Greenfield Rotary: celebrating a century of service in 2022!

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Welcome to Rotary!

The Rotary Club of Greenfield, Ohio meets at 11:30 a.m. each Thursday at the Catch 22 Sports Pub located at 250 Jefferson St., Greenfield, Ohio.  ​


Rotary Club of
​Greenfield, Ohio

Established in 1922
Charter No. 1177
District 6670

CLUB OFFICERS
2022-2023
President: Wes Surritt
President-Elect: 
Secretary: Beverly Giffin
Treasurer: Andrew Surritt
Foundation Chair: Blain Bergstrom
Membership Chair: Steve Pearce
PR Chair: Angela Shepherd

Club Service: Blain Bergstrom
Community Service: Andrew Surritt
International Service: Mike Penn
​Vocational Service: 
Immediate Past President: Ron Coffey


FESTIVAL CHAIRMEN
Andrew Surritt
Wes Surritt
Ron Coffey

OFFICERS FOR RALPH W. PHILLIPS RECREATION & CIVIC CENTER
Cleve Bartley
Larry Hayes
Steve Pearce
Steve Hunter
Mike Penn

Rotary International President:
Jennifer Jones
INFO
www.rotary.org

District Governor: 
Frank Scott, Rotary Club of Dayton
www.rotary6670.org

Assistant District Governor:
​Beth Huber



PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS
The following have been named Paul Harris Fellows to honor their contributions to Rotary. For each Paul Harris Fellowship, either the member or the Greenfield Rotary Club donated $1,000 to the Rotary International Foundation. The foundation's funds make possible many humanitarian projects around the world.
George M. Waddell, 1985
Harry V. Turner, 1986
Wilson L. Moon, 1986
Charles O. Shonkwiler, 1987
Willard Anderson, 1987
Allen M. Johnson (in memory), 1988
Thomas W. Doyle, 1988
​No award in 1989
Paul S. Wisecup, 1990
B.R. Duckworth, 1991
Ralph W. Phillips, 1991
Patrick L. Hays, 1992
Sam Daugherty, 1993
Floyd Bartley, 1994
Donald K. Anderson, 1995
Bill Buck, 1996
Steve Hunter, 1997
Wilbur Seilkop, 1998
Dan Crusie, 1998
Ron Coffey, 1999
Steve Pearce, 2000
Jim Weller, 2001
Judy Spargur, 2002
Dean Gardner, 2002
Jack C. Weinrich, 2003
No award during 2004
Clifford Wisecup, 2005
Larry Hayes, 2006
Dr. Rick Mizer, 2006
Peter Quance, 2007
Jackie Gardner, 2007
Barb Barton, 2008
Scott Lovett, 2008
Chuck Miller, 2009
Mike Penn, 2009
Sandra McNeil, 2010
Terry Fouch, 2011
Blain Bergstrom, 2012
David "Boonie" Brizius, 2013
Charlotte Phillips, 2013
Bernard Hester, 2014
Cleve Bartley, 2014
​Wes Surritt, 2015
​Angela Shepherd, 2016
Virginia Purdy, 2017
​Beverly Giffin, 2017
​Andrew Surritt III, 2018
Heath Fettro, 2019
No award in 2020
Dr. Eric Borsini, 2021
Tammy Wells, 2021


OUR CLUB
The Greenfield Rotary Club sponsors the annual Greene Countrie Towne Festival during the third weekend of July each year, and is involved in many community projects. On a national and international level, the club participates in many projects for the benefit of others.


