from Right: Bill Towhey, Michelle Frank - 1st place winner on the Trap Shoot, Wayne Pugh, 2012-2013 Rotary Club of Covington President, Bob Stafford 1st place winner on the Skeet Shoot

Our GRSP Student Paz came out to try his luck and brought his friend Casper who is also a GRSP Student.

Past RI President Luis Giay (left), RI President Sakuji Tanaka (center), and Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Wilfrid J. Wilkinson (right) placed wreaths in Hiroshima Memorial Park during the third Rotary Global Peace Forum 17 May. Giay served as chair and convener of the forum.

In a ceremony heavy with symbolism, RI President Sakuji Tanaka joined other Rotary and community leaders 17 May in laying a wreath in Hiroshima Memorial Park, dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb dropped on the city during World War II.

The subject of peace has been at the heart of Tanaka’s year as Rotary’s president. A member of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan, Tanaka selected Peace Through Service as RI’s theme for his year, and he organized three global peace forums to motivate Rotarians and others, particularly youth, to work for peace in their daily lives.

More than 2,700 people attended the forum, including Rotarians, community leaders, and students and alumni of Rotary’s Peace Centers program -- a peace studies initiative that provides future leaders with the skills needed to resolve conflicts and promote peace. The governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, Hidehiko Yuzaki, and the mayor of Hiroshima, Kazumi Matsui, also attended.

Left: Tony and his wife Lisa with the Backpack Bed they designed. Right: The bed has won four global product design awards. Photos courtesy of Tony Clark

During Australia’s colder months, emergency shelters often fill to capacity. Many homeless people searching for a warm bed are turned away, handed a piece of cardboard and a blanket for the night.

Tony Clark, an IT entrepreneur, 1992 Rotary Youth Exchange student, and the founder of the Melbourne-based nonprofit Swags for Homeless, offers an alternative.

In the past year, his organization has distributed more than 3,000 swags, or portable sleeping units, to charities and shelters throughout Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Backpack Beds, which Clark and his wife, Lisa, designed, are made of a lightweight fabric and have a built-in, 6-foot foam mattress and mosquito netting. But most important, they offer warmth with their waterproof, windproof design. The entire assembly weighs only 6.5 pounds and rolls into a backpack.

A Rotarian volunteer marks a door during National Immunization Days in the fishing village of Azuretti, Côte d’lvoire.

Rotarians in Côte d’lvoire took part in National Immunization Days (NIDs) beginning 26 April. They joined thousands of health workers and volunteers in mobilizing public support, ensuring the safe delivery of the oral polio vaccine, and administering the life-saving drops to more than 3 million children. The nation’s last case of polio occurred in July 2011. The NIDs also provided vitamin A supplements and de-worming tablets to children to expand public health benefits, which is another objective of the new polio endgame strategic plan.

Volunteers show a woman in Azuretti a polio and de-worming pamphlet, hoping she can lead them to others who should be immunized or given de-worming tablets.

The Covington Rotary Club recognized 30 students and more than 25 teachers at its 48th annual Top 10 Banquet and Awards ceremony Tuesday night at Alcovy High School.

The top 10 students from Alcovy, Newton and Eastside high schools were honored for their academic achievements by the Rotary Club and the Newton County School System.

Students also picked their favorite high school teachers, who were also recognized during the event.

The top 10 students for Alcovy High School included Sandra Aguilera; Briana Clark, valedictorian; Sandra Davis; Derrick Felix; D’Lexus Harvey; Jeffery Jones; Jansen Lindner, salutatorian; Avree Martinez; Lindsey McDonald; and Brandie Weathersby. Favorite teachers for AHS included Bill Gibbons, Amanda Briggs, Troy Davis, Kelly Musgrove, Jennifer Mason, Anita Anderson, Scott Rains, Marie Heard, Ryan Denison and Anna Herbert.

Eastside High School top 10 students included Cameron Boyd; Haley Brickell; Musashi Briem; Marshal Bryan, salutatorian; Joseph Ellwanger, valedictorian; Jazmin Ireland; Bryant Johnson; Leamon Jourdan; Julianna Laseter; and Mary Lathem. Favorite teachers named by the top 10 students at EHS included Lin Lindsay, Joel Singleton, Eric Adams, Tyler Smith, Michael Poor and Judy Smith.

Newton High School top 10 students included Alexia Ardon; Amber Broughton; Aaron Cole; Imari Daniels; Alexis Duffey; Martha Gourley; Alex Grady, valedictorian; Brittain Hunt, salutatorian; Chrishandra Perkins; and Daijeonna Walker. Favorite teachers at NHS included Paige Meakins, Everen Williams, Kandi Manning, Laurin Blanks, George Miles, Kia James, Aaron Robinson, Colleen Anman, Theresa Shields and Nick Jones.

