Dec. 18
From left are Rotarian Dr. Jim Rothermel; Brett Woods, Director of the Southwestern Community College Foundation; and Dr. Don Tomas, SCC President, speaker at the December 18 meeting.
Since taking on his role as President, Tomas said SCC has experienced unprecedented growth and added programs and areas of concentration focused on skills development and career placement in jobs with good paying starting salaries. Of special interest is the new state-of-the-art health sciences building that is expected to be completed by the spring of 2021. SCC is proud that nearly 90% of its graduates remain in Western North Carolina enabling it to help address the shortage and demand for healthcare professionals through its nineteen health sciences programs.
Jan. 8
From left are Fred Smith, Rotarian and speaker at Rotary Club of Highlands on Jan 8, and Jerry Moore, President of Rotary Club of Highlands
Fred Smith, member of Rotary Club of Highlands, was the featured speaker at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Highlands on January 8, 2019. Fred is a retired banker who worked with entrepreneurs investing in the assisted living industry. His talk focused on various issues facing this industry, especially the coming shortage of available beds due to the wave of aging baby boomers that will soon require these services.
Jan. 15
From left are Rotary member and Literacy Council President, Jane Jerry; John Rhymer, Rotary member; and Jerry Moore, Rotary Club President.
At the Rotary Club of Highlands meeting on Jan. 15, John Rhymer, Rotary Club member, introduced Jane Jerry, who is President of Board of the Literary Council of Highlands as well as being a member of Rotary Club of Highlands.
Jane’s talk was titled “Literary Council on the Move” which highlighted the upcoming move of the Literary Council from the Peggy Crosby Center to the old Post Office space in Highlands Plaza next to Bryson’s. This move was precipitated by 1) Need for more space (moving from 1700 sq/ ft to 5000 sq/ft), 2) Need for better visibility in the community, 3) Ability to design space for kids and adults, and 4) Control over security.
With this move the Literacy Council will be able to serve many more children and adults in our community.
On Jan. 15, the Rotary Club of Highlands sponsored the Highlands Community Supper. Pictured above are Rotary members Sherry Holt and Jim Oesterle serving a family during the meal.
Jan. 22
Rotary Club of Highlands member Mary Adair Trumbly and Rotary Club of Highlands-Mountaintop member and speaker Dr. John Baumrucker.
On Jan. 22, Dr. John Baumrucker gave a brief history of the Highland Bolivian Mission. The mission’s most recent project has been to provide wheelchairs to people in need around the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The mission has worked with partner organizations to deliver over 1,000 wheelchairs to the area. He shared that each wheelchair costs less than $100 and can make an unbelievable difference in the life of the recipient.
Feb. 1
From left are Rotary Club of Highlands-Mountaintop President Duncan Greenlee and new members Hillrie Quin, Kevin FitzPatrick, Kirk Dornbush, Lance Matzke, Mary Lou Bilbro, Jeanne Chambers, and Tug Helmer.
Rotary Club of Highlands-Mountaintop inducted seven new members. President Duncan Greenlee welcomes the group.
The club has its meetings every Monday night at the Episcopal Church at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Rotary is the largest service organization in the world with clubs in 232 countries doing good in the world. Highlands is fortunate to have two Rotary Clubs.