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.