Shepherdstown Rotary Club Club News

$1,400 Raised for the Shepherd University Rotaract Club

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:33:12 GMT

The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown held its Annual Wine Tasting Dinner on March 23rd at the Bavarian Inn. The dinner featured a five course meal, each with a distinctive wine. The wines were selected by David and Christian Asam, co-owners of the Bavarian Inn, who hosted the dinner and selected the wines. Seventy Rotarians and their guests raised $1,400 that will be donated to the Shepherd University Rotaract club.

Shepherdstown Rotaract/Rotary 2012 Annual Potato Drop

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:45:20 GMT

Members of the Shepherdstown Rotary and Shepherd University Roteract gathered Saturday, April 14 in the early morning hours as 43,000 pounds of sweet potatoes were dropped from a truck in front of Knutti Hall. The potatoes were then bagged by volunteers and distributed to 17 food banks that reach the four-state region. Local clubs partnered with the Society of St. Andrew, a grassroots, faith-based, hunger relief organization to make the event possible. Through the Potato and Produce Project, the Society of St. Andrew is able to redirect these loads of fresh, nutritious produce to food banks, soup kitchens, Native American reservations, food pantries, low-income housing areas, local churches and other hunger agencies for redistribution.

"The potato drop is a perfect opportunity for the community and campus to join together for a hands-on, meaningful project," said Holly Frye, assistant vice president for student affairs (community engagement). "The food that we bag will end up on the table of someone who may otherwise go without."

Shepherdstown Rotary Announces Two Paul Harris Awards

Paul Woods — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:24:54 GMT

The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown WV recently announced two Paul Harris Awards

One award was presented to Doug Alexander. Doug is a 14-year member who has long been very active in Club activities, and he is the only member who has served twice as President, once in 1999 and again in 2009. This is his second Paul Harris Award. He is shown on the right in the accompanying photograph receiving his award from Tom Trumble.

The other award was presented to Peter Smith, who joined the club in 2006. Peter is a two-term president of the local Audubon Society and has played a major role in planning the town of Shepherdstown's 250th anniversary celebrations, which are taking place this year.

The Shepherdstown Club handles its Paul Harris Award process differently than many other clubs. The awards are only bestowed on community members who exemplify the motto of "Service Above Self," and the Club makes a $1,000 contribution from its own funds to the Rotary International Foundation on each awardee's behalf.

The Club makes up to three Paul Harris Awards each year. Any Club member who is a Paul Harris Fellow may nominate potential candidates. All nominations must be seconded by two other Paul Harris Fellows to move forward, and those that pass this test are then considered in a meeting of all of the Club's Paul Harris Fellows. A vote is taken and the top three vote-getters are passed on to the Club's Board of Directors for a final determination.

Farewell to Abby

Paul Woods — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:32:46 GMT

On Jan. 10, the Shepherdstown Rotary Club bade farewell to Abby Butler, an Australian high school student who returned home two days later after spending a year living and studying in Shepherdstown under the auspices of Rotary's Youth Exchange Program.

Abby, 16, is from Inverloch, a village of about 4,000 people near Melbourne on Australia's southern coast.

While in Shepherdstown she stayed with two local families and was enrolled in Jefferson High School -as a sophomore last spring and as a junior last fall.

A vivacious young lady with a keen interest in American culture, Abby frequently attended Shepherdstown Rotary Club breakfasts and was a favorite of club members.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is more than 75 years old. It operates worldwide under the auspices of Rotary International and is administered at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs. The program is open to above-average students who have demonstrated leadership in their community. Each year, more than 8,000 students from 80 different countries participate.

Participants are sponsored by their hometown Rotary Club and live with host families and attend school in a different country. They can choose between short-term exchanges that last from several days to several months or long-term exchanges that last a full year.

Both options provide them with opportunities not only to learn more about another part of the world but also to serve as ambassadors, teaching others about their own country's culture and history.

Cost arrangement can vary but typically participants and their parents pay for travel costs and insurance and provide spending money. Room and board is provided by host families, and schooling costs are covered by host communities. Hometown and host Rotary clubs may provide grants or stipends to help cover costs.

More details about the program can be found on the Shepherdstown Rotary website at www.shepherdstownrotary.org/youth_exchange.

Local families who would like to learn more about enrolling their own children in the program, or about hosting a foreign student here, should contact Shepherdstown Rotary Club members Paul Woods at paul@biztechsource.com or 304-885-4399 or Jennifer Peterson at Jennifer.peterson@smithbarney.com or 304-886-7543.

Rotary Donates to Shepherdstown Library

Paul Woods — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:36:48 GMT

The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown has donated $3,000 to the Shepherdstown Public Library. The funds will be used to purchase new e-book readers.

