A recap of the December activities of the Manhattan Club.
We proudly recognized members celebrating twenty or more years of service: Chuck Rice (22 years), Russ Briggs (23 years), Steven Graham (41 years), Ron Wilson (35 years), Rich Wartell (35 years), and Tom Hawk (25 years). The CUP Money Big Check was presented to Daphne McNelly and Anne Smith of the Flint Hills Area Transit Agency. Karen Cole was honored with a Paul Harris Fellow +5 pin.
Our Club Assembly, held in late December, provided members with updates on the mental health task force, upcoming programs, district and global grant expenditures, service projects, the club’s financial status, and membership statistics. To date, nine service projects have engaged 65 member volunteers, with six new members joining service teams. A new member orientation was also held in early December.
District Grants supported the purchase of a new refrigerator for Common Table (right), stipends for the Guatemala Project, and efforts to clean up the Kaw River. Global Grants have funded initiatives to combat human trafficking and most recently supported a Rotary scholar studying in Cork, Ireland.
Dr. Linda Yarrow of the KSU Guatemala Service Learning Program, along with KSU student Loren Aurell, shared insights from the Guatemala summer experience. A check from district grant funds was presented to Dr. Yarrow in support of the 2026 summer program.One of December’s highlights was a performance by the Manhattan High School Pops Choir, directed by Chad Pape. The choir delighted members with selections from Hairspray during a club meeting.
