Members of the Johnson City Noon Rotary Club were honored at an end-of-school student assembly for their role in the “Rotary Readers” program at Mountain View Elementary School. Thanks to the help of a district grant, several members of the Johnson City Noon Club embraced their role as Rotary Readers and read with the school’s kindergarteners on a weekly basis. 

The grant enabled the club to purchase eight different books for the children who were able to take a book home each quarter. “A lot of kids do not have food at every meal, much less books, which would be considered a luxury,” said 2024-2025 President Raleigh Green. “Our goal was to increase reading and literacy so that all students are reading at the level they are supposed to be.”

“The district grant was for $4,000 and we put up $6,000,” said Green. “We have really developed a partnership with the school and with their teachers and principal. We look forward to continuing that relationship in the next school year.”

Principal Dr. Chelsea Lee said she and the teachers and students were extremely pleased with the Rotary Readers and are already looking forward to next year’s program. She said teachers see improvements in reading abilities when Rotarian volunteers work in the classroom with the students.

Johnson City Noon Rotary has an ongoing relationship with the Title I elementary school including providing Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving meals for families. The club also provides a check to the school to use as they see fit.

Rotary Readers

Left to Right: Johnson City Noon Rotarians Jeff Anderson, Joan Mitchell, Raleigh Green and Mary Ellen Miller display the trophy they received to honor the club’s Rotary Readers program at Mountain View Elementary School in Johnson City.

It’s June already? That means two things: summer is almost here, and my year as District Governor is wrapping up. It’s been an honor — and a blast — to serve. Traveling across Virginia and Tennessee, I’ve met some incredible Rotarians doing amazing things. You’ve proven that the Magic of Rotary isn’t just a slogan — it’s the real deal.

June is also Rotary Fellowship Month — and what better time to celebrate the joy of connection? Summer is made for fellowship. Grilling out. Swapping stories. Laughing until your sides hurt. Catching lightning bugs in a jar… and waking up disappointed because you forgot to poke holes in the aluminum foil. Maybe even getting sunburned while pretending you're a cornhole champion.

But Rotary Fellowships go beyond your backyard BBQ. These international groups connect Rotarians around shared passions — from motorcycling and scuba diving to chess, jazz, birdwatching, beer and yes… even yodeling. (Seriously. Google it.)

Personally, I’ve found my people in the whiskey and beer fellowships. On Robert Burns Day, the Whiskey Fellowship gathered on Zoom to toast Scotland’s national poet. We shared our favorite drams of aqua vitae and quoted the bard himself: “Freedom and whisky gang thegither.” (That’s “go together” in Scots. And yes, aqua vitae means “water of life” in Latin. Had to flex a little.)

Later this month, I’ll reunite with the BREW Fellowship at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary. Our motto? “Bringing clean water to those who thirst.” Because you can’t brew good beer without clean water — and we’re Rotarians, so even our drinking clubs come with a service project.

And now that my ACL has finally healed, I’m lacing up to join the Running Fellowship. Mostly because I need to outrun all the calories I’ve “fellowshipped” into my life.

So here’s your challenge:

Explore over 100 Rotary Fellowships at https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships.  There’s something for everyone — including you.

Whether it’s cycling, photography, gourmet cooking or just wanting to talk about trains with someone who won’t roll their eyes — Rotary Fellowships are your passport to global friendships.

And who knows? Maybe the first step toward peace isn’t a summit or a treaty.  Maybe it’s a smile, a handshake and a clink of glasses between new friends who’ve discovered they share a passion for service — and sour ales.

BRET W. HRBEK
2024-2025 District Governor

Contributing to CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) before the end of June 2025 is a meaningful way to support the global effort to understand, prevent, and ultimately cure this devastating disease. With more than 55 million people affected worldwide, Alzheimer's places a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Donations in the coming weeks can accelerate groundbreaking studies, fund clinical trials, and help scientists develop earlier diagnostic tools and more effective treatments.

