2017 Big Croaker Tournament

The Fourteenth Annual Tappahannock Rotary Andrew Reavis Memorial Croaker Fishing Tournament was a success with a fleet of 96 boats.

From left to right  Nina Robertson - writing the prize winning checks for the Tappahannock Rotary Club, Jim Wawner - weighmaster and originator of the Big Croaker concept fourteen years ago, Jeff Robinson, winner of the $1,500 first prize for a 1.30 lb croaker caught near the Downing Bridge and partner Bo Acors on the winning boat, and Jay Brimmer - Croaker Tournament chair.

 

The Big Croaker 2017 Tournament

Tappahannock Rotary crew that made this tournament a success - left to right - Carl Strock - President elect; Nina Robertson writing the prize checks; Jim Wawner - weigh master and initiator of the tournament fourteen years ago; Jay Brimmer - Tournament chairman at the conclusion of a most satisfactory tournament!

Program Thursday May 18th

 The guest speaker is Catherine Read, past-President of Rotary Club of Centreville-Chantilly, and a thought leader in building Rotary for the 21st Century. Title of Presentation: "Keeping Rotary Relevant - Inviting People In"

• Messaging the value of Rotary to different generations [gender, age, diversity]
• Getting the most of out of Rotary programs that benefit the community [Rotary Youth Exchange, Scholarship Programs, District Grants]
• Focusing on speakers of interest to a wide range of people in the community [Hosting a meeting expressly to invite the public]
• Thinking about the future of the club in coming years [Leadership development, incorporating new ideas, finding future members]

 

ECHO Rotary Presentation

Barb Jump, President of ECHO - Essex County Homeless Organization - receives the Rotary trophy glass from President Joe Wolfinger as a thank you for her heartfelt presentation on the needs of the Essex County homeless population. Currently located 20 miles away in Loretto, Upper Essex, the ECHO board favors a move of the homeless facilities to Tappahannock where the need is most acute and the volunteer assistance is much more plentiful. Certainly the homeless population is centered in Tappahannock as there are warm places for them to go during the day. Barb and the ECHO board are seeking to acquire vacant property or repurpose a facility locally and are spearheading a campaign to set up the "Gregory House" for the homeless named after the late Dr John Gregory whose service to the community was in the spirit of the Rotary Club motto service before self. Barb and the ECHO board seeks to fund raise and inspire the over 100 churches and civic organizations in Essex and Richmond county to coordinate with county government and participate in the creation of this local ECHO facility.