Below is the year of President Cathy Miller, 2017-2018. If you would like to go in chronological order, start at the bottom and scroll your way up.
If you would like to read a detailed annual report of this Rotary Year for the Peninsula Club, click here.
On the evening of June 29th, the Virginia Peninsula Rotary Club held its Installation of Officers for the 2018-2019 Rotary Year at the home of Bill Ziglar in Poquoson. Bill was sworn in as President by incoming District 7600 Governor Susan Zachensky-Walthall, and his officers and directors were sworn in by Past District Governor Diane Hagemann. Included in the evening were good food and fellowship. For more photographs, click here.
Programs during the month of June not already described below: On the 6th, Brittany Lavalleur, a new liason for us at An Achievable Dream and the Tennis Ball, spoke to us about changes at AAD. On the 13th, Jennifer McDaid talked about the history of the Norfolk Southern Railroad, especially as it applied to women working on the railroad. And on the 27th Eileen Woll of the Sierra Club talked about drilling for oil offshore, and a rival alternative energy source, wind power.
We were visited by a former member on June 20th, Bill Harvey. Or more properly, Dr. William R. Harvey, celebrating 40 years of being president of Hampton University. His talk was at times personal and at times inspiring, as he reminisced about his career.
Some May meetings not mentioned below: On May 3, Florence Kingston, Development Director of the City of Newport News, discussed some of the strategic projects being undertaken by the City. On the 9th, Henry Morgan and Frank Edgar talked about their baseball team, the Peninsula Pilots. And on May 30 Jeff Tanner, Dean of the Strome School of Business at ODU, avoided his day job and instead talked about horse racing and the history and traditions of the three most famous annual races.
Our May 23rd program was started by our own John Frantz giving us a thorough history and overview of the Peninsula Rotary Club Endowed Scholarship Fund at CNU, one of the Club's largest and most impressive projects. His talk was followed by brief comments by Keith Roots, the administrator of the fund at CNU, and Kierra Perry, a past scholarship recipient. Kierra spoke to our Club a little over a year ago about the rare disease she was living with. This time she was a little older and a lot healthier.
On May 12, 2018 the Virginia Peninsula Rotary Club, in partnership with the Warwick @ City Center Rotary Club, held a "Rise Against Hunger" meal-packaging event at the Victory Family YMCA in York County. Rise Against Hunger is an organization that provides meals to millions of the most vulnerable around the world.? For more photos and more information, click here.
On May 3rd a contingent from the Peninsula Club attended the Norfolk Tides baseball game. The Rotary Polio Plus program was emphasized by the game, and a portion of each ticket price went to the fund.
April meetings not noted below include Sister David Ann Niski speaking about the Housing Development Corporation of Hampton Roads, Dr. Stephen Strehle talking about the secularization of America, and President Cathy leading a Club Assembly about the Club's own business.
John Quarstein, speaking to a packed house April 11, was a big hit as usual. This time his topic was Hilton Village, its origin in the First World War, its long-lasting success, and its 100th birthday coming up.
Programs during March included Christina Kerby speaking about the Academies in the Hampton City School system, Amy Yarcich telling us about the availability of medicines, and Taylor Hart giving us insights into what the American Heart Association is doing.
For our March 28th meeting, high school students were almost as numerous as Rotarians. It was our annual "career day" with students from Peninsula Catholic High School. Each table included both Rotarians and students--and, led by suggested questions from moderator Adam Duncan, the tables discussed goals, heros, advice, and the future.
Programs presented in the month of February included our own Jeff Stodghill, who told us about an incident in his own life that presented an ethical dilemma; local sports entrepreneur Mike Vest talking about bringing first-class soccer to the Virginia Peninsula; and Judge Douglas Miller speaking about the U.S. Constitution, and how its interpretation affects our rights to privacy.
