The Rotary Club of Carson City had the pleasure of learning about the Carson City Senior Center programs. Executive Director Courtney Warmer explained that the Senior Center supplies healthy lunches to 180 - 260 people per day.  They also supply 320 Meals on Wheels daily.  The Carson City Senior Center provides nutrition, a place for Seniors to connect, and numerous other services.  Such services include a speaker series, anti-fraud assistance, guidance with health insurance,  tax advice, technical help with smart phones and computer use.  All their services can be found at www.CarsonCitySeniorCenter.org

Each year the Rotary Club of Carson City awards a competitive educational grant to a Carson City Educator.  This year's award of $5,000 was earned by Carson School District K-12 Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator Brittany Witter. The grant facilitated the purchase of more than 500 historical fiction and non-fiction, age appropriate books to be used by students throughout the district.  At the Rotary club meeting of 5/7/2024, Ms. Witter explained the program's implementation and goals.  The Rotary Club of Carson City awards the annual grant as part of its commitment to supporting and recognizing educational achievements. 

The Rotary Club of Carson City generously donated $3,000 from the Carson City Rotary Foundation to support the Eagle Valley Middle School's Lego Robotics Team.  This money will assist the team to finance their trip to Houston, Texas for the national competition.  The Robotics team earned the right to compete at the national level after victories at the State and Regional levels.

The Rotary Club of Carson City has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years.  Another wonderful member joined the club this week. Our newest member is Holly Beeson. Holly is a Captain and Corps member of the Salvation Army serving in Carson City. Her husband, Immanuel, is also a Captain and Corps member of the Salvation Army in Carson City.  Immanuel joined The Rotary Club of Carson City in September of 2022.  Perhaps Holly saw how much fun Immanuel was having and decided to join. Welcome to the club !

 

President Garrett Lepire, Holly Beeson, & Immanuel Beeson

As an ongoing commitment to local educators, the Rotary Club of Carson City invited the Principal and a Teacher from Carson Montessori Charter School to join us for a lunch meeting.  Principal Jessica Daniels introduced First Grade Teacher Haley Kenyon, who was selected  as the December Teacher of the Month.  Ms. Kenyon was honored with a plaque and a check.  The Rotary Club of Carson City honors a Teacher of the Month and a Student of the Week throughout the school year.  This photo includes President Garrett Lepire, Teacher Haley Kenyon, Principal Jessica Daniels, and Carson City School Superintendent A.J. Feuling. 

 

 

Once again,  Rotary Youth Exchange students were hosted by the Rotary Club of Carson City for the Nevada Day weekend.  Rotary Youth Exchange is a program in which local teenagers spend a year in a foreign country under the supervision of Rotarians.  In exchange, teenagers from around the world spend a year in the United States.  It is a life changing experience for each of these students.  Rotary clubs arrange for housing, education, and sponsor these lucky students.  Over Nevada Day weekend these international guests are invited to gather in Carson City under the supervision of the Rotary Club of Carson City.   The students visited Carson City and Virginia City. They joined local Rotarians in the Nevada Day parade. The Rotary District 5190 Governor, Stacy Graham, and District Governor Elect, Dennis Geare, joined the students this year. The teenagers made new friends and wonderful memories. As a result of the Rotary Youth Exchange program students learn leadership skills, become global citizens, and often learn a new language.    Learn more at www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges

Carson City Rotarians returned to the historic Sutro tunnel site to assist its revitalization.  Rotary Youth Exchange student, Reon, joined the Rotarians for a morning of fun and hard work.  Non-historic cabinetry and brick flooring were removed from the Carriage house.  A warehouse wall and passage way were also removed to prepare for further restoration.

   The Rotary Club of Carson City was honored with a visit from the District 5190 Governor, Stacy Graham, on August 22, 2023.  Stacy's home club is Auburn Gold Country Rotary.  She has served as Area 5 Governor, District Conference Chair, Visioning Facilitator, and Club President for three terms! 

