Newsletter - Archive  Sep 28, 2009

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Family fun at Apple Creek

Oh, what a washer throw! Jason Call reacts to a pitch
that clinked into the cup.

There was a little of everything at the first annual JC West Rotary family picnic at Apple Creek Farm - unless you had a hankering to go for a dip in the pool. Yeah, it was a bit on the cool side. But the sun was shining, the horseshoes were neighing, the washers were wishy-washing, and the field games ranged from skateboarding football (a very fast-moving game) to soccer where style was more important than scoring. And, oh, the food! It was catered by Bandana's and there was a lot of it - LOTS of it! For those who joined in the fun and festivities, there was a hi-hip-hooray to Jason Call for organizing and agonizing over our first family social of the year. (More photos on the Photo Album page.)

Work day at Rotary Park for Oct. 2 meeting

Jefferson City West Rotarians will meet at Rotary Centennial Park on Boliver Street at noon Friday, October 2, to do a little "sweat equity" - in lieu of our normal luncheon program. Oh yes, bag lunches will be served. But bring your gloves, hoe, rake, shovel or broom and above all, your "Service Above Self" smile! Also expected to be a worker-bee: District Gov. Steve Montgomery.

September Students of the Month

Garrett L. Forck, left, a senior at Helias High School, and Adriel Hawkins, right, a senior at Jefferson City High School, were honored in September as the JC West Rotary Club's Students of the Month. Garrett is active in the choir and on the tennis team at Helias, and is also an Eagle Scout. He plans to attend Conception Seminary College. Adriel is president of the JCHS Student Council, and is active in basketball and track. He is a two-time state champion in track. He plans to attend either Georgia Tech or the University of Missouri at Kansas City (whoever offers him a track scholarship) and major in chemical or civil engineering. Congrats to our fine seniors!

March of Dimes keeps marching on

Stephanie Johnson, executive director for the Central Missouri March of Dimes, gave a brief history of the March of Dimes national effort - first to combat polio, and eventually moving to helping prevent birth defects and premature birth - at our Sept. 18 meeting. Stephanie said President Franklin D. Roosevelt began the "Dimes" giving campaign during the Great Depression, and actor Eddie Cantor brought the marching aspect to the fund-raising effort in the 1950s. Today, young people have joined in to "march" for dimes to help the organization improve the health of babies, including Jefferson City. Stephanie is one of JC West Rotary's newest members.

Kent Trimble Receives Paul Harris Award

Kent Trimble, right, receives a new Paul Harris Fellows
pin from Club President Steve Houser in recognition
for his continuing contributions to the Rotary International
Foundation. The pin signified he is a multiple contributor
to the Foundation.

Adopt a Greyhound, says Tim Haas

Tim Haas, a JC West Rotarian, shows off his fifth adopted Greyhound racing dog, "Gracie," after presenting a program on Greyhounds on Sept. 25. Haas noted that too many Greyhounds, after their racing career (usually two years), fail to be adopted as pets because of myths surrounding the spirited steeds. In truth, says Haas, they make great pets, are wonderful with children, and are more apt to be "couch potatoes" rather than high-energy animals. Gracie proved that outside the country club.

Literacy Committee looking for volunteers

Carla McDaniel is looking for a few good Rotarians to join her and the club's new Literacy Committee. Carla is anxious to come up with a literacy program that would best fit the community's needs - from dictionaries for third graders to adopting an elementary or middle school, to working with adults as mentors. If you're among those interested in helping our club reach out in new ways to fulfill Rotary's literacy efforts locally, let Carla know. Call her or e-mail her today!

Programs coming up

Oct. 9 - Travis Ford, Missouri Dept. of Insurance and Finance.

Oct. 16 - Eric Park, Rotary Action Group for Micro Credit.

Oct. 23 - New member "mini" bios.

Oct. 30 - Harry Otto, chairman, Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.