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President Jim Munro welcomes our newest Rotarian, Julie Hitchcock.
You do so much for those where you live & work.
Welcome to our Club!
Congratulations to our Rotarian, Cate Ouellette Rafferty for receiving her Paul Harris Plus One.
“No one can do it alone.”
Congratulations to Noreen Biehl as she was honored last evening as the “Citizen of the Year” at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce - Annual Awards Gala 2022 and celebrated her achievements that she has accomplished with her family, work at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Rotary Club of Dover, and the Dover community.
The Annual Awards Dinner recognizes recipients of Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Community Arts Champion, Educator of the Year.
“Help Wanted” banners ripple in the winds along Seacoast streets and shopping plazas, urging workers to apply, while some of the hardest to fill openings remain vacant due to a lack of training or the skills necessary to meet job requirements. In some cases, lacking the tools of the trade may prohibit earnest workers from employment. To acquire or upgrade skills in a chosen vocation, the Rotary Club of Dover, NH, developed a Vocational Training & Tools (VT&T) financial assistance grant program for individuals who live or work in Dover, NH.
The first recipient of the grant, Victor Steinberg, expressed his gratitude recently in a note to Jim Munro, President of Dover, NH’s Rotary:
Thank you for the grant to purchase tools as I “retool” as an auto mechanic and expand my ability to service vehicles and learn a new skill. The grant for the support of tradesmen is much appreciated. A special thank you to Ron Richard for establishing this grant and his understanding of these challenges.
According to Ron Richard, Chairman of Rotary’s VT&T Committee, the effort is the result of a collaboration with Dover Adult Learning Center, Dover H.S.’s Career & Technical program and Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.
Thank you to our Rotarians and family, Dover High School Interact and the Dover Dems for your time as you filled the many trash bags!
The Rotary Club of Dover recently gathered necessities for those who are in need during the Winter months. It's amazing how kind people are when they hear of the good you are doing in the local community for those who are homeless. Thank you to Kevin, Store Manager at Ocean City Job Lot for your help 🏡♥️
The Dover High School - Interact students recently helped with the Don’t Trash Dover clean-up. It was great to see them getting outside and earning Community Service hours while learning. Thank you from the Rotary Club of Dover!
DOVER — Seacoast Endowment for Education in Dover (SEED), a nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting academic excellence in Dover schools, accepted a $4,159 donation from The Rotary Club of Dover to help fund two literacy grants in Dover public schools.
According to Rotary Club of Dover President Jim Munro, literacy is one of the club’s main areas of focus. “We are pleased to provide SEED funding for these targeted reading initiatives and applaud their efforts to support teachers and promote educational excellence for Dover students.”
The first literacy grant, awarded to Dover High School Language Arts Teacher Leslie Hocking, will be used to underwrite her Reading for Fun proposal valued at $2,500. A longitudinal study spearheaded by Dr. Mariah Evans of the University of Nevada, Reno, found the greater the number of books in a household, the greater the positive impact on the child.
The funding will provide every freshman at Dover High a book of their choice, free of charge as part of their high school orientation. In conjunction with a $5,000 sponsorship from Barnes and Nobles, the students will have a variety of current, high-interest books to select. “This grant reaches students in a way that no classroom does, filling an important gap in their education,” said Hocking.
The second grant award was bestowed to Kelly Cote to purchase literacy supplies and tools for the entire Woodman Park School first grade, which consists of approximately 120 students. The two-part grant will allow for Take Home Reading Bags—backpacks filled with reading level books for first grade students to transport to and from home—and provide socially distanced classroom tools such as individual seat pockets to keep student materials organized and easily accessible during learning times; clipboards for use during outside learning time; and classroom stools for flexible seating options.
In a 2019 article published in ScienceDirect, a study found that immersing children in book-orientated environments benefits their later educational achievement, attainment, and occupational standing. “Many of our students come from families of low economic status that may not have access to quality books appropriate for their reading skills,” said Cote “The Take Home Reading Bags provide students with access to quality books so they can read daily at home.”
To learn more about SEED and its mission to create a legacy for educational excellence in Dover public schools, visit doverseed.org.
The story can be read at Foster's Daily Democrat: Dover Rotary Honors Local Businesses and Individuals for Their Community Service.
The Rotary Club of Dover had the opportunity this week to partner with the Woodman Museum and offer an Open House to share with the community how the club has been a big part of the Dover community for the past 97 years. We were able to gather with friends for an evening of friendship & fellowship and recognized dedicated citizens and organizations for efforts that have done and will continue to do for others in need of assistance.
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With the screech of an air horn to end the evening Women’s League golf event, the outdoor celebration of Gregg Dowty’s year as President moved inside the club house. President, Gregg Dowty welcomed members and plus-ones in attendance. With our Bingo fundraiser back in play, Phil Rinaldi announced a 3-month net contribution from Bingo that we can use to give back to the community. With the annual golf tournament taking place on Monday, Gregg extended his thanks to Kathy Fink, the Golf Committee and all who participated in the brutally hot game. Upcoming meetings and events were announced, including the Rotary Open House to be held on July 7th at the Woodman Museum starting at 4:30pm. As we begin the new Rotary year, the motto will be Serve to Change Lives.
