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It should come as no surprise that Ruth Ann Palumbo has joined the Rotary Club of Lexington as she has spent most of her life in service to others. A native of Lexington, she spent years doing volunteer work (receiving the Governors Volunteer Activist Award in 1989) before running for and winning a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives, where she served for thirty-four years. During her tenure, Ruth Ann served on numerous committees, chairing the House Economic Development Committee for twenty years, promoting Kentucky’s signature industries and securing funding for Kentucky’s colleges and universities. Ruth Ann is particularly proud [...]

The evening of November 12 was a special one for the Rotary Club of Lexington, as over 200 Rotarians, visiting Rotarians, Rotaract members, and guests gathered at The Mane on Main to hear from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Beshear, who proudly noted that he grew up in Lexington, is currently serving his second term as the Commonwealth’s 63rd Governor, having first been elected to that position in 2019. A Democrat, he previously served as Kentucky’s Attorney General and is the son of former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. As a Democrat with relatively high approval ratings in a state otherwise run by [...]

The leaves in Lexington are not the only things changing colors! Congratulations to the Rotary Yearlings who exchanged their red badges for blue ones last week. They completed their Special Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) suggested requirements. These requirements help build meaningful relationships and build leadership skills. They finished STAR with their service project partnering with Revive Ministries, enhancing their landscape, in Nicholasville, Kentucky. This was a great class and one that is sure to make an impact in our community and club. L to R: Susie Basham, Chair Yearling Committee, Jim Richardson, President, Cassi Kline, Cole Maier, Andie Bryan, [...]

The Rotary Club of Lexington’s Spring Yearling Class recently had the privilege of partnering with Revive Ministries in Nicholasville, Kentucky for a meaningful morning of service. Together with Heather Johnson, Director of Development at Revive, the group spent several hours cleaning and beautifying the grounds of the Revive Life House and the Common Ground Resource Center. It was a rewarding opportunity to support the incredible work Revive is doing in our community and to strengthen our commitment to Service Above Self. Revive Life House’s substance use treatment program began operations in 2016. Since that time, it has served over 4,000 clients [...]

In spite of the UK basketball team’s takedown at the hands of Georgetown University, Lexington Rotarians nonetheless enjoyed an evening of fellowship, beer, and wings at Roosters last week. It was a small but enthusiastic group that included transferring Rotarian from Bowling Green, Duncan Hines. In the picture from left - Kevin Weaver, Kurt Adams, Susan Adams, Duncan Hines, Kaye Hughes, Bret Anderson, Chris Campbell, DG Linton - Gridley, and Michael Stutland. Thanks to the Social Committee for continuing to offer a variety of social options for our off-weeks.

The Rotary Club of Lexington continues its dynamic leadership rotation with Jim Richardson taking the helm as President for the second quarter of the 2025-26 Rotary year. A past president (2000-2001), Jim returns as part of this year’s leadership team known as the “Fab 4” alongside Jamie Schrader, Bill Wilson, and Dean Hammond – all past presidents committed to guiding the club forward. Following Jamie Schrader’s Q1 term, Jim brings his trademark energy and service driven spirit to the role. When asked about his goals Jim shared some wisdom from his grandfather: “Leave the camp in a better place than when [...]

ROTARY WOMEN TEAM WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR SOME TOOL TIME!  Several women Rotarians recently joined forces with female students from the University of Kentucky to help with a Kentucky Habitat for Humanity (HFH) building project.  This was part of a HFH building project as part of its “Women Build” initiative. The house under construction is located off Russell Cave Road. Rotary Participants were Mary Ellen Fifles, Kim Johnson, Judy Worth, and Susy Basham.  Work including lifting trusses, ripping plywood, and installing outside weatherboard. Why a “Women Build” initiative?  HFH notes on its webpage Women are more likely than men to [...]

We at the Wheel Horse are thrilled when the rest of the world tumbles onto the fact that Rotarians truly live the motto of “Service Above Self”.  Case in point:  our own Brigitte Blom, who on September 23 was named the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year by her alma mater, the Haile College of Business at Northern Kentucky University.  This annual award is given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the university and community through their time, talent, and treasure.  Sounds like a Rotarian! In presenting the award, it was noted that “Blom’s unwavering commitment to [...]

Ready, set… dink! Our brand-new fundraiser, Pickle ‘N Pints, hits Saturday, November 15 at PKL LEX, the city’s newest pickleball hotspot. Picture rally-after-rally energy, music, and a crowd that’s there to play hard and cheer harder. With at least six courts going at once, it’s wall-to-wall action and a full-on party vibe. We’re running two tournaments so everyone can swing at their level: Beginners at 4:00 PM, Advanced at 6:00 PM. Entry is $50 per person (doubles teams) and every participant gets a pint glass plus a beverage token—thanks to our friends at Country Boy Brewing. We’ll also crown a King [...]

While global initiatives such as Polio Plus understandably garner much attention, it is good to be reminded that Rotary’s reach extends to our own backyards. For several years our Club has been involved in a global grant to improve sanitation in Leslie County, Kentucky. The committee overseeing that project, composed of Jack McAllister, Sharon Reed, and Gerry van der Meer, is proud to provide an update on that project. In early August, Jack and Sharon, accompanied Dale Gray from the Rotary Foundation Office for the Cadre of Technical Advisors (CADRE), headed to the mountains and hollers of Leslie County, Kentucky, to [...]