PRESIDENT DOT KRET rang the bell and welcomed everyone to a lively year‑end celebration. Then, almost‑new member ALAN PRESSEL set the tone with the Pledge and song “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by KHRIS DODGE on piano.
DOT then led a heartfelt IN MEMORIAM, as we paused to remember members JAN GREEN, STEVE OCHOA, KIOTE ERICKSON, CONRAD PLIMPTON, JOHN DUVAL, and family members Nathan Lex, Nan Rollings and Karen LaMaster, whose lives and service have forever shaped our club. JOE DANISZEWSKI followed with an inspirational moment, uniting us around Rotary’s call to “Let there be Peace on Earth” talking about Rotary Peace Poles in our Community and around the world.
SAA DAN KALM warmly welcomed guests including lots of international virtual ones before DOT spotlighted this week’s COOKIE MONSTER, MARGARET HIGGINS, honoring MAKE WAY FOR BOOKS and our ongoing commitment to children’s literacy. Birthdays were celebrated for TJ JUSKIEWICZ and MATT BLAIR (our very own Didgeridoo aficionado), with plenty of cheers.
CLIFF BOWMAN delivered the Rotary Foundation’s ANNUAL REPORT, sharing impressive growth, generous giving, and the many ways our funds fuel scholarships, international projects, and local impact.
SAA DAN then drew the winning raffle ticket, congrats Michael Lex and thanks for sharing PRESIDENT DOT with us this year. We then got to see the Red Badge Selfies before PAST PRESIDE
NT KURTIS shared the History of the Giving Moment. JONATHAN WALKUP exemplified the Giving Moment by making a donation to TJ JUSKIEWICZ and Perimeter Bicycling.
DG BRUCE MONRO shared how lucky we are to have hosted so many amazing speakers this year and how lucky he was to have been present at SIX of our AMAZING meetings. He also commented that despite what a large club we are, we make all feel welcome.
From new members highlighted by DAN, to fellowships recapped by MITCH PISIK, EATS events promoted by BOBBY LARSON, and social mixers given a poetic twist by MICHAEL GUYMON, it was a full slate of Rotary fun. Our SERVICE PROJECTS coordinated by DIANA MADARAS, a phenomenal GLOBAL GRANT project in Senegal, a measurable FIVE‑YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN, and an incredibly successful CAR SHOW all made this “Year in Review” proof that we truly did UNITE FOR GOOD.
CHARLOTTE HARRIS spoke of the history of the Paul Harris Award and DON ROLLINGS followed up with his kind heart and generosity with the “Spirit of Rotary” Award that recognizes Rotarian(s) who stepped up and supported the President and the Club going the extra mile. This year two wonderful Rotarians were awarded this special recognition: BRITTANY BATTLE and LUIS HERNANDEZ. Congratulations you two and a huge thank you to our generous DON ROLLINGS for bringing this award to life.
In a fitting finale, DOT passed the gavel to incoming president BOBBY LARSON, with pins exchanged, new board members announced, heartfelt thanks offered, and a shared promise that 2026–27 will be FUN, impactful, and full of Rotary service. BOBBY closed by inviting everyone back next week as he shares his goals for the new Rotary year.
