October 12 Meeting focus: The Newport Halloween Hootenanny

The focus of the October 12 2026 meeting of Newport Rotary will be logistics for the upcoming Newport Halloween Hootenanny event on October 31, 6-8:30 pm. The public is welcome! 

Newport Rotary Meeting Open to the Public

All Newport Rotary meetings are open to the public. Guests are welcome.

Rotary opportunities are open to everyone. 

• Rotary celebrates differences across age, race, color, disability, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ideological perspectives.

• Rotary acknowledges past barriers to leadership and membership, pledging equitable access to resources and networks.

• Rotary tries to forge a "Culture of Belonging" and focuses on making every member feel respected, heard, and valued.

• Rotary is committed to organizational transparency and pledges ongoing self-evaluation and accountability. 

Newport Rotary Meetings on Newport Patch - Patch.com

Keeping the comunity aware of our meetings and events. Newport Patch online - https://patch.com/north-carolina/newport-nc   We meet 2nd and 4th Mondays at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building, beside the Police station, Newport NC. Meetings are open to the public and guests are welcome.

Newport NC USA Business and Community Leaders "doing good" in our community and beyond. Rotary is the world's premier international humanitarian service organization. Rotary is a diverse global network of community, business, and professional leaders who address relevant social causes to change lives and build goodwill and peace at home and abroad. We are leaders in the effort to eradicate polio worldwide.

For more on what we are doing go to the Newport Rotary webpage. 

Our Rotary Foundation Gifts Change Lives

All Newport Rotary members give to our Rotary Foundation! Because of Rotary members and donors worldwide, our Foundation continues to help make lasting change in communities both close to home and far away. Together, we raised more than US$477 million in the Rotary year that just ended! These gifts are more than just donations. They are the reason that our Foundation can support sustainable projects that improve people’s health, expand access to education, protect the environment, alleviate poverty, and promote peace. 

Thanks to these donations our Foundation  has been achieving meaningful change. The Rotary Foundation was able to: 

• Award 1,804 global grants, 463 district grants, and 61 disaster response grants in 2025-26
• Work with our partners to vaccinate more than 350 million children in 28 countries during 2025
• Open our newest Rotary Peace Center at Symbiosis International University in India 

Newport Rotarians, thank you for your generosity and for choosing to support our Foundation. Your gift is creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and advancing Rotary’s mission around the world. This means helping people access clean water, healthcare, and disaster relief, while working steadfastly to eradicate polio. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in creating lasting change. Doing Good in the World starts with us! Thank you for your generosity.

District Governor Shawn Braswell Visits Newport Rotary

DG Shawn Braswell

District 7730 District Governor 2026-2027 Shawn Braswell of the Southport Rotary Club visits Newport Rotary during their September 28, 2026 Meeting, 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. 

Shawn has ignited her path through Rotary with passion and fervor. As a District Public Image Chair and Assistant Governor for Area 4, her fiery commitment shone brightly. She served as President of the Southport Rotary Club in 2021-22. Shawn's trail of achievements, including graduating from the Rotary Leadership Institute and The District "Dare to Lead" Leadership program, burns with excellence. Her accolades as the District Emerging Leader in 2022, one of the first District Public Image Chairs to meet the Zone 33/34 Public Image Challenge in 2023, and District Rotarian of the Year in 2024 are testaments to her unstoppable drive. Certified in Mental Heath first Aid and a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society member, and Polio Plus Society member, Shawn's contributions simmer with significance.

As the principal of DWB Business Services, Shawn ignites innovation in her virtual back-office support business. Her clientele, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, have felt the heat of her influence, especially in advancing technology in classrooms for lower-income areas. Shawn's business savvy crackles with energy as she continues to expand her empire.

In the telecommunications and manufacturing industries, Shawn is a formidable force, known for her strategic problem-solving prowess and her ability to streamline processes with ease. Her reservoir of knowledge and experience fuels her Rotary service with intensity.

Beyond the real of Rotary, Shawn has set her community alight with her involvement. As a Girl Scout Leader, she earned accolades as an Outstanding Troop Leader and fueled the ACS Relay for Life program, chairing the East Lincoln event in 2015.

Residing in Oak Island, NC, Shawn finds joy in her family, including her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, who are the sparks in her life.

Help us welcome DG Shawn to Newport Rotary! 

Newport Rotary Stocks School Supplies

During the week of August 17, 2026, Newport Rotary members stocked Clara's Closet at Newport Elementary School with teacher supplies for the coming school year. The supplies include: 40 Classroom Set Expo Multi Colored Chisel Tip Markers, 30 Classroom Set Expo Multi Colored Fine Tip Markers, 432 Dry Erase Fine Tip Markers (12 colors), 2400 Laminating Sheets, 2 Laminator Machines 9”, 600 Dry Erase Multi Colored Pockets, 300 Over Ear Corded Headphones Multi Colored, 320 Earbuds, 30 Reams Astrobright Colored Paper, 60 USB Wired Mouse, 600 Manila File Folders, 660 Colored File Folders, 240 Sets Colored Pencils, 72 8” Scissors, Staples, Tape Refills. 

