The Rotary Club of New Port Richey held its 54th annual installation banquet on June 1 at the Spartan Manor. Outgoing president, Craig McCart, was recognized for his exemplary year of service with Rotary pin signifying Immediate Past President of the Board, and Douglas L. Benjamin, Jr. was sworn in as the new president of the club for 2013-14.

Officers also welcomed aboard are: Mike Beam, president-elect; Woody Tucker, vice president; Evie Parks, secretary; Bruce Mills, treasurer; and Tim McClain, sergeant at arms. Continuing to serve as operations coordinators are Paul Lembo, secretary and Thomas L. Kehoe, treasurer. Club bulletin editor is Bonnie Howard and Nanci Larson is the chair of the Rotary International Foundation.

Board members also sworn in that evening were Mike Schwab and Clint DeRonda for Community Service; Cindy Ewald and David Shelton for Club Service; Greg Smith and William Bunting for Vocational Service; Gerry Parish and Theo Koutos for International Service; and Doug Doran and Jeromy Harding for New Generations Service. Special awards presented to club members were: Rotarian of the Year – Doug Doran, Rotarian of the Year – Doug Doran,

Rookie of the Year – Tim McClain, Service Above Self – Evie Parks, Distinguished Service Award – William Bunting, Distinguished Service Award – Greg Smith, Distinguished Service Award – Marilynn deChant, Distinguished Service Award – Gail Armstrong, Distinguished Service Award – Laurie Foelich,

Distinguished Service Award – Jerry Brewster.

The newly named Paul Harris Fellows, a recognition of merit, are Cindy Ewald, Theodore Koutsos, and Mike Hroch. Gary Amundson received a second Paul Harris with sapphire and Buddy Korman also received a second Paul Harris with sapphire. Former club president, Scott McPherson, received his third Paul Harris with two sapphires.

Tia Magnus was acknowledged for her contributions to the Rotary International Foundation Permanent Fund as a new member of the Rotary International Bequest Society. The New Port Richey Rotary Club was established in 1959 and meets every Wednesday for lunch at noon at the Spartan Manor in New Port Richey. Rotary International is an organization of business and professional persons united world-wide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. ### Photos courtesy of New Port Richey Rotary Club Photo 1: Outgoing president of the New Port Richey Rotary Club, Craig McCart (left), receives his Immediate Past President pen from incoming president, Doug Benjamin (right). The event took place in early June at the Spartan Manor. Photo 2: Craig McCart (left) presents Doug Doran (right) with one of the club’s top awards, Rotarian of the Year, recognizing his dedicated service to the club and on the board of directors. Photo 3: Tim McClain (left) receives the Rookie of the Year award from outgoing president, Craig McCart (right), at the club’s annual installation banquet in June.