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This year the start for our bikeride moved from Chappell Hill to Brenham High School and the WC Fairgrounds. This meant that we had to re-route the ride. Some of the routes were new, but portions of the route were on the same roads as the old routes.The bad weather held off with the exception of a few light sprinkles, but mostly the weather was near-perfect: cloudy cool and light winds. The big new thing for our ride this year was the affiliation with the BPMS150 ride. We got "Recommended Ride" status which meant that we were listed on the BPMS150 website as a Recommended ride. There are over 12,000 riders on the BPMS150 and that means they all had an opportunity to find us through that website. We don't have the final figures, but we had around 1200 riders. Many had never ridden our ride and we heard a lot of positive feedback from riders. Attached are some photos from the ride.

Work day at Camp for All

Join us Saturday April 27th 8:30 till 1:00 to help with painting and general repairs at Camp for All. Can’t stay the whole time? That’s OK stay as long as you can.

Children's Chorus

Members of the Brenham Children's chorus entertained us with a wonderful Christmas concert at our December 20th meeting.

New Member

Posted by Ron Werchan

Welcome New Member Justin Jersey.Justin comes to us from the Waller Rotary Club, and his sponsor is Billy Starnes.

Guntoberfest 2018

Guntoberfest 2018 is in the books! Thanks to our sponsors Allied ACE Hardware, Appel Ford/Hyundai, Bluebell Creameries, Brenham National Bank, Citizens State Bank, and Premier Metal Buyers. Please support our sponsors as they support our club and community.

The drawing was broadcast live on Facebook, but if you missed it and want to see if you won, the winning tickets and winners are listed here.

Thanks to everyone who supported the Guntoberfest by working, selling tickets, sponsoring, or buying tickets.

Crisis in Nicaragua

At our meeting on July 12, Jim Kite gave us an update on the situation on Nicaragua where the country is in crisis. As a result of years of corrupt practices by president Ortega, he has angered the elderly, the students, the business community and even his own party. over 300 people have been murdered during peaceful protests by Ortega's men. As a result, the whole country's roads have been blocked off and no trucks or shipping can bring supplies into the country. Some supplies can be flown in, but can't be distributed because all major highways are blockaded. As a result people can't get medical treatment and many who already live hand-to-mouth are starving.Jim says that we can help by sending money that can be wired-in so that basic foods can be purchased from local farmers within the country and distributed through back roads in small pickups, off of the main highways to people who need it. This can be done through the 501C3 organization Hope and Relief International that Jim and other Rotarians set up several years ago to help build schools and hospitals in Nicaragus. If Rotarians Want to help they can send money to Jim payable to HOPE AND RELIEF INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION 10700 Gerke Rd, Brenham, TX 77833.

For more information on the crisis: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44779257

Rotarian of the Year

Posted by Ron Werchan

Congratulations to Kathleen Schwarze our Rotarian-of-the-Year for 2017-2018. Shown here receiving her award from outgoing President Page Michel.

New Board for 2018 -2019

Posted by Ron Werchan

Curt Podeszwa, Director; Carey Council, President Elect; Lea Wie, Secretary; Gene Young, Director; Gena Wilimitis, Director; Cathy Boeker, Director; Lowell Ogle, Vice President; April Thompson, Director; Brice Milliorn, President; Carmen Cuneo, District Governor; William Grote, Director; Christi Yackel, Director and Page Michel, Past President. Not present: Barbara Wilganowski, Sergeant-at-Arms.

More Charities Receive Donations

For the third week in a row, local charities receive donations from the Rotary Club of Washington County. Some of the money that we raise goes to the Rotary Foundation which is used to fund projects throughout the country and the world. One of the projects that Rotary International is involved in is the eradication of Polio. We are down to under 10 cases in the world this year!

Rotary President Paige Michelle is shown here with representatives of local charities. To the right of Paige Michele is: John Hill Representing BISD Foundation, JD Young and Randy Wells representing Faith Mission, Disabled American Vets represented by Commander Robert Squyres, Miracle Farm represented by Gena Wilimitis, and Rotary House represented by Charles Gaskamp

More Charitable Causes Supported

This year, The Rotary Club of Washington County raised $56,375 for charities in Washington County. Shown at the 6/7/18 meeting are the representatives of organizations receiving donations from the Rotary Club of Washington county. The organizations are: Adam's Angels Ministry, New Beginnings, Camp for All, Heritage Society of WC, Washington-on-the-Brazos Junteenth Heritage Celebration, WC Summer Feeding Program, Bread Partners, Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, and Volunteer Services Council BSSLC.

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

One of the main missions of the Rotary Club of Washington County is to serve our community by supporting non-profit charities. We do that by volunteering, and raising money to support many of our local charities. This year, The Rotary Club of Washington County raised $56,375 for charities in Washington County. Shown at the 5/31/18 meeting representing their organizations with a symbolic check presented by our President Page Michel are left to right: Rosellyn McIver,Brenham Children's Chorus; Paige Michel, President of WC Rotary; Debbie Forland and Neil Krebs, JAM Ministry; Craig Borchardt, Hospice Brazos Valley; Leslie Wood,Unity Theater Summer Camp; Stephanie Wehring, Boys and Girls Club; and Steve Miller, of the Senior Center. We will have more recipients next meeting!

WC ROTARY CLUB AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

On Monday May 7, 2018 the Rotary Club of Washington County awarded scholarships in the amounts of $1,000 to six seniors at Brenham High School.

