Keys to the Heart Fundraiser for Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic

Keys to the Heart raises $1,000 for Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic - Norman Wood (right), President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club presents the $1,000 check to Madeline Lawson (center), Board Chair of the Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic and to Dr. Richard Lewis, Clinical Director of the Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic at the conclusion of the outstanding performances concert held at the Beale Memorial Courthouse.

Keys to the Heart Fundraiser for Operation Inasmuch

Keys to the Heart raises $1,000 for Essex County Operation Inasmuch - Norman Wood, President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club presents the $1,000 check to Sandy Baytops, representing Essex Churches Together and Operation Inasmuch at the conclusion of the outstanding performances concert held at the Beale Memorial Courthouse.

Keys to the Heart Fundraiser for The Haven Shelter

Keys to the Heart raises $1,000 for The Haven Shelter - Norman Wood, President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club presents the $1,000 check to Ellen Yackel, Executive Director for The Haven Shelter at the conclusion of the outstanding performances concert held at the Beale Memorial Courthouse.

Keys to the Heart Fundraiser for Essex County Museum

Keys to the Heart raises $1,000 for Essex County Museum - Norman Wood, President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club presents the $1,000 check to Ron Geiger, President of the Essex County Museum and Historical Society at the conclusion of the outstanding performances concert held at the Beale Memorial Courthouse.

Rotary Club Hosts Tappahannock Has Talent

Keys To The Heart, a Valentine showcase of local pianist talent, was a resounding success on Saturday, February 22nd in the Old Beale Courthouse.  Organized by the Tappahannock Rotary Club, president Norman Wood, coordinated by Michael Faulkner of the Tappahannock Free Clinic, and emceed by opera singer Emerson Hughes, the show included twelve pianists in three sessions separated by a flight of Ingleside wine tastings and many culinary delights. "It was an exciting and fun-filled evening of quality music for both the performers and the audience that enriched artistic values in the community," reflected Emerson Hughes. Funds raised from the event were equally given to the Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic,  Essex County Museum, The Haven Shelter and Operation Inasmuch.

From left to right, Roger Sethman – "Austrian Sketches", Austin Wachsmuth – "Grand Chorus", Tamai Hiyanea – "Claire de Lune", Doug Harris – "Finlandia Opus 26", Rena Shipp – "Someone to Watch Over Me", Kathy Hughes – piano accompanist for Bekah Hughes Davis, Cora Armstrong – "Medley of His Love", Emerson Hughes – Master of Ceremonies for the evening's performances, Dr. Lewis Wilkins – "Sleepy Shores", Bekah Hughes Davis – "Broadway Medley", Kathy Paulette – "My Tribute", not shown: William Young – "You are the Sunshine of My Life" and Wesley Pippenger – "Laura".

A sold out full house of 150 guests in the Old Beale Courthouse listens in rapt admiration to the performance of "Claire de Lune" by St. Margaret's senior student Tamai Hiyanea from Chiba, Japan.

Stanley Clarke - Essex County Sheriff

Stanley Clarke, Essex County Sheriff gave a presentation about the progress of a number of current policing issues that affect his jurisdiction - helping the Sheriff's department to familiarize themselves and participate in the requirements of prisoner re-entry program, integrating changes in mental health legislation and dealing with the local mental health impact on the department's resources and costs, and warning about many switch and bait scams including a rash of ATM scams. Norman Wood (left), Club President awards the honorary Rotary Mug to Stanley Clarke (center) with program host for the night Vince Donoghue (right), Commonwealth's Attorney and close working partner with Stanley.. 

”Keys to the Heart” Concert to Showcase Tappahannock Talent

Enjoy an evening in Tappahannock with friends listening to twelve of the area's finest pianists at "Keys to the Heart", the Tappahannock Rotary Club's Valentine concert on Saturday, February 22^nd at Old Beale Church and Courthouse.  The event will benefit The Haven Shelter, Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic, Operation Inasmuch and the Essex County Museum. 

