Rotarians gathered for fun, food, fellowship, and recognition and the 2026 Inaugural Club Annual Dinner at Parkway Distillery.
The Rotary Club of Saint Joseph held its Inaugural Annual Dinner on June 18, 2026 at Parkway Distillery.
Fun was had, pranks were played, and awards were presented. Around 45 total people were present for the celebration.
Mabel Symes even sang.
Food consisted of Chaun's Catering providing a spread of barbecued beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and cheesecakes.
Rotarians and guests each received a drink ticket worth a beverage from the bar, and could subsequently purchase additional drinks. Ryan Dowell had an especially smooth "bourbon", which ended up being a prank led by Matt exchanging Ryan's top end bourbon with iced tea. Ryan was compensated with additional drinks, so no harm, no foul.
Matt Porter did an excellent job serving as our Master of Ceremonies. The "fun committee", consisting of Chair Heather Weddle, as well as Amy Spaeth, Shelly Hulet, and Susan Campbell planned the evening. Heather Shearin and Mary Beth Revels chaired the awards committee.
Mabel Symes even sang.
Food consisted of Chaun's Catering providing a spread of barbecued beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and cheesecakes.
Rotarians and guests each received a drink ticket worth a beverage from the bar, and could subsequently purchase additional drinks. Ryan Dowell had an especially smooth "bourbon", which ended up being a prank led by Matt exchanging Ryan's top end bourbon with iced tea. Ryan was compensated with additional drinks, so no harm, no foul.
Matt Porter did an excellent job serving as our Master of Ceremonies. The "fun committee", consisting of Chair Heather Weddle, as well as Amy Spaeth, Shelly Hulet, and Susan Campbell planned the evening. Heather Shearin and Mary Beth Revels chaired the awards committee.
Congratulations to the following 2025-2026 award recipients:
Key Awards (presented to Rotarians who were "keys" in the success of the club over the past year):
Bill McCammon for leadership on the Life Unlimited district grant project (Heather Shearin accepted the award in Bill''s absense)
Shelly Hulet for leading the charge with bringing in 10 new members
Amy Spaeth (and Conrad) for shoes and grant project assistance
Tim Curry for helping with the merger and always there to help with projects and donations with a can-do attitude
Ron Auxier for serving as our club's President twice now, 20 years apart. The club where everyone knows your name. Successful merger. Great meetings. Tons of fun. Awesome projects. Unprecedented levels of donations.
Heather Weddle for chairing the fun committee for 3 years! Keeps the committee on track.
Business of the year:
SJC Marketing (Susan Campbell) for great marketing work professionally and for the club and district. Susan started the company 21 years ago and recently did some of her most impressive work with the Missouri Department of Conservation. SJC Marketing has supported the public image efforts of our club and district for many years and it is truly appreciated.
Community Leader Award (presented to a non-Rotarian for their work in the community):
Bill Couldry for his work at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and for building ramps for people with disabilities.
Co-Rotarians of the Year (first even co-Rotarian award- 1 former Eastsider and 1 former Downtowner were selected this year):
Erik McGuire and Don Gladhart for being the Past District Governors behind the scenes on many projects and to help make the club merger a success. Don and Erik are both honored to receive this recognition, but are even more proud to see the club raise the level of participation in public image, membership, service, philanthropy, and Rotary programs to such a high level.
The evening closed with a recap of the club's impressive Rotary Foundation giving during the 2025-2026 Rotary year. This year's totals saw in excess of $31,000 contributed to the Annual Fund by members of the club, and $4,692 towards PolioPlus. A total of over 65 of the club's 75 members have made contributions to the Rotary Foundation this Rotary year.
The all-time giving from the Club to The Rotary Foundation is $751,723. Great stuff.
Wife of Past District Governor Hod Symes, Mabel, concluded our festivities with the drawing of our Rotary Foundation Board raffle winner. Thank you to everyone in the club as well as our District Governor Jodi Sundaram for ensuring that all 200 of the available squares were sold. Much to Erik's surprise, Mabel drew Erik McGuire's name for the pot of $2,975. The other $2,975 is going to the Rotary Foundation along with our other year-end giving for matches on member giving and members who are billed by the club.
The dinner was a fun time, and we look forward to next year's event.
The evening closed with a recap of the club's impressive Rotary Foundation giving during the 2025-2026 Rotary year. This year's totals saw in excess of $31,000 contributed to the Annual Fund by members of the club, and $4,692 towards PolioPlus. A total of over 65 of the club's 75 members have made contributions to the Rotary Foundation this Rotary year.
The all-time giving from the Club to The Rotary Foundation is $751,723. Great stuff.
Wife of Past District Governor Hod Symes, Mabel, concluded our festivities with the drawing of our Rotary Foundation Board raffle winner. Thank you to everyone in the club as well as our District Governor Jodi Sundaram for ensuring that all 200 of the available squares were sold. Much to Erik's surprise, Mabel drew Erik McGuire's name for the pot of $2,975. The other $2,975 is going to the Rotary Foundation along with our other year-end giving for matches on member giving and members who are billed by the club.
The dinner was a fun time, and we look forward to next year's event.