    Her financial contributions to Rotary has earned her membership in the Paul Harris Society, the Polio Plus Society, the Bequest Society, and she is a Rotary Major Donor.  Stacy received the Business Woman of the Year Award in Auburn, California in 2013-2014.

    During her visit she inducted new member, Corey Jenkins, into The Rotary Club of Carson City.

    Stacy's message to The Rotary Club of Carson City was that of advocating for mental health.  She advised members to ask people "how are you REALLY doing" rather than the more common greeting of  "how are you doing".  This small change communicates an interest to help those who need emotional assistance.  

 

Erik Brooks of the Brewery Arts Center was the featured speaker at the noon Rotary meeting on August first.  Mr. Brooks explained that the inaugural Carson City Murals & Music Festival will be held in Carson City on September 28, 29, & 30th.  Local, National, & International artists will create 19 murals on buildings in the downtown corridor. Multiple concerts will be held at the Brewery Arts Center and other locations near the murals.

Mr. Erik Brooks.

June 24, 2023 was a beautiful day for approximately 1200 friends and neighbors to join the Rotary Club of Carson City at their annual Brewfest.  The annual event started in 2015.  It was not held in 2020 due to Covid, or 2021 due to Covid restrictions. Once again, Curry street, between 2nd and 4th streets, was blocked off for the afternoon.  Instead of cars, the street was lined with 30 Brewers and four food trucks. Dancers enjoyed the music that filled McFadden plaza.  The band Wreckless Envy played from 3PM to 8PM. Adjacent restaurants and stores joined in the festivities.  Participants won great prizes from the Brewfest raffle. Don't miss the next Brewfest on June 22, 2024! 

 On Saturday June 10, the Rotary Club of Carson City fielded a team at a benefit golf event held at the Eagle Valley Golf Course.  Joining the Rotary Club were teams from other civic organizations including Elks, Moose, and Kiwanis clubs.  The outing was a fundraiser to support the Meals on Wheels program through the senior citizen center, and the Carson City Search & Rescue team from the Sheriff's office.  The club members had a great time in support of two essential community programs.

The Rotary Club of Carson City held its second annual picnic at Genoa park on May 27, 2023.  The weather was perfect.  The barbecue duties were professionally handled by Paul Esswein and Jim Gray.  The other members brought a smorgasbord of side dishes and desserts.  We were treated to a history presentation by a Docent of the Genoa Museum.  We also toured the Genoa Museum and Mormon Station. Adults, children, and pets had a great time.  The picnic was adeptly organized by Peter "Snowshoe" Thompson. 

 

 

The Sutro Tunnel is an engineering marvel that was initiated by Adolph Sutro.  His plan was to create a near horizontal tunnel to reach the vertical mine shafts of the Virginia City Comstock.  This tunnel would drain water from the shafts, and infuse clean air for the Miners.  Construction started in 1869 and reached the first mine shaft in 1878.  The tunnel and the surrounding structures are being preserved by The Friends of Sutro Tunnel, a non-profit organization.  On April 8, 2023, with much effort, members of The Rotary Club of Carson City volunteered to help restore some of the buildings to original condition.  Jackhammers, crowbars, knives, drills, hammers, and chisels were used to remove a non-original brick and concrete floor from the Carriage House.  Plaster board walls and insulation were also removed.  In addition, soiled carpet, insulation, cabinets, and drapes were removed from a large residence. Over 3.6 tons of material were removed from the structures !

  Each month during the school year, the Rotary Club of Carson City honors a teacher with a plaque and a check. The deserving teacher is selected by virtue of the value they bring to their school and to their students.  The difficult decision is made by the Principal of their school. This month we honored Fremont Elementary Teacher, Laura Gentine, who received her awards at the Rotary luncheon.  

  Also during the school year, a Student of the week is selected by their teachers.  The student is selected on the basis of academic achievement and extracurricular endeavors.  The student is also treated to lunch and receives a check from the Rotary club.  The honor this week went to Pioneer Academy student, Madelyn Peachay.