2020 Vocational Award recipients

On june 17th Maggie Van Huss announced the vocational awards.  The Jean Harris Award went to Debra Freeman-Belle for her work with the homeless.  The Non-Rotarian Service Award went to Ryan Barber, Director of Student Service for Waynesboro Schools, for his work planning meal distribution for students.  The Rotarian Vocational Award went to Tracy Straight, director of the Wayne Theater, for keeping the performing arts alive during the pandemic.  A special Award for Exceptional Community Leadership was given to Dan Layman of the Community Foundation.  The Student Choice Award for Teacher of the Year at Kate Collins Middle School went to Katilyn Schull and the WHS award went to Brandon Shields.  Lowrie Tucker presented the President’s Service Above Self Award to Rebecca Shin for her outstanding leadership during the last year. Plaques were delivered to the recipients who joined us via zoon and some of them supplied photos that we will post below.

Dan Layman with his award for Exceptional Community Leadership

Debra Freeman-Belle and her Jean Harris Award

Katilyn Schull and The Student Choice Award for Teacher of the Year at Kate Collins Middle School

Tracy Straight and her Rotarian Vocational Award

Ryan Barber recipient of the non-Rotarian service award for his work implementing a student meal distribution program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019-2020 Scholarship Recipients

Rotary Scholarships

Each year the Waynesboro Rotary club awards ten $500 scholarships to local students excelling in academics and community service.  The photo shows this years’ recipients from left to right: Hannah Wangler (Wilson HS), Sarah Joachim (Waynesboro HS), Hailey Johnson (Waynesboro HS), Kenya Balser (Stuarts Draft HS), Cassidy Fitzgerald (Stuarts Draft HS, currently attending Blue Ridge Community College), Catharine DeGolyer (Waynesboro HS), and Ja’Niyah Jones (Waynesboro HS).  Unable to attend were Micalah Morrison (Waynesboro HS, currently attending Widener University), Samuel Pereles (Waynesboro HS), and Isaac Edwards (Waynesboro HS, currently attending Virginia Tech).  

2019 Service Award Recipients

The Waynesboro Rotary Club recently presented awards to recognize service to the local community. From left to right awards were presented to Brian Edwards: Non-Rotarian Service Award,  Beth Crickenberger: Jean Harris Award, Karen Orlando: Non-Rotarian Service Award,  Francine Johnston: Rotarian Vocational Service Award, Charlie Cox: Student Choice Teacher of the Year for Waynesboro High School and Kaitlyn Shull: Student Choice Teacher of the Year for Kate Collins Middle School.  Kaitlyn Shull is a first-year teacher and this is the third time that Charlie Cox has been elected Teacher of the Year by students. 

A Rotary Wedding!

On January 31t, while some may have noticed the bouquet of flowers next to the podium, no one was expecting the impending exchange of wedding vows!  Long time Rotarian, and past president Jeff Fife invited his fiancée Fiona up front, along with “witnesses” Greg Fife and club secretary Mary Ann Everly-Maupin!  Out of nowhere appeared Elvis (former Rotarian and local attorney / Elvis impersonator Bob Lunger), who proceeded to conduct the short ceremony to unite Jeff and Fiona in matrimony!   The ceremony concluded with a champagne toast, offered by Rotarian Brett Hayes.  Then the couple danced while the club sang John Denvers’ Annie’s Song.

 It seems that Jeff and Fiona were travelling in Fiona’s native Australia during the recent holiday season, returning to Waynesboro by way of Las Vegas.  Brett started taking bets that the couple would wed in Vegas, with Elvis performing the rituals.  While Brett was being his usual comedian self, the fun-loving couple actually liked the idea, and the rest is history!

Tutoring Program at William Perry to Continue this Fall: August 15th Program Recap

Beth Crickenberger, a retired Waynesboro teacher, visited our club to encourage people to sign up again this year to work one-on-one with a student at William Perry who needs extra help in reading or math.  She described the previous success of the program as well as the importance of the relationships that develop between the tutors and students. This fall the program will run from October 10th to November 14th.  Volunteer tutors can set up their own times to work between 8:30 and 11:30 AM or 12:30 to 2:30 PM or they can be part of anafterschool tutoringgroup on Mondays and Wednesdays between 3 and 4 PM. Beth emphasized that scheduling is very flexible if you have conflicts. Training sessions are scheduled on August 22 (9-10) or August 29 (3:30 to 4:30) but Beth assured us that classroom teachers will supply all the materials needed for each session.  David Balser testified to how much he enjoyed tutoring last year, especially playing the math games with his student. Please contact Beth at 540-241-4960 or bethcrickenberger@gmail.comif you are interested.  A spring session is planned as well.

Court House Facility Dogs: August 2nd Program Recap

Janet Balser, Director of The City of Staunton Victim/Witness Program operating out of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office, paid a us visit along with Murph, the Staunton Court House Facility Dog.  Janet saw the value of having a canine companion dog available as a source of comfort for witnesses or victims of crimes when they are called upon for an interview by court officials or for a court appearance.  These are stressful situations for anyone, but especially for children who have suffered abuse or witnessed terrifying events.  Janet applied about five years ago for a dog and was accepted for a two week training program in 2017 when she was introduced to Murph and given responsibility for his care. Canine Companion dogs begin their training at birth and are then passed on to puppy raisers who continue their training and socialization up to the age of 16-18 months. Murph’s mellow nature made him particularly suited for his role. He was named for Lt Michael Murphy, a navy seal who received a medal of honor for his service in Afghanistan. He has been tested and met the standards set by Assistance Dogs International and has become a beloved member of the Balser household.  

