Watch for Little Free Libraries - the latest Newport Rotary community project!

Newport Rotarians met up on a fine spring morning...April 23, 2021…armed with a post hole digger, concrete, a shovel, and two little free libraries (LFL). The first went in front of the Family Life Center at St James Methodist Church in Newport, located in the middle of several neighborhoods. Rotarians Rick Moreau, Matt Shortway (President), and Steve Blizzard prepped the hole. They did the final construction on the LFL…while Tammy Blizzard and Anita Moreau prepared the concrete…under the strict supervision of Rachel Shortway (age 5), daughter of Matt Shortway. 

The same crew then made their way over to Downtown Newport – to install a second LFL on the corner of the Newport History Museum (conveniently located next to the Rotary Bench). Bevin and Pam Wall joined them. This LFL is also located directly across the street from Newport Elementary School – and the Museum site was chosen with that in mind. It took a day for the concrete to harden, making sure that the LFL’s were stable – and both were loaded with books for children and adults alike on early Sunday afternoon. 

Three LFL’s have been installed and stocked, and we are so incredibly grateful to those folks who have agreed to have them on/near their property. The increased sense of “community” is a wonderful thing to see, particularly after the last year, when so many faced isolation. Newport Rotary continues to seek ways to serve the Newport Community and all who live here. Contributed by Rtn. Anita Moreau

January 18 Program - Toastmasters

The January 18 2021 Newport Rotary Meeting will feature a Tostmasters Program. Toastmasters is now a "partner" with Rotary International. Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. Joining is in our meeting will be President Steve Hellersperk DTM, Rick Reece DTM, Bob Pruett DTM, Jennifer Melton and Martha Mossad CC.

Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. As director of education at the YMCA, Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them. The first unofficial Toastmasters meeting was held on March 24, 1905.

Education is an important part of every Toastmaster’s journey, and it is a critical aspect of all club meetings around the world. Participating in Toastmasters’ education programs allows you to gain the valuable practice needed to develop your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. The safe and supportive environment clubs provide allows you to learn at your own pace in a curriculum that has helped millions meet their personal and professional goals. Since Toastmasters was founded in 1924, our education programs have been driven by four guiding principles:

• Experiential learning – By giving speeches and fulfilling leadership roles, you practice and improve.
• Peer feedback – Grow and improve your public speaking and communication skills through honest and supportive peer evaluation.
• Mentoring – Experienced mentors encourage, guide, and support you in your goals and help you to achieve more than you thought possible.
• Self-paced program – Develop skills at your own pace and comfort level.

What’s in it for me? Are you prepared for impromptu questions? Is your speaking filled with unnecessary filler words such as ah, um, you know and many others? Do you know if is? The Toastmaster’s experience helps you become a better speaker and leader through a series of organized programs, effective instant evaluations, and practice. Only you can make it happen.

Christmas Party Monday

Fellow Rotarians, family and friends, The time is upon us once again to come together to celebrate the holiday season and the end of 2020!   We'll be having the Christmas party at Shortway Brewing Company, Monday, December 21st at 5:30pm.  Riverside will be catering with a main dish and side, and we'd love to have some appetizers and deserts if you would like to bring something.  Looking forward to gathering together and seeing those we've missed throughout the year! Service above self, Pres. Matt Shortway.

Dictionaries in the Schools Day with Newport Rotary 2020

 Click here for the story.  

August 17 Speaker: CCATS Travels the County

Vickie Clifton with CCATS will be our guest speaker at Newport Rotary on August  17, 2020. She is an Administrative Officer with Carteret County Area Transportation System CCATS, having worked her way up from a part-time driver five years ago. A native of Winston-Salem, she has had varied careers and experiences. She was an over the road truck driver for 18 years, traveling in 49 states, every province of Canada and several in Mexico. She and her husband Larry also lived in New Mexico for 5 years working for the Department of Energy. They have called the Crystal Coast home since 2000. Larry and Vickie have two grown children 36, and 39. She will share her observations on CCATS and how her job has been impacted by the COVID-19 virus. 

August 10 Program: Carteret Literacy Council

Robin Smith of the Carteret Literacy Council was the guest speaker at Newport Rotary on August 10, 2020. Robin did an excellent job of putting the club members "in the shoes" of a literacy or numeracy challenged person during her talk, citing the many struggles, challenges, obstacles and coping mechanisms observed in our county. 18% of Carteret County residents are believed to fall in this category. CLC works one-on-one with these individuals to help increase their literacy to job and life functional levels. She also spoke about Little Free Libraries as a NRC project. Thank you Robin, for all you and your group do!

Aug 3: Rotary Postponed

The August 3 Meeting of Newport Rotary will be postposed due to the arrival of T.S. Isaias to next Monday, August 10, 2020 at 5:30pm.