Club News and Information
Flatonia Rotary Hosts District Governor Doug Smith

On Wednesday, 17 July, The Flatonia Rotary Club held its first meeting with newly elected President Pat Nickerson opening the meeting.  Nickerson welcomed District 5870 Governor Todd Smith and District Governor Elect (DGE) Todd Smith for their their official visit.  Each new Rotary year, the District Governor (DG) makes a visit to each of the 57 clubs in the distict, which gives the Governor an opportunity to communicate directly with the club members, and recognize individual Rotarians and outstanding projects.  DG Doug Smith is a member of Rotary Club of Temple-South and DGE Todd Smith, who will be Disrict Governor in 2025-2026, is a member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown.  Bernie Satterwhite, member of the Flatonia Rotary and Assistant Governor to the District Governor, introduced DG Smith, who gave an inpirational presentation on his themes, goals, and events for this year in Rotary District 5870.   “We’re going to have a great year by continuing our service projects, giving to the Rotary Foundation, growing our membership, and  serving our communities, as the Flatonia Rotary Club has done in the past,” emphasized Smith.

    After the Governor’s presentation the club welcomed guest Alex Hernandez invited by Rotarian Tammy Collins and then gathered for a a potluck meal and fellowship, which was enjoyed by all.

(l-r) Club President Pat Nickerson, DG Doug Smith, AG Bernie Satterwhite

ROTARY CLUB OF FLATONIA IS PROUD OF
THEIR HERITAGE PRIDE PROJECT

Rotary Club of Flatonia sponsors the 7th annual Heritage Pride on 7 May 2024 for the FHS junior class.   It is a full day of touring and entertainment on the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas.  The students were  treated to a breakfast on the bus trip down, and lunch on the ship.  The day began with a tour of the flight deck and the aircraft displays, guided by 2 Navy aviator veterans, Bernie Satterwhite, and Mark McLaughlin, who both flew the A-6 Intruder.  They enjoyed explaining the routine, yet exhilarating, experience of being catapulted off the carrier and then landing with the help of the ship’s arresting gear and the A-6’s tailhook which caught a large cable stretched across the ship. A film on US aircraft carriers was included  and were presented with personalized dog tags as a souvenier.  On the educational and inspirational tour, they were educated on the aircraft aboard the USS Lexington along with the experience of up to 3,000 crewmembers serving on an aircraft carrier for months at sea.            

    Flatonia Rotarian and Naval Aviator veteran, Bernie Satterwhite remarked, “Heritage Pride is a hands on project that the Flatonia Rotary Club sponsors to familiarize the students with U.S. Navy operations, especially during World War II.  Why does this matter?  Because and it is with great pride, that we have the opportunity to nurture a better appreciation, to both students and adults, on the history of American activities to secure and maintain freedom in our country.”

FLATONIA HOSTS RISE AGAINST HUNGER
The Rotary Clubs of Flatonia and La Grange and the Flatonia Lions Club came together to partner with Rise Against Hunger on Saturday, 27 January 2024, at the Flatonia Civic Center, 208 E. North Main Street, Flatonia, arriving at 9:45 AM.  This Rise Against Hunger Experience provided a fun, educational way for Flatonia and La Grange to literally lend a hand to people facing hunger across the globe.  The assembly line process is a lot of fun, but takes a lot of volunteers. 70 volunteers, young and old, from Flatonia, La Grange, Shiner, and surrounding communities packed 10,000 meals to music and cheerful conversations and were a part of the Rise Against Hunger Experience. Not only did they make a huge impact worldwide, but they also touched the lives of those around them engaged in the event.
FLATONIA ROTARY DONATES 2 BASKETS OF FOOD AT CHRISTMAS 

On Thursday, 21 December, Rotary Club of Flatonia collected food items and donated two Christmas baskets.  Each donation was a laundry basket plus 3 bags of food for Christmas and beyond.  

One donation went to James and Kathy Fox, who had their house and most of their belongings in Hostyn burn down on Thursday, 14 December, 11 days before Christmas.  Their two dogs perished in the fire, while they were at work.  They have no insurance. Many friends and community members have come forward and helped them.  The other donation went to the manager of the Flatonia RV Park who distributed the food to 5 families.

Flatonia Rotary President, Pat Satterwhite remarked “Hunger exists in Flatonia and we recognize the need.  Our members were very generous with their donations of food and I would like to thank them for their generosity during the Christmas season.  We were humbled by the Foxes experience and were happy that we could help in this small way.

