Author: Indy Rotary

  • September 15 – Rotary Youth Exchange Information Night

    youth-exchange-logoWould you like to study abroad?
    Do you ever dream of living in another country?
    Maybe Rotary Youth Exchange is for you. Questions?
    An information night for Rotary Youth Exchange will be held at the Carmel High School Community Room on September 15th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This session is for interested students and their parents to learn more about RYE, and whether or not it is the program for them. It is not a commitment, just a chance to learn more about the Program. Download more information, here.
  • Rotary Community Service Committee Assembles Childproofing Kits

    Rotary Community Service Committee Assembles Childproofing Kits

    group-shot-smallOn Tuesday evening, July 19, the Rotary Community Service Committee (left to right) Marie Koenig, Jennifer Hobbs, Lisa Crane, an RN with the NFP, Sara Garrett and Angie Ingalls fulfilled a Indianapolis Rotary Civic Entrepreneurship grant by assembling forty Safety 1st Essentials childproofing kits in conjunction with the Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP), operated by the Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. NFP is an evidence-based, community health program that serves low-income women pregnant with their first child. Each vulnerable new mom is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits.

    The NFP nurses provide a baby-safety childproofing kit to each family upon the birth of their child which includes plug protectors, door knob covers, bath thermometer, and cabinet locks. As with any gift from the program, this one comes with a lesson. Infant safety is discussed with the client and her family/relatives at a visit soon after birth. Educational information provided along with this includes the NFP handouts “How can I be safe in my home and in my neighborhood”, and “How do I keep my baby safe?” and an easy-to-read safety information brochure Additionally, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) inventory scale is completed when the infant is 6 and 12 months old to assess learning environment, including safety and appropriateness of infant toys.

  • Wednesday, August 3, 5:31 at Thr3e Wise Men

    Rotary is excited that Thr3e Wise Men will be hosting our next 5:31 Club on August 3, 5:31 to 7:30pm! All are welcome – please join us!

    Thr3e Wise Men is located at 1021 Broad Ripple Ave

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. They are a fun way to get to know folks outside of our regular Tuesday programs. We always meet at a new location somewhere in the city and it is never dull!

  • 2016 Rotarian of the Year

    2016 Rotarian of the Year

    tom fisher-smallRotarian of the Year
    The evening included a wonderful video and testimonial to our new 2016 Rotarian of the Year, Judge Tom Fisher. Check out the 2016 Rotarian of the Year Video!

    AFTER SERVING AS THE JASPER COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR 19 YEARS, IN 1986 TOM BECAME A MEMBER OF THE INDIANA TAX COURT IN INDIANAPOLIS.

    FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, TOM MAINTAINED HIS MEMBERSHIP IN THE RENSSELER CLUB, WHILE DOING MAKE-UP MEETINGS IN OUR CLUB. HE BECAME A MEMBER OF OUR CLUB IN 1990. HE WAS PRESIDENT OF OUR CLUB 2000-2001.

    IN 2002 TOM WAS SELECTED AS A ROTARY INTERNATIONAL GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE (GSE) TEAM LEADER. HE LED A GROUP OF FOUR, 33-YEAR OLDS TO ZIMBABWE, ZAMBIA AND MALAWI FOR FIVE WEEKS, STAYING IN THE HOMES OF ROTARIANS DURING A CULTURAL AND VOCATIONAL EXCHANGE.

    AFTER RETURNING HOME, TOM BECAME INVOLVED IN SEVERAL HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS RELATED TO CENTRAL AFRICA AND IN 2007 RETURNED THERE TO WORK ON PROJECTS OUR CLUB AND DISTRICT WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH IN COOPERATION WITH THE IU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

    TOM SERVED AS OUR DISTRICT GOVERNOR IN 2008-09. HE IS CURRENTLY THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION.

    CURRENTLY HE IS ALSO CO-CHAIR OF OUR CLUB’S HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY AND SERVES ON THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE. HE IS A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW AND HAS ATTAINED MAJOR DONOR STATUS TO THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION.

    ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE HAS INCLUDED:

    • SERVED IN AS A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND ELDER AT THE REMINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
    • CHAIRED THE JASPER COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
    • PAST-PRESIDENT OF THE COLUMBIA CLUB OF INDIANAPOLIS
    • FORMER TRUSTEE OF EARLHAM COLLEGE
    • RETIRED MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE CONNER PRAIRIE MUSEUM

    HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE INDIANA JUDGES ASSOCIATION, IS THE CHAIR OF THE INDIANA PROCECUTING ATTORNEYS COUNCIL AND SERVES ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE INDIANAPOLIS FIRST FRIENDS MEETING.

    FOR ME HIS MOST ENDEARING QUALITY IS HUMILITY. WHILE TOM ENJOYS TELLING AND A GOOD JOKE AND GETTING A LAUGH, HE IS A TRUE SERVANT LEADER. HE CONTINES TO TELL EACH NEW PRESIDENT OF THIS CLUB, “I’LL SERVE WHEREVER YOU NEED ME.”

  • Environment and Beautification Committee Working at Progress House

    Environment and Beautification Committee Working at Progress House

    2016-06-25 06.02.16-group-smallOn Saturday, June 25, six Environment and Beautification (E&B) members, two spouses, and 6-7 Progress House residents had a successful day planting 48 shrubs and perennials around a gazebo at Progress House, an all-male residence for those overcoming alcohol and drug addictions, located at 201 S. Shelby Street in Indianapolis.

    Build several weeks prior, the gazebo was funded by Rotary through the E&B committee, and the residents find it to be a perfect place for some solitude. Most of the shrubs and plants were funded by a Civic Entrepreneurship grant submitted by Rotarian, Marie Koenig.

    After only three hours, the area around the gazebo was transformed from a plain site to a beautiful one! Thanks also to Mainscape (courtesy of Chris Gonzalez) for donating a lot of mulch and to Norm Melzer for his rototiller and Greg Gerke for his auger.

    E & B members included: Anne Gioe, Norm Melzer, Jennifer and Vern Hobbs, Marie and Gary Koenig, Chris Gonzalez and Greg Gerke. Plans continue to beautify this space by adding about 20 trees. Yet another project!

  • Growing Rotary a Success!

    Growing Rotary a Success!

    On June 28, 2016, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis celebrated a successful and event-filled evening at the downtown Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Hilton Hotels & Suites VIP Reception and Bedel Financial Dinner stages were set with lots of colorful blooms and lush greenery. The tables were assembled with festive floral centerpieces donated and sold the end of the evening for a contribution to Rotary.

    Rotarian of the Year
    The evening included a wonderful video and testimonial to our new 2016 Rotarian of the Year, Judge Tom Fisher. Check out the 2016 Rotarian of the Year Video!

    Awards and Installations
    Many deserving Rotarians received awards and President Jeff Lake (2015-2016) installed President Sheila Carlson (2016-2017), while President Carlson installed our newest Officers and Directors!

    Audio of the program can be heard, below.

    Want to see our Facebook photos? Just click here!

  • Rotary Softball Team Beats Kiwanis!

    For the second year in a row, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis beat Kiwanis 6 – 4 at Victory Field on Thursday evening, June 16.

    It was a beautiful evening and over 80 Rotarians, friends and family came our to support the Rotary Club Softball team. Thank you team and all those cheering us on to help Rotary RETAIN THE BABE!

  • Rotarian and District Governor Mark Blade’s wife Vickie Blade Passes

    Fellow Rotarian and District Governor Mark Blade’s wife Vickie has passed away. Read Obituary, here.

    The funeral service for Vickie will be at Noon, Wednesday, June 22 at the church where Mark is pastor:

    Saints Home Church of God in Christ*
    2210 N. 13th Street
    Terre Haute, IN 47804
    (812) 232-3283
    *Donations can be made to Saints Home Church of God in Christ.

    Visitation: Tuesday, June 21 from 5-7 p.m., also at the same church.

