Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! This year for our Christmas program, Cheryl and Ann helped bring back an old tradition of singing the 12 Days of Christmas. We split up into 12 groups, and each group had a card for their Day of Christmas. This was followed by some Christmas caroling until our guests arrived.

A group of 30+ students from Washington Middle School stopped by as they were caroling around town. They sang a few Christmas songs for us, and they sounded wonderful! I think it's safe to say everyone left more in the Christmas spirit. 

Ed was joined by his wife, Marj for the Christmas meeting. She even got him to wear a tie!

Ann brought the new dentist in town. Nan Bates is the owner of Dental House of Washington, the former Harris and Harris Dental.

Cheryl's husband, Dean, joined Rotary to help with the Christmas caroling.

Ann lead the singing while Cheryl played the piano for the "12 Days of Christmas"

This group from Washing Middle School sure can sing! It was a pleasure having them at Rotary.

From last week: Becky Patterson shows off the new benches that were purchased, in part, with money from her husband Don's memorial.

May all of you have a blessed Christmas, and here's to all the best in 2019.

Upcoming Events
December 27: No meeting, MERRY CHRISTMAS
January 3: State of the Club - Lynn Koch
January 10: Susan Wellington - Daffodils
January 17: Amber Trettin

Club Forum

President Lynn Koch hosted a club forum today. Ideas were discussed for future fundraising ideas, including possibly doing a high dollar raffle.

The Christmas committee updated us on the plan for next week. We will meet at our regular meeting time for "12 days of Christmas" and we will get to enjoy some extra singing.

Becky Patterson gave an update about a recent project at the high school auditorium. When her husband Don passed away, memorials were made to Rotary. This money, along with a match by the Betterment Foundation, was used to install benches in the lobby of the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center.

A date was set for our end of the Rotary year event. This will be held Wednesday, June 26th, and will again be at the Washington Country Club.

Tsalika (DoDici's Cafe) catered Rotary today, and she brought her 2 month old daughter, Corley to meet everyone! Jaron enjoyed meeting the sweet baby.

Bob Crane visited our club from the Iowa City area.

Upcoming Events
December 20: 12 Days of Christmas
December 27: No meeting, MERRY CHRISTMAS
January 3: State of the Club - Lynn Koch
January 10: Susan Wellington - Daffodils
January 17: Amber Trettin

Former Hawkeye Quarterback Chuck Long Speaks to Rotary

Jim Mostek invited former Iowa Hawkeye quarterback, Chuck Long, to speak to Rotary. Chuck was the quarterback for the Hawkeyes in the early to mid 1980s, shortly after Hayden Fry became Iowa's head coach. In his senior season, he came in second in what was then the closest ever race for the Heisman Trophy. Chuck went on to play in the NFL where he played for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He has held several coaching positions across the country, claiming a National Championship as an assistant coach with Oklahoma in 2000, where both of his parents attended school. Eventually, Chuck landed back in Ames, Iowa, where he is the CEO and executive Director for the Iowa Sports Foundation.

Chuck was approached by Aaron Putze, who encouraged him that his story and the story of how Hayden Fry turned the Iowa Hawkeyes around was a story worth sharing. Aaron spent the next few years compiling facts and stories, and Chuck Long: Destined For Greatness was published this past summer. Since then, Chuck has been touring Iowa, doing meet and greets and book signings for the book. Your stories were very interesting, Chuck! Thanks for visiting our Rotary club to share with us.

President Lynn Koch with guest speaker Chuck Long and Rotarian Jim Mostek

Past Rotarian Gene Driscoll joined us last week. 

Mike Doughy is a former Rotarian who visited from Des Moines.

Jim Gorham invited John Runft to join us.

Joe McConnell attended with Craig Davis.

Our program was given by Chuck Long, who also brought his assistant, Angie Peterson. They are pictured with Bob Vittetoe. All three were guests of Jim Mostek.

Paul Horak brought his friend from the noon Kiwanis Club, Marty Beenblossom.

Chuck hung around after the regular meeting to greet fans and sign books. These will make great Christmas presents for Iowa Fans in the area. Thanks for visiting, Chuck!

Chuck Long signs autographs in the book Chuck Long: Destined for Greatness for Washington Rotarians.

Upcoming Programs

December 1: LJ Roth Corporation
December 13: Ryan Walker
December 20: 12 Days of Christmas
December 27: No meeting, MERRY CHRISTMAS
January 3: State of the Club - Lynn Koch