Club Provides the 2023 City Christmas Tree

On Sunday, 26 November Rotarians, Stu Mica, Bernie Satterwhite, and Pat Satterwhite selected, purchased, and set up the City of Flatonia Christmas Tree in the park next to the Gazebo.  On Monday, 27 November, Rotarians, Larry Haas, Bernie Satterwhite, Kristine Schaffner, and Pat Satterwhite decorated the tree with lights and oranaments.  The FISD Art students contributed by making special ornaments for the tree.  Everything was done in time for the lighting of the Christmas   Village and the arrival of Santa Claus on Wednesday, 29 November.

Fall for Flatonia

At the Flatonia Rotary meeting on 16 November, the guest speaker, LaDonna Boyd, the Regional Director for Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, gave a presentation on the vast services that Bluebonnet performs for 8+ counties.  She provided pamphlets and rack cards for the club to share at the Fall For Flatonia event on the 18th.

On Saturday, 18 November 2023, The Flatonia Rotary Club had a booth at Flatonia's 150th celebration, Fall for Flatonia.  Information about the Flatonia Rotary Club and Mental Health Awareness was shared to all those who attended.  Giving out free popcorn as a fun bonus!  It was a beautiful day for sharing and fellowship in the sun.

CLUB DONATES SUPPLIES TO FIRST RESPONDERS
In recognition of National First Responders Day, which is 28 October, 2023, The Rotary Club of Flatonia donated supplies to the Flatonia Police Department and the Flatonia Fire & Rescue Department.  The club donated 3 bags of snack food items, 12 cases of water, and 40 Homeless Kits.
"We wanted to show our appreciation for everything that our responders do on a daily basis to keep our community safe, yet maintaining the highest of ethical standards”, commented Flatonia Rotary President Pat Satterwhite.Pat (r) presents FF&R Chief Robinson with donated items
(Above) Rotarians Bernie Satterwhite and Pat Satterwhite presenting items to Chief Dick and Officer Titus
 
 
 
 
(Left) Club President Pat Satterwhite presenting items to FF&R Chief Gregg Robinson. 
Rotary and Lions Unite to Throw a Garden Party
We had a blooming fun time last Saturday!  The Rotary Club of Flatonia and the Flatonia Lions Club joined forces to host a garden party and lunch for the residents of the Flatonia Healthcare Center to Celebrate Community.  Celebrate Community is a joint initiative of the four major volunteer service organizations, launched in 2021-2022 with a focus on local community service. 

The morning was spent planting butterfly gardens in the Center’s planter boxes, which Flatonia Rotary built and donated several years ago.  Lions, Rotarians, residents and staff all dug in to plant the buttterfly-friendly plants and then all shared a chili hotdog and ice cream lunch. The outdoor temperatures were a little cooler, the 50’s and 60’s music was a blast from the past, and the coming together with friends and Flatonians made for a very special Celebrate Community Day.
 
Thank you to Liz Miller, President of Lions Club, Patricia Satterwhite, President Rotary Club of Flatonia, JBarB for donating the hotdogs, and Flatonia Healthcare Center for allowing us to be a part of your day and helping with the planting.
Club Donates School Supplies
While preparing for the start of school can be exciting for students, it can also be a financial burden on the families when they are asked to to provide multiple paper products and school supplies.  On Thursday, 31 August 2023, addressing the need for paper products, the Flatonia Rotary Club delivered 5 cases (210 boxes) of facial tissues, 7 cases (84 packs) of baby wipes, and 4 cases (60 rolls) of paper towels to the school to offset the burden of school families having to supply them.  “The Rotary International September theme is ‘Basic Education and Literacy." We are proud to be able to help our Flatonia students and kick off their year,” said Flatonia Rotary President, Patricia Satterwhite. 
Flatonia Rotary Highlights Mental Health Awareness
Rotary has long been involved in mental health and wellness initiatives. Rotary’s culture of Service Above Self builds community and promotes acts of kindness, two proven methods to build and maintain mental wellness. Gordon McInally, the 2023-2024 Rotary International President is asking clubs and districts to expand on this culture of care by erasing the stigma associated with emotional well-being, raising awareness of mental health needs, and improving access to quality preventive care and interventions.
  