At the Charter Night ceremonies, a surprised Danny Carroll was awarded the Martin Gracey Award for Extraordinary Service. The Martin Gracey Award is the highest honor that the club can bestow on any community leader. Above, Danny is handed the award by President Cathy and two other members of the Martin Gracey Award Committee, Diane Hagemann and Tina Banks-Gray.
The Virginia Peninsula Rotary Club held its annual Charter Night celebration February 17th at the Hampton Yacht Club. There was good food, good fellowship, and a certain amount of mayhem. For many more photos, CLICK HERE.
February 17th and 18th the Peninsula Rotary Club sponsored two students from Peninsula Catholic High School to attend RYLA: the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, in Sussex County near Wakefield. Our attendees were Sydney Kaloustian and Darcy McLane, who reported learning a lot about leadership skills, while having a lot of fun doing it.
Speakers we heard from in January were Dr. David Arrington on January 3rd, talking about getting yourself motivated; Kyle McMullin, Athletic Director for CNU, on January 24th; and Dr. Quentin Kidd, Dean of the College of Social Sciences at CNU, talking about current politics in Virginia on the 31st.
During the January 17th meeting, Lt. Michael Good was inducted into the club as our latest member. Michael is the Commanding Officer of the Peninsula area forces of The Salvation Army.
Our annual bell-ringing for the Salvation Army was on December 20th. In pairs, we "rang" in one-hour shifts throughout the day in two locations--one at the Sam's Club in Newport News, and one at the Walmart in Hampton. The weather was kind to us this year, and business was brisk.
On December 13th our meeting was held at Cooper Elementary School and Star Achievers' Academy, in Hampton. Star Achievers is a YMCA program aimed at enhancing the technically-oriented education at this school.
December 3rd was the date for our annual holiday party, held at the Millers' home. With good food and good fellowship, a fine time was had by all.
November 18th was the date for the 25th annual Tennis Ball, benefitting An Achievable Dream. Immediately above is the silent auction room, packed as usual with both merchandise and people. Above the silent auction photos are photos of the dining room, likewise packed. At the top is a group comprising most of the Peninsula Rotary Club members that attended.
On the evening of November 14th there was an informal orientation for new members at Smoke Barbeque. Jeff Brittain, Justin Wynings, Pete Hurst, Mike Good, and Mike Nelson were welcomed and given some background on the club and the parent organization.
Toward the end of October the annual drive for member participation in the Tennis Ball is nearing its final hours. Since the Tennis Ball is our biggest event and our biggest fundraiser, the goal is for every member to participate in some way. Here, John Frantz--chairman of the Tennis Ball Committee and chief cheerleader--is giving us an update on our "triple play" contest. A Rotarian gets a triple play if he or she brings in a sponsorship, brings in an auction item, or volunteers to help in putting on the event.
The Peninsula Rotary Club, collaborating with the Warwick @ City Center Rotary Club, secured a $10,980 District Grant supporting two Peninsula programs--"Operation Warm," which provides schoolchildren with winter coats, and YMCA "Bright Beginnings," which outfits the kids with several other articles of clothing. The photos above show Peninsula Rotarians John Frantz, Bill Ziglar, and Diane Hagemann, along with Mary Ellen Frantz, helping a local child shop for his clothes at Target.
Some notable events in July not mentioned below include a July 3rd talk by Ashby Kilgore about the Newport News school system, a July 24th Norfolk Tides baseball game held in support of the Rotary Polio Plus campaign, and the July 26th induction of Jeff Brittain as the newest member of the club.
On July 19th John, Kevin, Pat, and Diane--with the help of a hundred or so photographs--described their experience at the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta.
On July 12th new District Governor John Padgett paid the club his official visit. On the left we see DG John with the officers of the club.
On June 24th the installation of the 2017-2018 officers and directors of the Virginia Peninsula Rotary Club was held at the Millers' home. New president Cathy Miller was sworn in by District Governor Diane Hagemann. Before and after the ceremony there was good food and good fellowship.
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