Shown here is Rotary Club President Page Michel with the six recipients. left to right: Carter Yackel, Bailey Grunder, Kevin Pham, Page Michel, Grace Beisert, David Quiroz, Addison Thielemann. Congratulations and Good Luck!

Presidential Citation

The Rotary Club of Washington County Texas received the Presidential Citation for the year 2016-1017. There are approximately 1,000 clubs out of the more than 32,00 clubs world wide that receive a Presidential Citation. Shown here accepting the award from Pat D.G. Eric Liu, Kurt Podeszwa, Past President for the 2016 2017 year.

2018 H4H Bikeride

The 2018 Head for the Hills "Bikeride will be here before you know it. This year's ride will be on April 7th starting and ending at the Chappell Hill Fire Department on FM 1155 in Chappell Hill, TX. We will need volunteers to man the rest stops, SAG vehicles, sign placement, registration, etc. This is one of our big fundraising events of the year, and it takes everyone contributing their time and talents.

Riders wishing to Register for the ride can click here for Registration Information

Working the Rodeo Gate at WC Fair.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to work the back gate at the Washington County Fair and Rodeo on Wednesday September 20, 2017.

Rodger Ross and Lea Wie

Barbara Wilganowski, Tommy Brewster. Barry Brass and Ron Werchan

The President's Theme for 2017-2018

In 2017-18, we’ll answer the question “What is Rotary?” with RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley’s theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. “Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”

2017 Rotary/CPS Adoption Fair

On Saturday August 5th, 2017 The Rotary Club of Washington County partnered with the Child Protective Service to host an Adoption Fair at the St Paul's School. The Adoption Fair brings together parents who are wanting to adopt, with kids who need a home and someone to love and care for them. The children are older and because of their age, are not as adoptable. At the Fair, the parents can interact with the youngsters in an informal, fun atmosphere.

See the photo journal for more images of the Adoption Fair.

New Officers and Directors Installed for 2017-18

The new slate of Officers and Directors under the leadership of new President Page Michelle. Installation June 29th Installaton Banquet held at the Ant Street Inn. See the Photo Journal for more Photos.

Installation Banquet and Paul Harris Dinner

Our Rotary Club of Washington County Installation and Paul Harris dinner is on June 29th. We will not have a regular meeting that day so I am hoping that you can make it to the dinner that night. It will be at the Ant Street Inn and will be catered by Brenham Catering. This dinner is a great way to celebrate this past year and show our support for Page as she steps into her role as President of our club. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting, but if you need to RSVP and are not going to be at the meeting please send me or Gena Wilimitis an email!

Kurt Podeszwa

June Giveaway

June is what we are all about, supporting our community by supporting those organizations that serve our citizens, young and old.

Thursday, June 22, the Rotary Club of Washington County handed out donations to several community organizations in the aggregate amount of $40,000. The organizations receiving grants Thursday were: The Heritage Society of Washington County, Adam's Angels, New Beginnings, Here I Am Ministries, BISD Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Miracle Farm, Local History Day, Camp-for-All, and Unity Summer Theater Camp.

Thursday the 15th, we donated more money to charitable causes in our community. Receiving grants totaling 15,000 dollars were: Food Service initiative, Hospice Brazos Valley, Game Changers, Faith Mission, Go Drill, Brenham Heritage Museum, Brenham Children's Chorus, Mission Brenham, JAM Academy, Habitat for Humanity, and Disabled American Vets.

June is the end of Rotary's year, and during June, we give away the money that we raise during the year. Today we granted a total of $8,600 shared by the following organizations: Washington County Senior Center, Bread Partners, Job Partnerships, Volunteer Services Council, Boy Scouts, Rotary House,Brenham Fire Department, Pink Angels, and Morning Glory Ranch.

GIVING BACK

The Rotary Club of Washington County has two major events to raise funds every year. These events along with a $3000 grant from District helped to raise enough money for us to distribute $80,250 in grants to worthy causes. The bulk of the money goes back into local charities, and some goes to National and International needs. Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers and Rotarians who made this possible. Listed here are this year’s organizations receiving grants.

Adam’s Angels*

BISD Foundation*

Boy Scouts*

Boys and Girls Club*

Bread Partners

Brenham Children’s Choir*

Brenham Heritage Museum

Camp for All*

Clean Water Projects

CPS Adoption Fair*

Disabled Veterans

Faith Mission

Game Changers*

Girl Scouts*

Guerrero Eye Clinic

Habitat for Humanity

Here I Am Orphan Ministries*

Heritage Society of Washington County

Hospice Brazos Valley

Interact Scholarships*

Job Partnerships-WC

Main Street Local History Day*

MBLA-DG*

Miracle Farm*

Morning Glory Ranch*

New Beginnings*

Nicaragua (Children of the Dump Scholarships)*

Pink Angels

Polio Plus*

Project Graduation*

Rotary House

Senior Center of WC

Teacher of the Year Award

Unity Summer Camps*

Volunteer Services Council

WC Food Coalition*

*Organizations that benefit children

Welcome New Members

Welcome new Members Lea Wie, and Sammy Timpa.

Lea Wie Being inducted by President Kurt Podeszwa.

Sammy Timpa being Inducted by President Kurt Podeszwa.

2017 Bike Ride is in the books!

Having too much fun at rest stop number two!