Rotary Club of Avon, Indiana

09/11/2026

Rotarian Cindy Simmons, also a candidate for County Council, sponsored a table at the Avon Youth Assistance Program's Trivia Night and invited other Rotarians, family & educators to join her. Her Table 11 team may have come up short on winning trivia, but they were declared champions on table decoration! You can never go wrong with Avon High School memorabilia! Such a fun evening raising funds for the life-altering work of AYAP!
Jayda Miller Sommers Steve Blacketer Rotary District 6560 Sandi Hurst Nathan D Francis DeAnne Clifton Anne Engelhardt Mary Lou Brayshaw Lofton

09/10/2026

Job fair...

Mark your calendars, Hendricks County! Looking for your next career move or know someone who is? WorkOne Plainfield is hosting a Job Fair featuring local employers hiring across manufacturing, warehouse and logistics, healthcare, government, corrections, and maintenance.

Don't miss this chance to meet directly with hiring managers, explore open positions, and make valuable connections. Click here for more information: https://www.workonecentral.org/

09/09/2026

NEW MEMBERS! Avon Rotarians recently welcomed Todd and Brenda Chestnut into membership and have found them already engaging in community service that has impact. First and foremost, the Chestnuts focus on the pride they have in their family: two daughters, four grandchildren and a beloved family dog Freyda. Of course, they treasure any time spent with their tribe, watching them grow and witnessing their goals being met.
Todd, retired from a 40 year career in Informational Technology, can be found polishing his golf game. However, Brenda continues to be employed as a dedicated first grade teacher at Cold Springs School, at least until next spring. Having worked in teaching since 1987, she is ready to consider what retirement will look like.
This couple loves adventure. In fact, they met in Michigan when their separate ski clubs participated in a snow skiing race. After they married, the adventure continued with both running marathons, half-marathons, and Todd completing three Ironman Triathlons. They also enjoy traveling the US and abroad experiencing even more adventures.
With their mix of interests in education, gardening, caring for the environment and serving their church, Todd and Brenda believe Rotary will offer additional opportunities to work in the community, make new friends and help where needed. They have already helped to plant pollinator plants and host at the recent YMCA’s Platinum Prom.
The Rotary Club of Avon appreciates members Tom Brady & Julia Brady for introducing this engaging couple to our club, and we look forward to getting to know and serve alongside them.
Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis DeAnne Clifton Jayda Miller Sommers Sandi Hurst Steve Blacketer

09/09/2026

FACING ADVERSITY WITH POSITIVITY. That is precisely what Ralph Hartnagel demonstrated to his family, to his school community and to the world. At a recent Rotary meeting, club member and former colleague of Ralph's, Pam Lyons shared a brief summary of who Ralph was as a teacher, coach and friend. He taught a variety of business classes at AHS, was a baseball coach, and was co-founder of the now successful DECA program. Having retired from teaching in 2019, Ralph was in the throes of an over 6 year battle with cancer. However, no one ever witnessed a "give up" attitude from him. His family including his wife, three sons and two grandchildren only saw love, determination and courage. This foundation of positivity inspired his son Michael to commit to his father, a life-long athlete, that he would run from border to border across the state of Indiana in honor of his dad's battle. Just two days before the launch of his run, Michael and his family lost their hero. However, that loss lit a fire in Michael, and he completed the run of 157 miles within 5 days of his father's passing. He did not do it alone, and he did not do it without obstacles. The heartfelt story of this endeavor is shared beautifully in a documentary titled "Stay Positive," Ralph Hartnagel's mantra. That video was viewed by a full room of Rotarians who have committed to helping DECA sponsors Troy Drosche and Adam Clark find a way to offer an annual scholarship in Ralph's name starting next spring.
Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis Steve Blacketer Sandi Hurst Jayda Miller Sommers DeAnne Clifton

09/01/2026

MAKING A NEIGHBORHOOD A "HOME" That was the foundation of the message from H & H Management owner Rodney Hoover. His HOA management company manages 45 neighborhoods in central Indiana, and he has lived in Hendricks County for 30 years. Having served for many years on a neighborhood HOA Board, Rodney had ideas about how to better serve the needs of individual neighborhoods. He emphasized that the feel of neighborhoods has changed with different lifestyles, cultures and homeowner expectations. However, he is committed to helping neighbors be neighbors through communication, respect and a welcoming attitude. Rodney pointed out that responsibility lies first with realtors and builders who should be committed to fully informing each home buyer exactly what the expectations/covenants of a neighborhood are. That way they can confidently determine whether the existing covenants allow them to have the lifestyle they want. He also stressed the importance of neighbor-to-neighbor communication, the use of a welcome committee to meet all new residents, keeping annual meetings organized and on-agenda, and saving all resident questions and concerns at the meeting once the agenda is completed. He urged any neighborhood HOA to annually make sure they are doing things that visibly improve and upgrade the common areas. That way residents understand the function of and need for the HOA.
Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis Anne Engelhardt Sandi Hurst Steve Blacketer Mandy Sharma DeAnne Clifton

08/20/2026

VETERAN SALUTE! In honor of the veterans who will be flying to
DC on the Indy Honor Flight, Sept. 19, Avon Rotarians wrote over 50 thank you cards. These, along with the 97 cards written by Avon High School Interact Club, were delivered to the Indy Honor Mail Call box today! Such a simple gesture to demonstrate respect and appreciation!
Anne Engelhardt Steve Blacketer Sandi Hurst Rotary District 6560 DeAnne Clifton Nathan D Francis Jayda Miller Sommers