Contributions made now can have an immediate impact on funding allocations, ensuring that critical projects move forward without delay. Whether through financial support, participating in research studies, or raising awareness, every action taken before the end of June 2025 strengthens the fight against Alzheimer’s and brings hope to millions facing the disease.

The current club-giving leader board for District 7570 looks like this:

1. Chatham
2. Bristol VA-TN
3. New Market
4. Warren County
5. Lexington Sunrise
6. Forest
7. Kingsport Downtown
8. Staunton
9. Johnson City Morning
10. Radford

Please let me know if you have questions or if your club is in need of a program on CART.  My email is [email protected].

As of, Thursday, 22 May, 2025, all five Warren County Public Elementary Schools have installed Peace Poles on their grounds. One of our two middle schools, and one of our two high schools have as well. The Rotary Club of Warren County is committed to installing a Peace Pole at our other high schools this coming fall. We are hoping that our founding club, The Rotary Club of Front Royal, will cover the other middle schools, to round out all of our public schools.

What a tee-rific time we had at this year’s Frederick County Rotary Club’s Golf Ball Drop fundraiser — it’s officially in the books, and wow, did we have a blast!  Huge thanks to the amazing Stephens City Fire Department for lifting our golf ball funnel high into the sky (talk about a hole-in-one from above!), Franklin’s BBQ Food Truck for keeping us happily fed, and Shades of Gray for rocking the day with some great tunes!

AND, A really big shoutout to all our awesome sponsors who helped make the magic happen.  From bounce houses (for kids and kids-at-heart), corn hole, and golf games to face painting and fabulous raffle prizes, there was something fun around every corner.

Visit our Facebook page for more photos!

On May 7, the Rotary Club of the Blue Ridge performed a micro-project during their regular club meeting, a micro-project in honor of Mother's Day on May 11. In support of Huddle Up Moms in the Roanoke Valley, they wrapped packs of 25 diapers for distribution in their Support Shop. In total, they wrapped 3,000 diapers over the course of an hour. 

Huddle Up Moms (HUM) is a Roanoke-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering mothers across Southwest Virginia through education, connection, and support. They provide essential baby items, such as diapers, formula, and wipes, free of charge to over 125 families monthly via their Support Shop, and are working to establish the region’s first certified diaper bank through Project H.U.D.D.L.E. Additionally, HUM offers various peer-led support groups, educational workshops, and operates The Haven on 5th, a collaborative space with Postpartum Support Virginia that serves as a hub for community resources and events.

Visit our District Facebook page for more photos!
 

The Rotary Club of Rockingham County installed a 3rd Peace Pole in Harrisonburg and has registered a total of 19 Peace Poles, many that existed prior to our club's efforts to plant additional Peace Poles in Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City. This newest Peace Pole is located on the grounds of the Salvation Army Harrisonburg and along the Harrisonburg Northend Greenway. This Rotary Peace Pole features the languages English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Russian, Swahili, Tigrinyan, American Sign Language, a braille plaque, a rainbow flag, and a Veterans for Peace logo. Salvation Army Lieutenant Douglas Ingold, a new member of our club, sent the following message "Inspired by scripture, we are reminded of the angels' message of peace at Jesus' birth, Paul's call for us to live peaceably with all, and Christ's work to break down barriers and bring unity. As followers of Jesus, whose Gospel is one of peace, we affirm our mission to be peacemakers. May this pole inspire all who pass by to seek and share peace. May Peace Prevail on Earth."

The event was highlighted with words of dedication from the Rotary Club of Rockingham County President Emily Cohen, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, and Lt. Douglas Ingold. Rotary Club member Charles Hendricks has led the efforts to register existing Peace Poles and add new Rotary Peace Poles through Rockingham County and Harrisonburg. 

On May 5, State Delegate Tim Griffin (53rd District) presented the Rotary Club of Forest with a certificate of HR703, a resolution passed by the Virginia House of Delegates during the recent General Assembly session. The stated purpose of the resolution is to commend the Rotary Club of Forest for their annual Field of Honor project, the playground equipment that they have installed at the Forest Public Library, and the general efforts to promote the welfare of the community.