District Governor Janet Brown visits our club!

President Elect Carl Strock, District Governor Janet Brown, Assistant District Governor Norman Wood and First Man Felton Brown. District Governor Brown is holding our new flag and theme selected by National Rotary President John Germ who chose Rotary Serving Humanity as his theme for 2016-17. Noting Rotary's unique ability to bring together committed professionals to achieve remarkable goals, Germ believes that "now is the time to capitalize on our success, as we complete the eradication of polio, and catapult Rotary forward to be an even greater force for good in the world".

Tappahannock awarded Best Large Club Award

It was a surprising night Rotary members Norman Wood, Bill Croxton and Fred Woodard will never forget as The Tappahannock Rotary Club was recognized, again, as the best large club of the year (2015-16) in the large club category for the second time in three years. Read more at http://www.tappahannockrotary.org/awards-2016.htm

Paul Harris Society medals awarded

Bill Croxton's pin looks like this:

 

Emerson Hughes's pin looks like this:

 

 

Croxton level 7 Paul Harris Society

Bill Croxton is awarded the Paul Harris Society level 7 - named after Rotary's founder, the Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants. The purpose of the Paul Harris Society is to honor and thank individuals for their generous, ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation. Presented by C Norman Wood Assistant District Governor Area 3 with Club President Joe Wolfinger.

Emerson Hughes - Paul Harris Society level 1

Emerson Hughes is awarded the Paul Harris Society level 1 - named after Rotary's founder, the Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants. The purpose of the Paul Harris Society is to honor and thank individuals for their generous, ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation. Presented by C Norman Wood Assistant District Governor Area 3.

Sent from my iPhone

Rotarian of the Year!!

Congratulations to Ron Geiger supported by Penny on being named Tappahannock Rotarian of the Year. In addition to being club treasurer and secretary, Ron managed the complex financial and legal organization of the Essex Tornado fund raising project including the set up of the Tappahannock Rotary Club Foundation! Well done Ron!

Rotary supports ECMHS Annual Fund

Essex County Museum and Historical Society's President, Tommy Blackwell, and its Secretary, Barbara Sethmann, receive a $1,000 Rotary check from Tappahannock Rotary Club members, Louise Velletri, and President Wright Andrews.  The presentation was part of the ECMHS membership meeting at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Millers Tavern in honor of the Museum and Historic Society's preservation and education of local history and to help kick off its Annual Fund Campaign.

Tappahannock Rotary Tornado Fund Report

As of May 9, 2016, Tappahannock Rotary has raised over $156,000. These funds were passed directly to the Essex County Department of Social Services to be administered. Click this link to see how the funds were used: http://www.tappahannockrotary.org/pdflib/ecdss-tornado-relief-fund-report-may-9-2016.pdf

Bruce Thomas CFO Essex Bank Financial Presentation

Bruce Thomas, Essex Bank CFO presented an extremely detailed and persuasive perspective of the global financial situation and the concern for the health of our financial heritage for future generations. Bringing together current market data including GDP, debt levels, oil prices, dollar exchange rates, inflation, interest and bond rates paints a complex and worrying picture without inherent solutions. Increasing interest rates would trigger massive debt failures and be catastrophic. Many markets outside the US now have negative interest rates! Sobering unknown financial territory!

Tom Boyd past President of Tappahannock Rotary visits with large check!

Visiting from Charlottesville, ex Tappahannock Rotarian Tom Boyd brings $1,000 check donation from his club toward's the TRC Tornado fund which has now reached $65,000. Tom was once president of Tappahannock Rotary whilst serving as CEO of Southside Bank the forerunner of EVB. Welcome back Tom!

Rotary District 7610 Governor Visits Tornado Damage

Saturday brought the Rotary District 7610 Governor to Tappahannock to make a visual on the ground assessment of the impact of the tornado damage in our area.  Rotary District 7610 covers 50+ clubs in the northern half of Virginia north of I-64. Utilizing the club network and the existing relationships between club presidents, Tappahannock's Club appeal to the district was echoed and promoted by District Governor Janet Brown and resulted in many clubs stepping forward with contributions – to date this exceeds $12,000 collectively from the Rotary membership across the region and many clubs have promised additional funds.  From left to right: Assistant District Governor Bill Croxton, Felton Page First Gentleman to the District Governor, District Governor Janet Brown, Fred Woodard Volunteer EMS coordinator and Rotarian.

Tornado Relief raises $30,0000 and counting....

Tappahannock Rotary raises an incredible $30,000 in one week for the Tappahannock Tornado Relief Fund – Rodney Gordon receives the check on behalf of Essex County Dept of Social Services and ensures speedy and qualified distribution to Essex County victims. From left to right: Joe Wolfinger, John Frazier, John Gregory, Bob Jump – the voice for helpessex.com on WRAR, Carl Strock, Chuck Gilchrist, Ron Geiger – Rotary Treasurer , Rodney Gordon – Director of Essex County Dept of Social Services, Stanley Clarke – Sheriff and leading responder, Fred Woodard – Essex County EOC volunteer and coordinator, David Broad – website and social media, Joanna Ruffa, Patricia Gallagher, Wright Andrews – President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club and fund raising leader, Emerson Hughes, Mac Garrett, and Jim Wawner.

