport will be having a Community Festival. The festival will include Touch a Truck, old school games, many different types of craft vendor, live history and dance demonstrations, and a mini food truck rodeo. We are in need of volunteers to help with this event. If anyone is interested they can contact Kathy Jo Buttery at 252-223-4749 or email her at recreation@townofnewport.com. There is a form that will need to be filled out. Here is a ...list of areas we will need volunteers: Old school games, dance floor helpers, information tent, set up and take down, bounce houses, parking lot attendants, and possibly the country store. We would like volunteers to sign up for 2 ½ hour intervals, or they can stay all day if they would like. If you can commit ahead of time please let us know. Your help in any way would be greatly appreciated! If are able to help - make sure you wear a Rotary pin, shirt, hat or jacket - Click here for the brochure.  Thanks. Pres. Anita.

August 7 Meeting: District Governor Visits

District Governor R.B. Richey of Wilmington will be our guest Monday evening, August 7, 2017 and deliver his official address to the club. He will meet with the Board at 5:00. Guests are welcome!

Let's have a good turnout to hear about about what Rotary is doing in our communities and world.  

Pool Scenes. How long has it been?

Newport Rotarians and their children enjoy the Summer Pool Party at Maher
and Mary Saikali's house on July 31. How long has it been since Rotarian's
children made such a splash at Newport Rotary! It's Great! 

Pres. Anita Shares Hospice Thank You

Newport Rotarians... I received a nice thank you note for us from The Hospice House - they found the dinner to be delicious...and really appreciated it. I'll bring the note to the meeting to share it, but want to let you know that you touched the hearts of lots of people. We were able to visit a friend while we were there delivering the food...his wife is spending her last days being well taken care of. You are a great family - thanks for all you do. Pres. Anita Moreau

July 31 Pool Party

Newport Rotarians and guests will enjoy at Pool Party 7/31 at Past Pres. Maher Saikali's house in Phillips Landing. 5:30 - until!

Bring something... 

District Surpasses Foundation Annual Fund Goal, Newport Rotary Among Leaders

District 7730 Annual Fund Chair Steve Hellersperk announced this week that District 7730 (Southeast NC) had surpassed its giving goal for the year raising over $250,000 for the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation and becoming an "Arch Klumph District".

Newport Rotary was in the top 4 clubs of over 50 clubs in support of the Annual Fund of the Foundation with a three year per capita average (showing consistency) of $327.27 per capita. Congratulations to Past Pres. Maher Saikali and his team. 

We Painted the Town, and other news...

Guest Jessica, Rtns. Julia & Pam keep the sodas chillin' 

BIG...BIG THANK YOU - to everyone who braved the heat to help today...what a great turnout of Rotarians we had to man the hot dog/chips/sodas - it was great fun and fellowship - and one of us (not mentioning any names Pam Wall) brought her broken foot along. So in the midst of this learning experience, we found that when it gets this hot, the cotton candy isn't a great idea - but you gotta try it once...we'll save it for the Hootenanny.

Many, many thanks to Julia Saikali, Rick Moreau, Bevin and Pam Wall (and their niece Jessica), Steve and Tammy Blizzard and Matt and Lindsay Shortway. It was a hot day - but Kinetico provided cold water...there were lots of tents for shade...and it was great watching the walls come to life. 

Bevin and Julia will be sending out an email with information about a pool party on July 31st at Saikali's...should be a great time. We missed those who couldn't make it this time - but there will be other chances to have fun.

Don't forget, we have a dinner for the Hospice House scheduled for Wednesday August 2nd - we still need pasta salad for 10 and some sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. We (the Newport Rotary) received a nice thank you note from the Hospice House for the dinner we delivered on the 19th - it was a big hit...  Thanks again for all you do... Pres. Anita

Paint the Town Celebration

Newport Rotary will provide lunch at the "Paint The Town" Community Mural Celebration on July 22, 2017 from 10am - 2pm at Shortway Brewing Company, Chatham Street, Downtown Newport. This is a fundraiser for the Halloween Hootenanny and other community projects. Click here for the event flyer. Contact Matt Shortway if you have questions about the event. shortwaybrewing@gmail.com

New Leadership Team Installed

Pres. Anita Moreau

Newport Rotary has new leadership! President Anita Moreau will guide the club during the 2017-18 Rotary year where the Rotary theme is "Rotary: Making a Difference". She and other club officers and committee members were sworn in during a change of leadership ceremony at the club's regular meeting on July 17, 2017.

The new club leadership, by position, can be viewed under the "Leadership" tab on this website.

Confirmed was 2018-19 President-Elect Richard Moreau and the club selected Julia Saikali to serve as Club President in 2019-20.  