Half of the donation amount represents the proceeds from a club-sponsored "Barbeque and Beer for Books" event held to benefit the library on Sept. 24 at the Bavarian Inn.

The other half was a matching grant from Rotary District 7350, which includes 44 Rotary Clubs in northeastern West Virginia, central Maryland and central Pennsylvania.

July 4 Parade and Picnic at Rumsey Park

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:36:26 GMT

Everyone is invited to this year's Independence Day parade and community picnic in Shepherdstown on July 4. The parade will step off at 3:00 p.m. at the top of German Street and proceed all the way to the Rumsey Memorial Park on Mill Street. The picnic will be held right afterwards at the Rumsey Park, and last until 8:30 p.m. Admission to the picnic will be free.

Shepherdstown Rotary Donates $250 to School Library

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:04:25 GMT

The Shepherdstown Rotary Club has donated $250 to Shepherdstown Elementary School for the purchase of new books for the school's library. The check was presented to school officials at the Club’s April 26 weekly breakfast meeting at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown. Shown in the accompanying photo, from left to right, are Rotarian Doug Alexander, Shepherdstown Elementary School Librarian Sue Mellott and Shepherdstown Elementary School Principal Suzanne Offutt.

Shepherdstown Rotary Charity Ball Set for December 3

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:52:40 GMT

The Shepherdstown Rotary Club's annual Christmas Charity Ball will be held from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, December 3, at the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department Hall.

The event is entitled "Our Ball, Your Charity."

Individual Rotarians help underwrite it by sponsoring tables and contributing funds toward the costs of food, beverages, music and decorations. Four event sponsors are covering the rest of those costs: All the proceeds from the sale of tickets to each table are then donated to a charity selected by that table's host. There is no fixed price for tickets; instead, attendees are asked to make appropriate contributions.

Each table is also given the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, and all the auction proceeds go to the designated charities as well.

Last year's Ball raised a total of $28,097 for 20 different Eastern Panhandle nonprofit organizations.

Music for dancing and listening at this year's ball will be provided by the Bing Crosby Band. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served. The dress is black tie optional.

The lead sponsor for this year's Ball is Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races; the other sponsors are Canterbury Center, Jefferson Security Bank, and Shepherd University.

The nonprofit organizations that have had tables sponsored on their behalf this year are as follows: Alzheimer's Association, American Conservation Film Festival, Animal Welfare Society, The Arts Centre, Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County, Contemporary American Theater Festival, Country Day School, Freedom's Run, Friends in Action, Good Shepherd Caregivers, Panhandle Hospice, Patriot's Path, Potomac Valley Audubon Society, Relay for Life, Saint James School, Shepherdstown Public Library, Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, and Shepherdstown Rotary Foundation.

Community members who would like to help one of these organizations by purchasing a ticket for that organization's table should contact a Shepherdstown Rotary member if they know one or Monica Lockett at Monica.Lockett@genesishcc.com or 304-876-9422

Rotary Club of Shepherdstown Charter Member, Dr. Guy Frank, May 9,1919 - Aug 24, 2010

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:40:15 GMT

Rotary Club of Shepherdstown Charter Member, Dr. Guy J. Frank, passed away on Aug. 24, 2010. Born in Los Angeles in May 1919, he married Alice Wright Frank in 1943, after his Whittier College graduation. He taught band and science for a year. Then served as WW II Staff Sergeant, 29th Infantry Division Bank, Central Europe, winning medals. He received his Music MA from Claremont Graduate School, class of 1948 and received his Ph.D. from Eastman School of Music, class of 1958. He taught music for 33 years at Shepherd College (now Shepherd University), serving as Chair of Creative Arts Division and Music Department and helping establish The Center For the Performing Arts in 1981. Guy was a co-founder and past President of the West Virginia Chapter of Music Teachers National Association and co-founder of Millbrook Orchestra. He retired in 1984 and won the Lancer Alumni Achievement Award from Whittier in 1999. During his retirement he wrote Symphonic Triptych, honoring beauty of Shepherdstown area. Guy's Symphony was performed on June 20, 1997 and Oct. 17, 2009 at Shepherd University. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Shepherdstown Planning Commission, Contemporary American Threatre Festival, Coolfont Resort, and Jefferson Memorial Hospital. Guy was Rotary charter member and Paul Harris Fellow. A Memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25, 2010 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alice Wright Frank Music Memorial Scholarship Fund by writing a check to Shepherd University Foundation, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000. Online condolences may be offered at Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home at www.mtstrider.com .

