Newsletter

Thursday, Aug. 28
Operation Lifesaver: In The Interest Of Safety

Our meeting this week will focus on railroad safety. Jeremiah Parunak will discuss railroad safety on behalf of Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization and nationally recognized leader of rail safety education. Operation Lifesaver has been committed to preventing collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings since 1972, with the support of public education programs in states across the U.S.

Jeremiah is an independent consultant with more than 15 years of railway infrastructure management, including inspections, design, construction, cost estimating, project development, scheduling, and budget management of railway infrastructure assets. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and has worked with The Center for Transportation Research and Norfolk Southern. 

Ivan Goes to France

Our club's first-ever Rotary Youth Exchange student Ivan Correa Santoyo began his study-abroad year this week after flying into Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris on Monday.

He and 30 other inbound Rotary Youth Exchange students were greeted by a team from Rotary District 1650 and traveled to Brittany, Mayenne, where they will participate in an integration seminar in Vannes until Saturday.

Ivan will arrive at his host family's home on Saturday and will start school on Wednesday. He will attend his first club meeting in France next Thursday.

Keep up with his progress with monthly updates here: https://www.ryese.org/journal/list?year=2026 

Rotary Golf Tournament

Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar

Plan your calendar for September with this calendar at a glance: 

• Our annual coats and blankets drive begins and continues throughout the month. Please consider bringing blankets. new or gently used coats or a cash donation to support the Thomas County Food Bank.
• Thursday, Sept. 4: Annual Club Assembly
• Monday, Sept. 8: Board meeting at 5:15 p.m., chamber of commerce. All new members are required to attend at least one board meeting.
• Thursday, Sept. 11: Bill Ellis, Health and Fitness
• Wednesday, Sept. 17: Coffee Chat at Grassroots Coffee. Stop in anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. for coffee and casual conversation with fellow Rotarians in a small group format.
• Thursday,  Sept. 18: Pack & Sort at Second Harvest beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Produce distribution at Weston Park. We need additional volunteers at this month - we will also be distributing grow bags planted with carrots, recipe cards, and additional fall seasonal seeds.
• Thursday, Sept. 25: Darcy Craven, Archbold

The calendar is subject to changes. Find the most updated Rotary calendar anytime:

• Add any individual calendar item from the Rotary calendar to your personal calendar.
• Subscribe to the Rotary calendar for automatic updates.