Mayor Roy M. Gladding, TRC Member, Guest Speaker at Club's September 10th Meeting

The Honorable Roy M. Gladding, Mayor of Tappahannock and member of the Tappahannock Rotary Club, was guest speaker at the September 10th meeting.  Mayor Gladding's presentation included a snapshot of population, employment, budget, public works, and the business climate for the 280 businesses in the town of 2,400 citizens surrounded by Essex County.  He said that although the area was hit hard in the last economic downturn, "overall it's in good shape for a small town."   A lively Q&A discussion followed.  Thank you for your service, Monty!  We're honored to have you as a member of TRC.

 

http://www.tappahannock-va.gov/official.htm

Donations by TRC Up Nearly $10,000 to $37,000 in 2014/2015 - 39 Recipient Organizations

Tappahannock Rotary Club held its Assembly meeting on September 3rd.  Treasurer Ron Geiger reported that in the year 2014/2015 TRC gave donations totaling $37,000 up from $28,000 in 2013/2014.  Recipients of the 39 donations included Polio Plus, the Ikirwa School Project in Tanzania, and a significant increase in giving to the Tappahannock community including its schools, largely through funds raised at the Club's six events:  Pork Feast, Strings to the Heart, The Virginians Concert, The Annual Croaker Tournament, the Bunny Hop for Heart Health 5K Race, and the Crab Races at RivahFest.  Special appreciation was given to immediate past-President, John Gregory, to Club Service Chairman, Bill Croxton, to the event Chairs for these events (Bill Croxton, Michael Faulkner, John Gregory, Bill Reavis, John Frazier), the continued outstanding support of TRC members, and those from the community who participated in these events.  We were also pleased to welcome as our guest, Esther Desimini, new Administrator of Riverside Tappahannock Hospital, introduced by Club Member Jim Wawner.

Bill Croxton Honored for 7th Year as Paul Harris Fellow!

TRC honored Bill Coxton at the September 3rd meeting for his 7th year as a Paul Harris Fellow - giving at least $1,000 a year to The Rotary.  Bill, we thank you and Carole for your continued leadership in putting Service Above Self with your time, energy, and resources.  https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/paul-harris-society

Dr. John Svirsky, DDS, MEd, TRC Guest Speaker August 13th

TRC's guest speaker for the August 13th meeting was renown oral pathologist and VCU professor, Dr. John Svirsky, DDS, MEd, who provided a humorous and enlightening presentation on oral diseases and their causes and prevention.  Although the presentation was on a serious subject matter, Dr. Svirsky delighted us with his ability to bring levity through his humor.  Speaking of highly preventable diseases, he quipped:  "If you make something idiot proof, God will make a better idiot".  Thanks to Rotarian, Ron Geiger, who sponsored Dr. Svirsky.

 

Pictured l to r:  Ron Geiger, Dr. John Svirsky, Wright Andrews

Tappahannock Rotary Club Honored by Visit From District Governor Janet "JB" Brown at August 6th Meeting

TRC was honored to have our District Governor, Dr. Janet "JB" Brown, as guest speaker at the August 6th meeting. JB inspired and challenged club members with shared visions from both her own vision for this year "We are family", as well as that of Rotary International President K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran whose 2015-2016 call is for us to "Be a gift to the world". Governor Brown's priorities include: Foundation development, and especially the continued march toward the global eradication of Polio by 2018 - Rotary's long-term international mission with cases only remaining in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria; Membership; and Public Image. She encouraged us with the words: "Wherever you go, whenever you can, try to leave a gift."

 

Pictured l to r:  District 7610 First Gentleman and Governor, Felton Page and Janet "JB" Brown, and TRC President, Wright Andrews

Emily McCoy, Guest Speaker at June 25th TRC Meeting, Women's Suffrage History and Memorial

At the June 25th TRC meeting, guest speaker Emily McCoy presented an informative program on Women's Suffrage, tracing the movement through the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1919 guaranteeing women the right to vote. Mrs. McCoy went on to explain how many women were arrested for their protest activities in Washington and then imprisoned in the old DC Workhouse Prison in Lorton, VA. She chairs The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association, which is seeking to "build a... garden-style national memorial to commemorate the suffrage struggle, focused on the suffragists whose brutal imprisonment at the Occoquan Workhouse served as a significant turning point in achieving a woman's right to vote; and to educate, inspire, and empower present and future generations to remain vigilant in the quest for equal rights."

http://www.suffragistmemorial.org/us/

Celebration July 2nd In Honor of Dr. John Gregory, TRC Outgoing President

The members of Tappahannock Rotary Club joined in acknowledging outgoing President, Dr. John Gregory, for his good work and contributions as our leader in the 2014/2015 year.  John's focus has been on service to the local community.  John joined TRC in 1972 and served his first term as club President in 1977.  Thank you, John, for your continued leadership!   Shown with TRC past-President - Joanne Ruffa and Assistant District Governor, Bill Croxton.

