After some 28 years of having its weekly Wednesday meetings at Fox Den Country Club, the Rotary Club of Farragut has a new home – the Farragut Community Center (FCC). As Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes, another one opens.”
And the town of Farragut, which owns the community center, has welcomed the club with open arms. Mayor Ron Williams, a Farragut Rotarian, says it’s a natural fit considering the club’s community service projects and impact on the community.
Yesterday’s meeting was our second of the new 2023-2024 Rotary year and second one in our new home and we had a full house. The club has 89 members and this is its 43rd year of supporting community organizations, non-profit clubs and other projects in our District 6780. The club also supports Rotary International’s initiative to eradicate polio worldwide through its End Polio Now program.
The club’s membership voted in June to open a new chapter by relocating. The decision took two months to make after a thorough search of available options to accommodate our weekly needs. Megan Belcher, Val Privett and Teri Jo Fox guided the process.
During our first meeting at the FCC, Privett took a moment to present Belcher the “Gavel Plaque” celebrating her great year of leading our club, especially during May and June that led to us relocating to the FCC. Megan was greeted with a standing ovation, which was richly earned.
“I’m really excited to start this new year with a great board that gives selflessly to our club,” Val said. “I’d like to give a special shout out to these Rotarians who are serving multiple years at their board positions – Sonya Ford (secretary), Steve Krempasky (treasurer), Bill Rice (Rotary Foundation chair), Cindy Kraus (Family of Rotary chair), Bill Nichols (Youth Service co-chair for 13 years) and PP Tom King (public image and newsletter editor for 15 years), who keeps winning award after award for our club.”
The community center is at 239 Jamestowne Blvd., next to Faith Lutheran Church. The meeting time remains the same each Wednesday – 12:15 p.m. If you have questions, call 865-659-3562.
Tom King is a career journalist and a past president of the Rotary Club of Farragut. If you want more information about Rotary or are interested in attending a meeting or joining, please email Tom.