Blythewood Rotary
By Warner M. Montgomery Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

Photo by Warner Montgomery Rotary District 0777 Assistant Governor Julia Byrd (l) swears in the new officers of Blythewood Rotary Club (l-r) Jim Walker, treasurer; Kristin Jewell, president elect; Herb Humphries, secretary; Richard Clark, president; and Richard Tolson, past president.

The Blythewood Rotary Club initiated a new slate of officers June 28. The outgoing officers were Richard Tolson, president; Richard Clark, president elect; Kristin Jewell, secretary; Jim Walker, treasurer; and Richard Johnson, sergeant- at- arms.

In his Farewell Address, Richard Tolson said, "Participation is what makes Rotary good. Participation makes each member valuable to the club; and participation makes the club valuable to the community." He cited the many projects undertaken by the club during his administration:

+ Dictionary in School project

+ Ringing the Salvation Army bell

+ Building and dedicating the Bridge

+ Building a ramp for a disabled student

+ A fundraising golf tournament

+ Issuing two college scholarships

+ Adopting a Rotary Club in New Orleans

+ Giving to Harvest Food Bank

+ Giving to Trinity Church Food for Hungry

+ Giving to Rotary International programs

+ Sponsoring an ice hockey outing

+ Sponsoring an outing at Fairfield Electric

+ Enjoying breakfast at Blythewood High School

Tolson also praised the club for bringing in six new members and for five members becoming Paul Harris Fellows.

The new officers are Richard Clark, president; Kristin Jewell, president elect; Herb Humphries, secretary; Jim Walker, treasurer; and Richard Johnson, sergeant- at- arms.