HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Rotary Club recently bestowed two Paul Harris Fellow Awards during its induction ceremony, held in June at Tick Tock’s Restaurant. One award was presented to longtime member Diane Kean and the other to Kim Erickson, who was instrumental in the recent installation of a monument to female veterans on Court Street. Erickson noted that the monument was “the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and only the second in the entire U.S.”
She was also the main force behind the banners honoring veterans and hanging over many streets in Honesdale, as well as the Walk of Honor next to the Wayne County Courthouse. The Walk of Honor lists veterans’ names and where they are buried.
Honesdale Rotary also installed new leaders and welcomed new members.
“With every project we take on, we learn and we rally together,” said Dana Scott, who began her second term as Honesdale Rotary’s president.
Scott, who was pivotal in the launch of the club’s first Beer & Wine Fest at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in 2023, added she “loves helping to shape our journey as Rotarians.”
The induction ceremony was performed by past district governor Mary Ellen Bentler and also included the installation of vice president Kathi McKenna, treasurer Maureen Beilman, sergeant-at-arms Michelle Gilder and secretary Lynne Goodwin.
Two new members, Katie Waldrep and Brandon Garnett, were also welcomed to the club at the meeting. Garnett is also now a member of the Rotary’s board of directors at large, along with Bob Schwartz, Georgia Solotoff and James Hamill.
The Paul Harris Award, named after the founder of Rotary, recognizes individuals who contribute $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation; in the case of Honesdale Rotary, contributions can be made in the name of the award recipient.
Honesdale Rotary is part of Rotary International, which counts more than one million members worldwide. New members are welcome to join the service club, whose many projects include maintaining the Fred Miller Pavilion in Honesdale, roadside cleanups and fundraisers for the Victims Intervention Program and the Wayne County Food Pantry. It also awards scholarships to local high school students.
Scott, the second-term president, was gifted with a Rotary chair and signature glass. She said she was excited about the club’s second Beer & Wine Fest, slated for Sunday, October 13—and for her new term. “I can’t wait for new fundraising ideas!”