May 3, 2003

Bill Van Winkle related the history of the Willis Combest Award, which was instituted in 1971. The award honors the memory of Owensboro teacher, coach and humanitarian, Willis Combest (1913-1969) and is made each year to outstanding student athletes from four local high schools. Recipients exemplify not only athletic and academic achievements, but also honesty, decency, fair play and consideration of others. Mr. Van Winkle recognized representatives of the local high schools, who in turn introduced the award recipients. Cap Gardner, a close friend and teammate of Willis Combest, presented each student his or her award.

The recipients of the awards were as follows: Apollo High School, Matthew Vied, introduced by principal Tom Purcell; Daviess County High School, Alec Johnson, introduced by principal Brad Stanley; Owensboro Catholic High School, Haley Riney, introduced by counselor Kurt Osborne; Owensboro High School, Logan Johnson, introduced by superintendent Dr. Larry Vick.

In 1992, Owensboro Rotary began honoring students from local high schools and colleges with the Larry Hager Award. The award is named for Owensboro Rotarian Larry Hager and is made to an outstanding graduating senior from each school in recognition of academic achievement and leadership. Kirk Kirkpatrick provided introductory remarks about the award and acknowledged Mr. Hager for his many contributions to our community. Representatives from the local schools introduced the award recipients, who were then presented their awards by Mr. Hager.

The recipients were as follows: Owensboro High School, Josh Niehaus, introduced by Dr. Larry Vick; Apollo High School, Lauren Hagan, introduced by Jan Young; Daviess County High School, Holly Lynn Sears, introduced by Saundra Rodney; Trinity High School, Melissa Hamilton, introduced by Larry Farmer; Owensboro Catholic High School, Brent McCarty, introduced by Kurt Osborne; Brescia University, Sarah Flood, introduced by Sr. Vivian Bowles; Kentucky Wesleyan College, Ivory Carter, introduced by Dr. Wes Poling; Owensboro Community & Technical College, Cynthia Johnson, introduced by Larry Miller; Western Kentucky University, Jeremy Cole, introduced by Dr. Marilyn Brookman.

Congratulations to these award recipients! We wish them success in their future educational and professional careers.

Attendance: 96

Highest Attendance This Year: 109

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Todd Rust

Fellowship Report: Greg Longtine

Proposed New Member: Randy Spaw

Introduction of Guests: Frankie Hager, John Hager and Margie Hager guests of Larry Hager

Thought for the Week: "The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others." - Hasidic Saying

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
Following are some snapshots of people and activities in the history of Owensboro Rotary.

Since 1915, three members of the Owensboro Rotary Club have served as District Governors of district 6710. They are Lawrence W. Hager, Sr., Thomas C. Laswell, Jr., and Guy Hisle. On July 6, 1988, Owensboro Rotary inducted its first women members. They were Sister Ruth Gehres, Alma Randolph, and Donna Anderson.

In 1961, the club joined other Kentucky Rotary Clubs in building Camp KYSOC for crippled children, near Carrollton, Ky. In 1973-75, this combination of clubs built Camp Green Shores, another handicapped children’s camp near Rough River. In the early 1980’s, the Owensboro club adopted the Hospice House and in 1988 sponsored the Owensboro Breakfast Rotary Club. In 2000, the club began to plan to underwrite an indoor playground. As of this date, the project fund raising still continues.

Owensboro Rotary has over 80 years of service to others! Your membership is something to be proud of! Continue to look for more people to become Rotarians. New members are the lifeblood of the club in the future!

Have a great week,

Larry

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• There are still sponsorship positions available for Friday After 5. For more information contact Mike Wallace at 684-4554.

Rotarians -
I will be out of town from May 8 - May 19. The Impetus will go on to print as scheduled, however, the online version will not run on May 16th. Thanks for your understanding and I hope this doesn’t inconvenience too many of you. When I return, I will have a new last name! Kimberly Clark will become Kimberly Jessup.

Kim Clark, MediaWorks Advertising

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Scott Holder - May 4
Alan Braden - May 5
Bob Hunzinger - May 6
Buzz Norris - May 8
Bill Dexter - May 8
Hugh Gilbert  - May 9

ROTARY REMINDERS...
• Don't forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary (formerly Breakfast Rotary) at 7 on Tuesday mornings at Moonlite Barbecue.
• The Program Chairs for May are Kirk Kirkpatrick, Rodney Berry, & Joe Castlen.
• Greg Longtine will be at the Fellowship Table during April.
• Dave Silvert will be at the Fellowship Table during May.
• If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, or you have changed your email address, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list.
• Log on to Rotary’s website at www.owensbororotary.org. You’ll find our current member directory, photos of new members, past copies of the Impetus, some interesting history, and more!

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to: 

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
208 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Fax: 270-684-7314
Email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
May 14 - PLF Citizen’s Committee on Education - Bob Darnell introducing.
May 21 - Lighthouse Recovery Earl Loany - Joe Castlen introducing.
May 28 - Dr. Titel - Anesthesiologist

2002 - 2003 OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Larry Mercer
Vice President: Jeff Ebelhar
Past President: Marilyn Brookman
Secretary: Pat McFarling
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Candance Brake, Bill Dexter, Darrell Higginbotham, Bob Hudson, Jane Noble 

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