Rotary club member Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton emceed the event and past Covington Rotary Club president Bob Stafford explained the history of the club and congratulated students.

NCSS Superintendent Gary Mathews explained the credentials for the students being named as top 10 students and club member Keith Adams spoke to students about the art of good communication and how it would help them succeed in their future.

“Learn how to listen and talk to others,” Adams said. “No matter how many times your career path changes, [there will always be] the constant need to effectively communicate with others.”

The ceremony ended with refreshments and photographs.

Covington News, May 7, 2013

More pictures

 The Sé de Lisboa church

Rotarians know that an RI Convention will be a sociable experience, but those planning to travel to Lisbon for the 2013 convention, 23-26 June, have even more reason to expect an amicable welcome: The travel website TripAdvisor has named Lisbon the friendliest city in Europe.

It ranked as the third most hospitable city in the world – after Cancun, Mexico, and Tokyo – in the site’s most recent Cities Survey, an annual poll of 75,000 users.

Portugal’s capital also led the rankings in the “best value for money” category – and last year, Lisbon made the USA Today list of “10 surprisingly cheap European cities.” It offers many low-cost or free attractions that also happen to be great ways to meet the friendly locals.

TheNo. 28 eléctrico, or tram, line takes you past historic sites such as the 11th-century Saint George’s Castle, through the hilly, winding streets of the medieval Alfama district, and to the famed Feira da Ladra flea market. Browsing is free at the market, open dawn to dusk on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Like most of the city’s churches, the Sé de Lisboa, a 12th-century Romanesque cathedral on the site of an older mosque in Alfama, does not charge admission. Entrance to many museums is free on Sundays.

• Learn more about convention speakers including Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.
• Register for the 2013 RI Convention.

The Rotarian -- May 2013    

Our program for April 30th meeting was about Manifold Greatness Exhibit

The Covington Rotary Club in partnership with the Interact clubs at Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools, Capes Properties, the Covington Police Department, General Mills, Newton READS and Walmart helped Santa Saturday with special toy deliveries to 444 local children.

This is the 66th year the Rotarians have done their part to make Christmas just a little bit happier for the children in their community.

RI President-elect Ron Burton will ask Rotarians to Engage Rotary, Change Lives in 2013-14.

He unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2013 International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, the annual training event for incoming district governors.

“If we really want to take Rotary service forward, then we must make sure that every single Rotarian has the same feeling about Rotary that each one of us here has today,” Burton said. “We need to make sure that every Rotarian has a meaningful role to play, that they’re all making a contribution, and that their contribution is valued.”

Burton said the July launch of The Rotary Foundation’s new grant model, Future Vision, makes it an exciting time to be a Rotarian. He said the new grant model, which has been used by about 100 pilot districts since 2010, represents a new era for the Foundation, and will help Rotarians get excited about Rotary’s ability to change lives.

A child is immunized in Chad.

District governors from Brazil blow a horn during the Grand March of the International Assembly, an annual training exercise for Rotary leaders.District governors from Brazil blow a horn during the Grand March of the International Assembly, an annual training exercise for Rotary leaders.

Pete Carter leads the Rotary Club of Covington to honor our veterans and specifically our World War II veterans for Veterans day.  Hugh Steele served in World War II along with two of his brothers.  Thank you to all of our veterans for their contribution to our country for Veterans Day.

Veterans honored on Covington the square

From every state represented by the 50 stars embedded in the American flag, current and retired members of the armed forces are honored for selflessly putting their lives at stake on the battlefield. In Newton County, residents came to the square Monday to honor and pay respect to the local veterans that fought for their county.

Dr. Doug Gilreath, senior pastor at Covington First United Methodist Church, opened the ceremony with prayer. Gilreath's father served in the military and Gilreath remembers traveling as a youth with his mother and siblings to Dobbins Air Force Base in their Volkswagen 43 years ago to welcome his father home from the Vietnam War.

"I remember that there was a rope there that we had to stand behind. I remember thinking to myself, when I see my dad there is no way this rope is going to hold me back...Sure enough that rope didn't hold us back...We held on to him like we had never held on to him before," says Gilreath.

"I am choosing today to remember my father's patriotism. I remember the pride that he passed on to all of his children and the respect he has for our country and our leaders."

The ceremony went on as Don Floyd, United States Coast Guard Veteran (1968-1979) recognized the Veterans of War World ll, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the global war on terror. Each veteran stood in memory of the hardships of combat, basic training and leaving behind loved ones, while a wreath was placed in honor and representation for those who lost their lives. Marion Banks, veteran captain (1966), closed in prayer.

