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Bret and Carrie Anderson recently had the opportunity to attend the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, along with fellow Rotary Club of Lexington members Chris and Kim Campbell. I’ll admit, before attending an international convention, it’s difficult to appreciate the scale of Rotary around the world. More than 37,000 Rotarians, Rotaractors, and guests attended this year’s convention—possibly the largest Rotary International Convention ever and certainly one of the best attended in recent history. For a few days, Taipei became the center of the Rotary universe. From the moment we arrived, Rotary volunteers were everywhere. Airport transfers, directions, registration, and logistics ...

The Rotary Club of Lexington held its 56th annual Past Presidents’ Dinner on Tuesday, June 2, at The Lexington Club. As tradition dictates, the immediate past president serves as host for the evening and invites past presidents of the Rotary Club of Lexington, along with past presidents from other Rotary clubs.  Bob Milward started the tradition when he was president in 1970-71. This year, Bret Anderson presided over the event, while past president Dave Blondell delivered the invocation. A highlight of the evening was the opportunity for past presidents to share advice and encouragement with incoming president Lyle Hanna. Twenty-four past presidents participated, each offering thoughtful suggestions ...

 STEPHAN JACKSON RECEIVES TOMMY BELL AWARD   Forty years after his passing in 1986, the Rotary Club of Lexington still honors the memory of one its most beloved and well-known members.       The 40th Annual Tommy Bell Award for Lexington’s Outstanding Student-Athlete was presented on May 14 to Jackson Stephan from Henry Clay High School.  The award is presented by the Rotary Club of Lexington in memory of Tommy Bell (father of current Rotarian Bruce Bell) who was a legendary NFL referee, Lexingtonian, and a past member of the Rotary Club of Lexington.  Although he is the sixteenth student-athlete from Henry Clay – the same high school where Tommy starred in ...

Rotary Club of Lexington Honored with 2025 Barbara Denson Memorial Volunteer Award At last week’s meeting, the Rotary Club of Lexington was recognized with the 2025 Barbara Denson Memorial Annual Volunteer Award, presented on behalf of Military Missions, Inc. The award, accepted by Veterans Dean Hammond and Chris Cambell on behalf of the Club, honors individuals or organizations whose volunteer efforts have made a meaningful impact in supporting deployed U.S. military service members. Named in memory of Barbara Denson, mother of Military Missions founder Beth Pennington, the award reflects a legacy of quiet, faithful service. Since the organization’s founding in 2004, Barbara ...

ROTARIANS AND THE HOPE CENTER BRING HOPE TO THE HOMELESS  Third Thursdays are traditionally the days when the Rotary Club of Lexington foregoes a formal meeting, and instead looks for ways to “Do Rotary, Differently”.  Last week was no exception.  Club Members supported the critical mission of The Hope Center by preparing ham and cheese sandwiches for the HopeMobile, which delivers meals and essential resources directly to individuals throughout the community. Rotarians were welcomed and guided by Chris Peck, fellow-Rotarians and Chief Advancement Officer of The Hope Center, whose leadership continues to strengthen the organization’s impact across Lexington. Rotarians expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and to gain a deeper understanding of the organization’s ...

Each year, Rotary Clubs and District Governors around the world present the Cliff Dochterman Award to individuals who exemplify outstanding service to both Rotary and Scouting. Recipients are selected for their meaningful contributions to Scouting and for demonstrating exceptional leadership. Our club has a long tradition of supporting Scouting. From the early days of owning the first Scout camp—Camp Offutt on the Kentucky River—to later helping develop Camp McKee, and even sponsoring a troop for disadvantaged youth, Rotary has proudly supported the Scouting movement. This year, we are honored to recognize Edwin Gibson for his dedication to Scouting and youth development. Edwin served as a ...

We are honored to welcome someone who has dedicated her life to protecting the most vulnerable among us. Many of you know the remarkable work of GreenHouse17, a nationally recognized organization serving survivors of intimate partner abuse across Central Kentucky. What you may not fully appreciate is the visionary leadership behind that work. Darlene Thomas has spent decades turning compassion into action.  Under her leadership, GreenHouse17 has grown from a local shelter into a model of holistic, survivor-centered care – integrating safety, advocacy, therapy, children’s services, and even a working farm that restores dignity and independence through meaningful work and healing. Darlene's ...

The Rotary Leadership Institute is a critical service to our members as we seek to insure that we will have the leadership we need to ensure Rotary’s future. On Saturday, thirty-three Rotarians from fifteen Rotary clubs in District 6740 braved the low temperatures and uncertain road conditions to complete the first Rotary Leadership Institute for 2026. The Institute was held at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Newtown Campus, which joined District 6740 leadership as event co-sponsors. Congratulations to the six Rotarians from our club who received graduation certificates at the end of the day in recognition of their completion of ...