Kevin Goff, Director of the River Program at St. Margaret's School, Guest Speaker for July 2nd TRC Meeting

TRC member, Doc Frank, introduced his guest speaker for the July 2nd meeting, Kevin Goff, who has recently become Director of the River Program at St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock. The program, funded by the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund is designed to encourage environmental service and community engagement. Among Goff's priorities for the coming years: encourage student-driven, immersive, experiential learning that is both substantive and stimulating; to use local environmental issues as a window onto global sustainability issues; to ensure science-based, outdoor experiences in beautiful places for the SMS students.

Passing of the Gavel to Incoming TRC President Wright Andrews for 2015/2016

Passing of the Gavel...At the July 2nd meeting, Assistant District Governor, Bill Croxton, officiated over the swearing in of Wright Andrews as the incoming President of the Tappahannock Rotary Club for 2015/2016 and the honoring of outgoing President John Gregory for his leadership in 2014/1015.

Polio Plus - Eradicating a Disease - TRC Contributes $2,000

In the News: C. Norman Wood, immediate Past President, announced at the June 18th meeting that TRC has recently contributed $2,000 to the "Polio Plus" campaign, Rotary International's long-term campaign to eradicate the disease. https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/take-action/end-polio

Rotarian Alessa Fleming Requests Support for Wounded Warrior Games - 2015 DOD

Rotarian Alessa Leming asked members of TRC and the community to consider supporting the Wounded Warrior Games - DOD 2015 being held at Quantico June 19 - 28.  Alessa said that visiting the events and supporting the cause would be greatly appreciated.  http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2015/0615_warriorgames/

Joanne Ruffa and Michael Faulkner Program on Bogota, Colombia, June 18th TRC Meeting

Joanne Ruffa was the featured speaker at the TRC June 18th meeting.  She and Michael Faulkner prepared the slide presentation with an international twist about their recent trip to Colombia, South America where JoJo toured areas including the capital, Bogota, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, and Montserrat, while Michael judged dog shows.  Stay tuned for more coverage in "The Lighter Side of Judging", Michael's bi-weekly humor article in "Dog World" magazine. Tappahannock and its people are regularly featured in this column - current and past articles are available at:  http://www.dognews.com/archives/ at no charge

Friends of the Rapphannock's Richard Moncure - Guest Speaker at June 11th TRC Meeting

Richard Moncure, Rappahannock Steward, "Friends of the Rappahannock", was the featured speaker at TRC's June 11th meeting as guest of Jerry Duval.  Richard highlighted the 3 objectives of the 30 year old organization:  Education, Restoration, Advocacy.  With the message "Healthy Rivers Start at Home", he encouraged us to continue educating ourselves and to remain vigilant about restoring the health of our Rappahannock River.  Two topics of particular interest to TRC's members were:  the dangerous Dead Zones in the Rappahannock because it does not naturally flush well; and the Blue Catfish invasion - Since the introduction of this non-native species decades ago, 90% of the bio-mass of the Rappahannock is now Blue Catfish.  Moncure suggested a market driven approach might be the only way to remedy the situation.  Cost of membership in Friends of the Rapphannock is $30.  Local HQ is at June Parker Marina, and we were encouraged to stop by to learn more and get involved.

Congressman Rob Wittman - Guest Speaker at TRC's June 4th Meeting

TRC was honored to have U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman (Virginia's 1st District) as its speaker at the June 4th meeting - the guest of Rotarian Vince Donoghue, Essex County's Commonwealth Attorney. Representative Wittman serves on both the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Natural Resources. His speech focused primarily on regenerating military readiness. He stated his view that a strong military is necessary to deter aggression, shape world situations, yet no...t to go to war except as a last resort. He also said that while the U.S. may help Arab states that want to defeat extremists, any solution to the ISIS problem must have an Islamic face to be successful. Among his other areas of focus: small business support, Congress working together, addressing the Sequester issue, and the Federal budget. The Congressman engaged with the Rotarians in a lively Q&A session.

