The Gloucester Rotary Club

Bimonthly Meeting with Katey Legg

On September 14, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Katey Legg, joined us for our bimonthly meeting to discuss the latest services and happenings at Parks and Rec. 

The Gloucester Farmer's Market — Sept. 9

On September 9, the Gloucester Rotary attended the final Gloucester Farmer's Market of the season. We enjoyed local vendors, food trucks, and entertainment as we wrapped up summer in style. The Rotary is grateful to Ware Church for coordinating this monthly Farmer's Market and for bringing the community together in new and exciting ways!

District 7610 Membership Summit — Sept. 8-9

Rotarians from across District 7610 will gathered together on September 8-9, in Fredericksburg, VA for a Membership Summit. The Summit provided opportunities for community building and networking, and scheduled events included touring the historical Fredericksburg area and hearing about the work of fellow Virginia Rotarians. We appreciate the Rappahannock Fredericksburg Rotary Club for hosting!

Bimonthly Meeting @ Sanders with Keith Belvin and Pat Roane

On Thursday morning, August 24th, we met at the Sanders Senior Active Living Center, for our monthly morning meeting. Retired NASA Chief Technologist, Keith Belvin, and Retired Navy Captain, Pat Roane, joined us. Captain Roane spoke on the importance of STEM and how the Rotary can support STEM efforts and education.  

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

The Gloucester Rotary volunteered at the Gloucester Library on August 5th, to sign-up children under 5 for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Participants receive a free book each month, and the Rotary was proud to sign-up 30 kids for the program.

Bimonthly Meeting at PEMS with Douglas Panto

At our bimonthly meeting on August 10th, Douglas Panto, Community Programs Manager for the Southeastern Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, spoke about the organization and the annual walk they host. Barry Napp from the Mathews Rotary Club also joined us along with Delores Hall, one of our academic scholarship recipients.

Volunteering at Bread for Life

On August 2nd, four Gloucester Rotary members volunteered at the Bread For Life Food Pantry. The Pantry, located at 7840 John Clayton Hwy, is open on Mondays from 11AM-2PM and Wednesdays from 1PM-4PM. They are also always looking for volunteers to support their staff of 60, so be sure to check out their website!





Pictured from left to right: Nancy Dykeman, Lester Sterling, Kristi Rowe, and Sarah Burney

Annual Dinner and Induction

On June 29 we held our Annual Dinner at I don't know Restaurant, where we inducted new members and swore in our 2023-2024 officers in attendance.

The Gloucester Rotary thanks District Governor, Rene’ Laws, for swearing in our newest officers, and offer continued gratitude to those who lead our chapter.

District Governor, Rene’ Laws, swearing in our new leadership. From left to right: Ron Saunders, Bill Weaver, Craig Monson, Henry Moncure, Nancy Dykeman, and DG Rene’ Laws.

Membership Chair, Frank Wingfield, inducting new members Angie Oliver, Barbara Weldon, Deborah Asbell and Pres. Nancy Dykeman.

June 22 Meeting 

Our June 22 general meeting was held at Sanders Active Senior Living Center. At the meeting, bootmaker and owner of Perrin Creek Custom Cowboy Boots, Steve Christo, spoke to us about his local business and the art of bootmaking.

Photo: Pres. Henry Moncure and Steve Christo.

June Meeting @ PEMS

At our June 8 meeting, Forward Sailing CEO and Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 222, Mark F. Bellino, and Forward Sailing CFO and Ship 222 Board Director, Doug Stinckham, presented about their work at Forward Sailing.

We then gathered for a post-meeting social at Gloucester Brewery company at 6:45 PM.

May Breakfast Meeting

On May 25, Sanders Retirement Village hosted the Gloucester Rotary Club’s lunch meeting. Director of Marketing and Sales, Barbara Weldon, spoke about her rewarding work, provided insight into the services offered by Sanders, and gave a tour of the campus.   will speak to us about the services, offerings, and updates happening at Sanders, and will offer a tour of the campus.



(Pictured are Club President Henry Moncure and Barbara Weldon.)

Gloucester Rotary's 28th
Annual Golf Tournament

On May 19, at 10 AM, the Gloucester Rotary held its 28th Annual Golf Tournament at Golden Eagle Golf Club!

We thank all of the players and volunteers who came out, and are especially grateful to our generous sponsors!

May Meeting and Speaker Series with Dan Miller

At our May 11th general meeting, Dan Miller, a local disabled veteran, spoke to us about and shared success stories from the Disabled American Veterans organization.
 

April Breakfast Meeting with
Rev. Scott Parnell

Reverend Scott Parnell, the Rector at Ware Episcopal Church spoke at April's morning meeting (April 27) at Olivia's in the Village. He spoke about the Gloucester Farmer's Market, a market coordinated by the church designed to support local artisans, businesses, and the wider community. The Market is scheduled for the second Saturday of the month, starting May 13 and running through September. You can learn more here.