In a concert setting, master of ceremonies Emerson Hughes will introduce the performers, many of whom are known for their other roles in our community.  Featured are Doug Harris, Wesley Pippinger, Dr. Lewis Wilkins, Bill Young, Kathy Hughes accompanying contralto Bekah Hughes Davis, Roger Sethman, and Tamai Hiyanea, a St. Margaret's School senior from Chiba, Japan.  Kathy Paulette of Urbanna, Cora Armstron of Newtown, Essex County author Rena Shipp, and 15 year old Austin Wachsmuth will complete the group. Michael Faulkner, Director of the Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic, planned this special evening.

Tickets are $35 per person and advance ticket purchase is necessary due to the limited availability of seating.  For more information about the concert, to make reservations or to buy tickets call John Gregory at 804-443-2422 or Michael Faulkner at 202-360-3564.  Tickets are also available online at the Essex County Museum store at www.ecmhs.org or from any member of the Tappahannock Rotary Club.

 

Reese Peck County Administrator State of the Union Presentation

 

Reese Peck has now been administrator for one year and has become a permanent resident of Essex County. Reese throughout his careers has been an agent of change and was brought in by the supervisors to bring the county forward into the 21st century. Property tax base, education demographics, declining sales tax base, loss of businesses, are gravely impacting Essex County. Future problems such as storm water management, ground water protection, conserving the aquifer are very evident. On the positive side the supervisors are fully committed to progress, supporting the county modernization and encouraged by community support, including the EDA initiatives.

Budget and taxes are the key issues for 2014, total compensation for teachers, health care insurance, and retirement benefits are major issues.

Budget issues are heightened by a 35% of the  property taxes collected allocated to tax debt service, and 10% to supporting land use tax relief.

Tax policies are key to the deciding tax impact in this community... these options are to be subject of public debate. Growing our way out of the situation is one positive option, noting that in many counties at least 80% of economic development is generally driven from within the community.

Pictured above Bill Croxton, chairman of the Essex County Economic Development Authority, Reese Peck - county administrator, and Norman Wood - Tappahannock Rotary Club President.

Certificate of Appreciation from Relay for Life

King George-Dahlgren Rotary Club Accepts Tappahannock Rotary Gift

 

Holly Graf, the President of the King George-Dahlgren Rotary Club accepts a $500 check from Norman Wood, President of the Tappahannock club. Over the last two weeks, the Tappahannock Rotary Club passed the hat each week for the Colonial Beach school system's fire relief to support teacher supplies and other non-insurable educational items that were lost in the fire.  This is a testament to the power of giving by club members and ability to rise to the occasion when non-budgeted funds are needed.

Bobby Watkins - ABC Agent in Action!

Tappahannock Club member Francis Carneal introduced Bobby Watkins (who needed no introduction to most members) who regaled us with interesting stories from his career as an ABC Control Agent. This was a very humorous presentation and highly enjoyed by the membership. 

Sandy Longest Speaks for The Haven

Sandy Longest, Community Relations and Development contact for The Haven was guest speaker tonight.  The Haven provides services and shelter to victims of domestic and sexual assault in Essex, Richmond, Westmoreland, Northumberland and Lancaster Counties, covering 1,003 square miles.  There is no distinction made between gender, class, racial issues for assistance.  There are 9 part-time and 5 full-time staff.  There is room for 32 women and children.  There is a 24-hr hotline.  The Haven Thrift Store in Warsaw is a wonderful resource for income.  In the past 24 months, donations are down and requests for shelter are for a longer length of time.  Last year 13 people were denied services.  This year's budget is set at $723,000 with 48% from grants and 52% from community funding.  In addition to financial support, every day items are needed such as toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning supplies.  They have bake sales and yard sales and special events each year. 

Tappahannock Rotary Club Christmas Dinner

Tom Saville


Gordon & Hilda Fletcher

 
Bill & Mel Reavis, and Anne Neuman

 
Mel Reavis, Anne and Tommy Neuman

Photos by Bob Jump
 

Emerson Hughes becomes a Paul Harris Fellow!

Congratulations to Emerson  "Em" Hughes who becomes part of the illustrious band of Paul Harris Fellows, and helping move the club towards 100% membership of PHF members - Tommy Neuman does the honors!

New Paul Harris Fellow - Cacky Taylor

Cacky Taylor becomes part of the honorary group of Rotarians who is now a Paul Harris Fellow, and helping move the club towards 100% membership of PHF members - Norman Wood, Club President has the honor to make the award!

