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Jennifer Hukill hopes to bring a special guest to a future meeting - her father. He is 85 and a longtime Rotarian who formerly served as president of his hometown club in Marietta, Ohio. Jennifer is excited to be a member of Lexington Rotary after spending a lifetime watching her father exemplify our motto, “Service Above Self.” Speaking of family connections, Jennifer is a fourth-generation member of the Fenton Art Glass family. Founded in 1905 in Williamstown, West Virginia, Fenton became famous for its handmade colored art glass, innovative hues, and delicate hand-painted details. Although the company ceased producing traditional glassware ...

The Rotary Club of Lexington was well represented at last Saturday’s District 6740 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), held at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington. A total of 32 Rotarians from 16 clubs across the district attended to deepen their knowledge of Rotary, strengthen their leadership and club-management skills, learn how other clubs are addressing common challenges, and exchange ideas. Our club had 10 members enrolled in one of the three RLI levels and provided 10 of the event’s 14 facilitators and coordinators. Congratulations to Chris Campbell, Kim Campbell, Eileen O’Brien, and Shawn Lyons, who completed RLI Part III and ...

CELEBRATING OUR YEARLING OF THE YEAR  Dean Hammond presented Kristie Woodrum with the 2026 Yearling of the Year Award at our last meeting. Chosen for the honor by the fabled “Fab Four” presidents, Kristie distinguished herself among a truly outstanding class of new Rotarians who joined our club during the past year. She chaired her class service project and quickly became involved with several committees, truly embodying Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” Congratulations, Kristie!

Dancing with the Lexington Stars Co-Chairs Bret Anderson and Kim Johnson, along with Rotary Club of Lexington President Lyle Hanna, presented a $30,000 check to Ann-Phillips Mayfield of Baby Health, the 2026 featured beneficiary of the club’s biggest annual fundraiser.   Baby Health provides critical support to Lexington-area families by helping ensure that babies and their mothers have access to the care and resources they need. As this year’s featured beneficiary, Baby Health was an important part of a record-breaking Dancing with the Lexington Stars event.  The 2026 edition was truly a community effort, bringing together dancers, sponsors, volunteers, and Rotary members to raise funds for Baby Health and other ...

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 ...