The Real Ike: New Insights into Dwight D. Eisenhower
Mack Teasley is a Past District Governor from Abilene, who served for many years as the Deputy Director of the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library and Executive Director of the Eisenhower Foundation.
Mack’s book, The Real Ike, published by the University of Kansas Press, dispels a number of myths about Kansas’ favorite son. Mack will also provide us with important information about Ike which isn’t widely known.
We had a great time handing out bookshelves to the first graders at Benton and Lawrence Elementary Schools last week.
A special thank-you to Project Chairs Vern Klassen and John Mosley; to Bob Broeckelman for his additional help; to Jodi Barnwell for coordinating with the schools and providing workspace; to Star Lumber for supplying the materials; and to Roger Bowles for the stickers.
And, of course, a big thank-you to ALL who helped make this project a success!
PAXTON'S BLESSING BOX
Paxton’s Blessing Box (PBB) started from a simple idea that Maggie Ballard saw on social media back in August 2016. She shared the photo with her son, Paxton, then age six, and they both felt that their house would be the perfect place for a Blessing Box to fill with non-perishable food and hygiene products for those in need. Shortly afterwards they enlisted the skills of a handy friend who built the first Blessing Box. Maggie and Paxton placed it in their front yard and painted it bright crimson red, their favorite color. Next, they filled it with food and personal hygiene products, it’s been stocked by donations ever since. Since that first box in 2016, the number of Blessing Boxes have grown to 115+ scattered throughout the Wichita area, Kansas towns, and other states!
OUR CLUB'S INVOLVEMENT...
Our club sponsored the installation of a Paxton’s Blessing Box in front of Lawrence Elementary in 2021. The box provides food for families in need at the school—some of whom are also served through our Monthly & Holiday Grocery Projects—but is open to anyone in the community who may need assistance. It is stocked primarily with non-perishable items such as canned goods, dry goods, and packaged snacks.
Our Community Service committee would like to remind and encourage members to stock the Blessing Box whenever possible.
Rotary Flashback
As I look through old pictures from my years with the club, I thought it would be fun to share a few over the next couple of months.
LEFT OF SIGN: Former members - Dr. Craig Elliott, Shelli Kadel, Ken Shannon,
Don Rackley. RIGHT OF SIGN: Diane Walker and Roger Bowles.
Before the Kellogg flyover, our club placed a sign at Kellogg and Maize Rd. to raise awareness of our club for those entering west Wichita.
SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD
It’s time to nominate a fellow Rotarian for our club’s Service Above Self Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize a fellow Rotarian for the outstanding contributions they make to the community, our club, social, religious, educational, business ethics, and/or other worthwhile activities which make Wichita a better community.
Past recipients that are not eligible: Bob Goebel, Roger Bowles, Mike Ludlow, DeAnn Sullivan, Paul Blissett, Mark Hansen, Sharon West, Brian Goudie, Jamie Wise, John Mosley, Mark Chamberlin, Tony Morrow, Terry Gardner, Randy Bowles, Dave Abbott & Diana Fredelake.
If you would like to nominate a fellow Rotarian, send an e-mail to Diane with the following information:
The NAME of the Rotarian you would like to nominate
The REASON you feel they deserve this award
Our Selection Committee, consisting of past recipients, will review all submissions to select this year’s winner. The deadline to submit is: February 27th
CLUB INFORMATION
Last week's Bookshelf Deliveries:
Attendance: 32%
Membership: 79(59 RCWW + 20 Satellite)
Last year:
Attendance: 59%
Membership: 74 (58 RCWW + 16 Satellite)
HOLIDAY RAFFLE:Our raffle will resume today. If an Ace is drawn, the pot will be worth half of the meeting ticket sales. Proceeds from the raffle are used to fund our Monthly & Holiday Grocery project so thank you for supporting this effort!
The next STAR Class will be held on February 17, 11:30 am, and the topic will be "International Service".
The next Wine Dinner Committee meeting will be held on February 24 following our club meeting.
IF YOU READ THIS BULLETIN, let Diane know before our meeting tomorrow to be included in a drawing for a $5 QuikTrip gift card. Thanks for reading!
2026 HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
APPPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
Up to five (5) $1,000 Scholarships will be awarded to selected qualifying high school graduates using the
following criteria:
• Current graduating high school senior from one of the following west-side schools: Northwest, Bishop Carroll, Maize, Maize South, Maize Complete, Goddard or Eisenhower.
• Plan to attend a Kansas technical school or Kansas college/university.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• Submit all required materials as listed below.
• Must not be an immediate family member of a current member of the Rotary Club of West Wichita.
The application, including a list of required documents, is available on our club website. We encourage you to share this opportunity with any eligible candidates you know.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED
BY FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2026
Monthly Grocery Shoppers
We need one more shopper for February & April. Sign up at the meeting or email Diane if you can help!
We need one more shopper for February & April. Sign up at the meeting or email Diane if you can help!