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.

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.

 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.

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.

 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.

 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.

 

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

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.

 Our meetings are suspended for awhile, but that doesn't mean Rotarians have stopped serving our community. Ray Poe was one of several club members who took time on Friday to ring the bell for donations to the Salvation Army at Washington Walmart.

Rotary meetings suspended due to COVID-19

 

Dear Rotarians,

Given the increased frequency of positive Covid cases and the new guidelines from the Governor we will suspend in person Rotary meetings through Dec 10^th.  There will be no in person meeting on Thursday, Dec 10^th.

If the current guidelines and rules are extended beyond Dec 10^th we will keep meetings suspended until we are permitted to meet again safely.

We’ll work through this.  Please try to stay engaged in whatever safe way you can.  We’ll stay in communication via email or other technologies to do our best to further the goals of Rotary.

Thanks and be well,

Paul Horak, President

 Bob Kennedy spoke to us about Shriners Hospitals for Children on Nov. 12.

 

Jenna Johnson, national political correspondent for the Washington Post and daughter of Rotarian Jim Johnson and his wife Bridget, talked about her experiences in journalism via Zoom at our Oct. 29 meeting.

Welcome to Brett DeWolf, our newest member. Brett is facilities manager for Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. He makes his home in Washington with his wife Sherise and children Bryce, Abbi, Justyn and Jaden.

Police Chief Jim Lester return to update us on WPD's work last week.

Washington Rotary Club continues to be the best place to stay in the know about your community. Kevin Erpeldinger shares his experiences from a backpacking trip in Sierra Madre mountains.

Teresa Beenblossom visited Rotary to speak about fundraising goals to get new playground equipment at Lincoln Elementary School. She is asking for donations from individuals and service clubs. There are two options, an all-in-one equipment renovation that will cost $208,500 or doing it in parts, with phase one costing $104,000 with $48,000 left to raise.

 Riverside Casino & Golf Resorts General Manager Dan Franz and Facilities Manager Brett DeWolf updated the club Oct. 1 on how the casino is coping with COVID-19. They said the casino's gaming business and golf course are doing well, but the restaurant and hotel businesses have a ways to go.

 

A big thanks to Rotarians Don Vittetoe and Terry Engelken for serving our meals at each week's meeting.

Rotarians Amy Schulte and Teri Hartzler updated the club Sept. 24 on the Washington YMCA's Virtual Fitness offerings, proving a variety of classes in your own home with your favorite instructors. Several of our members have already downloaded the Y's new phone app for easy in-house class registration and virtual class viewing.

 Zoom program with Iowan Wesleyan University President Chris Plunkett

Thanks to arrangements by former Washington Rotarian Adam McLaughlin, we enjoyed a virtual update on IWU on Sept. 10 from President Chris Plunkett. She said that after plans to merge with St. Leo University fell through, a partnership with Southeastern Community College at West Burlington shows promise and enrollment and retention rates are improving.

Our own Brian Overy gave an outstanding program on cattle ranching in his home state of Wyoming on Sept. 17, however your newsletter editor was so fascinated he forgot to take a photo. Maybe Brian will share one from his slide show.

Catching up since meetings resumed July 3.

Thanks for all Rotarians who turned out to help at the Kewash Half-Marathon on Aug. 29. Thanks also to Rotarian Sue Basten for sharing photos.

President Paul Horak presents a check for $10,000 on behalf of the Washington Rotary Club to to Rotarian and YMCA Director Amy Schulte. The donation will go to help equip the Community Room at the new Y.

Rotarian and Washington City Administrator Brent Hinson updated the club on city projects at our Aug. 5 meeting.

Rotary District 6000 Governor Steven Dakin and wife Lesley were guests Aug. 13.

Rotarian and Washington Community School District Superintendent Willy Stone modeled a COVID-19 face shield available for staff during his Aug. 20 program on back-to-school plans for the district.

Washington Community Schools

On January 30^th, we had a very nice presentation from Willie Stone about Washington Community School District and how the district is preparing the students for success throughout their whole career at school.

Willie shared with us that Washington is using a MTSS or Multi-Tiered System of Support for every student in the district.  This system is based on three tiers of support. 

Tier 1 = Core Classroom Instruction

                This is the base of the system and each student receives core instruction

Tier 2 = Targeted Small Group Instruction

                This the middle of the system, and focus on children who may need some additional support and could benefit from more intensive group work on a certain subject

Tier 3 = Intensive Individual Instruction

                This is the top tier and is for students who would benefit from one on one instruction or guidance

This system provides a framework to help screen and support students and provides a chance to implement real time support.  This is implemented at all levels within the school district (primary to high school).

The next item Willie explained to us was the concept of the “Profile of a Graduate”.  This was presented as the hopes and dreams for our students, what skills do they need to achieve these dreams and how to transfer this to classroom work.  This concept was presented to the district and 6 core qualities for each student became the focus for graduates from Washington Community School.

1.       Communicate

2.       Contribute

3.       Collaborate

4.       Innovate

5.       Persevere

6.       Think Critically

Thank you, Willie, for all your hard work and preparing our students for whatever their next chapter in life may be!

Upcoming Events:

-          Daffodil Days Sales; sales sheets are out and orders are due back the week of March 5^th

-          Annual Rotary sponsored Blood Drive; Feb 13^th @ UP Church 1:30 – 6:30pm

-          Kewash Trail Half Marathon   April 18^th, 2020

Upcoming Programs:

-          2/6/2020   Craig Davis

-          2/13/2020 BLOOD DRIVE DAY

-          2/20/2020 Brent Hinson

-          2/27/2020 Emory Styron

9/11 Memorial at the 2020 County Fair

On January 23^rd we were joined by Carol Horning to share with the club that the 9/11 Memorial will be returning to the Washington County Fair this year.   Carol was a major organizer for the memorial to come to Washington back in 2018 and is very excited to have them come back again.  They have completely gutted and updated the displays, so even if you saw the memorial last time, this will be a new experience again.   

The mobile exhibit was started back in 2013 by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives on 9/11.  The experience is topped off with guided tours by FDNY firefighters who provide firsthand accounts of the day and days following the attack.  Funds raised by the Stephen Siller Foundation go towards Gold Star Family Home Program and Smart Home Program who provide mortgage free homes to a surviving spouse with young children or veterans who have a disability that affects their mobility.

The memorial will be here 3 days again (currently set for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the fair)

2018 Washington County Fair informational flyer

State of the Club

On January 2^nd we Kurt lead the meeting with the State of the Club. 

We were also joined by 3 previous RYLA participants and were able to hear updates on their college careers so far. 

Aaron Vittetoe is currently studying at Iowa State University in Ag Business.  He is planning to graduate soon and join the workforce using his Ag Business and Agronomy skills.  While at Iowa State University, he was able to travel to Costa Rica and study the soil, crops and farming techniques there. 

Reid Baston is currently studying at the University of Iowa in Audiology.  Reid will be a senior at Iowa next year and will move on to start studying for his AuD in Audiology after.  Reid has enjoyed his time at the University of Iowa so far and is looking forward to his several more years of school!

Mark Engelken is currently a sophomore at Iowa State University and is studying Genetics with the plan to advance to pharmaceutical and molecular chemistry.  Mark has really enjoyed his time at Iowa State University and has been able to participate in the STEM Scholars Program the university offers as well.

Thank you to the former RYLA students for joining us today and sharing all your wonderful experiences so far in school!