Author: Indy Rotary

  • The Rotary Club of Indianapolis hosting Tavis Smiley on Friday, May 20th

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis hosting Tavis Smiley on Friday, May 20th

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis will host Tavis Smiley on Friday, May 20th in the Reilly Room at Atherton Union on Butler University’s Campus

    The evening will include a free signed copy of Tavis’ latest book, “50 For Your Future: Lessons from Down the Road.”  On these gorgeously illustrated pages, you’ll find the hard-won wisdom of media mogul and social entrepreneur, who rose from humble roots in a cramped Indiana trailer to become a critically acclaimed host of television and radio, as well as an impactful philanthropist. Through his relationships with cultural luminaries such as Maya Angelou and Quincy Jones, and personal mentors such as Rosa Parks and Peter Jennings —Smiley has learned what it takes to live your best life. We invite you to network with the community and join us as Tavis shares a few stories from the book and signs copies for guests.

    Tickets for the evening include appetizers and a signed copy of “50 for Your Future.” Cash Bar available.

    If you can’t attend the event, we encourage you to buy a ticket and we’ll DONATE it to Big Brothers Big Sisters so they can enjoy the program.

    Presented by: The Rotary Club of Indianapolis, Community Management Services, Inc., WFYI and Efroymson Diversity Center at Butler University

     

  • May is Military Appreciation Month

    The Month of May is Military Appreciation Month at the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Each Tuesday in May, we will show our appreciation of the military with a different message.

    Additional highlights for this  month include:

    Tuesday, May 17- For our normal Tuesday luncheon, we will meet at the Indiana War Memorial to hear from General Carr, the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana. You will be able to tour the Indiana War Memorial before or after our luncheon. Register for this offsite meeting here.

    Tuesday, May 24- For our regular scheduled Tuesday luncheon, we will conduct a service project for the USO, by filling care packages for 150 local military families who have someone serving overseas. Please email Greg Albright at galbright@indyrotary.org if you will attend the USO Pack that day.

    Friday, May 27– Join us for an afternoon service project at 1:00 p.m. as we support HVAF and Help our Heroes!  Volunteers will help to beautify housing properties (that house formerly homeless vets) by raking leaves, painting and landscaping. Email Deb DesVignes to sign up for the project.

    It will be a very significant month for our club and we hope you will attend.

  • Bowling League Completes Another Season

    2016-BowlingOn April 26th at the Maple Creek Golf Club, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Bowling League completed another successful year with their annual Bowling Banquet! While there are no “official” records to support the date of its inception, it is presumed the Bowling League was started in the 1950s.

    Bruce Glor (pictured far left) was elected the new Bowling League President at the annual event. Additionally, the league awarded prizes and held a special “raffle.” (Also pictured: Lynn Cuppy, Mac Fehsenfeld, Gerry Zimmerman)

    For the 2016 season the Bowling League is looking for two teams of 4 four and two substitutes. All bowling activities will take place at Woodland Bowl at 96th & Keystone. Join the fun and forge some new friendships with other Rotarians.

    If you are interested, login to the Membership portal and please contact Jennifer Hobbs or Bruce Glor to get started!

  • June 16, 2016 Annual Rotary VS Kiwanis Softball Game

    June 16, 2016 Annual Rotary VS Kiwanis Softball Game

    Once again, The Indianapolis Indians will host the Annual Rotary VS Kiwanis Softball Game! Help us retain the Babe!

    This year, the game will be on Thursday, June 16. Game time 5:10pm, with an Indians game beginning at 7:05pm. Each ticket is $15.00 Children under 3 are free. $3.00 of every ticket will go to our own Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. Register and Pay here!

    DETAILS

    • Gates open at 5pm (3rd base side)
    • Softball game start at 5:05
    • No new inning after 6:05
    • Game MUST end at 6:15
    • Pictures on field no later than 6:20
    • Indianapolis Indians game starts at 7:05.

    Go Team Rotary!

  • Rotary Video Spotlight – Kate Hayward and Paul McClure

    Rotary Video Spotlight – Kate Hayward and Paul McClure

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis membership is a diverse and treasured group. Check out this video spotlight on Rotarians, Kate Hayward and Paul McClure. Are you interested in becoming a member of our club? Get started here!

    Check out the 3 Minute Video!

    See the FULL 16 minute Conversation

  • May 4, Inaugural 5:31 Beverage Tour and Trivia

    Rotary is excited bring the Inaugural 5:31 Club Beverage Tour & Trivia Contest on May 4 (rain or shine)

    Start Point: Daredevil Brewery  1151 Main St. in Speedway

    • Sample libations from 4 establishments along Main Street in Speedway.
    • Test your trivia skills by participating in our first ever trivia contest!
    • Kick off the month of May & the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

    What To Know Before You Go
    If you can’t make it to Daredevil Brewery for the start of the tour….NO WORRIES!!  After all, it’s 531 Club so get there when you can!