Reflections on a Successful 2016-17 Rotary Year

2016-17 Pres. Maher Saikali 

The Rotary "year" ends June 30, so as new officers take over Newport Rotary, it is fitting to reflect briefly on some accomplishments of the club, before the new group blaze their trail.

Pres. Maher Saikali and his team are to be congratulated on an exemplary year of service to the community, support of Rotary goals, financial stewardship, and diversifying the club's membership base. Newport Rotary is among the top 17% of clubs in the district meeting the RI President's Citation Goals for the year. We are strong supporters of The Rotary Foundation, with 100% of club members being "sustainers" at the $100 per year level, and many more going above that with additional personal contributions, leading to club support level of over $325 per person. We are consistently among the top 10 clubs in giving by size and participation in grant funded projects.      

Newport Rotary's model of 1 "meeting" and 1 "service project per month is a good fit for the community and our members. Our new dues discount of 50% for the 2nd family member has been well received. We are in the community at least monthly for community events and projects at our local schools, parks, care homes, hospice, and local businesses. Monthly programs are a mix of "speaker" programs and planning programs, both geared toward informing and engaging our members. Newport Rotary's building, one of only two owned buildings in the district, is an asset to the community and is wholly supported by dues and rental income. Our fundraising for projects, primarily through the Halloween Hootenanny, is strong. For the first time in recent memory, there is (modest) money to fund projects and grants for the next year. Membership is still a priority for this year, but we are building on the success of last year's 45% membership increase, and significant lowering of our average age in the process. More importantly, those newer members bring energy, fun and a new circle of friends and family to the club. The future for Newport Rotary is bright.  The energy fueled by "Service Above Self" is back in Newport. The welcome mat is out for more to share in the fun! 

Leadership Transition Meeting July 17 & other dates to remember!

There is no Newport Rotary July 10.

The next meeting is our Leadership Transition Meeting on July 17 at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. Please join us as we celebrate with Pres. Anita, thank Past Pres. Maher, and set our course for 2017-18! Bring a Guest!

The District Membership Meeting is August 5, in Wilmington. We hope to have a group go, since this is a priority area for us! BUILD ON SUCCESS!

The Governor is scheduled to be with us on August 7.  Make sure it is on your calendar, and bring a guest! 

June 19 Meeting: Club hears about local "Friends of Aging"

Newport Rotary heard from guest speaker Pat Wesson on June 19 on the topic of the Council on Aging.

Rick & Erin Smith were both inducted into the club as members. They are proprietors of SuperCenter Mattress & Furniture Sales in Ocean Way Plaza.

Guest, Gus Davis of Riverside Pizza, set up our food for the meeting.

Rotary Foundation Contribution Deadline Approaches

Newport Rotarians, Please remember that June 30 is the cut off day for donations to The Rotary Foundation to count toward our 2016-17 Club Goals. Contributions can be made online through your My Rotary account. If you need help accessing your account, please contact Club Secretary Bevin Wall. For your information, Newport Rotary donates a sustaining member contribution annually of $100 per member, which has already been made this year for all of our current members.

From President Elect Anita - Consider RLI

Pres Elect Anita Moreau

Rick and I are in Cary for the 2017 Zone 33 training seminar - and looking for good input from all those who are attending. It's drizzly outside, so it's a good day to spend inside fellowshipping and learning with other Rotarians. We will share what we learn with you - and bring back as much as we can. As we learn, we will step aside and for all of you to experience what we are doing now. 

 Please consider working RLI - Rotary Leadership Institute - into your future plans. Rick and I will finish our 3 sections up in September - and would like to have some of you consider those September Saturdays as well. You don't have to do it all at once - in fact you can't, but what great fun and learning we had at our first section in Jacksonville (NC) - the club will pay the tuition - We have found that what we learn in RLI transitions well into so many areas of life/people interaction/business dealing/other organizations.

Look for more after this weekend - have some great family and friend time - life is too short to fritter it away. Smiles - Anita

Newport Rotary Wishes Happy 100th Birthday to Our Rotary Foundation

See Newport's well wished in the blue box left center!
At the RI Convention- Atlanta GA USA

Newport Rotarians Attend International Convention

Bevin & Pam Wall in the ATL

Newport Rotary's Bevin & Pam Wall and Pres-Elect Anita Moreau and Rick all attended the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta last week. They brought back lots of good stuff.

Bevin Wall also presented the program at the Morehead City Lookout Rotary Club this morning on the topic of the RI Convention!  

June 19 - Council on Aging Program

Join us on Monday June 19, 2017 at 5:30pm for our monthly program meeting.

Pat Wesson from the Council on Aging will be our guest speaker.

Visitors welcome.  

Photos from Bench Cleaning Service Project

Click here for the photos... 

The Newport Rotary Cleaning Crew- circa 6/5/2017

Clean Up Service Hour set for Monday June 5, 2017

Rotarians will do some cleaning up around Newport during their Monday, June 5, 2017 service project hour.