The project is funded by a Grant from WalMart, Newport Rotary, The Newport Halloween Hootenanny,  Go Newport, Inc., and the Wall family.  

For more information on the project, go to the Clara's Closet page of this website.  

Local Realtor Vesco scheduled for Newport Rotary Program`

John Vesco

Local Realtor John Vesco will be the program at the Monday, August 24, 2026 meeting of Newport Rotary, 5:30 pm at the Newport Rotary Building, 245 Howard Blvd., Newport. John is the principal owner and Broker of John Vesco INC Real Estate. The focus of the program will be the current state of the real estate market in Carteret County. The public is welcome to attend. 

Rotary is the world's first and largest service organization. Rotary clubs bring together people across generations who wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves. Rotary members around the world strengthen their connections to friends and neighbors taking action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotary is changing communities like yours.

Join us today! NEWPORT ROTARY.

School Cleanup has record turnout

Over 40 volunteers braved the heat Saturday morning to get Newport Elementary School ready for open house and the first day of school. Newport Rotary and NES coordinated the event that trimmed, mowed, and mulched their way to terrific curb appeal for the upcoming school events. Click this link for photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/aGDx7CKqqRcWqTfDA 

Newport Rotary Receives Grant for Sidewalk Benches Project

Newport Rotary was notified this week that their 2026-27 District Grant- to Install four (4) benches as part of Newport's Sidewalk Plan - was approved. The grant is funded by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and requires a 1:1 match for a project amount of $3,582.00. 

The benches, in coordination with the Town of Newport, will be strategically placed along the new sidewalks that the town and county have installed. The benches are made of reenforced recycled plastic and are extremely strong and durable. They will be mounted on permanent concrete pads and will have the Rotary logo and "Newport Rotary" prominently displayed.

The project is now underway and is expected to be completed by February 1, 2027. 

August 10, 2026 Program - Newport BBQ Fest

The August 10, 2026 Newport Rotary Program will be from the start up Newport BBQ Fest promoters to inform us of their plans for the 2027 event.  

Meals on Wheels to be featured in July 27, 2026 Program

Glenn Lamp

Newport Rotary's program on Monday, July 27, 2026 will be by Hope Mission's Glenn Lamp. 

Glenn serves as the Director of Meals on Wheels but more importantly he is the Community Ambassador for Hope Mission, where his passion for serving others is lived out daily through providing care, dignity, and nourishment to those in need. Whether through his art or his leadership, Glenn’s life is centered on faith, compassion, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in his community.

Glenn is a devoted follower of Jesus, husband to Heather Lamp, and a lifelong artist whose work reflects both creativity and purpose deeply rooted in His faith. Originally from San Diego, Glenn has spent most of his life in the Carolinas, where he has built deep roots in both ministry and the arts. In 2015, he moved to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast and founded Day Five Art Gallery, which he has faithfully led for over a decade. 

We welcome Glenn to Newport Rotary. Newport Rotary meets at 5:30 pm at the Newport Rotary Building, across from the Town Park, 245 Howard Blvd, Newport. Our meetings are open to the public and all are welcome.  

Newport Rotary & Habitat Announce Newport Elementary Wall Painting Scheduled

Last Week's Construction Camp Workers
at work... 

Newport Rotary & Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity will be setting up the Youth Construction Camp at Newport Elementary tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM to paint the wall bordering Chatham Street, downtown.

There are 15 young adults helping out, and they should be able to knock this out in the two-hour window. If we don't finish, I'll pull in another group the following week to wrap things up. Habitat will be providing all the supplies and water, so no need to bring anything. Pres. Tammy Blizzard. 

Newport Rotary Leadership Transfer for 2026-27

Newport Rotary's annual Leadership Transfer Ceremony is set for June 22, 2026 at 5:30pm at Shortway's Brewing, Newport. The public is invited to attend. 

6 Newport Rotarians Attend District Awards & Changeover Event

Pres. Tammy holds up a Banner 
celebrating Newport Rotary's service 
during the latest Rotary year!

Newport Rotarians President Tammy Blizzard (front), Steve Blizzard, President-Elect Rick Moreau, Anita Moreau, PDG Bevin Wall and Pam Wall (pictured l-r) attended the District 7730 Southeast North Carolina Awards and Changeover event on Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Leland. Over 100 Rotarians were in attendance. Rotary clubs and Rotarians were recognized for their contributions to their clubs and communities. Also, leadership changeover occurred for the 2026-27 District Officers and committees. 

