A surprised and emotional Paul Harris Fellow. A top Rotarian honor bestowed to one of the community’s legendary citizens. A stirring message from a 25-year Rotarian and media partner, about the past, present and future of the club.
And lots of money already raised in the spirit of youths and senior citizens for Trigg County.
This was Monday morning’s 57th Annual “WJ Hopson” Cadiz Rotary Radio Auction Kickoff Breakfast at the Lake Barkley State Resort Park Convention Center — launching what should be a successful week at the Main Street Cadiz Baptist Annex.
Trying to throw the crowd off scent, Dr. Scott Sutherland — himself a 42-year Rotarian — opined a few minutes about the qualities of leadership exhibited by the country’s first president, George Washington, and how they embodied what a Paul Harris Fellow should be.
It worked. George Washington Radford, better known as “Big G” or “Coach G,” wept in his seat — and the crowd cheered — as Sutherland announced him as this year’s designee.
A Cerulean native and 1967 graduate of Trigg County High School, Radford was the first in his family to graduate from college — and from there has served simply through Trigg County Schools, Genesis Express and other innumerable ways.
A long, decorated military and legal career behind him, Colonel and former 56th Judicial District Judge Chappell Wilson smiled, as first-year Rotarian Angelia St. Clare announced him as the 2024 “Rotarian of the Year.”
Wilson, meanwhile, noted he took his uniform off for the final time in 1960, and he did two things: found his wife in a schoolteacher, Jane Ellen, and joined the Cadiz Rotary Club in 1966.
Beth Mann, herself a former auction chair, now president/CEO of the Edge Media Group, focused on this year’s theme “Decades of Impact,” also noting that the very first Cadiz Rotary Radio Auction was aired on WKDZ 1110 AM and raised $3,600.
In 2003, those efforts climbed north of $100,000 for the first time. Two decades later, those benchmarks have been tripled — and all for causes important, and impacting, for Trigg County.
The breakfast made at least $10,000 — when a laser-engraved bourbon barrel lid went for $1,000, a hand-carved wooden duck from Arnold Chlupsa went for $5,100, a bucket of money went for $900, a bottle of rare Purple Pinkie bourbon went for $2,400, and a country ham from Ben & Julie Cundiff went for $600.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park Manager, Rotary President and auction co-chair Ashley Joiner also doled out a pair of President’s Award winners: Meg Hicks and Kara Allen.
This year’s Foundation Sponsors: FNB Bank, Ben & Julie Cundiff, Cundiff Farms, Spencer & Angelia Gardner, Rick & Lori Harper, Terry & Carolyn Hamby, Beth A. Mann, Edge Media Group, John & Gayle Rufli, Seven Springs Farms, H.B. Quinn and Ann E. Williamson.
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