Rotary Club: Finish Like a Pro

ORC members volunteered their time and talents to make the 2022 Christmas parade and memorial tree lighting a success. (Photo Credit: Barry Barr)

From left to right: Barry Barr, Orange Rotary Club PI and membership chair; Bill Hager, sponsor; and Annette Halls, owner of Lacy’s Florist and the newest club member. (Photo Credit: Barry Barr)

From left to right: Darlene Dawson, BRAVO Youth Orchestra; Joe Falin, OC Parks and Recreation; Tim Moubray, OC Parks and Recreation; Cassie McDonough, McDonough Cutting Horses; Rachelle Scott, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative; Dan Hornick, Orange County Public Schools; Demetia Hopkins-Greene, Orange School of Performing Arts; Cal Ewing, Orange Rotary Club president; Pat McAloon, Christmas parade chairman.

From left to right: Former Orange Rotary Club president Jamie McConnell; Anna Bielecki; David Acree, ORC treasurer; Cal Ewing, current ORC president. (Photo Credit: Barry Barr)

From left to right: Dorren Brown, executive director of the Orange County Free Clinic, and Barry Barr, program host. (Photo Credit: Barry Barr)

Have you ever heard the saying, “Finish like a pro”? Well, that’s how the Orange Rotary Club (ORC) wrapped up 2022.

First, on Dec. 3, ORC successfully directed both the annual Christmas parade and the annual tree lighting ceremony. Many thanks to Pat McAloon and Jamie McConnell, parade and tree lighting coordinators respectively. 

At the annual ORC Christmas party on Dec. 6, Rotarians celebrated their many successes in 2022, including the addition of 12 new members: Jessica Cifizzari, Judi Cooper, Annette Halls, Doug Harris, Dr. Dan Hornick, Tim Kahlenberg, Deanne Marshall, Pat McAloon, Ellen Pitera, Chip Queitzsch, John Rhett and Monica Xia. These spirited, fun and giving community leaders are already serving in wonderful ways in Orange County.

At the scheduled meeting on Dec. 16, the enthusiasm continued as ORC welcomed their newest member, Annette Halls, owner of Lacy’s Florist.

Next on the agenda was the presentation of certificates and cash prizes to this year’s Christmas parade award winners. The best in show award went to Orange School of Performing Arts, and the other first-place winners were as follows: first responders, Orange Volunteer Fire Company; wheeled, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative; walking/mounted, McDonough Cutting Horses; performance, Bravo Youth Orchestra. (For a full list of 2022 parade winners, visit www.orangerotaryvaorg.wixsite.com/orangevaxmasparade/christmases-past.)

Then, the club honored past president, secretary and treasurer Anna Bielecki, who served several terms in the past, sometimes in more than one position simultaneously. Since then, she has continued to advise and counsel new treasurers. Bielecki was presented a gift certificate to the Willow Grove Restaurant.

The meeting concluded with a presentation from guest speaker Dorren Brown, executive director of the Orange County Free Clinic, which serves low-income adult residents of Orange County who are uninsured and medically underserved. (For more information, visit www.orangecountyfreeclinic.org.)

ORC wishes a Happy New Year in 2023 to all District 7610 Rotarians!

- Barry Barr, Membership and PI Chair, Rotary Club of Orange

For more information about the Rotary Club of Orange, including membership and upcoming programs, visit www.orangerotaryva.org.

For additional coverage of the 2022 Orange Christmas parade and memorial tree lighting, visit www.theocbulletin.com/blog/dji2waktyrsnkeo7nmtizzxqocng26-cbr3p.