On Nov. 7, 2008, over fifty Rotarians and their guests gathered at the Timberland Hotel to recognize 31 years of community service of the Rotary Club of Sussex at the Clubs annual Charter Night, and to recognize three individuals with Paul Harris Fellowships, Rotary’s highest award. The master of ceremonies for the evening was Rotarian Bob Kimball, and the guest speaker was District Governor Rick Rogers of St. Stephen, who brought greetings from Rotary International...
The highlight of the evening was Chairman Bob and President Donna Gilchrist, bestowing the Paul Harris Fellowship to (pictured L-R) Rotarian JC Robert Lockhart, Past President Kim Pearson, and Dr. David Medders in recognition of their outstanding service to the community and ideals of Rotary.
Dr. David Meddars, the Club’s first recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship, was ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1980. He pastured in local churches in his native state of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana for the first 11 years. He has served as President of Bethany Bible College since 1990. Since 1997 Dr. Meddars has served as chairman of the Fundy Civic Center Board of Directors and has lead this group in receiving needed Government funding for the center.
JC Robert Lockhart, the second recipient, was born in Kentville Nova Scotia and joined Aliant / NBTel in 1969 from where he retired in Dec. 2000. Mr. Lockhart came from a Rotary family and was so impressed by a Father and Child night at the Kentville Rotary Club that he immediately knew he wanted to be part of Rotary. Robert has served Rotary as a member of the Newcastle Club from 1970-73. Returning to Saint John in 1974, he was chair of the Rotary Easter Seals Campaign from 1974-84. In 1984 he became President of the Rotary Club of Saint John. In Sussex, Robert has created and maintains the Sussex Rotary web site www.SussexRotary.org and is always there for Rotary.
Kim Pearson, the third award recipient, sought out information on the Sussex Rotary Club and “volunteered” to join. She took the initiative to publish an “amazing letter to the Editor” to describe her first year in Rotary. Kim has been a member of the Executive for many years and served as Club President for two years. She is dedicated to the Rotary Foundation and a regular contributor to the Rotary Annual Giving program. Kim supports the Rotary District level as well- including most recently the Youth Merit Award program and the Rotary Leadership Institute. Professionally, Kim is an Independent Financial Planner with Investors Group, having started her career in the financial industry in 1991.
 Pictured here are District Governor Rick presenting Secretary Bob Black (far left) and President Donna Gilchrist (center) with a district citation banner and pin. |  President Donna Gilchrist presented District Governor Rick with a check for $1207.00 as the Club’s annual contribution to the Rotary Foundation. |
 At the end of the evening, those PHF’s present gathered for a group photo. Standing: Bob Black, Founding President Hazen Hogg, Bob Kimball, Robert Lockhart, Dr. David Medders Seated: Kim Pearson, Charter Member Harley Geldart, Keri Walker |