08/11/2026

GIVING LIFE. As an organ donor, that is exactly what you are doing. At today’s Rotary meeting, we had a triple reminder of the impact of organ donation. First, the Avon HS Interact Club’s Director of Rotary Partnership Francis Moreno came to share the new school year service plans of the club. He finished his remarks describing the sudden loss of one of his fellow Interact leaders and friends in an auto accident. She left the gift of life as an organ donor, and Interact is dedicating this year of service to her. Then Rotarian Jayda Sommers explained that she invited today’s speaker as a direct result of both the teenage girl’s and a close friend of her family’s organ donations. Then we welcomed Corinne Osinski-Carey, who serves both the Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana as Community Outreach Coordinator & Registry Specialist. Corinne was driven to do this work by her own personal story of a mother who received organ donation, an uncle who passed away while awaiting an organ and a donor hero cousin who saved 5 lives. Located on Guion Rd., the offices of the IN Donor Network have increased employees from 100 to 400 due to the expansive need. Adjacent to the office building is a recovery center which is like a mini ICU where brain dead donors are respectfully cared for and organs retrieved. Corinne urged all to know that becoming a donor is a personal choice that should be declared officially but should also be discussed with loved ones. This is not a decision for life; one can always change their mind. Additionally, she urged everyone to give it consideration and never to rule yourself out because of health or age. She said to let the doctors make that decision. The facts are that one donor can save or improve up to 83 lives, and living donors can give lungs, livers, and other organs and tissues. Corinne repeatedly made it clear that a great deal of concentration and care goes into managing organ donation and all people involved. They have created a Donor Memorial at their Guion Rd. location that is interactive and peaceful. They have a variety of programs including a camp for children of donors or recipients, aftercare resources, grief support groups, donor family council membership and more. To learn about all of the services, go to the web site indianadonornetwork.org or contact Corinne at [email protected]

Jayda Miller Sommers Nathan D Francis Rotary District 6560 Anne Engelhardt Sandi Hurst Steve Blacketer DeAnne Clifton

08/06/2026

JOY IN SERVICE! Avon Rotarians always answer the call when the Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry needs help. There certainly is joy in knowing that the sorting, organizing, and unpacking of pantry items will help the families of students and staff of Avon schools have food on their tables and more. MLM staff is grateful for the help and always makes the task easy and quick to carry out. This vital service is life-changing...both for those served and those serving.
Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis Julia Brady Sandi Hurst

08/06/2026

NEW YEAR, NEW DG! With the start of the new Rotary year in July, we always look forward to a visit from the incoming District Governor. Rotary District 6560 DG Stephanie Moran brought the positivity and encouragement when she spoke to Avon Rotarians recently. Introduced by Asst. Governor Royce Carter from Rotary Club of Plainfield Indiana, Stephanie started off with a brief personal background about life on the farm in Madison County where she and her husband raise soybeans, corn, popcorn, kids and grandkids. Her professional background began after early homeschooling her children, and she spent over 20 years at Anderson University in Community and Strategic Partnership. She saw Rotary as a natural draw when AU suggested she engage in community connections. In Rotary she found "transformative friendships and mentoring" that benefited her career path and enhanced her service opportunities. In her retirement she is serving on the Community Engaged Alliance which focuses on sharing community knowledge among youth. As she leads the District, she wants to build the personal connections among Rotarians, between Rotarians and youth, and amid the many community organizations. Stephanie pointed out what is obvious to many... "We need to connect in real ways." She encouraged us to "Lean into asking, inviting people to learn what Rotary can give them that they need." Her main priorities are twofold: 1. reaching out to youth to provide relational equity that can lead to tools for positive mental health and 2. focusing more on health and wellness in general through building relationships that provide support and build confidence. DG Moran ended with the following: "I believe that the work Rotary does has value collectively and individually. Membership matters, and communities need us."
Rotary District 6560 Nathan D Francis Anne Engelhardt Sandi Hurst Ryan Henry DeAnne Clifton

08/04/2026

A great event for finding your career pathway!!!!

New School Year. New Possibilities!

A new school year is the perfect time to start thinking about what's next!

At Hendricks College Network, we believe every student and every adult exploring a new opportunity, deserves the chance to discover what's possible.

That's why we're excited to once again host the Future Pathways College & Career Fair, bringing together colleges, employers, apprenticeship programs, military representatives, workforce training providers, and community organizations—all in one place.

Whether you're just beginning to explore career interests, already planning for life after high school, or considering a new career path, this free event is an opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and discover possibilities you may have never considered.

We can't wait to help you take the next step toward your future!

👇 THE DETAILS:

Future Pathways College & Career Fair
📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
🕕 6:00-7:30 PM
📍 Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex

FREE Admission & Perfect for:
✔ Middle school students
✔ High school students
✔ Adults exploring a new career or additional training

🌐For more information, visit the link in our bio or the comments below!

Shoutout to our partners who help make this event possible: Hendricks County Community Foundation, Hendricks County 4-H Fair & Conference Complex Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership, and Niagara Bottling Plainfield for providing water for our exhibitors and volunteers!



Plainfield Community School Corporation Plainfield High School Plainfield Community Middle School Avon Community School Corporation Danville Community School Corporation Cascade High School Mill Creek Schools / Cascade College and Career Readiness North West Hendricks School Corp Brownsburg Community School Corporation Bethesda Christian School Area 31 Career Center