President Gregg’s “Wizardly” Year End Comments:
- President, Gregg described 2020-21 as “an amazing year”- we set a goal of completing eight service projects and ended up with 28 projects!
- The club exemplified Service Above Self during a challenging year, stayed connected and commited.
- Gregg concluded his remarks and his year as President of the Rotary Club of Dover, NH, with a familiar tale about the Wizard of Oz that proved you don’t have to look for a wizard or follow a yellow-brick road to find people with brains, hearts and courage.
- Rotarians are a collection of wise people who care about each other and want to make a difference.
You truly made a difference Gregg Dowty - thank you for an incredible year and incredible leadership!
The Rotary Club of Dover NH, President Elect, Jim Munro presented Paul Harris Fellow Awards to our fellow Rotarians, Doug Locy, Kathy Fink, Frank Biehl, Ram Ramdev, Gregg Dowty, Naila Aslam, Ed Hokinski, Megan Keil, Doug Glennon, and Ken McCann. He also presented a Paul Harris Fellow +1 award to Donna Rinaldi and Malcolm McNeill, and a Paul Harris +6 award to Dick Clark.
Our club thanks all of you for your generosity and commitment to the ideals of Rotary.
The first of many deliveries to the Senior Communities in Dover from the Rotary Club of Dover. We miss our visits with the Seniors due to COVID and we look to be back on our Senior Visits real soon. Until we visit again, we hope you enjoy!
Thank you to The Flower Room for the beautiful planting.
Look what we have started!
The Rotary Club of Dover’s Victory Community Garden at Garrison Hill Park and Tower is growing. With the help of our club and others in the community, we have planted berms and squash to grow to help support those with food needs in our community.
Last year, the Rotary Club of Dover NH applied for and met all the criteria to be awarded a District Grant to have the City of Dover NH install bike racks in multiple locations throughout the City of Dover, including Henry Law Rotary Park Amphitheater & Gardens, Dover Public Library, City Hall, Dover Transportation Center, and other places in the Downtown Retail District.
In a post COVID 19 world, fewer People will be anxious to use public transportation. In addition many people have found that working from home is a more attractive alternative to the daily commute. at the same time, the city of Dover is experiencing a large influx of new residents who are young and active. These factors have and will contribute to an increase use of bicycles as a primary method of local transportation.
There will be some rocks described as “wave racks” intended for up to five bicycles. Additionally some racks are intended to use for one or two bikes that are designated to fit in with the downtown historic district design motif.
We estimate 25 to 50 people per day will use the bike racks at any given time which will mean up to almost 100 uses daily.
These racks are designed to be removed during the winter to ensure the investment will last a long time.
As you can see the racks through this grant show through the Rotary symbol that our Rotarians care about those in our community.
1. How long have you been in Rotary? – 2 Years in May.
2. My favorite Rotary moments: - Becoming the Rotary Historian (Portsmouth Club).
3. Where I currently live and where I grew up: Currently live in Raymond NH but I grew up in Seabrook NH.
4. My Hobbies: Spending time with my new son!
5. My Business Profession or Current Working or Non-Working Environment: Currently the Branch Manager of First Seacoast Bank, I just left my own Financial Planning Practice to get back into banking.
6. Something my fellow Rotarians don’t know about me: I have been a drummer for multiple Punk Bands in the Seacoast area!
7. Final words: With the new baby, my time is more limited, but I am excited to become an active member of the Dover Rotary!
Thank you Ian for sharing and we look forward to having you part of the greatest Rotary Club in the Universe.
On April 24, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Dover joined in with others of Don’t Trash Dover as a group of volunteers who departed from Garrison Elementary School that picked up litter from the surrounding area. They spent a number of hours collecting litter and returned with many bags of bagged litter. Thank you to the volunteers during this event!
Join the Rotary Club of Dover NH, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County and Gather to keep local food pantries stocked by dropping off non-perishable food items.
This food drive will take place from 9:00am-12:00pm on May 1st in the parking lot of Tucker's located at 238 Indian Brook Drive in Dover.
Help us help those those in need!
So many cheers from the Bingo players tonight as the Rotary Club of Dover NH is back to our Thursday nights at Dover Bingo.
It was great to see so many familiar faces and happy smiles (under our masks).
We were straight out in selling tickets from the beginning to the end of the night.
We are back!
In March, the Rotary Club of Dover NH partnered with Woodman Park, Garrison Elementary and Horne Street School as we wore our Dr. Seuss hats and read to the students through the “Read Across America” Literacy program. 
It was a little different this year than in past years as we used to read in-person at the elementary schools in Dover. Reading to the students virtually allowed us to still participate and I let them choose their favorite Dr. Seuss book.
Both the kindergarten students Woodman Park and the 3rd graders at Horne Street picked my favorite, “Green Eggs & Ham”. They loved when I asked them to join with me when I read “Sam I Am”.
