Hi everyone!
We had two members present with birthdays last week, Tracey DeBruyn and Katharine Hensler and so we acknowledged them both. We'll do this going forward for those who B-Day falls on a meeting day.
Don't forget our Suggestion Box in back if you have any ideas for 2027 programs, service projects, etc.
Don't forget our Suggestion Box in back if you have any ideas for 2027 programs, service projects, etc.
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Signature Projects:
* Community CARES Chest had 5 agencies last week, and will be open again this Wednesday 8-10 AM and 1-3PM. Thanks to Rebecca Gould, George Ham, Mike Heylin and Felix Jimenez. We have cases of ginger ale and some great kids' books still.
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The meeting started with singing My Country 'Tis of Thee with Dr. Roger Reitz on piano, and reciting The 4-Way Test.
We had 3 guests of Katharine (Carly Farrens, Dawn Munger, and our speaker Melanie Highsmith), who are colleagues at the Historical Museum.
We had 3 guests of Katharine (Carly Farrens, Dawn Munger, and our speaker Melanie Highsmith), who are colleagues at the Historical Museum.
Our greeters Erin Dragotto and Tom Roberts. Erin first joined Rotary in 2014 in Dubuque, IA and MRC earlier this year. Her mom is Tracey DeBruyn and she and her husband Kevin have 1 daughter. They both work at MoAt+L, where she is Executive Director.
Tom has been a member of the Club since 1998 and is retired from the K-State College of Engineering, and remains active in Engineering Honoraries. He and his wife Karen have 2 sons and 1 grandson.
September's theme is Basic Education & Literacy, with our CUP Money going to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
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Vernon Turner's Mental Health Moment focused on school counsellors (sic) protecting their own health. The link to the article is: https://stigmafreementalhealth.com/blog/supporting-others-starts-with-supporting-yourself-practical-ways-to-protect-your-mental-health-for-school-counsellors/
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Katherine Hensler then introduced our speaker, Melanie Highsmith, Curator of Education and Design at Riley County Historical Museum. She captivated with some of the history of Harry Wareham, a prominent early Manhattan businessman and noted lifelong bachelor. We all recognize his family's name.
Melanie took the mic in hand to walk around as she showed her slides. She started talking about how Samuel and Sarah Edelblute came to Manhattan in 1870 from Pennsylvania, and Harry was born along the way. After starting a successful merchantile, Harry's ather died unexpectedly and his mother took over the business, with Harry and his brother helping out. Over the years he founded an outdoor skating rink, the City's first telephone and sewer systems, and an outdoor and iconic indoor Wareham Theatre, which is under renovation as Wareham Hall.
Melanie included a bit of gossip and period quotes from the local newspapers, most notably regarding the 'Bachelor's Ball' in 1896, and Harry's popularity in town. He was buried in family's mausoleum in Sunset Cemetery after passing away in 1939.
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In Melanie's honor, we presented the children's book 'The Street Where Santa Lives' to Lee Elementary School.
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Thanks to Erin, Tom and Bill Muir for greeting, Dr. Reitz for piano, and Melanie for a fun look at a local legend.
Ike Ehie & Shane Shively will greet this week, and our speaker will be Mack Teasley, author of the book "The Real Ike; Eisenhower Fact and Fiction".
In Melanie's honor, we presented the children's book 'The Street Where Santa Lives' to Lee Elementary School.
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Thanks to Erin, Tom and Bill Muir for greeting, Dr. Reitz for piano, and Melanie for a fun look at a local legend.
Ike Ehie & Shane Shively will greet this week, and our speaker will be Mack Teasley, author of the book "The Real Ike; Eisenhower Fact and Fiction".
Lunch RSVP: click https://manhattancc.surveysparrow.com/s/Rotary-Club/tt-deafc2 to register by Wednesday 9/23/2026. Lunch is served at 11:30AM for $12.
Attend via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387499653?pwd=eVdYZ29zdDhnQ0MrZWVXMklPNC9IQT09 - Meeting ID: 873 8749 9653 / Passcode: 280408
Attend via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387499653?pwd=eVdYZ29zdDhnQ0MrZWVXMklPNC9IQT09 - Meeting ID: 873 8749 9653 / Passcode: 280408
I'm really looking to hearing more about Harry Wareham, a local icon, and I want to encourage you to continue inviting guests to join us.
Shelley
Shelley Carver, President
(cell) 785-317-7606
shelleycarver0576@gmail.com
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Opportunities to Participate:
Opportunities to Participate:
* Rotary on Tap
Please join the Konza Club at their social on Tuesday, October 27th, 6-8 PM at Pour Decisions Tasting Room. The fee is $15, and please RSVP with Duane Dunn by 10/9.
* 2026 Feed My Starving Children
We will pack meals packs again this year this Friday 9/25 from 12-2 PM at Pottorf Hall. A lot will be done in 2 hours' time!
* 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's
Meadowlark's Walk is coming up on Saturday October 3rd. You can volunteer to help on ClubRunner.
* 2026-27 District 5710 Annual Conference
The District Annual Conference will be held in Manhattan October 23-24 at the DoubleTree Inn. Register at https://qrco.del/jointdc26 or use the QR code:
* Essence of India National Immunization
RI will be immunizing in Agra, India from 10/22 to 11/3/2026. Link details: https://worldpolioday.agratajmahalrotary.org/
* CAAHT (Community Action Again Human Trafficking) Club
Monthly meetings are at noon on first and third Tuesdays on Zoom. For info contact Sharon Sullivan or Patti Mellard: sharon.sullivan@washburn.edu / patti@keystaffing.com
Monthly meetings are at noon on first and third Tuesdays on Zoom. For info contact Sharon Sullivan or Patti Mellard: sharon.sullivan@washburn.edu / patti@keystaffing.com
Opportunities to Contribute:
* September Cup Money - Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Mail it to Manhattan Rotary Club, PO Box 331, Manhattan, KS 66505-0331, or the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, 555 Poyntz, Suite 269, Manhattan, KS 66502, with the memo saying, ‘Rotary Club Cup Money.’
You may also contribute Cup Money via Venmo with QR Code:
* Rotary Foundation - To make contributions:
1) Go on-line to www.rotary.org and click Donate and then Annual Fund. You sign in to pay.
2) Send a check to the Rotary Foundation at:
Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693 -or- Manhattan Rotary Club, PO Box 331, Manhattan KS 66505.
3) Write a check to Rotary Foundation and give it to Liz or Janet at a meeting.
1) Go on-line to www.rotary.org and click Donate and then Annual Fund. You sign in to pay.
2) Send a check to the Rotary Foundation at:
Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693 -or- Manhattan Rotary Club, PO Box 331, Manhattan KS 66505.
3) Write a check to Rotary Foundation and give it to Liz or Janet at a meeting.
Opportunities to Show Rotary Pride:
* Complete your Profile in My Rotary
* Complete your Profile in My Rotary
Fill in your biography in My Rotary to share your background, Rotary programs and professional expertise.
Go to https://my.rotary.org and click My Profile.
Go to https://my.rotary.org and click My Profile.
* Rotary Merch
You can find Rotary clothing, membership items and other gear at Russell Hampton online: http://bestclubsupplies.com
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