ELIZABETHTON STAR: Rotary Club of Elizabethton Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The Rotary Club of Elizabethton recently marked a century of community service with a Centennial Dinner Celebration on Friday, Feb. 27, attended by about 60 members and guests. The event was held in the community room at Northeast Community Credit Union, where Acting President Bill Anderson presided over the evening's program. Guests were served a buffet meal prepared by Betty Barnes and her Simply Elegant Catering staff, while wines were provided by Rotarian Margaret Moses. During the dinner, attendees were entertained by a string quartet from Milligan University.

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Following dessert, Rotarian Mike Dodd offered a champagne toast. Commendations were read by Rotarian Andrea DeMoss on behalf of Elizabethton Mayor Bill Carter, the City Council and U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger. Rotary District 7570 Gov. Andy Vanhook of Harrisonburg attended the celebration and helped recognize five local community leaders who are not Rotarians but exemplify Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self." Each received a Paul Harris Fellowship, representing a $1,000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation. Those honored were Rhonda Chafin, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee; Danny Deal for Hurricane Helene relief coordination; Serena Miller, director of the Loaves and Fishes Ministry; Angie Odom of the TLC Community Center; and Brandon Young, founder of the Carter Compassion Center.

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Since the mid-1980s, Rotary International has worked to eradicate polio worldwide through its Polio Plus vaccination and fundraising initiative, supported in recent years by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Only two countries remain where active cases of the disease still exist. Rotarian John Mattox was recognized as the first local club member to join District 7570's Polio Plus Society, pledging an annual $100 contribution until the disease is eradicated. District Area 14 Polio Plus Society Chair Connie Whitaker of Johnson City presented Mattox with a certificate and pin. During the event, a dozen additional Elizabethton Rotarians also joined the Polio Plus Society by pledging annual support. The evening concluded with District 7570 Gov.-elect Charlotte Whitted of Abingdon recognizing five members with 100 percent attendance pins. Together, the members have accumulated exactly 200 years of perfect attendance: Margaret Moses, 34 years; Greg Bowers, 38 years; Robert Reedy, 39 years; Bill Anderson, 41 years across four clubs; and Joe Alexander, 48 years. Alexander was unable to attend due to a family commitment and was represented by his wife, Debbie.

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