Two new members welcomed into the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:35:18 GMT

Nicole Saunders-Meske, an Attorney and owner of Saunders-Meske, P.A, and Steven Koepp, a Software Engineeer for the USCG Operations Systems Center, joined the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown in July and August respectively. Nicole has a significant legacy in the legal profession since 1997 and is a former graduate of Ohio State University. She started her legal career in Florida and moved to Harpers Ferry with her family in 2001.

Steve Koepp joined the Operations Systems Center in 2008 as a principal applications developer for the USCG's Long Range Tracking and Identification System which tracks all international SOLAS class vessels globally to assist the Coast Guard with their search and rescue efforts, track international commerce, and monitor National security efforts. Steve is a graduate of Frostburg State and lives with his family in Sharpsburg, MD.

Group Study Exchange

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:27:24 GMT

Dr. Joe Brookerson, DDS, a member of the Martinsburg Noon Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow, spoke about leading a District 7350 Group Study Exchange team to Denmark in September 2009. Jenn Campell, a gemologist with Christian Caine in Shepherdstown, was part of the exchange and joined Dr. Brookerson in reporting their experience. More on the story is available in the July 20 edition of the Rotary Router.

2010 Paul Harris Fellow Awards

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:40:52 GMT

The 2010 Rotary Club of Shepherdstown Paul Harris Fellow Award recipients were announced and honored at the Junee 22 Club meeting. Tom Trumble is a past club president, a Vietnam veteran, and member of the Jefferson County Planning Commission Appeals Board. Tom expressed his thanks and said his time in Rotary represents “the most important years of my life.” Ed Herendeen was the driving force behind founding the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, which has become one of the most notable annual events in our community. The festival now brings in over $1.5 million each year, and it has been attended by people from across the nation. Ed said, “This means a lot, but let’s look at the next 20 years.” The Rev. Dr. George Thomas “GT” Schramm, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown for 27 years. GT does a significant amount of work for the community, within and outside of the church. He has selflessly donated his time and energy to numerous community activities, including recently leading the drive to obtain a permanent building for our local hospice. GT stated that “to join the ranks of past members of this club is a high honor.”

Energy Express: Ranson Elementary School

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:07:54 GMT

The Energy Express program provides children of low-income families with an opportunity to increase their literary skils and maintain proper nutrition over the course of their summer break. In order to be successful, the Energy Express program depends a great deal on voluntary community outreach. This is where Rotary and our contributions to community service fits in.

Andrea Miller, the Community Coordinator at Ranson Elementary, is actively soliciting any volunteer Rotarians we can offer to help out with the program. The level of effort is somewhat minimal as they are looking for approximately 2-hours of time between 08:00 and 12:15 M-F. Assuming they acquire a sufficient number of volunteer readers, you could most likely select one or two days every week during the summer to read for a 2-hour session. Specifics follow:

Energy Express Summer Program: June 22-August 30
Hours: 08:00am to 12:15pm Monday - Friday
Sign-up for a 2-hour period for one or two morning sessions/week
Elementary school-age children, 8 per group
The 'celebrity reader' (that could be you!) rotates among multple classes. 15-20 minutes/class (equates to about 6 classes during your 2-hour window)
Lunch is available for purchase for a small fee

If you are at interested, please call Ranson Elementary and ask for the Community Coordinator (Andrea Miller) at 304-725-7310.

Thank you for your interest. You can make a difference for local school children who need our help!

Shepherdstown Rotary Welcomes Three New Members

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:45:28 GMT

Community residents Austin and Heather Hovermale and Jennifer Peterson were inducted into the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown on April 20. The Hovermales are attorneys at local law firms in Martinsburg, while Ms. Peterson provides Financial Consulting services with a financial advisory team located in Shepherdstown.

Rotary club sponsors Chris Horowicz and David Miljour are pictured here at the member induction ceremony with the Hovermales and Ms. Peterson.

42,000 Potatoes Donated to Assist with the Fight against World Hunger

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:23:10 GMT

75 Rotaract Students, Rotarians, and Shepherdstown Volunteers donated their time to collect and distrubute...

42,000 Potatoes
in 4-hours
on 1 Saturday morning
for 1 community
to help eliminate World Hunger in America

Thank you Shepherdstown!

photo courtesy of The Journal

2010 Shepherd University Relay for Life - Congratulations Team Rotary!

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:47:53 GMT

Many thanks to all Rotarians who supported Team Rotary in Shepherd University's Relay for Life, either by walking or making a donation or both. Despite having rain for the 3rd year in a row, the event was a success. Team Rotary had 23 walkers participating and raised a total of $1,780! The overall Shepherd University event had 72 teams and 860 participants and raised just under $60,000 by this past weekend. Shepherd will continue raising funds until August to achieve the $80,000 goal. The club appreciates your support and we thank our honorary co-captains Catherine Irwin, Paul Kradel, and Connie Hammann.