District Conference

On April 22, 2023, Gloucester Rotary Members Henry Moncure, Nancy Dykeman, and Steve Humphrey attended the 2023 District 7610 Conference in Kilmarnock. We thank them for representing our Club!

April Meeting and Speaker Series with Wilford Kale

Veteran journalist and nonfiction writer Wilford Kale joined us for our April 13 meeting at PEMS. Kale has been a professional writer for nearly 60 years and has written/edited 11 nonfiction books. Previously, he worked with the Richmond Times-Dispatch as bureau chief and senior writer for 24 years. He is a history devotee, and has lived in the Greater Williamsburg area for over 55 years.

March's 4th Thursday Social and New Member Induction

On March 30, the Gloucester Rotary held its 4th Thursday Social at IDK Raw Bar Grill, where we inducted new members: Jill Ortiz, Sarah Burney, Kristi Rowe, and Lester Sterling.

Warehouse Road Cleanup

The Gloucester Rotary was proud to participate in Spring Clean Gloucester Day on Friday, March 24! During our cleanup ten Rotary Members tackled Warehouse Road, collecting numerous bags of trash.

We thank Sherri Kosakowski and the Gloucester Clean Community for their ongoing work, and look forward to future cleanups. In the meantime, we encourage all community members to dispose of their trash responsibly so we can keep our county beautiful!

(Pictured: Lester Sterling, Jill Ortiz, Sarah Burney, Kristi Rowe, Nancy Dykeman, John Lucy, Ron Saunders, Nathan Hansen, Steve Humphrey, and myself)

Monthly Breakfast Meeting and Speaker Series with Gilbert Birdsall

Our monthly breakfast meeting is scheduled for March 23 at 7:30 AM at Oliva's.  Gilbert Birdsall will lead the meeting and will share about the Gloucester Broadband initiative, which aims to provide affordable broadband services to all residents and businesses, starting with those currently unserved by internet providers.

March Meeting and Speaker Series with Steve Humphrey & Bill Weaver 

During our monthly meeting on March 9 (at PEMS 6876 Main St.), Rotarians Steve Humphrey and Bill Weaver updated us on Rotary Initiatives and the Gloucester Rotary Foundation Charitable Fund. 

Rotary Funds Three AEDs for Local Parks

The Gloucester and Mathews Rotary Clubs recently partnered together to fund three AED placements. One went to the Law Enforcement Truck at Machicomoco State Park, and the two others were placed in Gloucester County Parks. The Automated External Defibrillators are portable and aid those experiencing a cardiac arrest.

(Pictured: Gloucester President –Elect/Treasurer Nancy Dykeman, Chief Ranger Josh Mazzatenta, Mathews President-Elect Bill Sterns, and coordinator, Gloucester Club member Steve Humphrey presenting an AED for Machicomoco State Park.)

(Picutred: Katey Legg, Parks and Recreation, Director; Nancy Dykeman, President-Elect/Treasurer; Steve Humphrey, Club member;
Henry Moncure, President; Gregg Tonge, Parks and Rec. Facilitator of Maintenance of the county parks.

February Breakfast Meeting and Speaker Series with J.D. Clements

On February 23, Gloucester County Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief, J. D. Clements, met with the Gloucester Rotary Club at Olivia’s. Chief Clements updated the group on the new fire house initiative and benefits the new space will bring to the county.

(Pictured: Chief Clements and Gloucester Rotary Club President Henry Moncure.)

For more information on the Gloucester Rotary Club, email Gloucester.va.rotaryclub@gmail.com or call Lisa Jackson at 540-642-8183.

February Meeting and Speaker Series with Mark Cooke (Feb. 9)

At our February 9th meeting, Shelter Box volunteer, Mark Cooke, presented on the Stock The Box program, a rapid response initiative that delivers vital shelter and other supplies after climate and humanitarian crises.

Interested in learning how you can help Stock The Box? Click HERE!

January Breakfast Meeting and Speaker Series with Arlene Amentor

 

On January 26 we gathered at Olivia's for our first breakfast meeting. We were joined by Arlene Amentor, the Executive Director of the free Gloucester Matthews Care Clinic.

Arlene gave an update on the current programs at the Clinic, which now offers medical, dental, behavioral health care, medications, and a small food pantry on site. Currently, the Clinic is caring for over 400 patients who are uninsured and have Medicaid, and serves residents of Gloucester and Mathews counties, as well as King & Queen County residents in zip codes, 23156, 23149, 23110.

See our Upcoming Events page to learn more about our monthly breakfast series!

Rotary Christmas Party and

Toys for Tots Collection

On December 14, Rotary members gathered at Farmasea on Main St. to celebrate the holidays and collect donations for Toys for Tots. We hope everyone had a Happy Holiday!

2022 Annual Pig Roast

Through your support we raised nearly $14,000 which will aid local organizations and provide scholarships for Gloucester youth!

On September 22, nearly 200 people gathered at Ware River Yacht Club to support local organizations, provide scholarships for Gloucester youth, AND eat good food!

If you weren't able to make it but still want to support this important work, please reach out to Nancy Dykeman at ndyke0622@aol.com.

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