Attending recent Rotary meeting resulted in valuable history lesson

In recent months I have greatly enjoyed covering the regular weekly meetings of the Corbin Rotary Club. Not only do I get the chance to fill up on some great food at David’s Steakhouse, but I also have the opportunity to hear special guest speakers talk about a number of important subjects affecting our local communities.

Since the summer, I have heard a representative from the Kentucky Department of Transportation speak about current and future road work going on in the region. I have heard a representative from Grace Health speak about how the new medical facility located in the former Corbin K-Mart building is going to serve patients all over the tri-county. I have heard seniors from Corbin and Lynn Camp high schools talk about how they plan to put Rotary scholarship money to work in their college careers.

Each speaker that visits the Rotary Club has something unique and worthwhile to share, but last week’s meeting was definitely the most interesting that I have ever personally attended.

As many of you probably know by now, I love looking at local history. I also love to hear people who experienced it firsthand recount what it was like, which is why I was so glad that I could be present at last week’s Rotary Club meeting featuring special guests Sarah Ashley and Nell Winchester.

Mrs. Ashley and Mrs. Winchester both had husbands who served as Corbin Rotary Club presidents in the past, with W. Carlisle Ashley serving from 1954-1955 and Jerry Winchester holding the position from 1977-1978. Many topics were touched upon during the course of the meeting, but generally speaking, it was a real treat for everyone in attendance to hear these two ladies reminisce about how things were in this area in the mid-fifties and late seventies, respectively.

Of course, much of the discussion pertained specifically to the history of the Corbin Rotary Club, with topics ranging from the contributions of various club members down through the years, to details of some of the club’s earlier special events, fundraisers, etc.

One special moment that I was especially glad to have witnessed and snapped a photo of was Mrs. Winchester presenting current Rotary Club President Chase Hail with an American flag that was given to her husband back in 1978. The flag was presented to Winchester by the district governor at that time to commemorate 50 years of Rotary being active in Corbin. I thought that was very cool, and again, I am glad that I got to be there for it.

Rotary does great work, and they contribute to the community in many positive ways. I would encourage anyone interested in learning more to look them up on Facebook, or consider attending a meeting sometime to see what it’s all about.

Here’s to many more great years of community service here, and around the world!