At the head of the altar, the words "Do this in remembrance of me," symbolize how God gave his life for each person on this earth, much like those soldiers who fought unselfishly for this country.

Gilreath encouraged those present to pass on memories to others because they each have a story to share. He thanked them for their service, obedience and willingness to sacrifice their tomorrow for this country's.

"I choose to remember today, but I say to you take heart for this is a great country.

"My friends, there is power in remembering. Not remembering the small things...not struggling over the little things...I am talking about remembering something that it becomes real to us in this moment that we remember the experience...Our memories inspire us, and comfort us," Gilreath said.

As Gilreath's father told him, "A true soldier despises war, despises the conflict. The reason that we fought was because of the person beside us. We were willing to sacrifice our lives for them."

Covington News, November 12, 2012

The Rotary Club of Covington and the Interact Club of Eastside High School gave away over 1200 books during the festival.  Children and adults in our community were excited to have the opportunity to select many books from all genres.  The Rotary Club of Covington would like to thank the staff and coordinators of the Middle Ridge Fall Festival for a great time and a great opportunity to serve and support literacy in the community.

The Rotary Club of Covington takes part in the "Change The World" event.
 
Change The World, Impact The Community" Day: "We are better together."
Saturday, October 13, 2012. This event is about being a community. 



The purpose of Change The World is to collect for and bring awareness to local missions, a time to do community service projects and showcase to our community the services available in Newton County to better and enrich our lives. There are many opportunities available in Newton County to create healthy, well-rounded individuals so that we can be the strong, caring, loving people that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. The event was held on the grounds at Covington First UMC, 1113 Conyers Street, Covington, Ga. 30014. Change The World Event



the Interact Club came out and helped at the Rotary Booth as part of our New Generations

A special thanks to everyone who participated in the Literacy Festival of Newton County. The Rotary Club of Covington alongside the Interact Club of Eastside High School gave away nearly 1000 FREE books to families during the event. The R...

otary Club also collected nearly 100 stories and written entries on our "Never Ending Story" paper roll. The Interact Club of ESH worked hard to make an impact on the community and it worked! Great job and please come out to the "Covington Car Show on October 7th and the "Change The World" event on October 13th. The Rotary Club will continue to give-a-way free books as a part of the 2012 "1000-Pound" Book Give-A-Way. www.RotaryCovington.org

May 2013

Dear fellow Rotarians,

From the moment I was nominated as Rotary International president, I knew I would choose a theme that would focus on peace. This is why I planned three peace forums – to give Rotarians an opportunity to think about peace, to talk about peace, and to share their ideas on building peace together. The final Rotary Global Peace Forum takes place this month in Hiroshima, Japan.

We hear the word peace every day. But most of us spend little time thinking about what peace is. On its simplest level, we can define peace by what it is not. It is a state of no war, no violence, and no fear. It means that you are not in danger of hunger, or persecution, or the suffering of poverty.

But we can also define peace by what it is, and by what it can be. Peace can mean freedom of thought and of speech, freedom of opinion and of choice, and the ability for self-determination. It can mean security, confidence in the future – a life and home in a stable society. On a more abstract level, peace can mean a sense of happiness, of inner serenity, of calm.

However we use the word, however we understand peace, Rotary can help us to achieve it. Rotary helps us to meet the basic needs of others – to provide health care, sanitation, food, and education when and where they are most needed. It helps to meet the inner needs as well, for friendship, connection, and caring. And Rotary helps us to build peace in its most traditional sense, by reducing the causes of conflict. It builds bridges of friendship and tolerance among people and nations. It helps us to understand one another.

However we define peace, whatever peace means to us, we can bring it closer through service. Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal, and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find, and that we can achieve – every day, and in many simple ways.

And so I thank you for your commitment to Peace Through Service – and to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world.

 NEW GENERATIONS UPDATE




August 22, 2012


Rotarian Nicole Fleming meets new Interact Club applicants at Eastside High School. Eastside received over 70 applications for membership into the Interact Club for the 2012-2013 school year. This is a record high according to Interact advisor, Ginger Boyter. Nicole Fleming is the New Generations Chair for the Rotary Club of Covington, which comprises service related initiatives for youths 12-30 years of age.

Covington Public Safety Director Stacey Cotton received the 2012 E.G. Lassiter Rotarian of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Covington.

Outgoing Club President Brook Collins presented the award at their weekly meeting in Covington.

"Stacey exemplifies Rotary's belief in service above self," stated Collins.