We look forward to more reading as it allows our Rotarians take time and spend time with the kids in our community.
1. How long have you been in Rotary?
I’m just now coming up on my one year anniversary of being a Rotarian! It’s been quite a year!
2. My favorite Rotary moments:
So much of the year we haven’t been able to get together and do things in person, but my favorite memories have been when we’ve been able to still do some socially-distant get-togethers or events. I think our club has been really great with modifying activities or events to continue offering some in-person opportunities.
3. Where I currently live and where I grew up:
I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, then went to college in Findlay, Ohio. I then spent some time doing internships and working in Makawao, Hawaii and then Salt Lake City, Utah before joining the Peace Corps and living in Matembwe, Tanzania for two years and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for one year. I’ve been living in Dover for a little over a year now!
4. My Hobbies:
I enjoy doing art and grew up taking art classes. In a different life I might have tried to become a Disney animator. I also really enjoy cooking and baking. I’ve even dabbled a bit in baking and decorating royal-icing cookies, although usually about half-way through the process I always end up cursing myself for trying it again. The end result usually looks good, though! I’m also a lover of playing any sort of game, and with the current state of the pandemic, I’ve been able to play some video games online with some friends from all around the country! I can’t say I’m necessarily great at any of the games, but I do enjoy them.
5. My Business Profession or Current Working or Non-Working Environment:
I am a Regional Recruiter for the Peace Corps! I spend my days talking to students and people in the community about what Peace Corps is, answering questions that they may have, and helping out with the application process. My territory covers the entire state of Maine, 99% of New Hampshire, and the northeastern part of Massachusetts. Pre-COVID I was actually able to visit all of the colleges and universities in person, but since mid-March it’s been all-virtual recruitment. I’m looking forward to the day when I get to travel again!
6. Something my fellow Rotarians don’t know about me:
Before I was a teacher with the Peace Corps, I was a zookeeper! I worked mainly with birds and I would tell people that I worked with birds because it’s the closest I could come to working with dinosaurs in real life. If Jurassic Park was a real place, I would most definitely be working as an animal keeper there.
7. Final words:
I just wanted to say how grateful I am for how warmly I was welcomed into the club! I came to New Hampshire not knowing anyone, and now I feel like I have a group of friends and I can’t wait to be able to see everyone in person again soon!
Thank you Megan for sharing about you and your involvement with the Rotary Club of Dover.
1. How long have you been in Rotary?
Almost 18 years.
2. My favorite Rotary moments:
My top 2 are Guatemala Service Trip with Dover Interact Rotary United Nations Day.
3. Where I currently live and where I grew up:
I currently live in York, Maine and have for the last 34 years. I grew up in Norton, MA and have always lived in New England.
4. My Hobbies:
Hiking & walks on the beach and photography. My favorite is spending time with family
5. My Business Profession or Current Working or Non-Working Environment:
Commercial Loan Officer with Cambridge Trust
6. Something my fellow Rotarians don’t know about me:
When in high school I held the school record for discus.
7. Final words:
My service background likely comes from growing up with very little. Even though we didn't have much we shared what was available. I'm very proud of both my daughters who also are service oriented. Both served as Presidents of their Interact Clubs and continue to volunteer.
Thank you Joe for the opportunity to learn a little more about you and sharing with other Rotarians and our community.
1. How long have you been in Rotary? 31 years
2. My favorite Rotary moments: Christmas Tree Sales, Santa Calling, Senior visits with the late, “great” Seymour Osman, Bingo with Bibber, Sid’s WWII stories
3. Where I currently live and where I grew up: I’ve been growing up in Dover since my birth at WDH in 1967. I’ve moved 4 times within a 5 mile radius of my childhood home and have lived in our current home on Dean Drive for the past 26 years.
4. My Hobbies: Sports of all kind! I enjoy watching, occasionally participating in and now, thanks to Governor Sununu , gambling on them! I also like puttering around my home and family house at Wells Beach.
5. My Business Profession or Current Working or Non-Working Environment I’ve been in the insurance sales business the past 32 years. The first 27 years working for my sister at her State Farm Agency and the past 5 years as owner of the Lynch Insurance Agency.
6. Something my fellow Rotarians don’t know about me:
I did play by play of high school basketball and football games on WWNH radio about 10 years ago. I loved every minute of it!
7. Final words:
I feel fortunate Phil Rinaldi invited me to join Rotary when I was just a snot-nosed 21 year old kid! I remember being in awe of the crowd at my first meeting with the like of Dr. Bob Wilson, Seymour Osman, Kerry Forbes, Tom Dunnington, Chief Bibber, Malcom MacNeill, Frank Cassidy, Captain DeColfmacker, Bob Richard, Noreen Biehl, Gerry Daley, Ray Jobin and many more! The best thing about our Club then, and still today, is the Members.
Thank you Joe for the opportunity to learn a little more about you and sharing with other Rotarians and our community.
Service Above Self
Dover, NH 03820
United States of America