PROJECTS
"One profits most who serves best." So says the Rotary motto, and our club has fun serving the community. The Rotary Club of Greenfield owns and operates the Ralph W. Phillips Recreation and Civic Center, the scene of many community activities, including basketball games, Christmas parties, dances and other events. Proceeds from building rentals help pay the operating expenses, but the club supplements its income through spaghetti dinners, the Greene Countrie Towne Festival and other activities to keep this valuable community center operating.
Each spring the Greenfield club joins forces with the Hillsboro Rotary Club to raise funds for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults. This organization offers assistance to Highland Countians in need without the red tape often associated with charitable organizations. The annual radio-telethon in March has raised more than a million dollars since its inception in the early 1970s. Funds are expended for wheelchairs, hearing aids, orthopedic devices, transportation vouchers and a host of other uses. Highland County is proud of this amazingly successful program of people helping people.
As fundraisers, Greenfield Rotary sponsors a pair of spaghetti dinners each year -- one during football season and one during the basketball campaign. The club also sponsors the annual Greene Countrie Towne Festival during the third weekend of July. Funds from these and other projects are returned to the community through the above activities and other projects and donations.
If you would like to know more about Rotary, contact any member of the Greenfield club.

MORE ROTARY INFO:

Big crowds enjoy Rotary's 2022 
​Greene Countrie Towne Festival

The 2022 Greene Countrie Towne Festival attracted large crowds by utilizing a combination of great talent, traditional attractions and excellent weather.

Many people brought their own lawn chairs and filled Jefferson St. for the featured entertainment, which included Eagles tribute band Hotel California on Friday night. Saturday evening entertainers included rising Nashville talent Jess Kellie Adams, who blended a selection of original songs and covers with an entertaining band, and Garth Brooks tribute act Fresh Horses. 
Weather conditions were nearly perfect on Friday and Saturday for festival goers to enjoy the Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Pageant, antique tractors provided by the Greenfield Antique Tractor Club, and the 54th annual Antique Car Show presented in honor of longtime members Charles and Rita Shonkwiler by the Greenfield Antique Car Club.

Local entertainer Rockin' Ron provided music for all ages from his station downtown, and plenty of festival food and drink kept everyone cool.

The Greenfield Rotary Club's annual action was well supported again this year, providing some nice items and 10 limited edition prints created by artist Tammy Wells to commemorate the club's 100 years of service to the community. The club was founded in May 1922 and has done numerous good works in the community through the years, including operating the Ralph W. Phillips Community Recreation and Civic Center (the former armory), sponsoring the festival since 1987, and contributing to various community causes and events (see the ROTARY HISTORY page for more about the club). 

Some special recognition was given to Tammy Wells for creating the limited edition prints since the early 2000s. In addition to being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the club (which included a donation of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation in her name), the club also selected Tammy as Grand Marshal of the parade this year. As she passed by the grandstand during the festival parade, the following announcement was made:

"Our parade Grand Marshal for 2022 is Tammy Wells, an outstanding artist who has been a great friend of the Greenfield Rotary Club for more than 20 years. Since 2003, Tammy has created many limited-edition prints about Greenfield people, places and history and allowed the Rotary Club to sell them at the Rotary Auction. 

"While we don’t have an exact total, the proceeds from the sale of these prints have generated several hundred thousand dollars for our Rotary Club. 

"Proceeds from sale of the prints are used to help us put on the festival, take care of the Ralph W. Phillips Community Recreation & Civic Center, and to fund other good works for our community. 

​"In recognition of Tammy’s achievements on behalf of Rotary, we have named her a Paul Harris Fellow – an award named after the founder of Rotary – and selected her as Grand Marshal of the 2022 festival parade. Thank you Tammy Wells for generously sharing your talents with the Greenfield Rotary Club!"

In the annual Queen Pageant, local resident Abby Wise was crowned to represent the festival around the state of Ohio during the coming year. 

On Sunday, talented gospel singer Dusty Barrett gave a concert prior to the parade, wowing listeners with his impressive range and tone.

Sunday was also Edward Lee McClain Day at McClain High School, and approximately 100 people gathered near the hallowed marble stairs to commemorate the incredible gift to the community by Edward Lee and Lulu Johnson McClain. A proclamation honoring the McClains was read and ELM Day founder Larry "Rock" Roosa gave some heartfelt comments about his alma mater before turning things over to Danny Long, well known for his portrayal of E.L. McClain, for more details about the philanthropist's life and decision to give the community a gift intended to do "the most good for the greatest number for the longest time." The gift, a one-of-a-kind art-filled high school, looks as good as ever, and continues to fulfill Mr. McClain's wishes more than a century after it first opened in 1915.

