The Rotary Club of Gettysburg celebrated another year of service to the community during its annual picnic Monday, June 26, at the Lake Heritage Community Center.
Rotary is an international service organization with more than 46,000 clubs across the globe. The Gettysburg club, founded in 1920, has more than 70 members.
President David Kushner told those in attendance that many changes occurred in the club over the past 12 months. The year began with Mike Hanson as president, but a move to Delaware forced Hanson to resign.
“I went to president-elect training in February and had the opportunity to talk to the Rotary International president. He asked how long I had been president and I said ‘since 7:30 this morning,’” Kushner recalled of the board meeting that was held the day of his training.
Rotary honors members
Hanson, a longtime club member who served two terms as president, returned to Gettysburg Monday for the picnic. He thanked the club for its support, especially through his life transition. Kushner thanked Hanson for his leadership and gave him a plaque for his work.
Kushner also presented tokens of appreciation to the following members for their work: Eric Gladhill, youth exchange; Ashley Andyshak Hayes, scholarship chair; and Alex J. Hayes, club secretary.
Past President and Past District Governor John Kramb awarded the evening’s highest honor. The club’s board recently named one of its annual scholarships the Robert Gough Education Award. Gough is a 47-year Rotarian who joined the Gettysburg club in 2005. He previously served the Rotary Club of Upper Marlboro, Md.
Officers installed
Past President Ken Farabaugh administered the oath of office to the following 2023-24 club officers: Kushner, president; Todd Orner, secretary; Anthony Spangler, treasurer; Mike DeShong, New Oxford liaison; Pete Miele, board member; Ralph Serpe, philanthropy chair; Chris Glatfelter, community service chair; Anna-Mae Kobbe, foundation chair; and Doug Newell, club services chair.
Board members who will serve but were unable to attend the picnic are: Larry Redding, immediate past president; Chris Kimple, international services chair; and Thomas Powell, president-elect.
Rotary needs members
Kushner noted the club does a lot of work in its community including distributing dictionaries to students, awarding scholarships, volunteering at community events, and hosting international exchange students.
Kushner encouraged Rotarians to recruit more members so it can enhance its work.
A Gettysburg Fourth!
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg’s biggest fundraiser is A Gettysburg Fourth!, in partnership with Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority, Destination Gettysburg, and Gettysburg Fire Department. The event will begin 4 p.m., July 4 at the Gettysburg Rec Park. It will include food, music, bingo, a cash raffle, and more to celebrate America. Fireworks will begin at 9:20 p.m.
Featured image caption: Rotary Club of Gettysburg officers for the 2023-24 Rotary year are, from left: Anthony Spangler, treasurer; Mike DeShong, New Oxford liaison; Pete Miele, board member; Ralph Serpe, philanthropy chair; David Kushner, president; Todd Orner, secretary; Chris Glatfelter, community services chair; Anna-Mae Kobbe, foundation chair; Doug Newell, club services chair; Ken Farabaugh, past president.
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Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.