Phillipe de Abreau gets the Rotary message from John Gregory!

John Gregory inducts Philippe de Abreu into the Tappahannock Rotary Club - John does all the inductions with a distinctive style - he makes sure you remember the key points!! Welcome Philippe - owner of the Automobile Service on Airport Road - specialist in foreign car servicing!
 

Program: Chesapeake Bay Oysters

 

Tom Madren provided our speaker, Chris Davis, who is involved in oyster replenishment of our Chesapeake Bay. He provided a wonderful, informative and thought provoking program.

If one went back to the days of Capt John Smith and his visit to our area one would have noticed that there was no erosion damage done to the bay and rivers and one could see 30 feet into the water clearly. Oysters were in abundance back then and served as great food for the native Americans. Oysters eat algae and that keeps our waters clean and pure. In John Smith's time, the local oysters were 12 inches in size and were divided in thirds to eat. By 1850, watermen had begun to over harvest oysters and we never recovered from that loss. Oyster population is about 1% of what it was in the 1800's. The main problems are over harvesting and soil erosion from farms.

We now are building new reefs for oysters to flourish once again. For awhile we toyed with Japanese oysters hoping they would take hold in our waters but that project has been abandoned. We are now trying to make new reefs for our oysters. To have a clean Bay and rivers, we need oysters. Man took them out, now we must put them back. This is something we can do even in our own area of the Rappahannock River. Chris Davis is to be congratulated for his efforts and for a very inspiring program. This Rotarian left with a desire to try to build a reef on his river area.

Rotary Club 2012-13 Out-performs the District!

Rotary Foundation Awards for his excellent club presidency leadership 2012-13, John Lewis receives two banners: 100% sustaining member club and 100% member participation in the $100 per capita club! Some clubs in our region won one or other of these two awards but Tappahannock was one of the very few who won both!

Norman Wood Program on Intelligence Collection

Norman Wood, President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club, was also the program speaker for Thursday, December 5th.  He gave his own speaker introduction and then put on his jacket to transition to the speaker role!  Lt. Gen. C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret.) experience encompasses senior management positions in the government, military, industry, and the not-for-profit fields, primarily in national security and intelligence. 
 
He started his military career as a master navigator and electronic warfare officer with 3,400 flying hours mainly on RB-47's.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1964 as an EW in the RB-47, and has 1,000 combat flying hours from the Vietnam Conflict.  He was a SAC crewmember in both the RB-47 and the RC-135.  Moving on to his Headquarters assignments at the Strategic Air Command (SAC), and the Air Staff.  After attending the National War College, he was the SAC Intelligence Wing Commander, and the Executive Director of the President�s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board at the White House in the first Reagan Administration.
 
His General Officer assignments include Commander, Air Force Intelligence Service [1 Star] ,  J-2 (Director of Intelligence), US European Command [2 Star], head of Air Force Intelligence [2 Star], and Director of the Intelligence Community Staff [3 Star]. He retired from the Air Force in June 1992, and took a job as senior vice president and general manager of BDM Federal.  There, he was responsible for national security and technology applications programs, resources, and marketing with the focus on the intelligence community. 
General Wood became President and CEO of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), International in April 1996.  AFCEA is a global enterprise with more than 30,000 members, more than 1,000 corporate sponsors, and 143 chapters located in 32 nations.  He was also the publisher of SIGNAL Magazine, the journal for communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems professionals with approximately 130,000 readers in 82 nations.  He retired on 1 October 2001.

Norman Wood's presentation covered his career highlights in the intelligence collection field and he concluded his evening with a discussion on the Snowden leaks case and it's detrimental impact on our intelligences service capabilities.  Here is shown with Rotary District AGM Bill Croxton and Past President John Lewis.

Salvation Army Collection at Walmart

Saturday you were welcomed to Walmart by the sound of tinkling bells - outstanding cold weather duty performed by Chuck Gilchrist and Doc Franks - another successful Rotary Christmas activity to raise funds for the needy. Also helping out on Saturday were Rotarians Joanne Ruffa, John Gregory, Carla Stearns and Joe Johnston