HAWLEY, PA — In a brief ceremony at Woodloch Springs,  Bonny Cousins and Sherry Grandinetti were sworn in as co-presidents of the Honesdale Rotary.

Several other people, including two community members, were given Paul Harris awards for service. 

The two-president concept was initiated last year by outgoing co-presidents Bob and Alycia Schwartz, so that one or the other could always preside over meetings.

Meetings are held one night per month and one lunch hour per month.  

Cousins and Grandinetti will continue the new tradition of sharing the post.

Past district governor Mary Ellen Bentler swore in the co-presidents, along with secretary Kay Reynolds and, in absentia, treasurer Dana Scott and sergeant-at-arms Les Curry. Bentler also presented the Schwartzes with their third Paul Harris awards each.

The Paul Harris Award is named after the founder of Rotary and acknowledges individuals for excellent service or those who contribute $1,000—or who have contributions made in their name—to the Rotary Foundation.

“We hope we did a good job of leading Honesdale Rotary during a tough time period,” said Bob Schwartz. “COVID definitely had an impact on our activities, but we still brought in seven new members and served the community as best we could.”     

Two advisers to the Honesdale High School Interact Club, a junior Rotary group, accepted Paul Harris awards for the club’s very successful Karaoke for Ukraine fundraiser, which netted more than $10,000 for Ukrainian refugees. The funds were given to Rotary International to disburse among its Ukrainian connections. Courtney Krajkovich and Stacey Diehl noted that a third advisor, honorary Rotarian Brian Fulp, who was unable to attend, had been particularly instrumental in the event’s success.  

A Paul Harris award was also given to Rotarian Michelle Gilder, who has spearheaded or volunteered numerous hours for many outreach programs for seniors and the needy, such as free lunches at Grace Episcopal Church and at the Cooperage Project.  

For more information about Honesdale Rotary, visit the club on Facebook. New members are welcome.