Most festival activities took place as scheduled, although weather conditions Sunday caused concern. The festival's final event, a performance by the Modern Movement Dance Company, was moved to the MHS auditorium out of regard for the safety of the dancers due to the inclement weather forecast.

In keeping with longstanding tradition, all entertainment provided during the festival was FREE to the public. 

"On behalf of the Greenfield Rotary Club and the other organizations involved in the festival, we thank everyone for coming and supporting the activities," said Greenfield Rotary President Wes Surritt.


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PictureJim Weller was known as "Mr. Festival" for his many contributions to the festival sponsored by the Greenfield Rotary Club.




Remembering Jim Weller at festival time
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​(Note: The following information was posted on Facebook by Annette Weller, daughter of the legendary Greenfield Rotarian Jim Weller, who was a fixture at the Greene Countrie Towne Festival for many years. Thanks for the memories, Annette, and may we long remember the hard work, dedication and contributions of your father as we approach festival time.)



By Annette Weller

My dad (the late James [Jim] Weller) became a Greenfield Rotarian in 1993, soon after he returned to his hometown. By 1996 he was a big influence on this festival and helped organize, setup, run and close down this wonderful community event, from the time he became a Greenfield Rotarian in 1993 to his passing in 2015. 

Though dad was always stressed and exhausted for the days and weeks before and during the festival, he always had a smile on his face starting from the opening ceremonies Friday evening through Sunday evening. There was always something that needed his attention but he loved watching the people of Greenfield and the surrounding area enjoying the fun and fellowship with each other. Dad fully believed in following 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).

Dad’s main thing he wanted to accomplish with each year’s festival is how could the Greenfield Rotary Club build GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS within the village of Greenfield and the surrounding areas. All the proceeds that the Greenfield Rotary club receives from the booth rental to the auction and etc. all come back to Greenfield in many different ways.

Jim and the Greenfield Rotarians work almost 51 out of 52 weeks of the year on things for the festival. This is not just something you can just throw together at the last minute. It is like working another 40+ hour a week job on top of a regular full time job. So many logistics to work out (getting permission to close the streets, finding ride companies that are not already booked for another festival [and the last few years trying to find replacement rides and activities when the company backs out at last minute], trying to get the community to give appropriate suggestions or offering to be in charge of a contest or activity.

Dad really enjoyed interacting with the community and seeing all the smiling faces. Dad was even nick-named by his fellow Rotarians “Mr. Festival.” 
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From the time that my dad became a Rotarian he and most of my family that live in this area have helped in some way. But the last few years we have had so many issues come up that has made it very difficult to help like we used to and the way we would like. But I truly hope and pray that everyone enjoys this year’s festival. Please try to thank any and all of the Rotarians that you see this weekend for their hard work and dedication. And remember this festival/party is for you.


Rotarians of Distinction being
​recognized during club’s centennial

​As part of Greenfield Rotary’s centennial celebration in 2022, the club decided that it would be a good idea to commemorate some of the organization’s Rotarians of Distinction, and so a page has been added to this website for that purpose. In one way or another, every local Rotarian has had some kind of a positive impact on the community of Greenfield through their membership in the service organization, their business activities, by giving of their time and resources, and in other ways as well. We hope to add to the list as time permits, and welcome nominations, information and photos from those who have known past or present Greenfield Rotarians and would like to help with this project. Suggestions can be sent via the “Contact the club” window at the bottom of the home page of this website.

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​50th annual ​Ernie Blankenship

Radio-Telethon surpasses $120K!

