Twelve Days of Christmas and Purdue

DONATE TO HACAP

Rotary has a goal to donate $1,000 to HACAP to help them meet the needs of local families this winter. The Rotary board has committed $500 from the club and several members have donated $100 towards the $1,000. If you'd like to donate $50 or $100 to help us reach that goal (and get a donation receipt), get a check THIS WEEK to treasurer Terry Engelken at Washington State Bank (653-2151).

Thanks for your support!

BRING YOUR KID TO ROTARY

Around the Holiday's, we get to see the kids of Rotarians making a trip home. Its great to see them and hear what they are up to. This week was no exception.

Dr. Ann Harris brought her daughter, the newly minted Dr. Mary Beth Harris, PhD!

Dr. Mary Beth Harris, PhD and Dr. Ann Harris DDS

Superintendent Jeff Dicks brought his son, Brady, who is attending Buena Vista University. Jeff is thinking through his upcoming spiel for the club about how he has never canceled or delayed school. Ever. No matter how bad it was outside.

Jeff Dicks and Brady Dicks

Sue Basten brought her son Kyle Basten, who is attending Iowa State University.

Kyle and Sue Basten

Twelve Days of Christmas

An old Rotary Washington tradition, started by Boyd White, was to sing an interactive version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Thanks to Cheryl Kurtz for finding the old posters for each day (12 of them), we were able to renew the tradition this year!

Paul Horak (Dancing Lady) and Becky Patterson

Paul Horak and Becky Patterson were the favs for their interpretive dance for "Nine Ladies Dancing." You've got the moves, Paul.

Twelve Days of Christmas posters

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Ann Harris had today's program (her daughter Dr. Mary Beth Harris) and she gave a little background. Ann was the 3rd of 10 kids, and grew up in Chicago. She went to the University of Iowa and became a dental hygienists before going on to earn her MA and becoming a dentist. She is married to Dr. Jim Harris and has three kids, and one grand daughter I think.

Ann joined Washington Rotary in 1990 and was the first woman member! In 1991 she co-chaired the first Turkey Dinner fundraiser. She was club president in 1994-5.

PERDUE LANGUAGE and CULTURAL EXCHANGE (PLaCE)

Dr. Mary Beth Harris was our Christmas week program for the 2nd year in a row. This time, she's a PhD kind of Dr.! She filled us in on her new work at Perdue University.

Purdue University is a top destination for international students. Purdue Language and Cultural Exchange (PLaCE) supports those international students who learned English as a second language, and who will benefit from language and cultural support as they adjust to life at a U.S. university.
In PLaCE courses, you'll develop:

• Language skills through balanced learning across core language strands of meaning-focused input and output, language-focused learning, and fluency development.

• Intercultural awareness by learning to recognize your own cultural traditions and to understand, appreciate and participate in other cultural traditions.

Our mission at PLaCE is to provide a strong instructional and assessment program. We'll help you develop the academic, linguistic and cultural competencies needed to participate in university life and to compete for graduate school and employment opportunities.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

December 29: Tsalika Rich - Lorraine Williams

January 5: Bob Kennedy - TBD

January 12:  Lynn Koch - TBD

January 19:  Amber Trettin - TBD

Washington Capital Improvement Plan

It was a frigid day, but good conversation and lunch.

It was great to have a few guests, including Melanie Roth of LJ Roth Restoration. Welcome Melanie!

Melanie Roth

Thanks to Michelle Redlinger for inviting Candace Fulton from Pearl Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Candace has also recently joined the Chamber's Ambassadors.

Candace Fulton and Michelle Redlinger

Washington Capital Improvement Plan for FY2018-22

Rotarian and City Administrator, Brent Hinson discussed the City's aggressive $25M capital improvement plan for the next five years. Averaging $5 million annually, the plan would address roads, water system, sewer system, storm water drainage, and other improvements.

Hinson also outlined where the revenue to pay for the projects would come from, including user fees, some general obligation bonds, state and federal programs and grants, and the Riverboat Foundation.

Brent Hinson

To see Brent's presentation, check out the following two graphics.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

December 22:  Ann Harris - 12 Days of Christmas??

