At a recent
gathering held at the Spa the Chesterton-Porter Rotary club celebrated a
year of accomplishments under the leadership of outgoing club president
Thomas Archbald. Entertainment was provided by Alexis Bratsakis on the
keyboard and a prime rib dinner was served by The Spa.
Archbald recounted
the club’s numerous accomplishments and continued partnerships within and
outside the communities of Duneland. Highlighting the list was the
contribution to the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary, with the building
of a viewing platform along the marsh with funds from the local club along
with matching grant funds from Rotary International. Archbald went on to
share the commitment to the Duneland Diamond and the improvements brought
about by Dan Amling with the assistance of Rotary volunteers as well as
other groups.
Scholarships have
become a bigger line item in recent years, with five individual scholarships
of $1,500 given to graduating Duneland students.
Archbald noted that
a large portion of the funds are raised through events like the Fish Fry,
Babapaloosa music festival and Nelson Chicken sales but that the newest
found fundraiser appears to be a penny smasher featuring the Indiana Dunes,
Octave Chanute, Thomas Centennial Gazebo and Babapaloosa, at the Indian
Dunes Tourism and Visitor Center.
The Paul Harris
fellowship is a designation of giving to a the Rotary Foundation, which
invests the interest back to clubs through district foundation grants such
as the one used this past year for the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
In years past the CP-Rotary has utilized district funds for a water project
in Nepal, a garbage truck in Uganda, Duneland Diamond improvements, the
Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary and many more.
Paul Harris medals
were presented to Jane Delligatti and Bonny Hildebrand in recognition of
their financial gifts to the foundation and an honorary Paul Harris medal
was given by James Jeselnick honoring James Thorstad for his dedication to
service above self, which Thorstad exhibits in his daily life through
service to his church, his past military service in the Marines, other
organizations such as Rebuilding Together Duneland and the local VFW, to
name a few.
Archbald then
recognized Bonny Hildebrand as the Rotarian of the Year. One of the newest
members of the CP-Rotary, she has stepped right in and provided aid above
and beyond the expected. Hildebrand brought a renewed energy to the speakers
and programs, as well as working with the Duneland School corporation to
identify students of the month.
Archbald himself
was presented with a plaque, recognizing his Rotary leadership for the
2018-2019 year, by incoming president-elect Bob Kolar.
Kolar shared his
excitement to be a part of CP-Rotary and in leadership for the 2019-2020
Rotary year.
Kolar promised to
keep things moving toward a more prosperous and generous club with the
ability to support individuals and institutions with like goals and
affiliations.
The Anton’s
(Michael and James) and Tim Harris, as Sergeants of Arms, challenged all
those in attendance to share a joke, a riddle or simply sing a song. Most
failed to please enough, so $170 in fines was collected and designated as a
gift to the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary. After all the fines were
collected the meeting was concluded with continued fellowship and revelry.
The mission of
Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and
advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of
business, professional, and community leaders around the world.
The
Chesterton-Porter Rotary club meets every Tuesday at the Baugher Center for
a luncheon meeting starting at 11:45 a.m. and closing at 1 p.m. To learn
more about Rotary visit rotary.org or Chesterton-porterrotary.org for more
information.
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