Rotary Awards Dinner

The Rotary Club of Washington held its annual Awards Dinner at Marr Park on June 24th, 2015 with 60 in attendance. Dinner was catered by Cafe Dodici.

2014-15 Club President Susan Wellington turned over the gavel to incoming 2015-16 Club President, Tsalika Rich, who was also honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Max Cousins was honored with the Bill Sitler Rotary Community Service Award for his four decades of service in our community and schools.

Rotarian Nancy Rash was honored as the Rotarian of the Year for her dedication and leadership. Rash is also a past Club President.

Rotarian Sue Basten was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship. Basten is a past Club President.

Emily Vittetoe received a Rotary Scholarship toward her studies at Mount Mercy College. Emily is the daughter of Don and Alicia Vittetoe.

Kyle Basten received a Rotary Scholarship toward his studies at Iowa State University. Kyle also was honored with the John Prochaska Rotary Service Award. Kyle is the son of Sue and Tom Basten.

Kayla Schindler was the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) honoree. Kayla is the daughter of Greg and Dawn Schindler.

A fun evening was had by all.

Susan Wellington leads her last meeting as 2014-15 Club President 

Incoming 2015-16 Rotary Club President, Tsalika Rich

Emory VanGerpen gave a wonderful invocation

Washington Rotary Club Awards Dinner 2015 program

Find yourself in these dinner pics!

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Kyle Basten received a Rotary Scholarship, and the John Prochaska Rotary Service Award.

Dr. Ann Harris recognized the award recipients

Max Cousins received the Bill Sitler Rotary Community Service Award
for his decades of service to the community and school district

Kent Dallmeyer delivered his annual Rotary Foundation speech and awarded
Sue Basten and Tsalika Rich with Paul Harris Fellows

Nancy Rash was honored as the Rotarian of the Year for her dedication and ledership

Max Cousins (Bill Sitler Rotary Community Service Award), Rotarian Sue Basten (Paul Harris Fellow), Rotarian Nancy Rash (Rotarian of the Year), Rotarian Susan Wellington (Past President), Kyle Basten (Rotary Scholarship, John Prochaska Service Award), Rotarian Tsalika Rich (Incoming Club President, Paul Harris Fellow).

Not pictured: Emily Vittetoe (Rotary Scholarship), Kayla Schindler (Rotary Youth Leadership Award)

For a listing of these and past Rotary award honorees, check the Washington Rotary web site - Rotary Awards & Scholarships. 

Can't get enough of these photos? Check out the 2014 Awards Dinner exciting blog post.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
July 2: Myron Graber - Nathan Miller, WHS Baseball Coach
July 9: Steve Olson
July 16: Sue Basten
July 23: Gary Murphy - Son Nate's Adventures
July 30: Visit from District Governor, Loring Miller

Dr. J & Ronald McDonald House

ROTARY AWARD DINNER, JUNE 24, 6pm @ Marr Park

Don't forget the exciting Washington Rotary Club's Annual Award Dinner on Wednesday, June 24 at 6pm at Marr Park's Education Center near Ainsworth. This is always a great time to celebrate some outstanding students and community members.

Dr. J RETIRES FROM WCSD

Two weeks ago, we got to hear some reflections from Dr. Mike Jorgensen as he retires after 5 years as superintendent at Washington Community School District. Welcome to Senior Active, Dr. J!

Dr. J said that he had qualified as a sprinter for the Olympic try outs, but changed his plans in favor of the opportunity to teach and be a basketball coach in Marshalltown. He later coached at Perry and won the state basketball championship.

His goal was to become an NCAA basketball coach. He said his championship team in Perry graduated 12 seniors. The next season, the Perry team went 4-12 which made him rethink his future coaching plans.

Mike gave up his college coaching dream and went to work for the Area Education Agency (AEA), and had the opportunity to advance if he got his school administrator license. When that didn't pan out as planned, he switched to being a superintendent at a western school district. That also led him to Washington 5 years ago where he has helped to guide the Washington Community School District.

Mike said that he has enjoyed a great School Board, and a wonderful staff and community.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE 


Jim Gorham brought grandson, Sam Gorham to Rotary last week.


From the Mt. Pleasant Rotary club, it was great to have Professors Bisi & Bitrus Gwamna, and Jummai Victor from Nigeria.


Kristin Roberts is the Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. She gave a great talk about the impact the Ronald McDonald House has on families across the region, and also how we can help the families they serve.


The Iowa City Noon Rotary club hosts a fundraiser annual golf outing at Finkbine that has raised over $625k over the years, and over $50k annually.