December 29:  

January 5:  Bob Kennedy - TBA

January 12:  Lynn Koch - TBA

Gary Murphy

How to become a US Citizen

GUESTS

Allen and Merridy Leichty from Wellman Rotary visited Washington Rotary last week.

Allen and Merridy Leichty

It's always nice to have Assistant District Gov. Bob Freeman pop in to Washington Rotary from Wellman.

Robert Freeman

Susan Wellington brought her daughter, Katy, who is a pharmacist student at Drake University.

Katy and Susan Wellington

Tsalika Rich brought Cathy Rich from Lloyd McConnell Davis & Lujan LLP. Cathy may be Tsalika's mother-in-law, and is a former Rotarian herself.

Tsalika Rich and Cathy Rich

Ray Poe had today's program, and he invited Alex Scipioni and Lorraine Williams from Cafe Dodici to speak about Alex' 14-year saga about getting a "green card" and pursuing US citizenship.

Alex Scipioni and Lorraine Williams

Sue Basten had Marde McConnell as her guest. Marde has taught in the Washington Home School program for many years.

Marde McConnell

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS

Ray Poe, our clubs Foundation director, helped Cheryl Kurtz award 3 (three) Paul Harris Fellow awards. Congratulations to Terry Engelken, Tsalika Rich, and Bob Wollenberg for your commitment to Rotary.


This is also Bob Wollenberg's last club meeting in Washington. He and wife Jean are moving to Decatur IL where they will be co-pastors at First Presbyterian Church. Sad to see you leave, Bob, and thanks for your 10 years of service in our club.

LONG TERM COMMITMENT

Rotary anniversaries were noted this week. Remarkably, Dick Colby is celebrating 55 years, and Bob Kennedy is celebrating 50 years as a part of Rotary Club of Washington, Iowa. Pretty amazing. That is about 2,750 club meetings for Dick and 2,500 for Bob.

Dick Colby

Robert Kennedy

NEW MEMBER

Matt Greiner feels a little more at home at #Rotary after Cheryl Kurtz presented him with his official name badge. Great to have you as a part of the club, Matt from Greiner Buildings Inc.!

Matt Greiner and Cheryl Kurtz

BECOMING A CITIZEN

Alex Scipioni (and wife Lorraine Williams) from Cafe Dodici gave a colorful program about Alex' 14-year saga of getting a #greencard and working toward US Citizenship this year. He just received word that he passed and will become a US Citizen later this month in Des Moines!

Alex Scipioni

Do you have what it takes to pass a US Naturalized Citizen test? Click here to take the practice, multiple choice test.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 10 - Jim Gorham: TBA
November 17 - 7am Rotary Board Meeting, WCHC
November 17 - Dennis Hunger: TBA
November 24 - NO MEETING: ENJOY THANKSGIVING!

Emory and Colin

SmartScripts and the Turkey Dinner

We were fortunate to hear a presentation by Todd Thompson about his rapidly growing SmartScripts business. This is a new concept pharmacy and insurance company located in Washington, Iowa with national markets. It is a potential market disruptor.

Todd Thompson of SmartScripts

Todd Thompson also co-founded Reliant Long Term Care pharmacy several years prior to starting SmartScripts in the same westside Washington location. Todd's stepson, Roby Miller, is also a successful entrepreneur. Roby,  created a pharmacy related technology business call TelePharm which was acquired in August by a Cardinal Healthcare in Ohio for a significant price. The back end pharmacist for TelePharm's video interaction is in Washington at SmartScripts.

Todd Thompson and Zach Hogan of SmartScripts

Dani Kane brought guest Rachel Rinner, owner of Knee Deep Solutions

Attorney Katie Mitchell was the guest of Dr. Ann Harris, DDS

Guest Ken Hanson and John Moenck had hoped for more than tic tacs

Denise Erpelding brought WCHC Assist. CFO, Shelly Cleverly (who is right handed)

Past DG Don Patterson brought his brother Tom Patterson

Terry Engelken brought Bob Lamb, who is a former Rotarian

ROTARY TURKEY DINNER

It has been a few weeks since our September 12 annual Turkey Dinner, but some pics are still in order. It was a successful fundraiser for the club.

