OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK

Julia Kogut – Rotary Interact Club

WHAT’S COMING UP. . . .

Apr 26th     – RUMMAGE SALE

May 8th – Theatre Night at Winchester Little Theatre. The evening includes dinner and the show, all for $25!!! Tickets are available now. Contact Marie DiLorenzo.

No Board Meeting on Thursday 

Just a quick note to let members know that at the Executive Committee meeting this evening, it was decided to cancel the Board meeting this Thursday. There were minimal action items and establishing a quorum was a question

QUEEN’S DINNER TICKET SPECIAL

May 1st at 5:00 PM at the Millwood Station Special Event Center.

Don Louque announced that our club is again subsidizing the cost of a ticket to this fantastic event this year. Buy one ticket at the regular price of $50 and you’ll get the second ticket for free! See Don with either cash or a check made out to the Rotary Club of Winchester.

FIRST PLACE AWARD FOR OUR CLUB

The Rotary Club of Winchester was awarded FIRST PLACE in the Public Image category at the District Conference. This was for the media coverage received for last year’s Healing Field of Honor.

NEW MEMBER INDUCTED

At our last meeting, our newest member, David Gillespie, was inducted. Please be sure to introduce yourself to David and welcome him to our club. John Fox and John Lamanna are mentors.

OUR PROGRAM LAST WEEK:

Tom Dixon and Judy Humbert spoke to us about Black history in the Winchester area. Tom Dixon is a graduate of Douglas School and Handley High School, where he taught and coached for 36 years. Judy Hum-bert is a graduate of Douglas School and was named Woman of the Year in 2023 by the Winchester Branch of the American Association of University Wom- en. Tom and Judy shared a wealth of information about numerous important African Americans with connections to our area.

Winchester’s first public school for Black children opened in 1878 with the establishment of the Winchester Colored School in the old stone church on East Piccadilly Street. In 1924 the Black community petitioned the school board for a new building, resulting in the construction of Douglas School, which opened in 1927. Douglas School was a regional high school serving Black students from Frederick, Warren and Shenandoah counties in addition to those living in the City of Winchester. Douglas’s final graduating class was in 1966, after which Winchester schools became fully integrated.

Among the people we learned about were Josiah Walls, who was born in Winchester and in 1871 became one of the first African Americans elected to Congress. The Brown family is notable for six of their eight children becoming doctors of medicine or pharmacy. One of them, Dr. Sara Brown, became the first woman to serve on Howard University Board of Trustees. Dr. Taylor Finley, taught science and industrial arts at Douglas School and later attended Howard University, where he earned his DDS degree. He was Winchester’s only Black dentist. Dr. Finley also operated Finley’s recreation center, which was a gathering place for local Blacks and hosted entertainers including James Brown, Lloyd Price and Fats Domino. Spottswood Poles was a standout in the Negro Leagues, with a lifetime batting average of over .400. His baseball career was interrupted by his service in the army during World War 1, where he served as a sergeant, earning multiple battle stars and a Pur- ple Heart.

There were many other interesting and influential people covered in the presentation, and you can learn about them in the brochure, “Winchester, VA African American Heritage, Self-Guided Driving Tour,” which was available at the meeting and can also be found at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center.

For further reading on the subject, Tom Dixon recommended “History of Douglass School,” by Judy Humbert and June Davis, and “African American Tales,” by Mike Robinson.

RUMMAGE SALE SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH !

I T ‘ S      ( F I N A L L Y )      R U M M A G E      T I M E !

Our Famous, Fabulous, Slightly-Fabled Rummage Sale is ON!

After two delays (thanks, life!), the stars have finally aligned, and the Rummage Sale is happening!

We hope you’ve been hoarding treasures in your closets, basements, and garages—now’s the time to bring them AND your helping hands.

This year’s sale is scaled down but still mighty—just 3 days of setup, 1 day of sale, and a whole lot of fun packed in. It’s less time, less work, but we still need everyone to pitch in.

Here’s the deal:

All we’re asking is one or two 3-hour shifts. That’s it! Whether you’re a box-hauling hero or a chair-based sorter, we’ve got a job with your name on it. Set up is April 23rd- 25th.

This isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s one of the most beloved bonding events we do. There’s laughter, teamwork, light cha- os, and yes, a little dust—but the memories? Priceless.

So rally your rummage spirit, sign up, and let’s make this a sale to remember.

Sign     up     here:     https://www.signupgenius.com/

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Or contact Jean Barch: barchfam@comcast.net | 540-247- 8402

Let’s do this — together!

ESSAY CONTEST

Please encourage middle school and high school students you may know to enter the Healing Field of Honor essay contest.

Submit: By mail to:                          Or email to:

John Lamanna                          lamannaj@outlook.com 215 Union View Lane

Winchester, VA 22603

PEACE POLE DEDICATION

On Wednesday, April 23rd, at 10:00 AM, a Peace Pole provided by our club will be dedicated at John Kerr Elementary School.

DISTRICT GRANT

Dave Sweeney announced that the District Grant Committee will be voting on a beneficiary in the next few weeks. If you would like to nominate an organization that has a capital need of

$8,000, please get in touch with Dave.

Make-ups* (Date & Function Attended) Jean Barch – 1/23 – District Club Awards Meeting Bob Hall – 1/17 – SOP Committee Meeting

HEALTH REPORT

This is a difficult time for the family of Dr. David Miles. His widow, Jayme, was hospitalized due to a stroke. There will be a Sign Up Genius for club members to volunteer to bring meals to Jayme’s home, as well as help around the farm.

Jay Russell, a member of our club since 1978, passed away on April 9th. Jay served as Winchester’s Commissioner of the Revenue for several years.

HEALTH TIP

Libba told us April is National Card and Letter Writing month. Think about how great you feel when you receive a handwritten card or letter from someone.  It’s a wonderful way to communicate. So, make someone feel wonderful today by sending them a card or letter.

NEW MEMBER DRIVE LET’S GROW TOGETHER!

As President John shared last week, we need eight new members to hit our goal for the year. The truth is, if we’re not growing, we’re not just standing still—we’re losing momentum. Fresh faces bring fresh ideas, energy, connections, and perspectives—everything that keeps our club vibrant, dynamic, and impactful. Here’s how you can help: It’s as easy as a Simple Ask—no hard sell required! Just say:

“Would you like to join me for lunch at my Rotary meeting this week? I think you’ll find it interesting — lunch is  on me!” (The club  will pick up the tab.) Think about potential members in your circle—colleagues, clergy, board members of other organizations, first responders, teachers, coaches. We have membership options to fit any schedule.

Your Challenge:

Bring a guest to a noon meeting in the next two weeks.

Let’s make this happen—together!