Dr. James Cook, Area Governor of District 7570, Area 6 hosted a celebration at the Historic Masonic Theater in Clifton Forge, VA, honoring three local Rotary Clubs as they each celebrated 100 years. Rotary Clubs of Covington/Hot Springs, Lexington, and Buena Vista met with the District Governor Tara Ellis to receive this incredible milestone recognition. Rotary was established in 1905 and became international in 1921 establishing 2.1 million members on six continents. Rotary’s vision is for clubs to address challenges in their communities and around the world. Rotary is best known for eradicating Polio in all but two countries. Coincidently, the Rotary Club of Lexington was chartered the same year that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with Polio.
The Rotary Club of Covington/Hot Springs was organized on November 12, 1920 in the main dining room of the Homestead Hotel in Hot Springs. There were 23 charter members and a delegation of Rotarians from Richmond and Staunton. During its 100 years of existence, the club or members of the club have been instrumental in the development and growth of the communities of Bath and Alleghany Counties. The Club’s first female member is Claire Collins in 1994, served as President in 2003, and is still an active member of the Club. The club moves forward and has a current project to support Feeding the Hungry. In September, the club will join with the Virginia Department of Transportation in a project to develop pollinator habitat gardens at the I-64 Longdale Rest Area in eastern Alleghany County. It is designed to attract and increase natural pollinators which include the Monarch Butterfly and the honey bee.
The Rotary Club of Lexington was organized November 1, 1921 with 15 charter members. Thomas J. Farrar as charter president. The Club has sponsored four Rotary Clubs: Buena Vista in 1922, Buchanan in 1938, Lexington Sunrise in 1994, and Lexington Lunch in 2016. The Club was the Home Club for two District Governors: R. Tate Alexander in 1979-80, and D. Rae Carpenter, Jr. in 1997-98. . Its first woman club member was Dr. Sheryl Carls in 1988 and its first woman club president was Betty McMichael in 1998. Currently, the Club partners with the Lexington/Rockbridge Jaycees to host the Rockbridge Community. Twice a year, club members gather for Memorial Day and Veterans Day Flag Placement on veterans’ graves at Oak Grove and Evergreen Cemeteries. The Club became an official sponsor in 1986 of the Rockbridge Christmas Baskets Program which delivers food and toys to needy families in the area.
The Rotary Club of Buena Vista formed in May 1922. Among its many projects, the club works alongside the Rockbridge Area Community Services to provide support for the Magnolia Center and Eagles nest. They work extensively with the Meals on Wheels program and the Community Table. Their primary fundraiser is the Friday’s in the Park concert series, and they now host the annual Fourth of July, Fireworks show at Glenn Maury Park. The club has funded programs for Buena Vista City schools, apps for I-Pads, supplies for teachers, new physical education equipment, dictionary projects, the mascot uniform, and the high school band trailer.
District Governor Tara Ellis says, “These clubs serve to change lives!” Governor Ellis is sixth woman to serve as the District Governor in more than 107-year existence. She leads 80 clubs with 3000 Rotarians. She states the Area 6 Clubs set the example for other Clubs in the District to emulate, “They support the Rotary Foundation and the eradication of Polio; support food banks, the hunger initiative, the Wheelchair Project, Community Festivals and Christmas basket programs; keep their communities clean; conduct projects such as backpack programs, dental clinics, basketball tournaments, and road relays with 45 years of history; honoring our veterans; supporting RYLA, educational foundations, band concerts, and our environment! There is no limit to what these clubs will continue to achieve. Area 6 is on fire for service and for their communities!” The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. For more information about Rotary, and our local Clubs visit https://www.rotary7570.org/
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