Immediate Past President, C. Norman Wood, Speaker at October 15th for Rotary Vocational Service Month

TRC's immediate Past-President, C. Norman Wood, was the speaker at the October 15th meeting.   October is Rotary's Vocational Service Month, and Norman's presentation included ways of recognizing vocational excellence and supporting youth in our school systems with vocational mentors.

Essex County' "Rotary Park" - One Step Closer To Being Realized - TRC Contributes $5,000 Initial Development Funds

Essex County's "Rotary Park" is one step closer to being realized! On October 8th, 2015 Tappahannock Rotary Club presented a check for $5,000 to Fred Birchett, Essex County Director of Parks and Recreation as the first half of a $10,000 commitment for the initial development funds of the new county park. This collaborative project is the vision of current TRC President, Wright Andrews, and is the centerpiece of his term in office. Pictured l to r:  Fred Birchett, Bud Smith, Supervisor - Essex County Board of Supervisors, Wright Andrews 

Jeanette Baylor, Partner in Marks-Bristow Funeral Home, Guest Speaker, October 8th, 2015

Jeanette Baylor, partner in Marks-Bristow Funeral Home, was guest speaker at the October 8th TRC meeting.  The guest of Harry T. Gladding, Jeanette spoke about her 37 years in the funeral service industry based in her commitment to and enjoyment of working with families.  She gave us several practical tips including flexible options around pre-payment for services and especially the value of pre-arranging one's desires ahead of time..  Of pre-planning, Jeanette said that the families are grateful to have had this taken care of in advance so they are not dealing with everything in their time of loss and grief.  She invited anyone to make an appointment to discuss options with her, or at a minimum to stop by and get a free arrangement form to fill out and tuck away for later use by family members to use at the time of loss. Contact information for Marks-Bristow:  (804) 443-2210

September 17th Meeting Features Federal Reserve Bank Regional Economist Waddell and Board of Directors Member Margaret Lewis

Sonya Ravindranath Waddell, a regional economist in the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, was guest speaker at the September 17th TRC meeting.  Ms. Waddell gave a rich overview of the Federal Reserve's history, structure, and its mission which includes three core areas:  Monetary Policy, Bank Supervision and Regulation, and Payment Services.  Ms. Waddell was the guest of TRC member, Dr. Richard Lewis, and Margaret Lewis who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

 

l to r:  Margaret Lewis, Sonya Waddell, Wright Andrews, Dr. Richard Lewis

Rappahannock Community College President, Dr. Sissy Crowther, Guest Speaker July 23rd

TRC was honored to host as its guest speaker on July 23rd Dr. Elizabeth Hinton "Sissy" Crowther, President of Rappahannock Community College since 2004, who spoke about changes at RCC.  Show  with TRC President, Wright Andrews, presenting an appreciation gift to Dr. Crowther.

Creation of "Essex County Rotary/Poor House Park" by Resolution of Essex County Board of Supervisors - 8 September 2015

Great News!   The new Essex County Rotary/Poor House Park outdoor recreation park was created by Resolution of the Essex County Board of Supervisors on September 8, 2015.     Tappahannock Rotary Club, under the leadership of our 2015/2016 President, Wright Andrews, has taken on this project as a major community service initiative.   http://www.boarddocs.com/va/essexco/Board.nsf/files/9ZZKYR542984/$file/Resolution%20%2315-026.pdf

 

RESOLUTION #15-026

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING

THE ESSEX COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

TO CREATE OUTDOOR RECREATION AT THE COUNTY OWNED

POOR HOUSE AND CABIN POINT TRACTS

 

WHEREAS, the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation is requesting the Essex County Board of Supervisor to allow for the creation of outdoor recreation at the Poor House / Cabin point county owned properties;

WHEREAS, the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation will create and develop multi-use trails for outdoor recreation; and

WHEREAS, the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation will create and develop Public Hunting opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation will maintain the current model of a working forest on the Poor House / Cabin Point properties when developing outdoor recreation; and

WHEREAS, the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission strongly support the creation of Outdoor Recreation at the Poor House / Cabin point properties; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Tappahannock strongly support the creation of outdoor recreation at the Poor House / Cabin point properties; and

WHEREAS, the Essex County Public Schools strongly support the creation of outdoor recreation at the Poor House / Cabin point properties; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Tappahannock has made a commitment of money and in kind services for the continued improvements and sustainability of the Poor House / Cabin Point county owned property: and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Essex County Board of Supervisors this 8th day of September, 2015, that the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation be, and is hereby, authorized to act on behalf of Essex County in creation of outdoor recreation at the Poor House / Cabin Point properties.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Essex County Board of Supervisors that the recreational facility located on the Poor House / Cabin Point county owned property be known as Essex County Rotary / Poor House Park.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Essex County Board of Supervisors that the Director of Essex County Parks and Recreation is designated to act as Essex County Parks Administrator and, as Parks Administrator, is authorized to submit all information needed to apply for outdoor

 

 

recreation Grants and is authorized to meet other program administrative and reporting requirements as defined by the Essex County Administrator, throughout the life of the parks.

 

ADOPTED: This 8th day of September, 2015

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.