The Rotary Club of Topeka

The Rotary Club of Topeka We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Most weeks at Kay's Garden at the Topeka Zoo, check website for current meeting information and location (topekarotary.org)

2021-2022 Club Executives & Directors

President: Marie Pyko
President Elect: Steve Knoll
Vice President (Program Chair): Vince Frye
Secretary: Colleen Jamison
Treasurer: Debra Ricks
Sergeant-at-Arms: Bob Clawson
Past-President: Stan Martindell
Topeka Rotary Foundation President: Joan Wagnon
The Rotary International Foundation: Roger Aeschliman
Director: Allison Marker
Director: Karen Streeter
Dir

ector: Zach Ahrens
Director Community Service Chair: Jannett Wiens
Director- Social Justice: Glenda DuBoise
Director: Cody Fredrickson
Director: Colleen Jamison
Director- Youth Services: Lee Morris
District Grant Chair: Karen Streeter
Fellowship: Allison Marker
Community Service, Covered in Coats: Cody Fredrickson
Community Service RRR: Steve Knoll

The Eagle and all the Rotarians had their eyes open. I apologize for the four people (including President Scott) who ha...
06/18/2026

The Eagle and all the Rotarians had their eyes open. I apologize for the four people (including President Scott) who had only partial face views.The good news is it was such a good sized crowd.

Alert: Stephanie would like a new Group Photo for our Main Rotary Media Page so we will end a bit early tomorrow and qui...
06/17/2026

Alert: Stephanie would like a new Group Photo for our Main Rotary Media Page so we will end a bit early tomorrow and quickly walk to the new Mural area at the Zoo and I will take the photo!

President Scott led us in one verse of America to open the meeting and included a comment about Peace in this tense international time.

Valerie Nelson introduced out Speaker Grace Ellrich. Grace was a Chief's Cheerleader for four years and now is the Coach of the Washburn Dance Team and also works with her father Ken Schmanke who own's K1 Commercial Realty which also includes The Townsite Tower and the former Post Office Building.

in her presentation Grace gave us a glimpse of what it was like to be a Chief's Cheerleader and how the Cheerleaders are chosen including each one has to try out each year. She also had very interesting photographs of some of her experiences. She has TWO SUPERBOWL RINGS one of which you can see in one of her photographs.

Grace is a local young woman who graduated from Hayden and who began dancing at least by 4 years old and continues it today with her job at Washburn with the Dance Team! She left to attend College at Missouri State in Springfield but returned to work for the family business. When she was a Junior at Hayden she was selected to show a New Student around the school and his classes. This proved to be a most fortuitous assignment since they later were married.

She graciously answered many questions about the Chiefs and passed around the incredible large and diamond studded rings!!

Todd talked about the finished Murals at the Zoo that now show the Rotary Participation. He also mentioned you can see the two Washed Ashore Sculptures - The Sturgeon and Great White Shark just inside the Zoo.

Chelsey, who is excellent about bring guests, introduced her guest Jayson from The Denali Home Design Company.

Todd and David Jacobson were Greeters today.

Hey Todd! Thanks for sending this very happy photo of a get together at The Iron Rail after work Thursday!!
06/13/2026

Hey Todd! Thanks for sending this very happy photo of a get together at The Iron Rail after work Thursday!!

President Scott opened the Meeting with a quote from Winston Churchill and God Bless America. Both were enjoyed by the C...
06/10/2026

President Scott opened the Meeting with a quote from Winston Churchill and God Bless America. Both were enjoyed by the Club!

This was the goodbye meeting for our charming and very involved Exchange Student from Spain Claudia Pagan. She has been eager to attend Rotary meetings and has very much enjoyed being a student at Topeka High School. Lee and Susan have been her Rotary Sponsors along with David Beck and Lynette Beck. She has lived all year with the Woods family and they joined her at this meeting.

Claudia spoke fondly about her home country of Spain: Its four official languages, the architecture, the excellent unprocessed food and Flamenco Dancing among other topics.

Dick Knoll announced his mother is celebrating her 95th birthday. Roger will sing The National Anthem at the Monarchs for Polio Event.

Larry spoke about his son Michael who has a movie on Amazon Prime called Mississippi Scholar! He is a Topeka West Grad in '91 and Film School in NYC.

