At this week’s Rotary Club meeting at The Wallace Building, Lebanon Now was on site to share the stories of service and community that make Rotary such an important part of Lebanon.
The club celebrated their Rotarian of the Week, Gary Sosniecki. Gary has been a dedicated Rotarian for 22 years, faithfully serving his community. He still enjoys returning to his roots in Vandalia to attend Rotary meetings there. Gary says he’s inspired by the Rotary Four-Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Those simple questions continue to guide his actions and reflect the true heart of Rotary.
Following that, the entire group joined together to sing Happy Birthday to longtime Rotarian Bill Hash, a moment filled with laughter and appreciation for years of friendship and service.
Rotarian Jamie Johansen introduced the guest speaker, Annette Alden with Missouri Wines. Annette shared stories about the state’s long winemaking history and how it’s grown into a close knit industry built on passion and community. She talked about the people behind the wineries, families, farmers, and local entrepreneurs who pour their hearts into every bottle. Each vineyard tells its own story, and together they’ve created something that connects people from every corner of Missouri.
Missouri is home to 113 wineries, many of which have joined together to form 8 unique wine trails, each offering something special for visitors. Whether you’re exploring a new trail or simply looking for a favorite wine to enjoy at home, there’s something for everyone in Missouri’s growing wine community.
The Rotary Club continues to be a place where service, leadership, and community spirit come together. It’s where good people do good things for the right reasons. If you feel called to be part of something bigger than yourself, opportunities to join are always open. To learn more about becoming a Rotarian, contact Jase Glendenning, Melinda Fries, or any Rotarian.
At Lebanon Now, we believe stories like these deserve to be told. Sarah Hampton is our community features reporter. If you have a story worth sharing, email her at sarah@lebanonmonow.com.
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