RC Lexington hosts UK's International Students

On Sunday August 18th the Rotary Club of Lexington and the University of Kentucky’s International Hospitality Program co-hosted a picnic for international students entering UK this fall. The picnic, which has been taking place since 1968, was held on UK’s campus at the E.S. Good Barn. Students from 24 different countries attended the picnic along with their host families. Included in the picnic fare were “All American” hamburgers with all the toppings, corn on the cob, and chocolate chip cookies, which appeared to be a big hit with the crowd! Door prizes consisting of Rotary merchandise were given to those students who traveled the longest, spoke the most languages, visited the most continents, and lived closest to the equator.  Good times were had by everyone and the students really appreciated Rotary’s outreach and hospitality.    

 

President Martin addressing  the students and host families with
Chairman of the International Students Committee Allen Grimes.

 Two student winners of door prizes. Young lady won for “smallest country”-
Lebanon and the gentleman was the winner ( or loser!) of  
“traveled the longest to get to Lexington”-70 hours, From India

 

Florence Elementary School Farming and Food Processing Program

 

By Charlie Walton, Principal of Florence Elementary School

The planting and gardening has begun at Florence Elementary School.  Florence Elementary School has expanded its farming and food processing program to include other schools and many Florence businesses.  The Florence Rotary is a big part of the collaboration component for the program.

The planting, staking and caring for the crops have taken place and the harvesting has begun.  John Salyers-Florence Rotary, Gary Wilmhoff-Florence Hardware (Florence Rotary), Mike Walker-Sam’s Club Manager, Charlie Massey- Retired Principal, Mike Crane-KY Farm Bureau (Florence Rotary) and Beth Long-Potter’s Ranch (Florence Rotary) are several of the businessmen and women that are helping with the entire program.  Our Agricultural Agent with the UK Extension Office has been very helpful annually with the student program.

Throughout the summer months the staff, students and business partners have continued the weeding, staking and harvesting of the crops.  The tomatoes and peppers are harvested and made into salsa to be sold at the new Friendly Market off Mt. Zion Road.

The Florence Rotary has been a huge help throughout the summer months for the program.

 

Rotarian Gary Wilmhoff drives a stake into the garden to support the newly planted crops.



DGE John Sayers helping in the Florence Elementary tomato and pepper patch.  The
tomatoes and peppers are used to make Florence Elementary salsa and sold. 

The school has made up to $25,000.00 on this project.  This helps provide extra money for the school. 

 

Don't Miss the Bus - Cincinnati Reds Roadtrip for Scouting - August 4th

RC Somerset-Pulaski and RC Somerset partner to benefit students

Club Presidents Ben Robertson and George Corder spoke to a group of over 200 students during the Access to Careers event held at Somerset Community College on Nov 14. The select group of students from the 4 local high schools toured the facilities of SCC and received information on classes offered, scholarship moneys and financial aid that is available. Each year both the Somerset Pulaski Morning Rotary Club and Somerset Rotary Club give scholarships to Somerset, Pulaski and Southwestern high school students based on high ethical standards and submitted essays.

RC Somerset Pulaski County supports Gods Food Pantry

·        Somerset Pulaski Morning Rotary Club donated $500 to Gods Food Pantry, Somerset KY to assist with Thanksgiving and Christmas funding. Gods Food pantry serves and average of 770 families per month within the Somerset community.

RC Lexington Rotary and Rotaract partner for Habitat for Humanity

The Yearlings organized a Rotary-Habitat Day with the Rotaract Club. They worked on homes for the Emmanuel Katchosa family and the Adolfo Garcia family. Everyone is invited to the Katchosa home dedication Dec. 19, 6:00pm at 224 Savoy Rd. Those who demonstrated service above self: Thom Hathaway, Dan Yates, Eric Taylor, Brendan Yates, Kristen Phillips, Stephen Machin-Smith, Todd Sallee, Trey McCallie, Greg Davis, Stephanie Spires, Temple Juett, Kelli Newman, Amanda Reed, David Wheatley, Ben Jones, Rebecca Barnes, Jamie Adams, Matt Rippetoe, Brandi Berryman, Chris Crumrine, Jenny Jones, Bill Farmer, Ken Wooden.

RC Somerset welcomes new member and serves community

L to R: President George Corder, Amy Stroud, sponsor Mike Tarter

 

The Noon Rotary Club is pleased to announce our newest member Amy Stroud. Amy was inducted Monday, Nov 26, 2012. Amy’s sponsoring rotarian was Mike Tarter. She is the digital media market person for Forcht Broadcasting in Somerset. Welcome Amy!