Nancy Rash has done a great job organizing this annual event, and keeps everyone focused on service.

That's Larry Fishback behind that pan lid.

Service with a smile.

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes

Terry Engelken bringing another batch of grilled turkey breasts for Kurt Sorensen from Ryan Walker's building. Just in time delivery!

Gary Murphy gets to hold Michelle Redlinger's baby Cavin.

 Harvey Holden's family takes up a pretty big table.

It doesn't take a PhD to fold silverware in to napkins

 A mile of deserts

 It was great to have Rotary District Gov. Chris Knapp and his wife Vernette stop by for dinner.

Jim Mostek is always glad to see you.

 Steve Olson and Jim Mostek dry the silverware

 Aurora Kane was a big help bussing tables and filling water glasses

 Wellman's Bob & Pat Freeman finally get a chance to eat dinner after working their shift.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 27: Jim Mostek - TBA
November 3: Terry Engelken - TBA
November 10: Jim Gorham - TBA
November 17: 7am Board Meeting @ WCHC
November 17: Dennis Hunger - TBA
November 24: No meeting - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Guests, Club Forum, and Rotary Babies

The editorial staff is a little behind on updates.

GUESTS and VISITING ROTARIANS

Here are some guests and visiting Rotarians from the last few weeks.

Katie Rich, guest of Tsalika Rich. Henry Raber, guest of Ed Raber. And visiting Rotarian from the Mt. Pleasant club, Adam of L.J. Roth Restoration.

Don Vittetoe brought his daughter Lauren Vittetoe.

Jim Gorham brought his grandson Sam Gorham.

Laura Bombei brought, well, someone that looks a lot like her.

John Moenck and Mark Kendall. Just a picture begging for a caption.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS

Assist. DG Bob Freeman presented Terry Engelken with a Paul Harris Fellow pin. Congratulations, Terry!

Assist. DG Bob Freeman presented Dick Colby with a Paul Harris Fellow pin. Congratulations, Dick!

MEMBER BIO

Cheryl Kurtz

Club President, Cheryl Kurtz ran her first Club Forum on Sept. 1st. She also gave a little bio on herself.

Cheryl was born in Hannibal MO and eventually ended up in Kirksville where she met Dean Kurtz while studying for her BA in Music. After they married they taught at Pekin-Packwood School District for 13 years. In 1986 they moved to Washington.

In 1999 she started at Golden Crest Realty, where she is the broker/owner/realtor today.

Cheryl and Dean (a Kiwanian) have 3 kids and 7 grandkids.

CLUB FORUM

Cheryl announced that Amber Trettin would assume the role of Club Secretary as new mom, Kierstan Peck takes a hiatus on her Rotary membership.

Mark Kendall's resignation was also announced due to his time constraints at his CPA firm.

Cheryl reminded club members to ask other businesspeople to attend Rotary to try it out and see if a service club is an engaging fit for them.

Treasurer, Terry Engelken noted that the District Grant application for $5,000 toward the Washington Auditorium project had been submitted and was waiting for approval.

Past President, Susan Wellington was reviewing the club bylaws and developing revisions.

Nancy Rash said that there were 669 tickets "out" with Rotarians for the 26th Annual Turkey Dinner on Monday, September 12th. If you're holding on to some tickets, turn them back in or selling them!

ROTARY BABIES

Washington Rotary is pleased to report that we have three new mom's in our club. Last April, all we had were three pregnant Rotarians.

President Elect, Michelle Redlinger holds Cavan. Club Secretary Kierstan Peck holds Anders. Past President Tsalika Rich holds Colin. Pictured on the right is Dr. Ann Harris DDS, who was the club's first woman member, first woman club president (1994-95), and first pregnant Rotarian.

Surprisingly, all the babies went to sleep during the club forum.

Since the editorial staff of this newsletter are men, we can only report that these 3 kids were born at various times throughout the summer, and maybe the late Spring.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 8:  Michelle Redlinger - Brad Koenig from Washington County Domestic Violence
September 12: 26th Annual Turkey Dinner (click here to check your work assignments)
September 15: Laura Bombei - TBA
September 22: Ed Rustioni - Lynn Johnson, American Cancer Society