Here are some handouts about the Ronald McDonald House and how we can help them better serve families in need.

UPCOMING EVENTS
June 24: Rotary Annual Awards Dinner, 6pm @ Marr Park
June 25: No Rotary Meeting!
July 2: Regular Rotary Club Meeting

Dove Release!

Thanks to John Moenck for inviting Tom Marsh to talk to Rotary about his homing doves. After his talk, the club went outside to watch a release of his doves.

Tom Marsh works for Washington County Public Health and is an RN.

John Moenck handles the doves without any protective gloves, and in a short sleeved shirt!

Tom Marsh gives John Moenck some last minute advice on how to let go of a squirming bird.

Later that day, Moenck received word from Tom Marsh that the birds had returned home and were tired and hungry.

For some perspective, why not relive the WKRP Turkey Drop with Les Nessman?

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 4: Gene Driscoll - TBA

June 11: Dr. John Thorne - Dr. Mike Jorgensen, Senior Active

June 18: Emory VanGerpen - TBA

June 24: WEDNESDAY, Rotary Awards Dinner 6:00pm @ Marr Park

June 25: No club meeting

Hillcrest Family Services & Kids Against Hunger

Happy 98th Birthday to Harvey Holden! You don't look a day over 94.

HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES

Mandi Grimm from Hillcrest Family Services talked about integrated health homes. Making all services and resources available at one point of contact for individuals with mental illness.

Kristin Helm from Hillcrest Family Services discussed new services, in the Emergency Room, and with opening up appointments for therapist and psychiatric services.

KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

Rotary Clubs of Washington, Kalona, and Wellman helped pack 12,000 meals at the Riverside Casino with their Winning Hands Employee Volunteer Program, for Kids Against Hunger on May 27. This cooperative event, in its 4th year, is becoming an important annual initiative! The Casino donated $1,500 and the three Rotary clubs added another $1,500 for a total of $3,000!

Leaders from Riverside Casino, and the Rotary Clubs of Washington, Kalona, and Wellman hand over big fake checks totaling $3,000 to Kids Against Hunger

PDG Don Patterson and Terry Engelken shine as volunteer meal packers

Wellman's Bob Freeman, with Kalona's Jeremy Statler and Pat Anderson

If you'd like to see more Rotarians in hairnets packing food for Kids Against Hunger, look back at our pictures from 2014.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 28: John Moenck - Homing Birds

June 4: Gene Driscoll - TBA

June 11: Dr. John Thorne - Dr. Mike Jorgensen, Senior Active

June 13: Relay For Life in Central Park, 11am - 11pm

June 18: Emory VanGerpen - TBA

June 24: (Wednesday) Rotary Awards Dinner, Marr Park, 6pm

County Fair, Relay, Jeff Dicks, & Karl King

Kids Against Hunger - May 27, 2-4pm @ Riverside Casino

Don't forget about the Kids Against Hunger meal packing event on Wednesday, May 27th at the Riverside Casino Events Center from 2-4pm. The financial commitment is $1,500 from the casino and $500 from the Washington, Wellman & Kalona Rotary Clubs, for a total of $3,000.  This will allow us to package 12,000 meals!

What's going on?

Ed Rustioni updates the club on Relay For Life on June 13

Congratulations to Susan Wellington for receiving a Rotary Presidential Citation award from PDG Don Patterson. The Citation recognizes that Club President Wellington led the club through on-target activities and worked toward the Rotary mission.

Washington School's On-Deck Superintendent, Jeff Dicks, told the club a little bit about himself. He starts in June after Rotarian, Dr. Mike Jorgensen moves to "Senior Active."

John Moenck talked about Rotarians working the ticket gates at the Washington County Fair.

Last week, Dick Colby had a Music Appreciation class, focusing on Karl King. Take another listen to "Barnum & Bailey's Favorite"!

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 21: Kathy Salazar - Bobbie Wulf

May 27: WEDNESDAY - Kids Against Hunger @ Riverside Casino, 2-4pm

May 28: John Moenck - TBA

June 4: Gene Driscoll - TBA

June 11: Dr. John Thorne - Dr. Mike Jorgensen "Senior Active"

June 13: Relay for Life in Central Park, 11am - 11pm

June 18: Emory Van Gerpen - TBA

June 24: Wednesday - Rotary Awards Dinner @ Marr Park, 6:00pm (find out if Jim Mostek repeats as Rotarian of the Year!)

June 25: No Rotary Club Meeting

Also, Emily Johnson wants to remind folks about an upcoming play by area poet/playwright Mary Swander "Map of My Kingdom" at the Washington Public Library on June 6th. Yes, its free, Dick.