​The 50th Annual Ernie Blankenship Memorial Radio-Telethon March 30, 2022 brought in more than $120,000 in pledges as the Rotary Clubs of Greenfield and Hillsboro put on events to entertain, educate and raise money for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults. 
The events took place from 7-9 p.m. in the two communities, emanating from the GCTV Studios at McClain High School in Greenfield and the Hillsboro Orpheum. Viewers watched on local Spectrum TV channels or via streaming over the Internet, with periodic updates given by WVNU 97.5 FM and WSRW Radio 1590 AM.
The Hillsboro telethon event was live-streamed on the Society’s website, hicoso.org and remains available for viewing.
At the end of the evening, $114,561 had been pledged, but additional pledges and donations were received over the next several weeks.
For more information, as well as photos, visit the HCSCA page.
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Patty Day new executive secretary for HCSCA

The Highland County Society for Children & Adults has appointed Hillsboro resident Patty Day as the new executive secretary of the organization to replace the late Gayle Coss.
Day was appointed at a meeting of the society’s board of trustees held Jan. 24, 2022.
Day has been a nurse for more than 38 years and received her master’s degree in nursing from Otterbein College. She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
She and her husband, Herb Day, own and operate Fun Oldies Herb Day Radio and the Red White and Blue Herb Day Country Radio stations.
Patty has served on Hillsboro City Council since July 5, 2019. She is a board member for the Hope for Highland County organization and a member of the Southside Praise and Worship Center Church.
Patty has been a lifelong resident of Highland County. She and her husband reside in the city of Hillsboro with two of their 13 grandchildren, Braylin and Patrick. Patty and Herb have three children, Aaron, Karly and Corey, and another son, Chuck, is deceased.
Day is the fifth person to serve as executive secretary of the society. Helen Lowell was the first, followed by Betty Collins, Nina Wharton and Gayle Coss.
Patty is the contact person for those seeking assistance with medical expenses, equipment, travel and related expenses. She can be reached by telephone at 937-393-2142, by email at contact@hicoso.org or by mail at Highland County Society for Children & Adults, P.O. Box 792, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
On Wednesday, March 30 the Rotary Clubs of Greenfield and Hillsboro will join forces to raise money for the HCSCA. The Ernie Blankenship Memorial Radio-Telethon will be the 50th such event for the benefit of children and adults in Highland County. 

PictureGreenfield Rotary President Wes Surritt is pictured with District Governor Carol Hughes, who visited the Greenfield club on Nov. 18.
District Governor Carol Hughes

visits Greenfield Rotary Club

​Greenfield Rotary Club hosted District Governor Carol Hughes on Nov. 18 and received an inspiring and interesting message from the Springboro resident. 
DG Hughes, a native of England, emigrated to Ohio in 1993 and has enjoyed a varied career including teaching elementary school, working with the YMCA, and serving as an executive with the Springboro Chamber of Commerce. She has also been involved in Rotary and risen through the leadership ranks of that organization, including her current role leading Rotarians in District 6670.
DG Hughes shared some thoughts from Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta, who challenged Rotarians to help the organization grow with the slogan "Each one bring one." DG Hughes encouraged each Rotarian to invite guests to club meetings so they can see what Rotary is all about. The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self,” and Rotarians have accomplished many good things since the organization was founded in 1905. She mentioned that Rotary undertook the huge task of trying to eradicate polio with a worldwide effort in 1988, and while there are still a very few cases of polio (just four so far this year) in underdeveloped countries, the effort seems headed to a successful conclusion.
DG Hughes has studied the composition of the Greenfield club and said there are currently 33 members, with 23 being male and 10 female. The average age of the Greenfield RotaryClub is 56, with just three members currently under 40 years of age. She encouraged the Greenfield club to invite potential members and share some of the good things that the club has done through the years. 
Realizing that not everyone can easily attend a noon meeting on Thursdays, the district governor encouraged club members to consider establishing a satellite club that would meet in the evening, or for a breakfast meeting. 
DG Hughes read a quote from the late Rotary founder, Paul Harris, stating that times change and Rotary needs to change with them. She encouraged club members to be creative and responsive to the needs of community members who might like to join but need some flexibility. 
She also addressed visiting McClain High School seniors in the audience and encouraged them to get involved in programs offered by Rotary.
Rotary International is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, she said, and will continue to make a positive difference in the world.
DG Hughes received a standing ovation from the Rotarians in attendance, and presented local Rotary President Wes Surritt with a flag from her home club. She is in the process of visiting all 48 clubs in the district.
For more information about Rotary, here are some useful links:
Rotary International: www.rotary.org
District 6670: www.rotary6670.org

