Press Release Bethel Area Rotary Club PO Box 239 Bethel , Vermont 05032
Bethel Area Rotary’s Chicken BBQ to benefit Town Hall restoration Bethel (May 20, 2008) — The Bethel Area Rotary Club’s popular annual chicken barbecue, to be held on June 7 in downtown Bethel, will give area residents the chance to support the historic Town Hall’s restoration while getting great food at the same time. “The Bethel Area Rotary’s chicken barbecue is a great opportunity for folks to invest in the future of one of our community’s core symbols,” said Bethel Area Rotary President Mel Washburn. “One of the Bethel Area Rotary’s primary missions is to improve community life, and the chicken barbecue fundraiser is sort of a double-whammy for us: we not only provide a means for everyone to contribute to the Town Hall and its future as a center of community activity, but we also provide a heck of a barbecue.” Bethel Area Rotary has organized the barbecue fundraiser since the early ‘80s, with thousands of dollars in proceeds being donated to community causes and organizations like the American Legion, Bethel Town Hall, local schools, the Bethel Business Association, and others. Bethel Area Rotary is able to organize the event through its members’ contributions of time, effort and funds. Long-time Rotarian Carroll Ketchum makes the sauce each year, and the community organization also relies on the generosity of local businesses that are willing to help with the effort. Central Market in Bethel will provide the 248 chickens at cost, for example, while Welch’s True Value Hardware sold the charcoal at a sale price. Representatives of the Bethel Town Hall Committee and the Bethel Historical Society will be staffing the sale, which will take place at the Bond Auto parking lot on Main Street starting at 11:30 a.m. For those who don’t want to risk missing their annual dose of Bethel Rotary barbecued chicken, they can be ordered in advance by calling Mel Washburn at 234-5188. The barbecued roasters will be sold for $6 per half-chicken. ### For more information, contact: Jamal Kheiry 234-6785 jamal.kheiry@clarity-stratcomms.com
Press Release Bethel Area Rotary Club PO Box 239 Bethel , Vermont 05032
Bethel Area Rotary honors Tunbridge Fair employee with ‘4-Way Test’ award Bethel (April 28, 2008) — The Bethel Area Rotary Club today honored Tunbridge World’s Fair employee Rebecca Beguin for her application of Rotary International’s ethical code in her professional life. Only one such award is bestowed by a Rotary chapter in any given year. Ms. Beguin earned the ethics award after being nominated by Euclid Farnham, President of the Tunbridge World’s Fair, and being approved by the Bethel Area Rotary Club’s membership. Called the “4-Way Test,” the Rotarians’ ethical approach to business consists of a simple philosophy: Of all the things we say and do… 1) Is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Mr. Farnham noted that Ms. Beguin is one of the most valuable employees in his organization, routinely working long hours and constantly going the extra mile to keep track of critical business operations that make the fair such a success. Bethel Area Rotary President Mel Washburn said it’s always a delight to recognize someone who embodies the selflessness and high ethical standards represented by the 4-Way Test. “It’s an honor and a privilege for us to shine a spotlight on someone like Rebecca who makes other people’s lives better through her generosity of spirit,” said Washburn. “One of Rotary’s objectives is to foster better relations among all people, and so it’s wonderful to find someone as deserving as Rebecca. We wish her and the entire Tunbridge World’s Fair all the best.” In addition to the award certificate given to Ms. Beguin, Bethel Area Rotary also will donate $100 to a charity of Ms. Beguin’s choice. ### For more information, contact: Jamal Kheiry 234-6785 jamal.kheiry@clarity-stratcomms.com
Press Release Bethel Area Rotary Club PO Box 239 Bethel , Vermont 05032 For more information, contact: Jamal Kheiry 234-6785 jamal.kheiry@clarity-stratcomms.com
Local businesses show their generosity as Bethel Area Rotary’s Penny Sale approaches Bethel (June 30, 2008) — The Bethel Area Rotary Club’s annual Penny Sale, scheduled for July 26th, is shaping up to be a great event this year, thanks to the generosity of dozens of area businesses that are donating prizes to be raffled. That’s good news for area communities, says Bethel Area Rotary President Mel Washburn. “We have earmarked over $5,000 of this year’s proceeds for scholarships to be given to students from Bethel, South Royalton, Rochester and the RTCC,” he said. “So the businesses that donate items to be raffled during this Penny Sale are really making a huge difference in their communities.” In addition to the scholarships, many other worthwhile charities will receive support from the funds raised during the Penny Sale, which is the Bethel Area Rotary’s largest fundraiser of the year. “We really put a lot of effort into this sale, because we know it’s such a benefit to great causes,” sais Washburn. “And Bethel Area Rotary members are proud to say that 100 percent of the money raised goes to the charitable causes, because we cover all of the club’s overhead ourselves.” The organization’s goal is to have 300 items to raffle, as well as dozens more for door-prizes and a few big-ticket items for auction. “The generosity of local businesses and the Penny Sale attendees have always made this event a huge success,” said Washburn, “and we’re excited to recognize them for their commitment to the community at this year’s sale.” ###
How the Penny Sale works The Penny Sale consists of three rounds, with each round consisting of 100 prizes to be raffled off. The prizes have an average value of about $15 each. When you attend, you can buy raffle tickets for any of the rounds for only one dollar each ticket. Each ticket gives you a shot at 100 prizes, hence the term “Penny Sale.” Of course, the more tickets you buy, the more chances you have to win one or more of the prizes! Between the second and third rounds of the Penny Sale is a live auction of about a dozen higher-value items, during which bids will be taken.
