St. Michaels Rotary Celebrates 75 Years of Service & Annual Scholarships

In late June, the St. Michaels Rotary Club celebrated its 75th anniversary of service and fellowship since its founding in 1939. This year marked the first time that the club’s annual college scholarship awards to qualifying St. Michaels High School reached $20,000, including two first-time scholarships to Chesapeake College. Four scholarship and one or more parents of each attended the dinner program and club member Don Young was recognized as a 50-year Rotarian.

In keeping with Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” the club has raised and donated to numerous projects in and around St. Michael, in addition to the college scholarships. Major projects include substantial sponsorship of the St. Michaels Nature trail, the town’s Community Garden, and the Camp Fairlee Pavilion. Many person-hours of work have been dedicated to regular highway, nature trail and Camp Fairlee cleanup; and preparation of Phillips Wharf Environmental Center for occupancy. Youth projects include Christmas shopping with and for needy children, “Explore and Explain” adventures, providing dictionaries for grade school students and preparation of “Care Packs” for elementary school children who would otherwise start each school week too hungry to learn.

otary Scholarship winners: Left to Right the recipients are: Tyler Kinnamon, Anna Harrison, Cassidy Stewart and Joe Prettyman IV. Missing from photograph Kennedy Lamb. (All are 2014 graduates of St. Michaels High School.]

Outgoing President Bernie Grove welcomed 100 Rotarians and guests to the anniversary dinner at the Miles River Yacht Club. He was honored, along with his wife, Carol Armstrong, for their devotion to the success of the cub. Rotary District Governor Daniel Houghtaling, of Dover, Delaware, gave the major address, followed by the installation of the new Club officers for 2014-15: President Mike Dann, President-elect Mike Mabe, Vice-President Debbie Collison, Treasurer Joe Kaz, Secretary Dawn Henckle (all from St. Michaels) and Sergeant-at-Arms Duke Blythe, of Bozman.

Incoming Club President Mike Dann and his wife, JoNell Dann, of St. Michaels

The St. Michaels club consists of 44 members and meets for a weekly breakfast meeting at the Miles River Yacht Club. Bay Hundred Area adults, whether actively employed or retired, wishing to inquire about membership should contact President-Elect and membership chair Mike Mabe at 410-745-6436.”

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