Press

ROTARIAN HUDDLESTON NOMINATED FOR WOMAN BUSINESS OWNER OF THE YEAR! Your Wheel Horse takes special delight in recognizing the achievements of our talented members. In that vein, join us in congratulating Amanda Huddleston for her nomination for Business Woman of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. Amanda is the president of People Plus, Inc., a second-generation, women-owned staffing and employment agency dedicated to connecting businesses with top talent. As noted in the announcement of the nomination: “With a passion for human resources and community engagement, she has played a pivotal role in growing the company while prioritizing [...]

Doing Rotary, Differently takes on many forms. On January 30, nineteen Rotarians and friends gathered at the International Book Project warehouse/offices to sort books. Lots of books! Huge boxes of books! Volunteers sorted through donated books to determine condition and to categorize as fiction or non-fiction, US-only interest and/or Spanish language. At the outset, we were privileged to experience a short history of this important organization. Since 1966, IBP has shipped over seven million books to 167 different countries, all because of the vision of one woman, Harriet Van Meter, and folks like us.

Trey McCallie has been selected to the 2025 Board of Directors for The Real Estate Business Institute (REBI). REBI is the largest affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®, with more than 50,000 members worldwide.REBI delivers these specialized designations, certifications, certificate programs, and an array of ongoing resources that address today’s evolving industry. Congratulations Trey!

2025-2026 OFFICERS Laurel Martin - President, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT Lyle Hanna - President-Elect, HANNA RESOURCE GROUP Jenny Schnurr - Treasurer, ACCOUNTS BY THE BOOK Susan Adams – Secretary – SUMMIT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC, RETIRED Bruce Daily – Sergeant-at-Arms, ALL STAR PURCHASING ASSOCIATION 2025-2026 DIRECTORS Chris Aldridge, WTVQ, RETIRED Alisha Chaffin, CHAFFIN LIFESTYLE Eric Brooks, HENRY CLAY ESTATE

SAY HELLO TO ROTARY CLUB OF LEXINGTON INTERN MADDIE EASTMAN! There is a new face around the Rotary office. Maddie Eastman, a junior at UK, will be working with Peggy and others on a volunteer basis, updating the website and social media accounts, along with doing some graphics. In Maddie’s own words: “I am from Charlotte, North Carolina. I am currently a junior at the UK, and I am majoring in Marketing with a minor in Communications. I am on the Women’s Soccer team here at the University. My goals in life are to help people in need and to travel [...]

Sometimes Doing Rotary, Differently requires breaking some metaphorical eggs! Under the leadership of Alisha Chaffin, community service chair,  our Club recently partnered with Sunrise Children’s Services (Kentucky) to support foster children by providing a hands-on cooking experience with the kids. Under the tutelage Bayou Bluegrass Catering a meal was prepared from scratch and then enjoyed by the children and Rotarians, along with great conversation. If you ever wonder if Rotary is making a difference, consider the following testimonial from our own Dylan Harper: Through The Rotary Club of Lexington, I had the privilege of cooking alongside and breaking bread with a [...]

ROTARIAN TURAY HONORED FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTS Each year the Kentucky Arts Council coordinates the presentation of the Governor's Awards in the Arts, which recognize individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The Kentucky Arts Council solicits nominations for these awards and coordinates the panel selection process, and the awards are presented by the Governor of Kentucky.  This year there were nine awards categories. This year our own Gregory Turay was honored with the Lifetime Achievement.  In connection with the award, it was noted that Gregory “has captivated audiences around the [...]

ROTARIAN THARPE RECEIVES MAJOR AWARD FROM ALMA MATER! New Rotarian Don Tharpe, a proud alumnus of Murray State University (MSU), recently received that institution’s highest award:  the Golden Horseshoe Award. Don received this award in recognition of his past, current and future support of MSU. This award is the highest award which can be given to an alumnus or alumnae for outstanding service and support to the University and has only been presented to seventy-seven alumni of the more than 80,000 alumni of the University in its 100-year history.  Don was named to MSU’s Board in 2017 and in 2022 became [...]

ROTARIAN GOODWINE ELECTED TO KENTUCKY STATE SUPREME COURT Rotarian Pamela Goodwine is no stranger to firsts — she was the first Black woman in Lexington to be district judge and, later, the first to be circuit judge. She then became the first Black woman to serve on the Kentucky Court of Appeals after being elected in 2018. Now, she’s made history again. Goodwine recently won election Tuesday to the Kentucky Supreme Court, where she will again be the first elected Black woman!  Regarding her victory, Judge Goodwine noted:  “Being elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court tonight gives me the honor of [...]