ROTARY CLUB OF ASHTON: HOW ABOUT A BANANA SPLIT?

Where does your club meet? 

I'll assume it does not meet in a restaurant that houses an old-fashioned soda counter?  The Rotary Club of Ashton has you beat then.  In the picture above, a friendly female soda jerk (now, that's not a term I would apply to a female.  Let's just call her a soda jerkess) offers a banana in a milkshake glass to owner and Rotarian Jeff Hamilton, owner of the Five 11 Main Restaurant.

A YOUNG PRESIDENT

Laine Eckersell and I met with the young and studious president, James Allen, who has accepted the responsibility of leadership for the last two years.  Eager to learn, he took notes as Laine and I conversed with him about providing direction to his club.

James explained that the club in this agricultural community touches the lives of many young women through its Junior Miss program for which it is known and honored in the community.  This small club also organizes food drives for the Ashton Food Pantry, participates in RYLA most years,  participates in the 4th of July breakfast, and purchases equipment and pays the fee for re-charterings of the Community Boy Scout Club.

THIS CLUB HAS CHALLENGES AND GREAT HEART!

Like many of our small clubs, this club faces challenges.  Growing the membership is one.  Encouraging new leaders to step forward is another.  However, like so many of our small clubs, their work enhances their community.  Rotarians have large hearts and want to make a difference, as does the Ashton Club.

Unfortunately, the picture above does not show clearly all Rotarians who met with us on August 11.  Looking to the left, we see fully or partially from front to back Bryan Miller, Corey Yeaman, Tom Athchley, Jim Harrell, Steve Trafton and President James Allen.

On the right from front to back we see Jeff Hamilton, Gary Grigg, Bob Case, Sr., Bob Case Jr., Kirt Eidam and Laine Eckersell.

SMALL TOWN WARMTH AND SERVICE!

If this waitress is any indication of the spirit of Ashton ... and we think she is... it is a warm community and the RC of Ashton exemplifies, "Service Above Self!"