District Conference Awards - Club Builder and Peace Through Service Awards

District Rotarians enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Terry Crist and the fellowship of their colleagues during the Saturday night celebration banquet. The following awards were presented during the conference: 

Club Builder Award:  Keith Key, Jack McAllister, Dean Hammond for Visioning, Paul Claiborne of London Club, Paris Club for fundraiser with West Liberty Club.

DG Kathryn Hardman presents the Club Builder award to DGE Jack McAllister,
RC Lexington (left) and Keith Key, RC Lexington Sunrise (right)

DG Kathryn Hardman and Paul Claiborne, RC London

RC Paris President Ernie Trosper receives the
Club Builder award for the club's fundraiser with RC
West Liberty to benefit  tornado relief

District Peace Through Service Award:  Rotary Club of Falmouth

Rotarian George Rassenfoss celebrates 96th birthday!

George Rassenfoss celebrated his 96^th Birthday recently at the Paris Rotary Club meeting. George was honored with a special “Rotary Cake” to celebrate his 96^th birthday on Wednesday January 8, 2013. A long time Rotarian, George had over 60 years of perfect attendance at Rotary’s weekly meetings. When asked what keeps him active in Rotary, George always responds that he enjoys the programs (each week the Club has a featured speaker) and the fellowship. George is the Club’s Sergeant at Arms Emeritus and regularly invokes the meeting’s opening prayer. The Club’s annual Attendance Award is named in George’s honor. George’s daughters, Bridget and Marthy, attended the meeting and shared in the surprise birthday celebration. Happy Birthday George!!!!!

RC Paris and RC West Liberty barbeque and auction

The Rotary Clubs of Paris and West Liberty hosted a barbeque and auction to benefit West Liberty and help with projects needed in the West Liberty community following last spring's devastating tornados. Cheryl McGraw of the West Liberty club and Auctioneer and Rotarian Bill T. McConnell of the Paris club were assisted by the local Interact Club in conducting the auction. Paris and West Liberty Rotarians along with DG Kathryn Hardman and AG Lori Acton gathered following the successful auction that raised about $2,000.

RC Paris hosted several holiday programs

The Paris Rotary Club had several programs to foster Christmas spirit during the holiday season. On December 3rd the Rotary Club sponsored a community Christmas concert which featured local singers/choirs performing Christmas carols. At our regular meeting on December 5, Paris High School students treated us to a selection of Christmas music including a modified version of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" to showcase daily events in the life of a high school student. At the December 12th meeting, the Bourbon County High School choir sang a medley of songs that certainly put the spirit of Christmas in each Rotarian present. Of course, the Rotarians could not pass up the opportunity to sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" to the students. With all the wonderful music presented by and to the Paris Rotary Club, Paris was ready for the Christmas season.

RC Paris hosts Pie and Cake Auction

Paris Rotary Club’s Annual Pie and Cake Auction

Paris Rotary Club’s annual pie and cake auction was held Thursday evening November 1st as a fun way to raise money for the scholarship program.  The evening’s event was well attended with approximately seventy-five Rotarians and their guests in attendance.  Not only did the attendees bring their appetites, (dining on delicious crab legs, fresh shrimp, and oysters), they brought their checkbooks as well.  Close to $5900 was raised as the bidding for the cakes and pies became spirited with the highest auctioned cake bringing over $600.  The event netted out over $2900 for the scholarship program which is an increase of almost a $1000 from the same event last year.  Special guests included District Governor Kathyrn Hardman, and Past District Governor  John Adams, Christie, and of course Charlie.  A special thanks to Rotarians Tom Brannock and Bill T. McConnell for coordinating and conducting this special event.

As a way to continue to serve others, the Paris Rotary Club held a joint meeting with the West Liberty Rotary Club on Saturday, November 10.  The Paris Club brought items collected from members to be auctioned to benefit the Morgan Central Elementary School in West Liberty.

RC Paris donates to the Backpack Program

Joe Fast, a member of the Paris Rotary, presents a check to Liz Kingsland of the Bourbon County Extension office to support the Backpack program. The goal of this program is to provide nutritious snacks every weekend for children in need. The Paris Rotary Club members volunteer once a month and also support the program with a financial contribution. The Backpack program is one of the Paris Rotary Club’s service projects.

RC Paris supports local Backpack program

Joe Fast, a member of the Paris Rotary, presents a check to Liz Kingsland of the Bourbon County Extension office to support the Backpack program. The goal of this program is to provide nutritious snacks every weekend for children in need. The Paris Rotary Club members volunteer once a month and also support the program with a financial contribution. The Backpack program is one of the Paris Rotary Club’s service projects.

RC Paris hosts concert fundraiser

The Paris Rotary Club held their 3rd Annual Christmas Concert to benefit Rotary International and PolioPlus. Over 230 people enjoyed a wide variety of Christmas music. A love offering was taken and the club raised over $1,300. Paris Rotarians are very proud to have a new tradition to bring the community together. The talent included Veaches Chapel Gospel Choir, pianist Owen Sammons, pianist & vocalist Debra Garr, Old Cane Springs bluegrass band, First Baptist Church bell choir, and many other talented individuals. The 4th Annual Paris Rotary Christmas Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 7:00 pm and all are welcome.

RC Paris Celebrates A Birthday and Serves the Community

Paris Rotarian George Rassenfoss recently celebrated his 95^th birthday at his weekly Rotary Club meeting. A long time Rotarian, George has had over 60 years of perfect attendance. At the weekly meetings, song leader John Galloway recognizes the birthdays of Club members and leads the Club in rousing renditions of “Happy Birthday.” 

G. Davis Wilson was the featured speaker on January 11. He discussed his role as Bourbon County Attorney and discussed the duties of his office. According to G. Davis, over 3,000 felonies and misdemeanors occurred in the County over the past year, with 90 to 95% of the offenses related to drugs and drug abuse. Illegal drugs and pills are a growing problem in the County as well as an increase in crimes by juveniles. Additionally, police recently discovered the

 first “meth lab” in Bourbon County and will be prosecuting the case.

Rotarians volunteering at the backpack program.

The Paris Rotary Club supports the Operation Backpack that provides food for disadvantaged children. Rotarians volunteers once a month to work the program, packing over 250 backpacks per week. The club also contributes $2000 of financial support to the service project.

Liz Kingsland, Extension Office, Casey Wiley, Extension Office and, Miranda Reynolds (Rotary Chairperson for the Backpack program) presenting a check for the Backpack Program

Paris Rotary Club's "Coats, Jackets & Blankets Drive" was a great success as over 300 items were donated by Rotarians and from the Community. Pictured are Rotarians Bill T. McConnell, President Ethel Welsh and Tom Brannock. These items were delivered to the First Christian Church where they will be distributed to the Community.