Lauren Fitzgerald a new member was introduced.

Some sad news to report, our dear Elaine Swartz has lost her husband Howard this week. It was wonderful he was able to attend the lovely Rotary Social Elaine planned last month. Our thoughts are with Elaine and Howard's family.

A very Big Thank You to Stephanie Gassen for the Text and Photos!!Today at Rotary, we had the privilege of recognizing C...
06/02/2026

A very Big Thank You to Stephanie Gassen for the Text and Photos!!

Today at Rotary, we had the privilege of recognizing Cody Fredrickson as he received his first Paul Harris Fellow award — a well-deserved honor celebrating his service and dedication to our community. Congratulations, Cody! 👏
We also enjoyed an inspiring presentation from the Washburn EcoBods, who shared the incredible work they are doing to protect and improve our environment. 🌎♻️
Their projects include:
• Collecting trash for the Washed Ashore initiative
• Partnering with local organizations to speak to area schools about environmental stewardship
• Creating and maintaining a native plant garden
• Removing invasive honeysuckle to help restore natural habitats
• Promoting recycling and sustainability efforts in our community
Thank you to the Washburn EcoBods for your passion, leadership, and commitment to making a difference right here in our community!

This was a program not to be missed! It was beautiful, fascinating, unusual and exciting!!Vice President Leanna opened t...
05/22/2026

This was a program not to be missed! It was beautiful, fascinating, unusual and exciting!!

Vice President Leanna opened the meeting with The Pledge of Allegiance and a Rotary Moment about Family.

Susan Garlinghouse introduced Erin Dragotto the Executive Director of the new Museum of Art and Light in Manhattan. This is the program I mentioned at the beginning. The Museum is a combination of Immersive Technology and Traditional Art. It is arranged to be very open with new movement in Digital Arts. It is clearly not white walls in many sections. It is both Digital and and Physical Art. In photographs were saw Renoir painting lit up and covering walls beside traditional works on paper by Picasso.

Ben Coates and his wife have been and Ben said after the first visit they became members and have returned several times.

Erin is well traveled and well educated in Museum Management and is a native of Manhattan a is clearly excited to head this outstanding Museum. It is also available for events and can seat 400 people. It is open from Wednesday through Sunday with slightly different hours on Sunday.

I think we should all make the trip to Manhattan to see this!

We sang Happy Birthday to a slightly embarrassed but very happy Todd Payne.

We welcomed Guests:

Sherri Vaughn
Kristin O'Shea
Ryun Graves

Thank You Lee Morris for all your work on The Epic Day of Service! Thank you to all the other volunteers who worked on t...
05/22/2026

Thank You Lee Morris for all your work on The Epic Day of Service! Thank you to all the other volunteers who worked on these projects -- Congratulations on a job well done.

These are photos from the Oxford House.

Thank you Joan Wagnon for Two Months of interesting and informative programs! This particular program was so necessary f...
05/21/2026

Thank you Joan Wagnon for Two Months of interesting and informative programs! This particular program was so necessary for me. I wanted the Chiefs to come but I could not understand the numbers and benefits involved and by the end of the meeting it was virtually clear. Good solid and historical background made a tremendous difference.

President Scott opened the meeting with a cheerful Birthday wish for dear Norma! She got quite a hand!!

A very impressive Chinese Delegation introduced by Bi Ling gave us information on a unique Washburn program that allows Washburn degrees for student from China. It was nice that Jerry Farley was able to participate.

Chuck Udall our District Governor was able to attend also.

Leigha Boling was introduced as a new member of the Club.

Guests were:

Anthony Blanco
Lauren Fitzgerald

Out lovely Spanish Exchange Student made a speech thanking the Club for experiences at Topeka High School and is headed home.

Richard and Christina At the Opening of Washed Ashore
05/20/2026

Richard and Christina At the Opening of Washed Ashore

The Wonderful Rubbish RoundupGang getting river of Kaw River River Trash!
05/20/2026

The Wonderful Rubbish RoundupGang getting river of Kaw River River Trash!

Address

225 SW 12th
Topeka, KS
66607

Opening Hours

10am - 11:15am

Telephone

(785) 232-7216

Website

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