Camryn Alvarado, who is running for Fayette County Fair Queen and is sponsored by Kyla Faith Memorial, was a guest at our meeting on July 16, 2023. Kyla Faith Memorial Scholarship and Rodeo awards scholarships to children in the community in need of counseling for mental illness. “It was a pleasure hearing from Camryn and the importance of her sponsor. It ties right into Rotary International’s focus on Mental Health Awareness. We will be doing more on this subject throughout the year. We want to create hope and bring awareness on the stigmas of mental health”, said Flatonia Rotary President, Pat Satterwhite.
2023-24 PRESIDENT/BOARD INSTALLED
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 was our last official event for 2022-2023. And what an event! The 2023-2024 Distict Governor, Bob Crouch, installed the new 2023-2024 Board and President, Patricia Satterwhite. Jason Duckworth, from the Rotary Club of Temple, was the guest speaker, and gave an inspirational presentation, and Rotarian Bernie Satterwhite was the Master of Ceremonies. Martin Cherry Jr.was recognized for his exceptional and dedicated year of leadership. He talked about his passion for Rotary, and highlighted some of the many accomplishments for this past year. 
 
District 5870 Governor, Bob Crouch administers the oath of office to new president, Pat Satterwhite
 
 
DG Crouch installs the new Board for 2022.23 (l-R) Larry Haas, Treasurer; Martin Cherry, Past President; Bernie Satterwhite, Foundation Director; Judy Pate, Sergeant-at-Arms; Susan Steinhauser, Secretary.
 
(below) Outgoing president, Martin Cherry receives a commemorative plaque from new president, Pat Satterwhite
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Club Meeting Information
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Flatonia, Texas
Flatonia

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Thursdays
Robert's Steakhouse
1241 Texas 95
Flatonia, TX 78941
United States of America
1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays Each Month at 12:05 PM
District Site
Venue Map
Upcoming Events
Club Executives & Directors
President
Pat Nickerson
President-Elect
Robin Branecky
Vice President
Robin Branecky
Treasurer
Bernie Satterwhite
Secretary
Judy Pate
Immediate Past President
Patricia Satterwhite
Foundation Director
Martin Cherry
Membership Director
Tammy Collins
Public Relations Director
Patricia Satterwhite
The Rotary 4-Way Test
Our Club's Formation
 
Rotary Links
 
THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE OUR 2024 GOLF FUNDRAISER A ROUSING SUCCESS
DOUBLE EAGLE SPONSORS ($1,000)
Don Mikulenka Custom Builders, Inc.
Violet Plumbing, LLC
 
EAGLE SPONSORS ($500)
Nickerson’s Farm
LCRA             
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
JBarB Sausage Co., Inc.
Jeanette Zouzalik
Edna’s Kitchenette
Steinhauser, Clay, Inc.
 
BIRDIE SPONSORS ($250)
HeartBrand Beef
Balcones Minerals Corporation
Prototype Machine Company
Flatonia McDonald’s
Beckie & Gerald Freytag
Austin Trust Co.
The Market & Market 2
S&S Grain, Inc.
Fayette Savings Bank
Larry & Sherry Haas
Satterwhite’s 3-Wire Ranch
BEFCO Engineering, Inc 
 
HOLE SPONSORS ($100)
Flatonia National Bank
The Market
Charles Zapalac
Jyl Stavinoha
Mike Steinhauser Law Office
Flatonia Livestock Commission 
Ginny Sears
Goose’s Roost Ranch Cottages
Richter Well Drilling, Inc.
RPK Sales, Inc.
Klesel’s Auto Truck & Tractor
Sharon & Danny Vyvjala
Leon’s Electric & Plumbing
Stryk Jersey Farm
Patty Chou
Pam & Robert Cunningham,  in memory of Bill Hassell  
Meservey Financial Group
Cherry Beefmasters
Flatonia Food Mart
Joel’s Bar-B-Que
Douglas Mica Soil Service, Inc.
NAPA – Flatonia General Store
J.T.Schindler Investments
South Central Electric
Fayetteville Bank, Schulenburg
Carol Littlefield
Fayette County Texas Exes
Fehner & Sons Grain Co., LP
Leroy’s Plumbing & Electric, Inc.
FHS Class of 1976
David Urban BKTS
Rhinestone Angel
Original Kountry Bakery
 
DOOR PRIZE SPONSORS 
The Red Vault Bistro, Annie Pryor’s Cowgirl Provisions, Larry & Sherry Haas, Jyl Stavinoha, 
Pat Nickerson, The Lyric Ice Cream Parlor 
 
Thanks also to the Flatonia Golf Association staff who prepared the golf course, and welcomed golfers, and to the volunteers and golfers who all contributed to making this tournament a success
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