Friday, March 11, 2016

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!







Sunday, March 6, 2016

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.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

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.

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

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 11th 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.   

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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

Friday, January 22, 2016

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!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

#ServiceAboveSelf Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army December 2015

#ServiceAboveSelf The Reverend Candine Johnson and Reese Peck bell ringing for the Salvation Army during the 2016 Christmas Season.

Miraculous Recovery - John Lewis, Past-President, Guest Speaker at December 3rd Meeting

TRC was thrilled to have our past President, John Lewis, as guest speaker at the December 3rd meeting following his serious tractor accident just six weeks prior. John gave us a full account of the accident and his recovery process which he considers miraculous. He credited his wife, Hollie, who is also an RN, his quick-thinking friends, the rescue team and medical staff at Tappahannock Riverside Hospital and MCV, and his military survival training, for his speedy recovery. Welcome back, John!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Rick and Jeremy Gassens TRC Guest Speakers - "Come Out To Support The DAW Theater" Bratwurst and Beer - Essex Inn - Saturday 21 November - 2 to 5 p.m.

Everyone's invited to The Essex Inn Saturday, November 21st from 2 to 5 for Beer and Bratwursts, to hear more and to tour The DAW Theater in a kick-off party! Guest speakers at the Nov 19th TRC meeting were Rick and Jeremy Gassen, Managers of The Essex Inn. Introduced by Madeline Lawson, the Gassens shared their passion for renovating Tappahannock's DAW Theater. Under the auspices of the new no...n-profit, "Cook Foundation for the Arts", and the leadership of its Board and the Gassens, the renovated DAW will be a regional center for touring shows, a community meeting place, and an events venue for rent. Rick and Jeremy bring their extensive theater backgrounds to this exciting project. They and Board President, Kia Ware, ask for support including time, labor, money, and just enthusiasm as they reawaken the theater to the benefit of the community.

Support Needed For Rotary Food Bank Drive Today - Saturday, Nov 21st - Tappahannock Farmers Market

Call to action...please come out today and bring food and/or money for the Rotary-sponsored pre-Thanksgiving Food Bank drive at the Tappahannock Farmers Market in support of our local food banks! TRC member, Fred Woodard, will be there happy to receive donations. Let's come together and help ensure that all local families have a good holiday meal.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Tappahannock Rotary Pork Fest Draws 100s! October 1, 2015

Tappahannock Rotary Club has been sponsoring the Annual Pork Fest for over 35 years. This popular event draws 100s from the Tappahannock community and is TRC's major fundraising event that permits the Club to give back both to the community and to worthwhile international causes including ending Polio. A special shout-out to Bill Croxton who has led this effort for much of those 35 years...and to current TRC President, Wright Andrews, for capturing so many good photos of this year's event. Thanks to our friends at the Tappahannock-Essex Volunteer Fire Department for hosting this great event each year!

Tappahannock Rotary Club Presents Support Checks to Jacob's Ladder and The Riverside Foundation - Riverside Tappahannock Hosital

On behalf of Tappahannock Rotary Club, President Wright Andrews was pleased to present checks to two community organizations at the annual Spouses' Night Dinner held at the Sandbar on October 29th.
A check for $1,000 was presented to Esther Desimini, Administrator of Riverside Tappahannock Hospital as the third installment of the Club's $5,000 pledge to the Riverside Foundation. President Andrews commented that "we wish the Foundation's board and staff continued success with the Riverside Tappahannock Hospital's important improvement project. This check is part of our commitment to support the RTH '100% private rooms project capital funding campaign'".
A second check for $1,000 was presented to TRC member and past-President, JoAnn Ruffa on behalf of Jacob's Ladder. President Andrews added that "we wish the Jacob's Ladder organization continued success with its mission of enriching the lives of gifted, at-risk children."
 
 

Reese Peck, Essex County Administrator, Speaker at TRC's November 5th Meeting

TRC member and Essex County Administrator, Reese Peck, was guest speaker at the November 5th meeting. Reese gave an informative update on Essex County developments including an overview of the county's OpenGov Financial Transparency Portal. Visit the Essex County website at: www.essex-virginia.org