Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Local Rotary celebrates year of accomplishments installs officers

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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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Posted 6/25/2019

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

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