Rotarians will meet at the regular time and plan to leave the Rotary Building with assignments at 5:30pm.

We expect to clean our 3 Rotary benches on town walkways (installed as Rotary Foundation projects several years ago) and do some light yard maintenance on the couple of "Rotary corners" flower/ landscaping beds in town.

Bring buckets, cleaning supplies, scrubbers, and light yard tools like rakes, hoes, trowels, weeders and garbage bags. We may have a few flowers to plant! 

May 22 Partner's Meal a Success!

New Member Matt Shortway enjoys the Rotary Partners
"Surf & Turf" Meal on May 22, 2017.
Our thanks to everyone who helped!
20 Rotarians and guests in attendance! 

The Newport Rotary Cookout is ON!

We are excited about our numbers for the Newport Rotary Cookout for Monday Night in appreciation of spouses & S.O.'s.

Our cook team will assemble at 5pm with food served at 6:30pm.

It is a strictly fellowship meeting with no formal program. We may talk a little Rotary or do a Q&A during the fellowship part...

Make sure to greet our incoming members (induction 6/19): Rick Smith, Erin Smith & Browning Sanderson.  

See you there.

Rotary Dinner postponed to next week

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Rotary Dinner scheduled for tonight, May 15, 2017 has been postponed to next Monday, May 22. Cooks meet at 5:30 and meet at 6:30 for dinner and a short program!
Thanks for your understanding!      

Open House: Edward Jones

One of the newest businesses in Newport, Edward Jones, and Financial Advisor Browning Sanderson invite you to their open house at 7025 Highway 70, Suite E, Ocean Way Plaza, Newport, NC on Friday afternoon, May 5, 2017 from noon until 5:00 pm.

Come by and support this new business in Newport.

Browning is an pending applicant for membership in Newport Rotary!

2 Is Better Than 1- Service Projects

Today's Newport Rotary meeting is replaced by 2 service projects for Josh the Otter, including one for Gramercy School first graders on May 10, time TBA.

Guys- we are cooking for the ladies on May 15 post "Mother's Day". We are accepting recipe ideas now!    

Photos: Josh the Otter at Newport Elementary

Josh the Otter,
a Newport Rotary Presentation -
starring:
Julia Saikali, Storyteller
Anita Moreau, Maher Saikali, Page Turners
Bevin Wall, Introduction, Photographer
Lindsay Shortway, Kid Corraler
and Matt Shortway as "Josh the Otter"   

Click here for the photos.

See the article on the Josh the Otter project. 

Service Project - Josh the Otter

Newport Rotary will present Josh the Otter and his water safety message to Newport Elementary School students on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.  This is the third year of our participation in this project, and is part of a county-wide effort to reach all the schools. All member are requested to meet in the Newport Elementary School front parking lot at Noon for the 12:30 presentation. Please email NRC President Maher Saikali if you can't attend, or if you have any questions. 

April 17 Speaker: Smiths to Speak on Leading by Action

Newport businessperson Rick Smith

Local businessperson Rick Smith and his wife, Erin, will be the speakers at Newport Rotary at the April 17, 2017 5:30pm meeting at the Newport Rotary Building. The couple will speak on leading by action in the local community, and will reference their ongoing fundraising for several causes including The Storehouse Food Pantry, Crystal Coast Care for Women pregnancy center; and supporting a classroom at Newport Elementary School. Rick and Erin own Super Center 75% Off Mattresses & Furniture in Ocean Way Plaza, Newport.

Also on tap for the meeting are:

• a visit by Rotary District Governor R.B. Richey of Wilmington, 
• a discussion of Spring service projects, 
• a Newport Pig Cooking service project wrap up from last weekend [why don't we cook a pig next year, one member asks!], 
• the Final Report on the "Home on the Range" Rotary Foundation grant project at the Matthew 25 Food Pantry in Newport, 
• and more...    

Newport Rotarians feautured in RLI Video

See the video that made Newport Rotary's own Pres. Maher Saikali and Pres-Elect Anita Moreau FAMOUS as they participate in the Rotary Leadership Institute Jacksonville NC event in March!

Photos- Newport Pig Cooking

Newport Rotarians turned out in good numbers for the Newport Pig Cooking this weekend. Over the years, the event has provided more than $700,000 for Newport area charities and non-profits serving the community. Newport Rotary has been involved since the beginning! Rotarians Larry Howard and PDG Derryl Garner were initial organizers of the event. Rotarians and guests present were: Pres. Maher Saikali, Pres-Elect Anita Moreau, Bevin Wall, Pam Wall, Matt Shortway, Steve Blizzard, Winston Reese, Joe Garner, and club guest, Shelli Overby. Newport Rotary's next meeting is Monday April 17, 2017 at 5:30pm. Click on the pictures below to view the full size photo.