ROTARY ORGANIZES TREE-PLANTING EVENT AT MORGAN'S GROVE PARK
Community volunteers joined with members of Shepherdstown's Rotary Club and Community Club on Saturday, October 29 to to help plant trees at Morgan's Grove Park.
In all, about two dozen people participated.
The accompanying photo shows some of the members of the planting group.
The project was organized by the Shepherdstown Rotary Club and carried out in partnership with the Community Club, which owns Morgan's Grove Park, and the Cacapon Institute. This is the fifth year in a row the Rotary Club has sponsored the event.
A total of 16 trees of various species were planted. The trees were donated by the Cacapon Institute, as part of its Carla Hardy WV Communi-Tree program. Jeff Blount, who coordinates the Communi-Tree program, was on hand to instruct everyone on proper planting techniques.
The Communi-Tree program promotes planting of trees in cities and towns in West Virginia's Potomac Headwaters. Its main goal is to help protect the area's water resources by reducing stormwater runoff pollution. But it is also aimed at increasing awareness of local water quality issues, educating the public about the benefits of trees, promoting long-term tree maintenance, and encouraging volunteerism.
A little more than 20 acres in size, Morgan's Grove Park is the largest park serving the Shepherdstown community. It is also a local historic site. Located near the spot where Shepherdstown militia began their famous 600-mile "Beeline March" on July 16, 1775, to join General George Washington's troops in Massachusetts, the land served as the site of an annual Morgan's Grove Fair from 1889 to 1936. It has been operated as a public park by the Shepherdstown Community Club (formerly the Men's Club) since 1961.
SHEPHERDSTOWN ROTARY CLUB INDUCTS NEW MEMBER
The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown has inducted Julie Wootton as a new member.
The induction ceremony was held at the Club's October 19 evening meeting at the Bavarian Inn.
Ms. Wootton is a well-travelled individual. Born in northern California, her family moved to Hong Kong when she was six and she lived there until she was 12. She then returned to the US, living first in Bozeman, MT, and then Vienna, VA. Following school in Virginia, she moved back west to Los Angeles, CA, where she worked for several years in the Los Angeles Police Department Crime Lab.
She then moved east again, where she attended nursing school and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2012. She began her nursing career in the Intensive Care unit at Winchester Medical Center and worked at that medical center for seven years. She is now on the nursing staff at Jefferson Medical Center. She also volunteers at the Jefferson County Health Department and assists various community events and projects. She and her husband, Will, have lived in Shepherdstown since 2015.
The Shepherdstown Rotary Club comprises two groups of members: a morning group that meets weekly on Tuesdays, and an evening group that meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays. Both groups meet at Shepherdstown's Bavarian Inn.
Ms. Wootton has joined the evening group. The accompanying photo shows her, left, with Club member Susan Reichel.
To learn more about the Shepherdstown Rotary Club, including how to become a member, contact info@shepherdstownrotary.org.
SHEPHERDSTOWN ROTARY CLUB INDUCTS TWO NEW MEMBERS
The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown has inducted Fredonia Stewart and Charles E. Smith as new members.
The induction ceremony was held at the Club's October 18 breakfast meeting at Shepherdstown's Bavarian Inn.
The accompanying photo shows, from left to right: Rotary Club Vice President Jim King, Smith, Stewart, Club President Sean Murtagh, and Club member Ann Baronner.
Stewart has been a financial management analyst with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 19 years. She has an accounting degree from the University of Phoenix.
She is founder and president of a nonprofit organization called HELP (Helping and Empowering Lives with a Purpose) that serves the community by supporting and encouraging constructive life change and giving food, clothing, and other assistance to people in need. She is also the owner and agent of Awesumtravel, LLC, a full-service travel agency.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Stewart has lived in Shepherdstown for 14 years.
Smith has had a diverse career. Beginning as a young mechanic's helper in the HVAC industry, he ultimately built his own business, Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company, in Frederick, MD. An industry leader, he served as chairman of the Maryland State HVAC License Board, holds many HVAC certifications and recognitions, and is a recognized HVAC expert witness before Maryland and District of Columbia Courts.
He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1974 to 1982 and has served as a volunteer and officer for many organizations, including volunteer fire companies, civic clubs, Little League, Sons of the American Revolution, VFW, and others.
Smith is a former member of one of Frederick MD's Rotary Clubs. He holds AA, BS, and MBA degrees. He lives in Shenandoah Junction.
The Shepherdstown Rotary Club comprises two groups of members: a morning group that meets weekly on Tuesdays, and an evening group that meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays. Both groups meet at Shepherdstown's Bavarian Inn. Stewart and Smith have joined the morning group.
To learn more about the Shepherdstown Rotary Club, including how to become a member, contact info@shepherdstownrotary.org.