Charles City Rotary Club honors community members, club members
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By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com
The Charles City Rotary Club honored club members and community members at its annual “Pass the Buck” night this week that also signifies the beginning of a new club president’s tenure.
The awards given at the dinner honor people who have had an impact on the community and beyond.
The Sam Soifer Community Service Award — given to a person who has contributed “over and beyond the call of duty” — was given to Tami Vetter, the owner of The Rustic Corner in downtown Charles City.
Rotary Club member Ann Troge, who announced the award and presented the plaque, said Vetter was following in the footsteps of Sam Soifer, the award’s namesake, by making the community better through her dedication and her hours of service, including leading activities for the Rotary Satellite Club and her work to promote the downtown business district and the city as a whole.
The second non-Rotarian award, the Leo Lidd Vocational Service Award, is given to a person whose business life best exemplifies the Rotary Four-Way Test – “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Barber Roger Mulcahy was given the Lidd Award, in recognition and appreciation for the “exceptional and outstanding work you have done in your field and for the community.”
Club member Ralph Smith, in announcing the award winner and presenting Mulcahy with his plaque, said, “All of those who have received their haircuts from Roger – in many cases over several decades – have enjoyed his personality and skill.”
Smith continued, “He is meticulous, a great listener and interesting. He has been an avid pilot, skydiver and scuba diver. He enjoys his work and his patrons enjoy him.”
Outgoing club President John Ebert handed out $1,000 Rotary Club Outstanding Senior Scholarships to Charles City High School graduates Lydia Staudt and Rachel Hoffman. The awards had previously been announced at the high school senior honors night.
The club scholarships consider academic achievement and extracurricular activities, but also emphasize leadership skills and service in the community, with student volunteer hours weighing heavily in the selection process.
Awards that went to Rotary Club members were:
• The Paul Garthwaite Memorial Award (Rotarian of the Year) went to Sam and Jessica Gintz for “upholding and furthering the principles and ideals of the Rotary way of life,” especially their efforts in planning and working on the Santa’s Shining Lights show in Central Park this past Christmas season.
• The President’s Award, given by the outgoing president to a member “in appreciation of your dedication and outstanding service to your Club and Rotary,” was awarded by Ebert to Paul Burnham.
The evening concluded with Ebert passing a symbolic dollar bill — “passing the buck” — to incoming President Kay Winkelman. Ebert also received a President’s Plaque for outstanding leadership.
Both Ebert and Winkelman have been club presidents before, Ebert in 2014-15, and Winkelman in 2019-20.
Guest speaker for the evening’s program was Laura Elfers, the educational engagement director for the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, who talked about the program which is a federally designated National Heritage Area and whose goal is to interpret farm life, agricultural businesses and rural communities.
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