    From Daredevil we will head to the following locations, in the following order:

    • Foyt Wine Vault
    • Barbeque and Bourbon
    • Dawson’s on Main

    We are not on a specific schedule or timeframe (again, it’s 531 so RELAX AND ENJOY). HOWEVER, if you are planning to participate in the trivia contest you’ll need to be at Daredevil Brewery by 5:45pm!

    • Questions are venue specific so you will need to stop at ALL FOUR tour locations!
    • YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS in order to be eligible for the contest and the chance to become the “King and Queen of Speedway/Rotary Trivia.”
    • Your results need to be submitted by 6:50p to Norm or Jenny.  Winners will be announced around 7pm at Dawson’s on Main.

    Should you arrive late and want to know where we are, please feel free to text Jenny Conder at (317) 937-9867 or Norm Melzer (317) 513 4916. They will be more than happy to assist!

    Plan to join us and let’s make the Inaugural beverage tour a success!

    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!

  • Ralph Taylor, a Community Builder

    Ralph Taylor, a Community Builder

    taylor-miscCourtesy of Life 360 and Publication of Purdue University, College of Health and Human Sciences, Written by By William Meiners

    Alumnus Ralph Taylor (HK ’69) played on one of the greatest teams in Purdue basketball history. In his senior year, the Boilermakers beat their Indiana University Hoosier rivals 120-76 in the season finale and made it all the way to the NCAA Tournament championship game, losing to a UCLA team led by Lew Alcindor (the future Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

    Although basketball opened numerous doors for him, Taylor also wants to be remembered for being a difference maker in his professional life and through volunteer work and civic engagement. Based on the many awards he’s received, he has accomplished that goal.

    Basketball taught Taylor a valuable lesson. “Basketball teaches you not only the importance of recognizing the strength in individual differences and skill sets, but it also teaches the importance of having a common vision,” Taylor says. “Everyone may not like each other, but with the same common goal, much can be accomplished.”

    Read the full article.

  • April 12 Sun King Co-Founder Clay Robinson

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    On Tuesday, April 12, The Rotary Club of Indianapolis invites Sun King Co-Founder and Brewer Clay Robinson to speak. Over seven years, Sun King Brewing Company created over 100 jobs, expanded its plant and contributed significantly to the economy of greater Indianapolis. “If you want to be a community leader, you’ve got to support those who share your vision,” points out co-founder/brewer Clay Robinson. “Sun King is proud to continually work with hundreds of organizations that help achieve our mission of enriching Hoosier lives one pint at a time.”

    Sun King Brewing Company is an Indianapolis-based craft brewery with a focus on continually creating traditional seasonal and unique specialty beer. Sun King rolled their first keg of beer out of the door in July 2009 and since that time has grown into one of Indiana’s largest and most award-winning breweries.

    Sun King also makes a huge commitment to the community.   They are proud to provide product, support and promotion to hundreds of organizations that help achieve their mission of enriching Hoosier lives one pint at a time.

    Sun King beer can be enjoyed at over 1,000 fine bars/restaurants and liquor stores throughout Indiana, at the downtown brewery at 135 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, or at the Small Batch Brewery and Tasting Room at 7848 E. 96th Street in Fishers, Indiana.

  • Longtime Rotarian Fred Lesh Passes Away

    Longtime Rotarian Fred Lesh Passes Away

    leshRotarian, Frederick Hoke Lesh died peacefully at his home Easter morning, Sunday, March 27th, at the age of 90. He was born February 3rd, 1926 in Indianapolis to Perry Wilkins Lesh and Mary Lesh (Hoke). Fred joined the Rotary Club of Indianapolis in 1979. During his membership he was a Club Director, James Whitcomb Riley Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow. Fred gave his time, talent and treasure to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation.

    Fred was also well-known for his participation and organization of the annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing contest each year between the Kiwanis and the Rotary club. His promotion for getting Rotarians involved showcased Fred making his way up to the podium each November, pausing to look at the crowd, then bellowing “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?” We heard you Fred and you WILL be missed! It will not soon be forgotten by members that have known Fred during his membership in our club.

    He attended Shortridge High School and upon graduation, enlisted in the Navy as a gunner on a merchant marine ship. After the war, he attended Wabash College where he joined the Phi Beta Kappa chapter and studied business. Upon graduation he went to work for the C.P. Lesh Paper Company, eventually taking over the presidency in 1963. – Read full obituary.

  • RYLA at Camp Tecumseh

    RYLA at Camp Tecumseh

    RYLA Participants
    Click to Enlarge

    Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership program coordinated by the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and other Rotary clubs. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. On March 25, Rotary Club of Indianapolis was proud to host 25 young people at Camp Tecumseh!

    Mahrina – Franklin Central H.S.
    I made amazing friends and faced my fears! Their great ideas can inspire you to do anything. I feel transformed.

    Langston – Herron H.S.
    It’s an experience that will just change your life. It inspires you to get out there and be an influence in other people’s lives.

    Makayla – Ben Davis H.S.
    I learned a lot about servant leadership. Your ultimate goal is to help other people, and I’m going to bring it back to BD.

    Download the flyer to see what others said about their experience!