 

Walter Rowland Guest Speaker TRC February 18th Meeting

TRC member Walter Rowland, was guest speaker at the February 18th meeting. Walter shared his experiences as a young attorney following his 1970 appointment as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of NY during the Nixon administration, including his encounters with the mob in Chicago and Brooklyn.

C Norman Wood Rotary Benefactor

C Norman Wood - a past president of the Tappahannock Club - was recognized at this week's meeting as a Rotary Benefactor by Wright Andrews [Club President]. Rotary Benefactors honor members when they include the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary in their estate plans for $1,000 or more to the fund. Benefactors receive a certificate and insignia to wear with a Rotary or Paul Harris Fellow pin. Thank you Norman!

Essex Tornado status report

President Wright Andrews Presents $5,000 Check for Rotary Park to John Magruder

At the February 11th meeting, TRC President Wright Andrews presented John Magruder with the second $5,000 check for the establishment of Essex County's new Rotary Park

Scott Burchbuchler Speaker at February 11th TRC Meeting

 TRC member, Dr. Scott Burckbuchler, Superintendent of the Essex County Public Schools, was the main speaker at the February 11^th meeting.  Scott explained the effect of EHS being denied accreditation and what is being done by the school administration to address deficiencies.  He asked for community support for their efforts. He urged that people stop focusing on the negative and look to the positive steps that are being taken to deal with a problem that was years in the making and will take several years to correct.  The presentation was followed by a good Q&A session.  President Andrews encouraged the Rotarians and others in the community, including religious and business organizations, to come together to do whatever we can to help, including in particular helping educate students and parents on the importance of education.   

Online purchase of tickets - click here to buy tickets to Voices to the Heart

Tappahannock Rotary Club Invites You to "Voices To The Heart" - February 20th, 2016

The Tappahannock Rotary Club and Host & Emcee Emerson Hughes welcomes you to join them in honoring ECHO – Essex County Homeless Organization, Essex County Little League, Ledwith Lewis Free Clinic (Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic), and RiverStars Youth Theater, February 20, 2016 at VOICES TO THE HEART; an enchanting evening at the Essex County Historic Courthouse, featuring regional vocalists, wine tasting, cheese and chocolate. Tickets are $40.00 each, and VIP SPONSORSHIPS ...are also available. Space is limited! Don't miss this special evening and don't miss an opportunity to join your local Rotarians as they continue to provide funding to organizations and individuals who make a difference in our community. For sponsorship and ticket information call: Joanne Ruffa at (804) 443-3737 or Michael Faulkner at (202) 360-3564. Local performing artists include: Janie Mitchel, Bekah Hughes, Leslie Park, Pastor Hyung IL Moon, Father Rodney Gordon, Andrew Magruder, Leslie Park, Kimberly Knight, Vivian Reinhardt, Colette Haynie, Kelsey Henry and others. You will not want to miss VOICES TO THE HEART – advanced ticket purchase required – so don't wait!

For more information contact: Joanne Ruffa - (804) 443-3737 or Michael Faulkner - (202) 360-3564. Also, mail ticket request directly to Tappahannock Rotary, P.O. Box 2672, Tappahannock, VA 22560 with payment.

You can also contact Mr. Ron Geiger (703) 725-1103 email: RRG@RRGeiger.com to pay by credit card.

Ticket & Sponsorship Information:

___$20.00 - FRIENDS OF THE ROTARY – Includes name in program—No ticket
___$40.00 – INDIVIDUAL TICKET
___$50.00 – Soprano - Includes one ticket, name in the program.
___$75.00 – Mezzo-Soprano - Includes one ticket, VIP seating and name in program.
___$150.00 – Alto - Includes two tickets, VIP seating, names in program.
___$250.00 – Tenor – Includes four tickets, VIP seating, names in program & a select bottle of wine from the event tasting.
___$500.00 – Baritone - Includes 6 tickets, VIP seating, names in program & a bottle of each of the four wine selections.
If paying by check, please make it out to: The Tappahannock Rotary Club, and make a notation in the memo that reads: Voices to the Heart
Tappahannock Rotary Club is a designated 501(c)3 organization and your contribution is tax deductible according to the law.

Attire: Business Casual

Chief Jim Ashworth and Sheriff Stanley Clarke Welcomed as Newest TRC Members, at January 21st Meeting

TRC welcomes Stanley Clarke, Essex County's Sheriff, and Jim Ashworth, Tappahannock's Chief of Police, as our newest members. Stanley and Jim were inducted by Dr. John Gregory, at the January 21st meeting.

Roger Sethmann Guest Speaker January 21st TRC Meeting

"The Paradigm of Music" was the topic of guest speaker, Roger Sethmann, at the January 21st TRC meeting. Roger entertained us with vignettes of his journey as a professional musician including his work in organi, piano, and voice. Roger earned both his Bachelor's degree in Church Music and his Master of Music degree from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. He also attended the New York College of Music, NYC as well as Master Classes with Dr. Virgil Fox of the Riverside Church, NYC, Olivier Latry of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, and Dr. Paul Callaway of the National Cathedral, Washington, DC. Roger's choral memberships include The Paul Hill Chorale, Washington, DC, and the Berkshire Choral Society with which he sang the Defiant Requiem. Roger is currently Organist and Director of Music at St. John's Episcopal Church, Tappahannock. Roger invited everyone to attend the Choral Concert at St. John's on Sunday, January 31st, 3 p.m. which will include two major works: Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria", and Franz Schubert's "Mass in G".   Thank you, Roger, for all you do for the community!