Cotton's acts of service in 2012 include organizing the Newton County High School Football championship trophy and Covington's Top Ten Banquet honoring high school seniors. In addition, Stacey brought many interesting and informative programs to the club. For 2012, Stacey has taken on another important project, the Rotary Empty Stocking Fund.

In attendance were Stacey's wife, Lana, son Kyle, his father, Honorable Stacey W. Cotton (retired) and his mom, Suzanne. Also on hand for the presentation was current Rotary president Wayne Pugh.

Brown, the brother-in-law of local community leader Doug Bolton, spoke at the combined luncheon of the Covington Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, using his experience as former commander of the U.S. Army's Pacific forces to paint a picture of the world ahead.

President Barack Obama unveiled his new military strategy in January, which called for an increased emphasis in the region, while simultaneously reducing the overall size of the American military from 570,000 to 490,000 and reducing military's $525 billion budget.

"We have a war going on in the Middle East, and we just wrapped up another war over there, and we're talking about problems all over the world, (so) why is the U.S. going to focus on the Asia-Pacific region? I'll try to describe what I think the reasoning is," Brown said.

He said today's army is still focused on winning the War on Terror and combating al-Qaeda's growth, but he noted that there are terrorist forces in the Pacific and that the U.S. needs to be able to be a force in multiple parts of the world, though the new strategy will no longer include multiple ground wars.

Brown said the Asia-Pacific region covers 50 percent of the earth's surface and has 60 percent of the world's population in its 36 nations and the U.S. trade conducts a third of its overall trade in the region. For comparison, 20 percent of U.S. trade is conducted with the European Union.

In addition, Brown said the region has seven of the 10 largest military forces in the world, and the five of the U.S.'s seven peace treaties are with Pacific countries, including Australia, Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

And while China's growth and militaristic expansion is of great significance, when asked, Brown said he believed the U.S.'s next major military action could be against North Korea.

"It is a failing regime, you see it on the news, they're starving most of their people and it's very, very difficult to predict and understand the actions they're going to take," Brown said. "They have used provocations and attacks on South Korea to divert attention away from their failings."

While the U.S. has been able to convince South Korea to not retaliate, Brown that the strong U.S. ally has gotten to the point where it might "finally strike back." While the combined U.S. and South Korean forces would "mop them (North Korea) up", the civilian casualties could be large.

As for China, despite the fact the country spends a reported $95.6 billion on its military (though experts say that number could be more than $160 million), Brown said the country has huge social hurdles to overcome and can't yet deploy its military far outside of its borders. Of course, the country does continue to improve its military and has built strong connections in other countries by having its military build infrastructure free of charge.

Finally, Brown spoke of the need for the U.S. to focus more on developing the quality of its forces and its potential troops. He said 75 percent of people who walk into recruiting offices are not qualified to serve in the military, including 38 percent who are too obese or have another physical disability, 18 percent with illegal drug offenses, 10 percent who cant' meet the mental qualifications, 6 percent who have too many children (dozens in some cases) under the age of 18 and 5 percent with other criminal offenses.

"That doesn't make me very proud as an American and makes me fearful as a soldier and is something we need to address as a nation," Brown said.

He also called on the country to properly equip its troops, stop committing troops to wars without officially declaring war and stop piling up debt to pay for such wars, as has happened in the Middle East. If the county declares war and fully supports those efforts, the U.S. will continue to be successful in its military actions in the decades to come.

While the country remembers its veterans this weekend, retired Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III spent Tuesday focusing on what lies ahead for the U.S. Military, specifically a more increased focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

Brown, the brother-in-law of local community leader Doug Bolton, spoke at the combined luncheon of the Covington Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, using his experience as former commander of the U.S. Army's Pacific forces to paint a picture of the world ahead.

President Barack Obama unveiled his new military strategy in January, which called for an increased emphasis in the region, while simultaneously reducing the overall size of the American military from 570,000 to 490,000 and reducing military's $525 billion budget.

"We have a war going on in the Middle East, and we just wrapped up another war over there, and we're talking about problems all over the world, (so) why is the U.S. going to focus on the Asia-Pacific region? I'll try to describe what I think the reasoning is," Brown said.

He said today's army is still focused on winning the War on Terror and combating al-Qaeda's growth, but he noted that there are terrorist forces in the Pacific and that the U.S. needs to be able to be a force in multiple parts of the world, though the new strategy will no longer include multiple ground wars.

Brown said the Asia-Pacific region covers 50 percent of the earth's surface and has 60 percent of the world's population in its 36 nations and the U.S. trade conducts a third of its overall trade in the region. For comparison, 20 percent of U.S. trade is conducted with the European Union.

