On Monday night, the Rotary Club of Rockville held its annual awards and installation dinner at Georgina's Restaurant & Banquet Facility in Bolton to honor outgoing officers, welcome the new officers, and recognize people for their accomplishments.
Now former President Liane Lombardi and her officers – Vice President Richard Bansavich, Treasurer Angela Atwater, Sergeant at Arms Gene Skladnowski, Director Risa Filkoff, and Director Dan Keune – served from July 2010 until June 2011 and were honored for their service.
The new group of officers will serve from July 2011 until June 2012. Bansavich was promoted to president, Atwater will remain the treasurer, and Lombardi will stay on board as a director/past president. Keune, Filkoff, Skladnowski will step out of their roles at the end of the month so that the positions can be filled by new officers.
Victor Antico will be the vice president, Marc Kogan will be the Sergeant at Arms, and Steve Bazzano and Dave Richards will be directors.
During the dinner, and after the new officers were introduced, the group presented $7,500 raided during the club’s annual golf tournament to KIDSAFE CT.
“I have a soft spot in my heart for it, and it makes doing the golf tournament fun and easy,” golf Chairman Paul Sheridan said.
A presentation of two computers was also made to the Cornerstone Foundation. For the past couple of years, the club has been putting together a project to promote literacy in West Africa and the Republic of Liberia.
In November 2010, 13 computer systems were shipped to Monrovia to schools and libraries. At the time the project was being put together, the Cornerstone was very helpful to the club, and children’s clothing was even used as packing material.
“As a gesture of our appreciation, we would like to provide you two of our computers to use as you see fit at the Cornerstone,” Rotarian Ben Hardy said.
Randy Anagnostis and Joe Ryan – both past club presidents – were given the prestigious Paul Harris awards for their contributions to the club. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International.
For Anagnostis, it was his first Paul Harris award. It was Ryan’s third time receiving the award.
“It is indeed an honor and wear it with pride,” Rotary Assistant District Governor Mike Barnett said.
Recently Retired Rockvile Bank CEO William McGurk was recognized for being a major donor to the Rotary Foundation and after being recognized, he presented Hardy, Marvin Weinberg, and Ryan with lifetime achievement awards.
“I am honored to help recognize three outstanding Rockville Rotarians tonight,” McGurk said before presenting the honors. “Together, they have six Paul Harris awards – Rotary’s highest honor; outstanding leadership by positive example. They are and have been active in the community. They demonstrate how to give back and make a difference.”
Prior to the end of the awards ceremony, State Police Trooper Joseph Strogoff was presented with the club’s for his actions that saved two lives after an April car crash in Ellington.
Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman was the guest speaker and also presented Strogoff with a Governor's Proclamation.