Newport Rotarians celebrated their service projects that were recognized. Pres. Tammy Blizzard has led an active year of local community service which saw Newport Rotary engage in more than a dozen projects benefitting others.       

Rotary Program June 8 2026: The Rotary Leadership Institute

The June 8, 2026 Program of the Newport Rotary Club will be on The Rotary Leadership Institute by District RLI Chair Rick Moreau.

The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a multi-district, grassroots leadership development program of member districts organized into regional divisions in various parts of the world. The RLI covering our area is Mid-Atlantic RLI or MARLI for short. RLI is a recommended program of Rotary International.

RLI seeks to provide quality education in Rotary knowledge and leadership skills to Rotarians interested in developing their Rotary participation and to those identified by Rotary Clubs as having a potential in club leadership. These educational opportunities will teach skills that will benefit the members in their lives and in their volunteer service. 

Many of our past and current members have attended and/ or graduated from RLI over the years. 

Give a Hoot! Hootenanny Community Roundtable on April 20.

Near Newport Community, 

Just a friendly reminder that our Hootenanny Round Table Meeting is coming up THIS Monday, April 20, at 5:30 PM at 245 Howard Blvd, Newport, NC. This is our chance to gather the key players who make the Hootenanny happen and start laying the groundwork for another incredible event. We'll cover volunteer opportunities, logistics, and how YOU can help keep this beloved Newport tradition strong.

Here are the details:
Date: Monday, April 20
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: 245 Howard Blvd, Newport, NC
More Info: newportrotary.blogspot.com

For more information see the Hootenanny website at https://newport-hootenanny.blogspot.com/ or Newport NC Rotary's Facebook page.  

Your involvement makes all the difference — we hope to see you there! Feel free to bring along anyone else who might want to get involved. If you have any questions or need to reach out before the meeting, please contact us at NewportNCRotary@gmail.com.  Tammy Blizzard, President, Newport Rotary  

Program - Regular Meeting & District Conference Recap

Join us Monday! Newport Rotary Club is hosting a Regular Meeting & District Conference Recap — and you're invited!

Monday, April 13th | 5:30 PM
245 Howard Blvd, Newport, NC 28570

Come hear highlights from the District Conference, enjoy pizza & beverages with us, and connect with your community. This meeting is open to the public — bring a friend! Pres. Tammy Blizzard

Meeting tonight - Community Projects - Friends of Library & Newport Halloween Hootenanny

 

Sign Up to Volunteer for the Newport Pig Cooking

Newport Rotary and Rotarians helped start the Newport Pig Cooking Contest in 1978 and we have been helping with it ever since. When there was "hand chopping" we did that. When there was "culling" we did that. Now we are mostly helping in the serving lines as they have automated many of their functions. To volunteer for serving line assistance, call 252-223-2111. 

The Newport Pig Cooking Contest is a great reflection of our community and has donated over a million dollars to local charities over the years. See more about the Pig Cooking here. ENJOY!

Cancellation & Bee There for Next Weeks Program

Hey Rotary Family,

Two quick updates for you!

⛈️ TONIGHT'S Round Table – CANCELLED
Out of an abundance of caution, we are cancelling March 16, 2026's Round Table. With 24 mph winds and severe thunderstorms expected between 5–6 PM, it's just not worth the drive. Not to worry — our agenda covering the Friends of the Library signage, next year's grant, and Hootenanny planning will all keep. We'll reschedule and pick right back up!

🐝 March 23, 2026- Next Monday – Special Speaker: Pamela Hanson on Beekeeping! Here's something to look forward to! Joining us next Monday will be Pamela Hanson, who will be sharing her expertise on beekeeping right here in our area. Whether you're a curious beginner or already a fan of all things honey, this is going to be a fascinating conversation about the important role bees play in our local community. Come ready with your questions!

Stay safe, stay dry, and we'll see you Monday!

Tammy Blizzard
Newport Rotary Club

March 9 2026 Meeting: Carteret Works Programs with Sharon King & team

Sharon King and her team from Carteret Works will be the guest speakers at Newport Rotary on Monday, March 9, 2026 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building, 245 Howard Blvd in Newport.

The Carteret Works Apprenticeship program has one goal in mind: To help employers build a skilled workforce through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. We work with you to develop a custom registered apprenticeship program that meets your specific needs. With an employer-driven model, we help combine on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction. Learn how you can benefit from the apprenticeship program.