2018 Paul Harris Fellows Celebrated!

On June 14th the Waynesboro Rotary Club held its annual Paul Harris Awards lunch on the stage at the restored Wayne Theatre in downtown Waynesboro.  46 members of the club have contributed to the Rotary International Foundation since July 2017 and members who had donated at least $1,000 received pins and special recognition.  Jim Hyson and Nancy Whitlock (future District Governor) made the presentations as follows:

1st year pin and medallion:  Francine Johnston

2nd year pins: Rebecca Shin, Quay Parrott, Andy Matherly and Steve Howlett

3rd year pin: Mitch Lawrence

4th year pins: Darrell Weaver, Chad Hatter and Bob Driscoll

5th year pin: Branch Hammock

6th year pins: Dick Schilling and Sarah Scott

7th year pins: Sarah Scott (for District Conference contribution), Tim Quillen and Bill Watkins 

Pin and medallion for new member Michael Meadows in honor of his father Gene Meadows who was a member of our club for 30 years

Special award to Jason and Eylshia Perdieu in recognition of their service

Recognition to Paul Harris Society members: Tracy Aitcheson (Past District Governor) and Judy, Brett Hayes, Paul Dana, Doris Hulvey, Nancy Whitlock

Member Spotlight: Our Club's First Woman President: Kathleen Heatwole

Kathleen was our club's first woman president from 1994-1995.

A little about Kathleen: Kathleen lives in Waynesboro with her husband and retired judge Bill Heatwole. They have two children: Daniel (Lindsay) Heatwole and grandson, Thatcher and a daughter Anne-Ryan (Jay) Sirju.

Club Contributions: 

• Current Club Membership Chair 2017-2019
• Past Club President 1994-1995
• Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
• Sustaining Member

Community Contributions:

• Founding Board of Hospice of the Shenandoah

• Founding Board of Adult Day Care Center

• Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

• Virginia Hospital and Health Care Association – Healthcare Advocacy Committee

• 2016 Dennis Burnett Community Excellence Award – Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce

Career Contributions:

• Waynesboro Community Hospital/Augusta Health. 1980-2016: Vice President Planning and Development

Professional Highlights:

• Published healthcare journal author: Edgar C. Hayhow award for best article of the year in the Journal Of Healthcare Management

• Health Services Management Textbook: co-author of chapter on Strategic Planning

Member Spotlight: Our Club's Second Woman Member: Mary Ann Everly-Maupin

Mary Ann was the second woman to join our Rotary Club on April 1, 1988

(Mary Ann is our club's Wonder Woman and hates to have her picture taken!)

Club Contributions: 

• Secretary of our club for 14 years
• Past Club President 2013-2014
• 110% Governor's Award  2010-11
• Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
• Perfect Attendance Since:  2000
• Sustaining Member
• Skelton Fellow 

A little about our Wonder Woman: Mary Ann is a life-long resident of Waynesboro. She's coming up on her 50th year in her beautiful home on Jefferson Avenue where she raised her two daughters, Sharon and Terry. She's blessed with two grandchildren (Ada and Woody), a great-granddaughter (Keaton) and one great-grandson expected this spring!

Mary Ann plays bridge, loves to read, and spends a great amount of time cooking and baking treats for her countless local friends when she is not fighting off the bad guys.

Community Contributions:

• Chairman of the Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce Board. The 2nd woman to hold this position at that time 
• Past President of the Waynesboro Business and Professional Women’s Club
• Chairman of the Virginia Heart Association Board. Her name is on the cornerstone of the Virginia Heart Assoc. building in Glen Allen
• Member of the Office of Youth Board and was President her last year active with them
• Received an Outstanding Leadership award for organizing and training 3,500 people in CPR with Steve Sundane in 1979
• Waynesboro Outstanding Women of the Year in 1980
• Treasurer for the United Way Board of Directors for 12 years 
• Commissioner for Redevelopment and Housing for 32 years
• President of South River Development since its beginning

Member Spotlight: Our Club's First Woman Member: Doris Hulvey

Doris Hulvey was the first woman to join our Rotary Club on March 1, 1988

Club Contributions: 

• Currently serves as a Trustee of Waynesboro Rotary Foundation 
• Currently serves as a the Chair of  World Community Service and serves on numerous other committees 
• Past  Club President 2013-2014
• Chaired a Global Grant valued at $400.000
• Chair for District Conference and Rotary International Convention attendee (Atlanta)
• Paul Harris Fellow (3 rubies) and a Paul Harris Sustainer 
• Received the 110 Percent Award- Area 4 at District Conference

Community Contrubutions:
Past President of the following:

• Shenandoah Valley Art Center 
• Boys & Girls Club
• Garden Club
• Alpha Delta Kappa
• Waynesboro Woman's Club

Present/Past Member/chair: 

• Waynesboro Country Club Board 
• Member of JMU College of Education Executive Advisory Committee and others
• Chair of  Church Council for Main Street United Methodist Church

Supports:

• Salvation Army
• Beverley Street Studio School 
• Wayne Theater, Frontier Culture Museum 
• Williamsburg Foundation

World: 

International traveler Germany, France, England, Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, and others. She enjoys learning the social and intellectual behavior patterns of other communities and people..  Shared in projects to the Philippines, South Africa, Haiti, and Malawi.