The speaker at the April 24 Rotary Club of Kirksville meeting was Hannibal Regional Foundation Director of Development Carolyn Chrisman. Through her husband, Jason, and his role with the Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, Chrisman heard the result of a community health needs survey for Kirksville, which showed a need for more cancer care in the area. Of 600 responses, 90.3 percent listed cancer care. In 2020, Kirksville lost access to radiation therapy. The Inspire Hope Campaign has a long term goal of having radiation oncology return to the local area. In the meantime, funds are being provided to offset travel costs. In addition, patients receive Inspire Hope bags containing useful items. Pictured from left are President Melissa Stuart, Carolyn Chrisman and Dale Schenewerk, who introduced the speaker.
At the April 24 Rotary Club of Kirksville meeting, Club President Melissa Stuart presented a $200 check to ATSU-KCOM Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons “SAMOPS.” It is for their dog walk fundraiser for Retrieving Freedom, Inc.’s purchase of service dogs for veterans with disabilities. Pictured from left are SAMOPS Members Bryce Tarno, Bryce Dickerson and Megan Woods with President Stuart.
The speaker at the April 17 Rotary Club of Kirksville meeting was the youth exchange student it sponsors, Lynn Buchon from Heikendorf, Germany on the Baltic Sea. Buchon exhibited collages of photos of Germany and her family as well as of her host families here. In others she shows sites, activities and sports that she enjoys in both her hometown and in Kirksville.
Bill Lovegreen and Courtney Bonnell were awarded the local Rotary clubs Ray Klinginsmith Distinguished Service Award at the joint meeting of the Kirksville Rotary Club and the Thousand Hills Rotary Club on Wednesday, April 3.
The speaker at the March 27 Rotary Club of Kirksville meeting was Ivan Huhtala, senior construction manager working with the Morris Solar Farm project in the Kirksville area. Huhtala said construction of the 250 MW Morris Solar Project began in the Fall of 2023 and is projected to end in the Spring of 2025, when operations will begin. The project, which will connect to the Zachary 345 kV Substation, is located in Adair County south of Kirksville and east of State Highway 3. It was anticipated that the project will cover approximately 1,100 acres. The speaker is pictured with Rotarian Matt Eichor (right) who introduced him.