Washburn named SGF Rotarian of the Year
SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » Immediate past president Brian Washburn was named South Glens Falls Rotary Club’s Rotarian of the Year at the group’s annual installation of officers and awards dinner.
Washburn led club activities while battling serious medical issues, bladder and prostate cancer, which forced him out of work.
However, he’s on the road to a full recovery as doctors recently gave him a clean bill of health.
“It’s been an unbelievable year this year,” Washburn told fellow club members. “Rotary gave me a place to go where I didn’t have to worry about it.”
This spring he was also honored for his many years of service as volunteer director of security for the annual South High Marathon Dance. This year’s event raised more than $830,000 for charitable causes.
Immediately prior to the dance, Moreau Town Justice Jeff McCabe presented Washburn with a handsome gold badge. It has the same design and quality, complete with an official blue State of New York seal, as badges worn by regular law enforcement officers.
Washburn has turned Rotary Club’s leadership over to new President Jack Hills whose slate of officers include President-elect Lana Ross-Hills, Secretary Jaime Thompson and Treasurer Joe Patricke, who was recognized for 17 years of perfect attendance. Their terms begin July 1.
The installation of officers was led by past district officer Nick George, who pointed out the importance of club members building on each other’s work.
Jack Hills outlined the many contributions Rotary makes both in the community and around the world. Locally, the club supports the Marathon Dance, provides $2,000 for high school scholarships, recognizes deserving middle school students, and funds the purchase of elementary school books.
Rotary also supports Big Brothers-Big Sisters, youth baseball and helps sponsor a Tuesday night summer concert-in-the-park series.
Internationally, the club supports projects such as Pure Water for the World and Bridges for Malawi.
The group’s 2018 Citizen of the Year is Beatrice Frost, wife of the late George Frost who passed away recently. He was a past Rotary district governor who devoted decades of dedicated service to the organization including 59
years of perfect attendance.
Beatrice Frost is a major contributor to the community as well. She is active in St. Michael’s Church and does a great deal of volunteer work for The Hyde Collection and Glens Falls Hospital where she’s on the medical alert team, serves on various committees, and is a 45-year member of the Hospital Guild.
Two club members, Ed LaFave and Laura Van Guilder, were recognized as new Paul Harris Fellows. This honor, named for Rotary founder Paul Harris, goes to individuals who contribute $1,000, or have had $1,000 contributions made in their name, to the Rotary Foundation, which supports Rotary International’s efforts.
Each year, the club also recognizes two outstanding South Glens Falls students.
This year’s honorees are high school student Erica Paton and middle school student Meghan Herlihy.
Paton, a 2018 graduate, is headed to the University of Vermont in the fall to study biology and pre-med. At South High, she was a Marathon Dance chairperson, was named to the French Honor Society and National Honor Society, played lacrosse and field hockey, and belonged to the Business Club. She also helps Moreau EMS as a volunteer student observer.
“You couldn’t have picked a better person,” said Raymond Ruby, assistant high school principal. “She is an amazing young lady.”
Assistant middle school Principal Kyle Lis described Herlihy as a “good role model who sets an example for other students without even trying.”
Her academic record is consistently in the mid- to high 90s, and she is considering a career in engineering.
Through Girl Scouts, Herlihy has raised money for a humanitarian project in Uganda.
“The high school is going to be very lucky to have you,” Lis said.
The club meets each Tuesday at Humbuggs Sports Bar in South Glens Falls, where the installation and awards dinner was held.