Rotary supporters honored at Appreciation Dinner; Borsini, Wells tabbed for Paul Harris Fellowship

Buyers of limited-edition prints and other supporters of Greenfield Rotary Club were honored at the club’s annual appreciation dinner November 11, 2021 at the Washington Country Club.
Club President Wes Surritt welcomed members and guests to the annual event, which featured a delicious meal of prime rib, chicken or a vegetarian option. The club president expressed gratitude for the excellent community support shown by the print buyers and introduced a number of special guests, including Assistant District Governor Beth Huber and her husband Jerry; Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Jacolyn Bolender; Bonnie Baldridge, who is involved with the Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Pageant, and Charles Shonkwiler and his wife Rita, representing the Greenfield Antique Car Club. President Surritt also acknowledged supports who were unable to attend, including artist Tammy Wells, creator numerous limited edition prints sold at the festival, Ken Friedman of the Greenfield Antique Car Club, Greg Miller of the Greenfield Antique Tractor Club, and Gary Binegar and Rod Halterman of Binegar Auction Service.
Unable to attend but receiving praise for their contributions to Rotary were District Governor Sigrid Solomon, reigning Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Emma Smith, artist Tammy Wells who has created a number of limited edition prints that the club sells at the festival each July, auctioneers Gary and Mandy Binegar, Matt and Ellen Binegar and Rod Halterman, and the Greenfield Antique Tractor Club. 
Also recognized were the buyers of limited edition prints that have been a mainstay of the Greene Countrie Towne Festival for approximately 30 years, helping to raise money for the Rotary Club that is then put back into the Greenfield community. This year the buyers included Greenfield Research, Sitterle Insurance, Wooden It Be Nice, Southern Hills Community Bank, Adena Greenfield Medical Center, Dr. Richard Mizer and Cristy Hill, Murray-Fettro Funeral Home and Corner Healthmart Pharmacy, Community Savings Bank, Weller’s Plumbing & Heating, and Jim and Merleen Van Dyke.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of a two new Paul Harris Fellow honored for their service to the club and the community. The honorees for 2021 are Dr. Eric Borsini and Tammy Wells. 
Dr. Borsini, who served as club president in 2009-10 and has served the community service through volunteerism and as a member of the Greenfield Village Council, was congratulated by Pat Hays for epitomizing Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” Dr. Borsiniexpressed his thanks to the club as well as his gratitude for being part of the Greenfield community, where everyone knows everyone else and people work together to make the village a better place in which to live, work and raise families.
Although unable to attend the dinner, Tammy Wells also was recognized for having created the limited edition prints sold at Rotary auctions since 2003. Revenues from the sales have helped Rotary finance many projects for the benefit of the community and helped the club maintain the Ralph W. Phillips Civic & Recreation Center.
Pat Hays explained that the Paul Harris Fellowship is named in honor of Rotary’s founder, who with three other businessmen launched the very first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905. The club sends $1,000 to Rotary International for each Paul Harris Fellowship it awards, and the money is used to help people around the world as part of the international organization’s outreach. 
It appears that the club has now sponsored 50 Paul Harris Fellows since it made George M. Waddell the club’s first recipient in 1985. 
During the evening it was noted that the Greenfield Rotary Club was chartered in May of 1922 and will be celebrating its 100thanniversary next year.
The evening concluded with a drawing for table arrangements. 
In closing, President Surritt thanked everyone who attended and noted that, whether they are Rotarians or not, they deserve thanks for their efforts on behalf of the Greenfield community. 
The club wishes to thank Angela Shepherd for coordinating details for the festive dinner and program.

    Contact the club!