Villa Park Rotary - Newsletter - Archive (Apr 27, 2009)

On Monday evening April 27th our Club hosted a buffet dinner at Rockwell's Cafe and Bakery to honor the Club's Paul Harris Award recipients. The evening was concieved and planned by Foundation Chair Jeannie Hankins, Steven Pollack, Steven Stern and Jay Applebaum. The group began arriving at 6 PM for appetizers, wine and fellowship. Honored guests included our District 5320 Governor Roger McGonegal and wife Sheila, Asst Governor and Orange Sunrise President-elect Rae Shirer and Dr Mike and Jean Abdalla, who helped sponsor our Club back in 1996. President Jay Applebaum rang the bell to call the meeting to order at 6:45 and then Steven Pollack led the group with an invocation and Steve Stern led the flag salute. Master of ceremonies Bill Baker took over and introduced Mike Abdalla, a former RI Trustee, who spoke to us about the history and importance of the Rotary Foundation in helping Rotary accomplish its global goals.

Bill then took a moment to recognize those attendees who were club charter members. He also introduced Josh Usher, the Executive Chef at Rockwells, who prepared a wonderful buffet dinner.

Roger McGonegal then took the floor to introduce our Paul Harris recipients:

Jean Broussard who recieved her first Paul Harris award from husband John; Tom Davis, who gave his award to son, Jeff, rounding out the family, which now all have Paul Harris awards. Jane McDonald also a PH recipient was in Scotland vacationing.

Other recipients of PH1 and above included: Greg Mills, Kirk Parker, Ellen Turnbull, who gave her award to husband, Ed Alexson, Bob Kriesberg, Bill Baker, Steve Kawa, who has 6 recipients in his family, and Jeannie Hankins, who recieved her PH4 award and showed off the original framed certificate and medallion. Award recipients Lesslie Giacobbi and Ron Accornero were not able to attend.

Club President Jay Applebaum then recognized two Villa Park, non-Rotarian couples as "Official Rotary Friends" for repeated acts of service to the Club "above and beyond" the call of duties in the

preparation and service of the meals at our Valentine's Day Dinner Fund Raiser, 2008 and 2009.

These couples, Betsy and Jim Little and Elizabeth Usher and Robbie Pitts, have an open invitation to attend all VP Rotary social events and a donation will be made in their names to the Polio Plus

Drive. We also hope that they will ultimately join the Club and become full-fledged Rotarians,

since they obviously believe in the concept of "Service above Self." The evening closed with dessert and a drawing for one $50 and two $25 gift certificates for Rockwells.

Once again a very special thank you to Jeannie Hankins, Steve Stern, Steven Pollack, Bill Baker, our special honored guests and those Club members who attended and made it a very special night.

Also thank you to Josh Usher and Rockwells Cafe and Bakery for providing a wonderful venue and dinner.

See the Photo Album on the website to see photos taken during the evening.