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Had the pleasure of spending Wednesday evening with the Rotary Club of Mechanicsville as new officers were sworn in and two members were recognized as Rotarians of the Year.
Rather than a single Rotarian of the Year, outgoing president Brenda Cowlbeck announced that the contributions of Harold Padgett and Everett Alexander merited both receiving the honor. Congratulations to both on this obviously much deserved acknowledgement.

As she prepares to wrap up her presidency, Cowlbeck reviewed a significant list of accomplishments, including:
- Partnering with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office to provide Thanksgiving baskets to senior citizens.
- Raising $38,000 for Hanover Safe Place.
- Starting the Rotary Foundation.
- Packaging more than 50,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now.
- Donating $1,000 to Relay for Life.
- Partnering with the Mechanicsville Ruritan Club in presenting the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade.

It was impressive to hear about so many worthwhile projects and the Rotary’s role. This is a shining example of giving back to the community — and we should thank our civic organizations for the difference they make.

For more on the Rotary, see Community, page 9.

Etc.

+ The countdown has begun — the 32nd Annual Hanover Tomato Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Pole Green Park. “The” event in Hanover County broke records last year, with 42,000 attending and the Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department — which started the festival in 1978 — receiving about $22,000 (before expenses) from sales of Hanover tomatoes. Don’t forget: July 10. See you there.