    All are welcome, but with family, friends and local school officials, Mark has expressed concern that there may not be adequate seating to accommodate everyone at the funeral in the 350-seat church. Married Aug. 14, 1976, Mark and Vickie have two sons, two daughters, seven grandsons and one great-granddaughter. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Mark and Vickie had been planning an August trip to Hawaii.

    Mark J. Blade and Family
    markblade55@yahoo.com

  • Rotary Judges Science Fair at IPS School 82

    Rotary Judges Science Fair at IPS School 82

    Five members of the education team judged about 400 science projects at IPS 82 on May 26, 2016. The science fair is possible as a result of the grant received from Rotary Foundation. Pictured is Mike Crowley with two fourth grade students explaining their project.

    The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is a private, stand-alone corporation that serves as the primary community charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Annual contributions to the Foundation are added to an eternal endowment fund and allocated income from that fund is utilized to support grants for charitable and educational purposes, primarily in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana areas.

  • Growing Rotary 2016 Celebration

    Growing Rotary 2016 Celebration

    2016 Celebration Logo

    “Growing Rotary 2016 Celebration”
    Tuesday, June 28
    Scottish Rite Cathedral Ballroom

    Tickets:

    $25.00 – Hilton Hotels & Suites VIP Reception (this reception is in the Tilers Room at the Scottish Rite Cathedral)

    $50.00 – Bedel Financial Dinner (Ballroom of the Scottish Rite Cathedral)

    NOTE: PREPAID lunch subscribers pay only $34.00 for the dinner. All PREPAID subscribers MUST call the Rotary office at 631-3733 to make this special payment. No discount on the VIP Reception.

    Registration Closed

    Décor will be a summer garden party with lots of colorful blooms and lush greenery. The tables will be set with festive floral centerpieces donated and offered for sale as the end of the evening for a contribution to Rotary.

    5:30 pm Hilton Hotels & Suites VIP Reception (in the Scottish Rite Cathedral Tilers Room) will include live cocktail music performed by David Leonards and Steve Harris, a signature cocktail (included in price of the ticket), appetizers and lively conversation.

    6:30 pm Bedel Financial Dinner will be plated and served.

    The program will be hosted by President Jeff and will include awards for retiring members from both the Club and Foundation boards, the Rotarian of the Year and awards selected by the outgoing president. This will be followed by the installation of the new president and her brief remarks.

    MENU

    Indianapolis Hilton Hotel and Suites
    VIP COCKTAIL RECEPTION

    • “Fizzy” carbonated Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Skewers
    • Beef Tenderloin Canape with Artichokes, Horseradish, and Dill topped with Micro Greens
    • Parmesan Tuile Cone filled with Cabernet Jelly and topped with Pomegranate Cream Cheese, Duck Bacon and Citrus Micros
    • Nitro Feta Foam served with Honey, Mini Fried Pickles, Fried Olives and Dried Figs

    Bedel Financial Consulting Celebration Dinner

    COCKTAIL HOUR
    • Homemade Gazpacho Soup
    • Beef Tenderloin Canape with Artichokes, Horseradish, and Dill topped with Micro Greens

    SALAD
    Strawberry Salad – Field Greens garnished with fresh Strawberries and Macadamia Nuts with a Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Served

    ENTREE
    • White Wine Poached Chicken Thigh
    • a Porcini Mushroom Madeira Cream Sauce
    • Fresh Green Beans Almondine with Basil
    • Red Skin Potatoes filled with Sweet Potatoes
    • Golden Squash Shoots

    DESSERT
    • Caramel Apple Parfait garnished with an Apple Chip or Gourmet Brownie Bites topped with Chocolate Whipped Cream and Sprinkled with Mint Crystals

    Celebration Planning Team: Abby Bean, Stan Jacobs, Jeff Lake, David Leonards, Bryna O’Neill, Erin Smith, Tiffany Wesseler, Kelly Tingle, Greg Albright and Alice McColgin, Chair.