The Cogwheel

• Cogwheel October 22, 2026
  Program: Green Cemeteries Cog Wheel 10.22.20262

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Last Week’s Program

• Brandy Boies, Laurel Ridge Community College
  Our program last week was presented by Brandy Boies, the Director of Communications and Outreach at Laurel Ridge Community College. Brandy shared the many opportunities available right down the road in Middletown where she has worked for more than 20 years. Brandy reminded us that Laurel Ridge is much more than a place to earn an associate’s degree. From skilled trades and healthcare to four-year college transfers, the college also offers corporate training, including customized programs through fellow Rotarian Jay Foreman, and free assistance for small businesses. Speaking from personal experience, Brandy shared that her daughter earned her bachelor’s degree from Old ...

News

• Commemorative Tree Planting
  The Community Foundation of NSV honored the 5 Rotarians who helped establish it 25 yrs ago. Rotarians shown are Byron Brill and Harry Smith. Not present were Bill Huehn, Bruce Downing and Larry VanHoose. Also pictured is Greg Druehl, a long-time financial advisor for CFNSV. The plaque reads: “May this tree stand as a lasting tribute to vision, service, and community investment, and may it continue to inspire future generations just as our founders and partners have inspired us.”

Weekly Health Report

• Health Report and Tip, October 29, 2026
  Health Report Libba reported that Jaime Karalis’ wife, Jill, suffered a seizure last week. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they wait for the doctor’s report. Health Tip Oct. 29th is World Stroke Day. One out of every 6 people will have a stroke at some point in their life. When a stroke happens, every second matters. Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.: B — Balance Loss E — Eye Changes F — Face Drooping A — Arm Weakness S — Speech Difficulty T — Time to Call 911.

Service Project

• September 2026 Service Project
  Spread Some Good: September Service Project at the Peace Garden Grab a shovel and help us put Rotary service into action! For our September Service Project, we are heading to the Winchester Rescue Mission to help build their brand-new Peace Garden—a welcoming outdoor space designed for reflection and rest for residents and guests. Thanks to the generosity of our club members who purchased the materials, the cobblestone is ready to go. Now, we just need a little muscle to help spread it. Project Details Date: Saturday, September 12 Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Location: Winchester Rescue Mission, 2655 Valley Avenue Volunteers Needed: 6 Rotarians What to Bring: ...

News

• Recyling Update
  Ridge White and John Lee picked up 115 pounds of recyclable plastic from Jo Pugh’s team  at Buettner Tire on Friday. Thanks to help from Pat Finn and Pat Kofalt and a growing  community participation including Signet Marketing Solutions and SU, Winchester Rotary now delivers about 150 pounds weekly to Trex and has recycled over 5,000 pounds in the  past three years!

Announcements

• November 12, 2026, at 1:30 pm: Winchester’s latest Rotary Peace Garden will be dedicated.
  The Winchester Rotary Club has dedicated Peace Gardens at the Rotary Pavilion in Jim Barnett Park in Nov. 2025 and at Winchester Day Preschool in April 2026.  The latest Rotary Peace Garden will be dedicated on November. 12, 2026 at 1:30 pm at the Winchester Rescue Mission’s new facility at 2655 Valley Avenue in Winchester. The Rotary Peace Garden consists of a Rotary Peace Pole which is an internationally recognized symbol of peace and a Trex Bench made from recycled plastic.  It will serve as a place for people to gather to unwind and discuss their differences in a peaceful, serene and non-threatening environment.  There are currently Rotary Peace Gardens at the Jim Barnett Park Rotary Pavilion and Winchester Day Preschool and we plan to put Peace Gardens at Daniel Morgan Middle School and Shenandoah University in the future. Winchester Rescue Mission achieves the Positive Peace goal of  providing people the opportunity to develop and attain their full potential. The Winchester Rescue Mission Rotary Peace Garden is an area where ...