Source: Lake Norman Rotary Club

Rotary District Gov. Allen Langley (left) on Wed. announced Ken Dresser as 2014-15 District Gov. (Rotary photo)

At the conclusion of the regular weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg on Wednesday, a distinguished visitor made a surprise announcement.

Rotary District Governor Allen Langley told the 100 or so members of the club that one of their own – Kenneth A. “Ken” Dresser – had been selected to serve as the District 7680 governor in 2014-2015.

Mr. Dresser, 61, who joined Rotary in 2003, was president of the North Mecklenburg club in 2008-2009. He also served the local and district administration as club secretary for three years, and as one of 12 assistant district governors during the past two years. Employed as an information system security professional for IBM, Mr. Dresser also served informally as district technology advisor and managed several district web sites.

As governor for Rotary’s District 7680, Mr. Dresser will lead the local and global philanthropic initiatives of about 3,000 Rotarians in 58 clubs throughout south-central North Carolina, including Charlotte.

Dresser grew up in Derita, lived elsewhere in his work with IBM, then moved back to Cornelius in 1998 with his wife, Barbara. He is the first-ever District 7680 governor selected from the Lake Norman Rotary Club, but next year’s district governor is also from the North Mecklenburg area: Chris Jones from the Lake Norman-Huntersville club.

Dresser invites all area residents interested in Rotary and its activities to attend the North Mecklenburg club’s annual pancake breakfast this Saturday, Feb. 11, from 8 a.m.-12 noon at Bethel Presbyterian Church. The event will include a talent show and silent auction. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each.

Rotary International announced at its assembly last week that it has exceeded its goal to raise $200 million for its End Polio Now campaign. And it did so more than five months before the official end of the challenge, which earned it another $50 Million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Also, The Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg plans its annual talent show and pancake breakfast to raise money for two nonprofits. Read below for details. Read the full story

The Rotary Club of Lake Norman-Huntersville is selling tickets for its annual Wine Spectacular charity event Oct. 1. The event is the largest of the Rotary’s fundraisers, and will benefit four local organizations: The Lake Norman Community Health Clinic, USO-North Carolina, The Hope House Foundation and the Rotary’s End Polio Now initiative.

The primary beneficiary of the funds raised this year will be the Lake Norman Community Health Clinic, that will receive funds raised through the silent auction. The clinic provides medical care to uninsured and underinsured individuals.

April Cook thanks the Rotary club for their support.

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Rotary heard from Executive Director for the Lake Norman Community Health Clinic April Cook, who outlined the work the clinic has been able to do for the community, thanks in large part to support from the Rotary and other donations. Read the full story

The plan for the Cornelius Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza.

After a year of fundraising, the Town of Cornelius and American Legion Post 86 on Saturday will celebrate the groundbreaking for the Cornelius Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza.

The groundbreaking is planned in conjunction with the town’s annual Memorial Day celebration, which begins at 11 a.m. at the monument site, on N.C. 115 behind Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. Read the full story

Rotary members present a check for $15K to town board members Monday night. (From left: Mayor Jeff Tarte, Commissioner Dave Gilroy, Rotarians Karla Combs, Denis Bilodeau and Natisha Rivera-Patrick, Commissioner Thurman Ross, Lynette Rinker and Jim Bensman. Absent: Commissioner Chuck Travis.

Three area rotary club presidents presented the Cornelius Town Board Monday night with a check for $15,000 to help fund the Veterans Memorial Monument planned for the land behind Town Hall. The gift, which Rotarians announced April 13, represents the highest sponsorship level for the monument and puts the town significantly closer to reaching its fundraising goal of $165,000.

And, because of the boost in funding, the town officially announced a groundbreaking ceremony to take place on site as part of this year’s Memorial Day celebration May 28 at 11 a.m.

Rotary leaders Denis Bilodeau, of Cornelius, Natisha Rivera-Patrick, of Davidson, and Karla Combs, of Huntersville, presented the check to the board at its regular meeting Monday night. The town now has raised 88 percent of the funds needed, Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant said.

The gift also puts the Rotary name on the project, which will now be called “The Veterans Memorial Monument at Rotary Plaza.”

Fundraising for the remaining 12 percent continues this weekend, with two events as follows:

POKER RUN
The charity ride originally scheduled for April 16 got rescheduled due to inclement weather, and kicks off this Saturday, May 7, at the future site of the monument, behind town hall on Hwy. 115.

Community members are invited to ride – by motorcycle or car – in this organized event where each rider draws a playing card at each of 5 stops. The event has a time limit, but the object is to draw the best hand, not the best time.

WANT TO RIDE?
Registration costs $20 per car or bike, including the drivers, and $10 for each additional passenger or extra hand of cards.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. on site and the ride begins at 9 a.m.

Download a flier for the event (PDF) here.

GUNS VS. HOSES SOFTBALL GAME
Cornelius Fire Fighters and Cornelius Police face off in a charity softball game Saturday, May 7 from noon to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Park.

INTERESTED?
To sponsor the event, contact Cale Ervin at 704-728-9587 or Sgt. George Brinzey at 704-892-1363.

All donations are appreciated, but are not necessary to attend the game. The teams encourage families to come out and bring the kids to watch a little friendly competition.

Seven-year-old Megan Crosbie, speaking with emcee Matt Zimmerman,donned a colorful costume for her dance to a song about joining the circus.

A Saturday morning breakfast, auction and variety show at Bethel Presbyterian Church helped the Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg raise funds for its local and international projects.

Seven acts entertained diners who feasted on heaps of pancakes they garnished with nuts, fruit and whipped cream. Read the full story