Newsletter - Archive  Jul 1, 2009

print this page

Tim Haas Named Rotarian of the Year

Tim Haas, president and owner of T&G Specialties, has been named Rotarian of the Year for 2008-09 by the Jefferson City West Rotary Club.

Haas was cited for his many community involvements, including heading up a fund-raiser for Margaret Romph, 5, who is paralyzed neck down from an auto accident and undergoing costly treatments. The little girl's mother once worked for Haas.

A Rotarian since 1999, Haas also has helped raise funds for Rotary projects in Jefferson City. He was the chairman of his club's first-ever Trivia Night this past March that helped raise $4,000 for the Samaritan Center of Jefferson City.

Haas is also a long-time member of the Jefferson City Jaycees, and in his spare time even owns a local band.

The presentation of the Rotarian of the Year is an annual event for JC West Rotary, and is usually kept secret until it is formally announced. Haas didn't even warm up to the idea that he was the honoree even when his wife, sons, mother and father suddenly showed up for the regular Rotary luncheon.

However, it didn't take long after Frank Newell, a former Rotarian of the Year, noted that this year's honoree was born in Iowa. "I'm speechless," Haas responded after the presentation. "I guess I should introduce my family," he quipped.

New President: Steven Houser

Steven Houser, an officer with Hawthorn Bank in its Trust Department, has assumed the position of President of the Jefferson City West Rotary Club for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Houser has served as a board member and secretary for the club. He joined Rotary in 2006.

He recently was honored as a Bequest Society Member of the Rotary International Foundation, having designated $10,000 as a bequest from his estate - the first for the club to do so. He was later joined by Warren Prost, the outgoing club president.

Other club officers for the coming year include Linda Nichols, president-elect; John Wood, secretary; Mike Gray, treasurer; Walt Rottman, sergeant-at-arms; and Warren Prost, immediate past president.

Exchange Student from Turkey Ends Visit

Seda Guler, a junior at Jefferson City High School and a Rotary Exchange Student from Turkey, will be returning to her home in Izmar, a city of three million people, in July.

"This has been a life-changing experience for me," says the perky Honor Roll student who made all A's while at JCHS. "I really liked the people here in America and the small-town atmosphere here in Jefferson City," she said.

Seda played on the JCHS JV women's soccer team and was elected to the National Honor Society during her nine months while in Jefferson City. She was sponsored by both the Jefferson City Evening and West Rotary clubs.

During her stay here she was hosted by three Rotary families, including Mark and Susan Newbold, and made trips to St. Louis and Chicago during here visit.

"To leave here is like I am leaving home. Even though I will be happy to see my own family soon, I will truly miss my friends and extended families here, so this is both a happy and sad time for me," she said.