Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Annual Rotary Awards Dinner

June 24, 2021

Among the special honorees for 2021: front row, from left: Kael Adam, Rotary Scholarship recipient and winner of the John Prochaska Rotary Service Award: Bob Kennedy, Rotarian of the Year; Ken Hanson, winner of the Bill Sitler Rotary Community Service Award; and Anna Miller, Scholarship recipient. In the back row are incoming President Brett Pierson and outgoing President Paul Horak.
Brett and Paul bookend three familiar, much missed faces: from left, John Moenck, Dick Colby and Emory VanGerpen, who retired this past year from decades of service to our club and community. They each received a special Rotary Recognition Service Award.

After passing the gavel to incoming President Brett, Paul accepts his second past president's plaque.


Rotarian of the Year Bob Kennedy and President Paul share a laugh.
Awards Dinner Chair Ann Harris presented the Bill Sitler Rotary Service Award to Ken Hanson.
Kael Adam is a 2021 Rotary Scholarship recipient and winner of the John Prochaska Rotary Service Award.

Anna Miller is our other 20212 Rotary Scholarship recipient.

It was a great time for all at the annual Washington Rotary Club Awards Dinner on Thursday night, June 24 and the Washington Golf Country Club.

We were joined by our scholarship winners, Anna Miller and Kael Adam, who also received the club's John Prochaska Rotary Service Award, Ken Hanson, who received the Bill Sitler Rotary Community Service Award, and recently retired long-time members, Dick Colby, John Moenck and Emory VanGerpen, who were all honored for their decades of service to the club and community.

Our longstanding member Bob Kennedy was recognized as Rotarian of the Rotarian of the Year. In final items of business, outgoing President Paul Horak passed the gavel to incoming President Brett Pierson and Brett awarded Paul his second past president's plaque.

Thanks to all Rotarians and guests who attended, to Cafe Dodici for a wonderful meal and to Awards Dinner Chair Ann Harris and her committee for organizing a wonderful event.

Thursday, June 3, 2021



Cheryl Kurtz, program chair for May 27, entertained with a talk about the large model train layout she and her husband, Dean, built during the pandemic. The daughter of a railroad man, Cheryl still has his conductor's cap and the electric train set she received as a child.  Thanks for a great program, Cheryl.

Reminder: Our annual Rotary Banquet is coming up June 24 at the country club. RSVP now for yourself and a guest. Stay tuned for menu and program details.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021


 Eric Hahn from Bazooka Farmstar gave the program at our May 20 meeting. He gave a lot of great information about the background of the company and its tremendous growth over recent years. They are expanding in the near future and have developed some proprietary technology. Teri Hartzler was program chair.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021



Cast members of "School House Rock," Washington Community High School's Spring Musical, performed selections for our Rotary Club on April 22. From left, Keegan Colby, Levi Applegate, Quinn Wubbena, Kevin Flannery, Hannah Rees, and Bailey Rees. Program chair for the meeting was our President-elect Brett Pierson, who also directed the musical, performed April 23, 24, 25 at the Washington Area Performing Arts Center.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021


 Dr. Benjamin Green, the new full-time surgeon at the Washington County Hospital gave the program at the April 8 meeting. Todd Patterson was the program chair.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021



 Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh updated the club April 1 on development of the Shiloh property, which has been annexed into the city and will provide a wealth of building lots and recreational facilities.


Michelle Redlinger was the day's program chair. Thanks for an informative program, Michelle.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021



 

Tsalika Rich, program chair for the March 25 meeting, introduces the speaker, Washington Community Schools Supt. Willie Stone. During her introduction Tsalika announced she will be resigning from the club this summer, when she moves to Coralville.

Willie gave an update on school building infrastructure needs and the questionnaire the school district is presenting the community to get feedback on their four building/remodel proposals.

He is asking all Rotary members to go to their website and look at the MS Options for Middle School Buildings. There is a survey he would like everyone to take. Here is the link with info and the survey: https://www.washington.k12.ia.us/news/what_s_new/m_s_building_options_for_general_obligation_bond

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Rotary is back in action!

Amber Scott tells the club about being a funeral director in a year of COVID-19 at our March 18 meeting.
Gary Murphy resumes attendance March 18 after a year's absence. Condolences to Gary on the loss of his wife, Karen.

Washington Community School District Foundation President Jeff Cuddeback updates the club on the organization's activity on March 4.

Connie Larsen is one of many Rotarians who both helped and donated at our annual bloodmobile on Feb. 18. Thanks, Connie.