Pat Caruso Installed As President Of Newtown Rotary

The Rotary Club of Newtown recently held its annual Pass the Gavel celebration where the club’s members, spouses, and guests enjoyed an evening at Rock Ridge Country Club to celebrate the successes of the previous year and to install the new officers and directors of the club for the coming year. On hand to perform the installation ceremony was outgoing Rotary District Governor Julianne Reppenhagen, assisted by outgoing president Carrie Swan, who presented the ceremonial gavel to new president Pat Caruso.

Mr Caruso’s cabinet includes the following officers: Mike Toll, president elect; Tom McKirdy, vice president; Leslie Crannell, secretary; Joe Tarshis, treasurer; Pat Kelley, assistant treasurer; Mike Snyder, sergeant-at-arms; and Carrie Swan, past president. The directors are Alan Clavette, membership; Mary Griffin, club administration; Larry Gardner, public relations; Brian Amey, Rotary Foundation; and Christopher Hoeffel, Gary Steele, and Nick Borrello, directors at large.

Special recognition was given to a number of club members for outstanding service during the past year. Ms Swan recognized Brian Amey with the Distinguished Rotarian Award, and Mike Toll and Pat Caruso with the Service Above Self Award. Additionally, Gary Steele was recognized with a Certificate of Merit for his work in leading The Jim Osborne Memorial Golf Classic, which serves as Newtown Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser.

Being named a Paul Harris Fellow is considered by all Rotarians to be a high honor. Rotary District Governor-Elect Kanayo “Rupi” Rupwani was on hand to recognize Gary Steele, Mary Griffin, Joe Tarshis, Tony Salvatore, and Carrie Swan with the award. These Rotarians were recognized for the contributions that they have made to the community and because they live the ideals of Rotary, i.e., “Service Above Self.”

Residents Also Honored

During the celebration the club continued its annual custom of recognizing members of the Newtown community who are not Rotary members, but exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

Being inducted into The Paul Harris Fellowship is one of the highest honors bestowed by Rotary International. This year, Newtown Rotary inducted Jerry and Sheila Cole into the Paul Harris Fellowship. The induction was officiated by Rotarian Nelson “Skip” Roberts and Mr Rupwani.

Among their contributions to Newtown, the Coles have participated for years in the Ecumenical Work Camp Program for high school youth, of which Mr Cole is currently on the board of directors; and they have established an Adult Winter World Camp program that, since 2007, has visited Biloxi, Miss., to continue rebuilding homes and lives following Hurricane Katrina.

The Coles are the parents of twins, Matthew and Elizabeth.

The Rotary Club of Newtown meets every Monday evening at 6 pm at The Inn at Newtown. Anyone interested in learning more about the club should contact President Pat Caruso at 203-426-8870 or visit the club’s website at www.NewtownCTRotary.org.