The application can be downloaded here.

President Chuck Parkinson and new member Jennifer Lowry

Recently the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club inducted it’s newest Rotarian.  Jennifer Lowry was approved for membership on July 12, 2011 and is now a member in good standing. Jennifer is the General Manager of Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home.  Jennifer was sponsored by Dave Perry.  The Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club meets at 11:45am on Tuesdays at the Library Service Center.  Prospective members are always welcome.  Stop by for more information.

Club President Chuck Parkinson and Past Club President Jim Anton

On June 28, 2011 the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club held its annual installation banquet. It was a fun filled night of fellowship and also marked the transition of officers within the Club.  Recognized for her efforts during his term as President was Jim Anton  He was praised for his leadership of yet another successful year in Rotary.  The new board of directors was installed and a brief passing of the gavel ceremony to incoming President Chuck Parkinson was held.  Anton was again recognized for his efforts and was awarded the Presidential plaque by President Parkinson.  Also recognized that evening was Eric Graham who was awarded the Ed Pearson Memorial Award also known as the Rotarian of the Year.  The Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club is a philanthropic organization that serves the Duneland Community by making various donations and service projects.  Their efforts are supported by the four fundraisers done each year most notably the annual Fish Fry in April and the Chicken Barbeque in September.

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Jim Anton, Bernie Doyle, Kevin Miloshoff, and Chuck Parkinson

The Chesterton Porter Rotary Club awarded Kevin Miloshoff the William Carmichael Young Leadership Scholarship on Wednesday June 15, 2011 at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center in Chesterton.

Bill Carmichael was a County Councilman that championed county funding for social service programs and court programs assisting juveniles. He was also an active Rotary member, member and president of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the Duneland YMCA, and a charter member of the North Porter County Conservation Club.

Two rounds of questions pertaining to leadership and community involvement, displays of talent, and an essay reflecting “Service Above Self” were reviewed to determine the scholarship recipient.

It was a close competition and a brilliant display of talent in our Duneland School system. Chesterton Town Manager Bernie Doyle was the evening’s speaker on leadership values, detailing both historical and personal significance.

Judges for the evening (pictured above) were Rotary members David Hiestand, Chuck Parkinson, Heather Klein, Christine Newton and Dr. Daniel Keilman. Student participants selected included recent CHS graduates Dolores Gallagher, Bradley Levi, Kevin Miloshoff, Nichole Waha and Maria Zakhar.

Also pictured above are Jim Anton, Rotary Club President, Bernie Doyle, Kevin Miloshoff, and Chuck Parkinson, Rotary Club President-Elect.

Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

Bill Carmichael’s life and work indeed exemplified Service Above Self. This competition is intended to recognize and reward individuals of similar ideals and merit.

The Chesterton Porter Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at 11:45 am at the Library Service Center at 100 West Indian Avenue in Chesterton.

David Hiestand, Chuck Parkinson, Heather Klein, Bernie Doyle, Christine Newton, Dr. Dan Keilman, and Jim Anton

The Chesterton High School Interact Club was awarded the Rotary International Presidential Citation for the second year in a row. Pictured below are 2010-2011 Interact Club Co-Presidents Lauren Kenney and Maria Zakhar, along with Jim Anton, President of the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club.

The RI Presidential Citation is awarded to Interact Clubs who undertake one major project designed to serve the school or community, and who organize and host a successful fundraising event, among other responsibilities. This past academic year the CHS Interact Club organized and hosted a fund raiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a dance-a-thon fund raiser to benefit Simiyu House. The club members also spent time playing games and socializing with residents of The Waters of Duneland, as well as spent time volunteering with the Porter County Animal Shelter and serving the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club’s annual Fish Fry.

The aim of community and school service in Interact is to encourage and foster the application of the ideal of service by each Interact club member to his or her personal, community and school life. The Chesterton High School Interact Club is comprised of 50 members in grades 9-12.

Jane Delligati and Jim Anton

The Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club made a $1000 donation to the Duneland Area Relay for Life. Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society.

Loree Hanas, Taffy Arias, Chuck Parkinson

Recently the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club inducted it’s newest Rotarian.  Taffy Arias was approved for membership on May 17, 2011 and is now a member in good standing. Taffy is the Chief Nursing Officer for Porter Hospital.  Taffy was sponsored by Loree Hanas.  The Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club meets at 11:45am on Tuesdays at the Library Service Center.  Prospective members are always welcome.  Stop by for more information.

Ryan Gorman, Student of the Month

Congratulations to Chesterton High School Senior, Ryan Gorman, who was named the Student of the Month on May 3 by the Chesterton-Porter Rotary.  Ryan, who represented the Department of Academics, stated he “loves knowledge.”  Since his freshman year, he has been active in Quiz Bowl and the Academic Superbowl.  Additionally, he is the music director for the high school radio station, WDSO. He is a National Merit Scholar Finalist.  In the fall, he plans to study Chemical Engineering atthe University of Alabama where he was awarded a full scholarship.

The 2011 Rotary Fish Fry was held on April 29, 2011.  The event was a great success and we fed almost 700 people at the all-you-can-eat event.  The turnout was helped by one of the first truly beautiful days of Spring.

A thank you goes out to all the members and those in the community that made this event possible, especially Rotarian Eric Graham, Westchester Intermediate School , and the CHS Choir.

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Rana Torabi playing the violin

Congratulations to Chesterton High School Senior, Rana Torabi, who was named the Student of the Month on April 12 by the Chesterton-Porter Rotary. Rana, who represented the Department of Fine Arts/Music, has been active in orchestrasince the fifth grade. She plays the violin in the advanced orchestra and was gracious toplay a solo piece for the Rotary Club.  Additionally, she is active in the Interact Club, Student Council and the Speech and Debate Club.  She plans to study medicine in the fall at IUN on a scholarship and pursue a career inmedicine as a pediatrician.