Annual Potato Drop in Shepherdstown - April 24

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:32:17 GMT

Your Help is Needed this Saturday Morning Starting at 06:00am!

Through a mini grant from West Virginia Campus Compact, we have purchased reusable grocery bags that will be given to the first 100 volunteers
Breakfast snacks and coffee will be available
Weather permitting, Shepherd’s radio station will be broadcasting live
We currently have 13 food pantries/soup kitchens arriving Saturday to pick up potatoes
Mesh bags will be cut during Rotaract meeting Thursday, April 22 at 4:30-6pm; please join us in Holly’s office if you would like to help (2^nd floor Student Center)
Rotaract members will be in full force wearing matching t-shirts to identify themselves
Spread the word -- general volunteers are needed by 7:00am; press release has been sent to local papers asking for volunteers
3-4 Rotary volunteers needed by 6:00am to help Rotaract members with set up

Place directional signs
Set up tables
Set up breakfast/snacks
Carry supplies from Lutheran Parish House
1-2 Rotarians needed to help Rotaract members with volunteer check in
1-2 Rotarians needed to help with hospitality/breakfast table

Items needed from Rotary:

Rotary Banner to hang at event
Buckets (Dave Miljour provided these a few years ago)
Brooms to sweep the street following the event

Hope to see you all there!

Jefferson High Students Raise $2,530 for Haitian Hospital

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:02:43 GMT

On April 16, Jefferson High School student leaders presented the Shepherdstown Rotary Club with a $2,530 check for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles, Haiti.

The hospital is a 120-bed medical center located about 3 hours north of Port au Prince. Like other rural hospitals outside Haiti's capital city, it has been overwhelmed by refugees seeking medical help in the wake of last January's devastating earthquake.

The Shepherdstown Rotary Club has a longstanding relationship with the facility and raised over $8,000 for it from its own members immediately after the quake.

The idea for the JHS student fundraising drive originated with JHS Assistant Principal Tony Roman, who learned of the Shepherdstown Rotary Club's efforts when he attended a Club breakfast. He returned to the school and talked with members of the JHS student government, Key Club, and National Honor Society.

The students enthusiastically endorsed the idea of aiding Haitian earthquake victims and raised their $2,530 during a two-week period in March.

"They took this and just ran with it," said Mr. Roman.

They raised the money by organizing a special student dance and by soliciting contributions from the student body during lunch periods.

The students presented their check at an informal ceremony at the school.

"We're so impressed by what you've done," said Shepherdstown Rotary Club Vice President, Julie Siler.

Shown in the photo above are, from left to right, front row: Mr. Roman; Sarah Cogswell, of Shepherdstown; Ms. Siler; Rotary member Dr. Rob Northrup; and JHS Student Body President Spenser Wempe, Charles Town. Second row: Anya Leach, Harpers Ferry; Paula de Man, Harpers Ferry; David Ehrenberg, Shenandoah Junction; and Preston Berkeley, Ranson. Back row: Kirsten Chaney, Shepherdstown; Megan Adams, Charles Town; Megan Bean, Harpers Ferry; and Kylie Fargo, Charles Town.

All the students participating in the check presentation are seniors.

Morning Announcements

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:27:18 GMT

Fred Soltow announced that the Tours De Revs campaign raised nearly $500K to combat world hunger
Holly Frye announced that the Rotary/Rotaract mentor/protoge program is underway. Please see Holly if you do not know which student is assigned to you
Lisa Welch announced that the Team Rotary Relay For Life at Shepherd will begin with the parade on German Street at 4:00pm. Please see Lisa for the Rotary volunteer walker schedule
Paul Woods will be hosting a demonstration for the new ShepherdstownRotary.org website at next week's Club Assembly (20 April)
Last Saturday's Highway cleanup realized 19 bags of trash as collected from 15 Rotary volunteers!

Captain Michael P. Ryan - USCG, Operations Systems Center

Enrico 'Rick' Caruso — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:57:15 GMT

Capt. Michael P. Ryan, Commanding officer of the US Coast Guard Operations Systems Center, addressed club members about the mission, goals and history of the United States Coast Guard. He is stationed at the Operations Center in Kearneysville, WV which is one of three major Coast Guard units in our area. He provided an overview of the Coast Guard’s 11 missions including maritime licensing, port and coastal security, law enforcement, aids to navigation, and search and rescue operations. Captain Ryan explained how the Coast Guard leverages their volulnteer arm of 39,000 Auxiliarists to assist the active duty component for classroom training, inspections, and SAR operations.