On Saturday 12/15 beginning at 11:00 the annual Wreaths Across America event was held at our Mill Springs National Memorial Cemetery in Nancy KY. Rotarians were on hand to prepare hot coffee, cider and other refreshments. Dr B.J. Parson spearheads this event each year for our club. Among the many veterans present, some from WWII, a large representation of our local school’s JRROTC members were present for the ceremony. Also in attendance were the Boy Scouts and Somerset Explorers. Wreaths Across America is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at Arlington VA, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Somerset Rotary is proud to participate in events remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms. This week of events is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events. We receive no government funding. The cost of their programs is paid by individual wreaths sponsors, corporate donors and volunteer truckers.

RC Lexington Rotary Day at the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League

The Rotary Club of Lexington had Rotary Day at the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League, Saturday September 22. The Miracle League program in Lexington was made possible with the efforts of the Lexington Rotary Club, YMCA of Central KY and Toyota. The Miracle League is a baseball program for children 5-19 with any type of physical or mental disability. Many volunteers support the league providing, "buddies" for each child, umpires, coaches, announcers and food during the games. September 22, the Kentucky baseball team came out to help buddy with the players and Chick-fil-a provided lunch. "Everybody plays -everybody wins" is the motto of the league and that goes for all involved! The Lexington club is proud to have a long standing relationship and continues to support the league every fall and spring season.

 

KY Head baseball coach Gary Henderson with Rotarian Chris Stevenson,
President of the Board for the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League.

 

 

 



Rotarian Dave Williams, umpiring

 

Players practicing while Cow looks on

Rotarian Darrell Ishmael, on-field commentator with Rotarian Chris

Stevenson and Exec. Dir. of the Miracle League, Kevin Haury.



Kentucky baseball team with Miracle League team


 

 



Margaret Hammonds shares information about the Imagination Library

Margaret Hammonds from the Rotary Club of Whitesburg was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Hazard on Wednesday September 12, 2012. Her topic was Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, an early childhood literacy program which the Rotary Club of Whitesburg implemented in January 2012. Hazard Rotary is planning to start this program in their area, and hopes to have it in place by spring of 2013. Hammonds was instrumental in bringing this program to the Whitesburg Area during her tenure as Rotary President 2011-2012, and remains the coordinator between the Rotary Club of Whitesburg and the Dollywood Foundation. The Imagination Library provides a free book per month for children under 5 years of age who live in a selected service area, regardless of the family income. The Rotary Club of Whitesburg currently has 143 children registered in the program in the Whitesburg area.

 

RC Maysville community service project

Approximately 25 members of the Maysville Rotary and about a dozen Boy Scouts gave up their Saturday to brighten lives/yards of local residence.

After receiving a list of shut-ins or citizens with no means to do yard work, our local club set out to 'make their day'. Traveling with mulch, tools, flowers, and maps, the teams (mostly 4 - 5 as a team) reached their destinations.

After discussing what needed to be done, they began their work. Digging up old plants or remains of trees/bushes, the landscapes began taking on a new, fresh look. When all the project at a home was complete, the landscape was blooming with newly planted flowers. Each home also received a hanging basket.

Many of the residents came out to personally thank them, some even weeping with joy. It must be noted that the ones that got the most out of this project, were the Rotary members.

Approximately 12 homes received sprucing up. The club has decided that it was such a great success that we will do this again next year but plan to expand the number of homes.

Click For Photos

RC Cynthiana to host Volunteerism Fair

The Cynthiana Rotary club in conjunction with the Harrison County School Board and the Harrison County High School (HCHS) will sponsor a Volunteerism Fair at the HCHS on October 18, 2012.  During the Fair approximately 1,000 high school students will have an opportunity to visit with over 20 local organization/agencies that may need student volunteers.  The goal is to help with volunteer awareness, allow students to connect with local agencies and to create a volunteer mindset early on which may follow students throughout their lives.

this article is reprinted due to some technical difficulties with the original post.

RC Lexington hosts International Student picnic with UK - a tradition for over 20 years!

August 12 The Lexington Rotary club co-hosted with the University of Kentucky's Office of International Affairs a picnic for incoming international students to the university. Chairman Allen Grimes organized all the food, volunteers and door prizes. Door prizes were given to the student who had come the farthest, most recently arrived, etc....The picnic provides the students an opportunity to meet one another and for many it is the beginning of their American experience. Rotary has co-hosted this picnic for over 20 years.

 

Rotarian Allen Grimes awarding a door prize



two students displaying Peace through Service via the peace sign as they enjoy the picnic




Rotarian Chewning presents a Rotary visor to a door prize winner

Frank Thompson, Martha Riddell and Peggy Trafton