Press Release Bethel Area Rotary Club PO Box 239 Bethel , Vermont 05032 For more information, contact: Jamal Kheiry 234-6785 jamal.kheiry@clarity-stratcomms.com
Kirk White assumes presidency of Bethel Area Rotary Bethel (July 7, 2008) — A festive picnic at Bethel’s Peavine Park on Monday marked the change in leadership of the Bethel Area Rotary Club, as outgoing President Mel Washburn handed the club’s gavel to incoming President Kirk White. “This is a really exciting time for me to be taking over the presidency of this club,” said White, a life-long native of Bethel and owner of Laurelin Health Center and Acupuncture Clinic. “I’m following a long line of past-presidents who have put this club on its current track, with a growing membership and successful fundraising for some great local causes.” White offered a special thanks to Washburn, his immediate predecessor. “Mel did a wonderful job as president, and was recognized for his efforts when he received the Presidential Citation Award and the Governor Award from our regional Rotary organization,” White said. “I plan to build on his success with some great work that will benefit the communities we serve, including Bethel, Rochester, South Royalton, and several others.” In addition to the many details involved in running a successful civic organization like the Bethel Area Rotary, White’s primary focus is on the group’s annual Penny Sale, coming up on July 26. “This fundraiser is our largest of the year, and helps to fund our local student scholarships, food shelves and other programs,” White noted. “Seeing the tremendous generosity of people in our area is a great way to kick off my time in office.”
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Kirk White Background
Kirk White is owner of Laurelin Health Center and Acupuncture Clinic, with offices in Barre and Bethel. In addition to his involvement with Rotary, Kirk is active in other Bethel civic organizations, including the Bethel Business Association, the Bethel Revitalization Initiative, the Bethel and Windsor County Democrats, and the Freemasons. Kirk lives in Bethel with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Killian.
Press Release Bethel Area Rotary Club PO Box 239 Bethel , Vermont 05032 For more information, contact: Jamal Kheiry 234-6785 jamal.kheiry@clarity-stratcomms.com
Bethel Area Rotary seeks professionals for expenses-paid exchange trip Bethel (July 15, 2008) — The Bethel Area Rotary Club is looking for applicants from Rochester, Bethel, South Royalton and other area communities to participate in a professional exchange program next January. Applicants who are accepted into the Group Study Exchange program will travel to the Philippines, where they will meet other professionals in their field to see how their work is done there. All travel and accommodation expenses for the trip will be covered by Rotary. “This Group Study Exchange is a great opportunity for an outstanding professional between the ages of 25 and 40 to learn about how their work is done in a very different culture, and to share with fellow professionals how his or her work is done here in Vermont,” said Kirk White, President of the Bethel Area Rotary. “One of Rotary’s missions is to increase cross-cultural understanding between peoples of the world, and there’s no better way to do that than to spend time overseas sharing who we are.” Successful applicants will spend their month in the Philippines learning about Filipino culture and business life, and talking to local Rotary clubs about their professional lives and the culture of Vermont and the U.S. Selection of applicants will take place in September, noted White, so applications must be submitted as soon as possible. Additional information and application forms are available on the Rotary International website (www.rotary.org) under “Service and Fellowship.” For additional information or to submit an application, interested professionals can contact White at 234-9670.
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