TRC Joins in Recognizing Essex Community Outstanding Teachers

 

 

At its May 28th meeting, Tappahannock Rotary Club joined in recognizing outstanding teachers from the Essex community. Awards were presented to Robert LaFollette, recipient of both Essex High School and County-wide Teacher of the Year; Valerie Taylor, Teacher of the Year Tappahannock Elementary School; and Amber Sydnor, Teacher of the Year Essex Intermediate School. Also recognized by Rotary for "Tireless Dedication and Outstanding Service to the Students of Essex County Public Schools" were: Vickie Favazza, Essex High School English Teacher and Drama Coach; Teresa Harris, Tappahannock Elementary School Music Teacher; Perry Wormley, Essex Intermediate and High School Chorus Teacher; and Michael Loveless, Essex Intermediate and High School Band Teacher.      

 

TRC Joins in Recognizing Essex Community Outstanding Teachers

 

At its May 28th meeting, Tappahannock Rotary Club joined in recognizing outstanding teachers from the Essex community. Awards were presented to Robert LaFollette, recipient of both Essex High School and County-wide Teacher of the Year; Valerie Taylor, Teacher of the Year Tappahannock Elementary School; and Amber Sydnor, Teacher of the Year Essex Intermediate School. Also recognized by Rotary for "Tireless Dedication and Outstanding Service to the Students of Essex County Public Schools" were: Vickie Favazza, Essex High School English Teacher and Drama Coach; Teresa Harris, Tappahannock Elementary School Music Teacher; Perry Wormley, Essex Intermediate and High School Chorus Teacher; and Michael Loveless, Essex Intermediate and High School Band Teacher.      

 

TRC Recognizes Tommy Neuman For 100% Paul Harris Fellows Club Leadership

At the May 28th TRC meeting, immediate past-President, C. Norman Wood presented Tommy Neuman with a well-deserved recognition for "exemplary service for his untiring effort as Foundation Chair for the 2013 - 2014 year in achieving 100% Paul Harris Fellows for the Tappahannock Rotary Club". This significant achievement means that a club has 100% membership participation; with donations of a minimum of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund, during the calendar year. Thank you, Tommy!

Tappahannock Rotary Club Welcomes President Paul Parfrey and Wife, Lynn, Swindon - Phoenix Rotary Club - District 1100 - United Kingdom

TRC's May 14th guest speaker was Paul Parfrey, President of the Swindon - Phoenix Rotary Club, District 1100, United Kingdom. Paul and his wife, Lynn, were the guests this past week of Bill and Carole Croxton - continuing a multi-year exchange between our clubs. Swindon - Phoenix RC was chartered in 2012 with the motto "Fiduciam et Respectu", and is committed to Fun, Friendship, and Fellowship, and to "doing things differently". Paul, whose career highlights have included ...national policing and counter-terrorism work, also inspired us by sharing more than fourteen projects the very active club is engaged. These include: health projects for blood pressure checks, epilepsy and breast cancer support days, and a guide dog charity; sporting activities including a Santa Run, Dragon Boat racing, and a horseless steeplechase; support activities for local schools; river barge trips for disadvantaged and disabled kids; and British theme nights including St. George's Day and Burns Night celebrations.

 

Pictured at Rotary meeting:  l to r:  Bill Croxton, Paul Parfrey, TRC President John Gregory

Pictured at Merroir, Locklies Marina, Topping, Virginia:  l to r:  Bill Croxton, Paul Parfrey, David Broad, Carole Croxton, Lynn Parfrey, Margaret Broad

Winners of Tappahannock Rotary Club Annual Andrew Reavis Memorial Croaker Tournament - May 16, 2015

Winners of the $4,500 prize money in Tappahannock Rotary Club's Annual Andrew Reavis Memorial Croaker Tournament held Saturday, May 16th: (l to r, 1st Place - Deral Wertz; 2nd Place – Robert Fenter; 1st Place Youth Division – Tye Morris; 3rd Place – Andy Davis; 4th Place Phillip Donnelly with crew Eric Montgomery and Morby Montgomery; 5th Place- Ronald Morris; Event Chairman, Bill Reavis; Tappahannock Rotary Club President, John Gregory; not pictured: 2nd Place Youth Division – Michael Johnson; 3rd Place Youth Division Brandon Corbin).

 

This was the 12th year of the TRC's Croaker Tournament!  Ninety-four boats were registered for this year's tournament which spanned the county from June Parker Marina to Garrett's Marina where the concluding ceremony was held.

May 7th TRC Guest Speaker, Cynthia Barrack, RN, Riverside Hospice Program

Our guest speaker at the May 7th TRC meeting was Cynthia Barrack, RN, Home Care Division Community Liaison for Riverside Hospice Program - Tappahannock and Gloucester areas.
http://www.riversideonline.com/homecare/hospice.cfm