We expect the following team members from Carteret Works to be involved and to talk about their programs:

• Sharon King: Carteret Works (Apprenticeships)
• Sharon King: WIOA (Hedda Bunting is unable to attend, so I will cover her content.)
• Brandy Bell: Small Business Center
• Tammy Wall: NCWorks
• Liz Hubbard: Re-Entry Services
• Erik Heck: Work Experience

The public is invited. Bring a friend.

Newport Rotary in Action - See our Newport Library Project Photos

Work is "on-going" on the project to rehab the storage building for the Friends of the Newport Library. Click here for the latest photos. The final work day to complete the project is Saturday, March 7 at 10am. Click here for Facebook and signup info. 

Friends of the Library Project Volunteer Opportunities

 

Be Part of the Friends of the Library Refresh

We thank all of our volunteers for coming out in force for our February 28, 2026 project day for the Friends of the Library Refresh- improving their site for book storage, books that we use for several of our projects. To quote Julia Capps- You are absolute rock stars. The amount of work you powered through was incredible, and the Friends of the Library and Newport Rotary are so grateful.

We’ll be keeping the momentum going with two upcoming volunteer opportunities at 142 White Oak Dr, Newport:

• Monday, March 2 – Rotary Roundtable on Site We’ll meet at the building to tidy up the remaining insulation on the walls and get everything prepped for the next phase of repairs.

• Saturday, March 7 – Book Reset Day Once the contractor's work is complete, we’ll be returning all those thousands of books to their home. I’ll bring a couple of flat dollies to help make the unloading and shelving go much faster.

Your time and teamwork are making a real difference in bringing this community space back to life. Thank you again for everything you’ve done — and everything you continue to do. Looking forward to seeing you soon! TAMMY BLIZZARD, PRES. NEWPORT ROTARY.

Join Us Feb 23 to Craft the Hog Wild to End Polio Pig!

AI Wild Hog courtesy T. Blizzard & E. Musk

You’re invited to join us on February 23 at 5:30 pm for a special hands-on gathering as we craft our “Hog Wild to End Polio” Pig — which will be proudly raced at the upcoming Rotary District Conference!

This creative project will highlight our fellowship, teamwork, and continued commitment to the End Polio Now campaign. Together, we’ll design and assemble a pig that represents our club’s spirit and dedication to making a difference around the world.

Come ready to:
• Help decorate and assemble our Hog Wild Pig
• Enjoy fellowship and teamwork
• Celebrate our impact in the fight to End Polio Now
• Have fun preparing for the District Conference race

No special crafting skills required — just bring your Rotary spirit! See you there!

TAMMY BLIZZARD, PRESIDENT, NEWPORT ROTARY

February 9 Program - A Local Rotarian's African Adventure

Come join us during our February 9, 2026 5:30pm regular meeting as Morehead City Rotarian Barbara Johnson shares here tales and pictures from her recent visit to Mauritius including her African Safari. Bring a Guest! 

District Governor Visits Newport Rotary

 

Gallup Poll - Volunteerism has recovered since the Pandemic

Story Highlights: 

• 76% say they gave money in past year; 63% volunteered time
• Steady 17% report giving blood in past 12 months
• Charitable activity directed more to secular than religious organizations

Click here for the rest of the article.  by Megan Brenan

Rotary Roundtables Begin

Newport Rotary announces a series of "Rotary Roundtables" on 1st and 3rd Monday nights of each month  5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. The informal gatherings will be focused on one or two pre-announced topics and allow discussion and collaboration to advance our member's understanding and buy-in on club projects, club activities and the general direction of club service. 

The first Rotary Roundtable was set on January 19, 2026 on the topics of Leadership & Development and and the second on the club's current Literacy Projects. 

One page "Fact Sheets" are being developed for informational purposes and to help spur deeper discussion on the topics.    

View Newport Rotary Leadership & Development Fact Sheet 

View Newport Rotary Literacy Projects Fact Sheet   

Boys & Girls Clubs program set for January 12

Scott Allenspach, B&G Clubs

Newport Rotary's program during their January 12, 2026 5:30pm meeting is Scott Allenspach, Regional Director of Philanthropy for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain. 

The program is entitled: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain - Building Better Futures.  

The meeting is at the Newport Rotary Building. The public is welcome. There is no cost to attend.

Planning Ongoing for "Friends of Library" Storage Facility Repair Project

Newport Public Library, Photo Credit: Matt Dressel  

Newport Rotarians met January 5, 2026 at the home of Rick & Anita Moreau to work on details of Newport Rotary's 2025-2026 approved District Grant Project, the "Friends of Library" Storage Facility Repair Project. 

The Newport Public Library dedicated space for thousands of volumes of books is in need of weatherization and repair, and the grant is for labor and materials to regulate the temperature and humidity in the space. The grant is a 1:1 matching grant with a $2,500 maximum. 

More information will be released as it is available.