The Geneva Rotary Club will once again present the “Service Above Self Gala” this spring. The gala features the presentation of several honors for community service in Geneva as well as speakers, a live auction, and raffles. It will take place on April 5 at Ventosa Vineyards.
The theme of this year’s gala is The Magic of Rotary, and organizers tell us that guests will be entertained throughout the evening by emcee and professional magician Bill Gormont.
The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Geneva Rotary “Service Above Self Springstead Award” for outstanding community service. This year’s recipients are the Rev. James Adams and Sue Adams. The Geneva Rotary Club established the Community Service Award in 2010. Past recipients are Carl Fribolin, the Rev. James Gerling, Rosa Blue, David and Brenda Rickey, Mark, and Mary Gearan, Judge Walter Gage, Dr. Kenneth and Eva Steadman, Nozomi Williams, James DeVaney, John Hicks and Robert Schick.
After more than four decades of service to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, Jim Adams retired as rector and Sue Adams as church administrator last summer. One of their signature accomplishments was starting and expanding the St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy, where students can study, among other offerings, voice, cello, violin, piano, and dance. Sue also served as co-director of the music academy (with Jim) and head of Neighbors Night. The Adams have been involved in numerous community organizations and activities over the years, including opening their church to the community at a weekly Neighbors Night meal for kids and families. For many years, they have run the Lake Delaware Boys Camp in the Catskills in the summer and they continue to do so.
New this year will be the awarding of the “Community Organization of the Year” award to an organization doing great things in the community. The first recipient will be The Second Impact, founded by Genevan Ray Ciancaglini to promote concussion awareness.
Also honored will be recipients of the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award, which is awarded to both Rotarians and non-Rotarians. The Paul Harris Fellow award recognizes people who support the Rotary Foundation and community service. It is given by Rotary Clubs and is one of the organization’s highest honors.
Tickets for the Gala are $100 per person and can be ordered at genevarotaryclub.org. Sponsorships also are available.
The featured speaker for the Gala evening will be President Mark Gearan of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
For more on the event, you can listen to this interview Rotarian Jim Dickson had on FLX Morning with host Paul Szmal:
