Hands-on Service: Fixing supper for families at Ronald McDonald House

Seven Rotarians fixed the evening meal on Oct. 24 for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House near CoxSouth Hospital. They spent about two hours preparing spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and cookies, and cleaning up.

The two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield provide a home-away-from-home, hope and comfort for families of seriously ill and injured children receiving medical treatment.

(L. to r.) Joe Piatchek, Carrie Brown, Carrie Henry, Matt Madura, Susan Herron, David Compere, and Michael Wehrenberg

Fellowship Lunches

Springfield Southeast Rotary Fellowship Lunches were held at five locations on Oct. 25. Each site provided lunch and a program associated with its business or mission.

These Rotarians provided hospitality and programs at their workplaces:
■Joe Daues - Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks
■Amy Blansit - Drew Lewis Foundation at The Fairbanks
■Jennifer Baker - Good Dads
■Marc Mayer - Guaranty Bank
■Margo Spilde - Victory Mission

There were 76 Rotarians attending these lunch meetings. The club schedules Fellow Lunches twice each year.

Click on a photo to expand it. (Photos by Dan Emrie)

Welcome new member Kristy Chastain

Carrie Henry introduced Kristy on Oct. 17. Her cosponsor is Jim Towery.

Kristy is a Senior Commercial Loan Officer for The Bank of Missouri, where she enjoys working with her clients and mentoring colleagues. In more than 18 years in this role with various banks in the community, her favorite part of her role is seeing clients grow their business and, more importantly, succeed.

Kristy is involved in the Springfield community through board work as the Secretary of the Board for Good Samaritan Boys Ranch. She also is a graduate of Leadership Springfield’s Class 27 and Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge of 2015. Kristy has also been recognized as one of Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2014 and 20 Most Influential Women in 2015.

In her spare time, Kristy enjoys nature, cooking, reading, wine, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with her husband, Brian, and son, Carter.

Welcome new member Sean Harrell

Michael Wehrenberg introduced Sean on Oct. 17. His cosponsor is Marilyn Lopez.

Sean is a Project Architect at Buxton Kubik Dodd, where his designs are as well-thought-out as his impressive array of hobbies (more on that in a moment).

Sean was born and raised in Springfield and is a proud Parkview Viking. After high school, he made his way to University of Missouri, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies and also spent time perfecting the fine art of launching heavy objects as a member of the track team, competing in the hammer throw. (He says this skill has come in handy more times than you'd think in architecture.) He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Architecture from University of Oklahoma, perhaps just to mix a little rivalry into his family’s Mizzou fandom.

When he's not busy designing the next architectural marvel, Sean spends his time working out, sculpting pottery, woodworking, leatherworking, and heading to the lake.

Sean is married to his high school sweetheart, Alex, who shares his Parkview and Mizzou roots. They have a 16-month-old daughter, Wren, and they keep busy with two dogs, a cat, and future DIY projects.

www.dacdb.com

Hands-on Service: Ozarks Counseling Center yard work

Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast conducted a Hands-on Service Project on Saturday, Oct. 12. Club volunteers and family members spent the morning doing yard work at the Ozarks Counseling Center.

The much needed work gave the center a visual overhaul and improved the already beautiful setting for visitors as they enter the building. The improved yard will also provide a jumping-off point for more landscape improvements in the spring.

It was a morning of hard work but the results and fellowship were well worth the effort! Participants were Andrea Bishop, Dan Emrie, Rex Johnson, Ray and Isabel Lampert, Joe and Tracy Piatchek and their children, and Mark Long.

Click on each photo to enlarge it. (Photos by Dan Emrie)