President Denny had everything he needed to start the meeting, gavel and bell, Old Glory, Banner, Notes, and a beer of unknown origin (see picture below).  After a wonderful meal of Italian favorites arranged by Club Services Director PP Terry Remigio, Denny introduced PPSq (Past President Squared) Paul Urtz to honor those with perfect attendance, or, as a Paul said, "Rotarians whose enthusiasm for Rotary is matched only by their love for lunch!"  Double Digit Perfect Attenders (DDPAs) included PP Craig Essex (17 years), PP Gary Frisch (22 years), PDG, PP, PE, KoaBD* Talee Crowe (29 years) and PP Dr. Jim Wingert (32 years).  Not only is that a lot of lunches, that is a lot of bad, good, and wonderful Rotary Programs!

 

*Kind of a Big Deal

 

 

Treasurer Susan "You are Overbudget" Aubin was thanked for yet another year of fiscal diligence.  And I know for a fact that the club was in the black at the end of the Rotary Year.  PP Terry (Soft g, he's Italian after all) Remigio was thanked for all of our fellowship and the delightful fellowship events including Cider Tasting this year. PP Clay Fell was thanked for his Membership efforts. PEv (Past Everything) Talee Crowe's Community Service Committee was very active with all of our traditional projects while adding THREE new projects.  PP Betsy (I'm travelin!) Jansen was thanked for her work all around the world, including Ethiopia and Romania.  Our club does an amazing amount of International Service!  

 

Mark (Muffin Man) Rank was thanked for his Vocational Service Committee's work on 3 off-site visits and for the T. H. Pickens Vocational Scholarship and a new Rangeview Scholarship this year.  PP Craig Essex continues to spearhead Youth Services and IPP Dave Maxwell is finalizing an update to our dusty bylaws.  PPSq (Past President Squared) Jeff Kaes was honored for gently insulting everyone as Sergeant @ Arms, while weekly heckling the President...Hey, it was Denny's idea! PP Al Horton was busy with Speakers, Children's Hospital, and our BackPack Project.  PP Joe Hughes helped fund all of this with yet another successful Golf Tournament.  Secretary Bev Edwards, PP Lloyd Gottman (Foundation) and Susan Michalakes (Newsletter) all received kudos.

President Denny awarded three Presidential Awards for service to SHRC this year. These awards include a $100 contribution to the Paul Harris Foundation in the awardee's name.  Betsy Jansen, Talee Crowe, and Joe Hughes were given Presidential Awards for their major contributions this year.  

 

The Bob Tschappat award was given to PP Hugh Radke.  In May 1983 the Robert W. Tschappat Award was established by Smoky Hill Rotary Club in recognition of the outstanding support provided by University Hill Rotarian, Robert W. Tschappat, in helping to charter SHRC in January 1983. The award is given annually to the non-board member of the Club who has had the "greatest impact on the Club" during the year. This award, accompanied by a $200 donation to the Rotary Foundation in the recipient's name, is the most prestigious award presented by the SHRC President. The award also consists of a personal plaque of recognition, and a traveling award to be held for one year.  The award recipient is selected by the current Club President, the Immediate Past President, and the President-Elect. Tschappat Honoree Hugh Radke was out of town so we will celebrate his achievement at an upcoming meeting.

 

And if that is not enough of a scandal, IPP Denny "The Charlatan" Passantino came up with 10 predictions.  (Please note that your Editarian had ridden his bicycle 172 miles prior to the meeting and had one or maybe two glasses of an excellent red blend and may not have gotten all the predictions exactly as stated.)

 

Nancy commented that we learned a lot about Denny, including that he is an excellent stand-up comedian this year.  It was great watching these two leaders as they exchanged the Past President pin and the President's Pin.

 

Nancy reminded us of the makeup of her Board and then, in an amazingly short speech for an incoming President, she thanked her husband Dave, hoped to uphold our traditions while working hard on increasing our membership numbers.  She also wants to emphasize the "Fun" part of Rotary this year by including more spouses and families in our activities.  Nancy finished her speech by sharing how a flock of geese help each other out as they fly or if they are hurt or injured.  President Nancy closed by asking all of us to, "Have the sense of a goose and help each other out this year!"  Well done, President Nancy!