In addition, Brown said the region has seven of the 10 largest military forces in the world, and the five of the U.S.'s seven peace treaties are with Pacific countries, including Australia, Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

And while China's growth and militaristic expansion is of great significance, when asked, Brown said he believed the U.S.'s next major military action could be against North Korea.

"It is a failing regime, you see it on the news, they're starving most of their people and it's very, very difficult to predict and understand the actions they're going to take," Brown said. "They have used provocations and attacks on South Korea to divert attention away from their failings."

While the U.S. has been able to convince South Korea to not retaliate, Brown that the strong U.S. ally has gotten to the point where it might "finally strike back." While the combined U.S. and South Korean forces would "mop them (North Korea) up", the civilian casualties could be large.

As for China, despite the fact the country spends a reported $95.6 billion on its military (though experts say that number could be more than $160 million), Brown said the country has huge social hurdles to overcome and can't yet deploy its military far outside of its borders. Of course, the country does continue to improve its military and has built strong connections in other countries by having its military build infrastructure free of charge.

Finally, Brown spoke of the need for the U.S. to focus more on developing the quality of its forces and its potential troops. He said 75 percent of people who walk into recruiting offices are not qualified to serve in the military, including 38 percent who are too obese or have another physical disability, 18 percent with illegal drug offenses, 10 percent who cant' meet the mental qualifications, 6 percent who have too many children (dozens in some cases) under the age of 18 and 5 percent with other criminal offenses.

"That doesn't make me very proud as an American and makes me fearful as a soldier and is something we need to address as a nation," Brown said.

He also called on the country to properly equip its troops, stop committing troops to wars without officially declaring war and stop piling up debt to pay for such wars, as has happened in the Middle East. If the county declares war and fully supports those efforts, the U.S. will continue to be successful in its military actions in the decades to come.

For the 47th straight year, the Rotary Club of Covington honored the top 10 students from Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools

The students and their favorite teachers were given plaques Monday night at Alcovy High School.

"Tonight is about celebrating and honoring those students who have worked so hard over the past 4 years. The students have done the work, but there's also the mentors and teachers out there that have also supported them and we want to thank them as well," said Rotary President Brook Collins.

To be named to the top 10, students must have taken the college preparatory program and earned a minimum of 25 units, including four units of English, math and science, three and half units of social studies, two of foreign language, one of career technical/agricultural education or fine arts, one of physical education and at least five and a half of electives.

The students are also ranked by grade point average and must have spent at least four semesters in an accredited school in Georgia, according to Superintendent Gary Mathews.

"The students we recognize and celebrate tonight are simply put the best of the best. And I am certainty they have been inspired by a teacher along the way who gave them that extra push toward excellence, helped by a parent along the way who provided love, encouragement and a steady hand and supported by some principal who saw the potential in them as leaders and good and productive citizens," Mathews said.

"Even with all of the support from teachers, parents and administrators, each of our students tonight had to decide somewhere along the way that they wanted to excel. They worked hard. They worked smart. They now are reaping the rewards and will continue to do so in the near and distant future."

Mathews left the students with a quote from "A Course in Miracles" by Marianne Williamson.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Covington News
Posted:April 24, 2012 6:00 a.m.

Doug Bolton received a new heart Monday evening, a fitting gift for a man who recently survived a heart attack.

Bolton was named the volunteer of the year for 2011 and was given the Pat Patrick Big Heart Award at the Newton Fund's annual event, which also awarded nearly $18,000 in grants to five local nonprofits.

The Newton Fund works with community members, nonprofits and other partners to encourage philanthropy in Newton County and provides grants to local nonprofits that positively affect their community. The Newton Fund is a part of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
Bolton has been involved in laundry list of local nonprofits, including Newton County Community Partnership, Rotary Club of Covington, Habitat for Humanity and the Miracle League of Newton County. He is an elder at First Presbyterian Church and serves on the board of the law enforcement academy at Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

He also served as executive director of Hands on Newton for two years, where he led several large service projects, including building the Mary Beth Malcom Playground at the intersection of Stone Road and Ga. Highway 142, building, planting and harvesting community gardens, like the one at Turner Lake Complex, and cleaning up Graves Chapel Cemetery, an old slave cemetery near U.S. 278.

"So diligent, hard working, loving, caring, thoughtful, effective. All these words describe Doug Bolton, all wrapped up into a true gentleman with one of the biggest hearts in Newton County," wrote Tamara Richardson, fundraising consultant for the Miracle League of Newton County.

While Bolton said he was honored to receive the award, he said he preferred to remain in the background when he could.

Please visit our Rotary District 6910 Facebook page.

www.Facebook.com/RotaryDistrict6910