By Nathan Vandrey Rotary Club of Greensburg 3437 Reporter
Rotary Christmas Gathering: A Night of Tradition, Service, and Recognition
The Rotary Club of Greensburg 3437, District 6580, held its annual Christmas party on Dec. 12 at the Bruner Event Center in St. Paul, IN, bringing together club members, families, and guests for an evening filled with warmth, tradition, and heartfelt celebration.The gathering, organized expertly by Rotarian Emily Steele and hosted by Greensburg President Mike Sefton, opened with lighthearted stories and laughter, setting a welcoming tone for the evening.
As is customary, the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to gather and reflecting on the deeper meaning of the Christmas season.
The prayer emphasized friendship, faith, and the importance of community, reminding everyone of the values that unite them.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the annual Paul Harris Fellowship Award, one of Rotary’s highest honors. Named after Rotary’s founder, the Paul Harris Fellowship recognizes individuals who exemplify the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self” and is reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to the community, promoting goodwill, fostering understanding, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Each year, Greensburg Rotarians and other Paul Harris Fellow members nominate someone from the local community for this honor, making the recognition especially meaningful as it comes from peers who witness the nominee’s impact firsthand.
This year, the Rotary Club of Greensburg presented this honor to Dennis Fogel from Westport, IN.“Dennis Fogel is known throughout the local area as an exceptional individual whose unwavering dedication to service and the community has touched countless lives in Decatur County,” said Lora Williams, Paul Harris Fellow Chair. “His contributions span numerous efforts and organizations, including the Greensburg Optimist Club, St Mary’s Parish, the Decatur County United Fund, Decatur County Memorial Hospital, Hospice of South-Central Indiana, Tree County Players, and the Tree City Fall Festival.
Dennis Fogel invests deeply in people, encourages others, builds relationships, and always looks for ways to make a positive difference—no matter how big or small the moment may seem.”The ceremony included the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow pin and a certificate, symbols of the recipient’s place among an esteemed group of community leaders and changemakers.
When Fogel accepted the award, he expressed genuine surprise and gratitude. “When Lora called me to tell me about this event and award, I did research on Paul Harris and the meaning of this award,” Fogle said.He shared how honored he felt to be recognized and reflected on his long-standing commitment to community service as well as his hope to continue serving for many years to come.
The ceremony also included a touching letter from past recipient Historian and long-time Greensburg Daily News Columnist Pat Smith, who recalled the pride and joy of being honored by the Rotary club and the lasting significance of the award. This message reinforced the deep sense of tradition and community that surrounds the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Past winners George and Barb Reiger also attended the celebration.Tree City Culinary Company (an associate of Tree City Brewery) provided a delicious spread, including tasty hors d’oeuvres, beef roast, pork loin, vegetables, and a bourbon bread pudding that was beyond fantastic.Entertainment was provided by Matthew Lamping, a local entertainer (and realtor) who is also a veteran of the popular television entertainment competition “The Voice.” Lamping entertained attendees with a mix of country and light rock favorites and was a huge hit amongst those in attendance.Beyond the award ceremony, the evening featured updates on ongoing community projects, most notably the proposed Inclusion Baseball Field.
This initiative, inspired by similar efforts in other cities, aims to create a space where children of all abilities can enjoy baseball.The project has garnered enthusiastic support, with Rotary members and local leaders collaborating to bring the vision to life.
This week, Rotary President Mike Sefton will be seeking permission from the Decatur County Commissioners to construct the inclusion baseball field at the Sports Complex on Greensburg’s west side.
The Rotary Club of Greensburg intends to be the lead fundraiser and organizer for the new diamond. Once the project is completed, the field will be turned over to the Decatur County Parks and Recreation Department.The event closed with reminders of the Rotary Four-Way Test:First, is it the truth?Second, is it fair to all concerned?Third, will it build goodwill and better friendships?And fourth, will it be beneficial to all concerned?Rotary International is a global network of more than 1.5 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who volunteer their time, skills, and resources to solve issues and address community needs.
The Rotary Club of Greensburg 3437 District 6580 meets on Mondays at 12 p.m. in The Branch Gathering Place and Coffee House in downtown Greensburg.-30-
