Bainbridge Rotarians gathered at Dwalla’s on Tuesday evening, June 17, for dinner and presentation of awards for the concluding year.

Outgoing president Gerard Kwilecki gave a power point presentation recapping the rotary events of the year prior to announcing special awards.

This year there were two Rotarians of the Year chosen. Kwilecki said he simply could not choose between the two. They are Marjorie Mayfield and Natasha Wood. Mayfield was recognized for her work as chair of the highly successful Casino Night, among other events, while Wood was primarily responsible for helping form a new Interact club at Grace Academy, revitalizing the old Rotoract Club at Bainbridge State College, and her work with RYLA, the summer leadership camp for youth sponsored by Rotary International.

Barbara Cliffe-Miller was named Rookie Rotarian of the Year in recognition of all her Rotary involvement.

Kwilecki also announced that Cile Warr has been named a Will Watt Fellow in response to her family acting as a host family for the Georgia Rotary Student Program representative this year.

A new category this year honors those members who sponsor a new member during the year. Those honors went to Tommie Howell, who sponsored Roy Matthews; Joe Truhett who sponsored Blake Flowers and Emily Yent who introduced Morgan Keel to Bainbridge Rotary.

Kwilecki also gave special recognition to three “elders” of Rotary — those who have been Bainbridge Rotarians for the longest time. They are Mayo Livingston, who entered in 1951 for 63 years; Ramsey Simmons, a member since 1955, or 58 years, and George Herring, a member for 57 years.

Kwilecki was recognized and thanked for his presidential service this past year and presented with a gavel and plaque by John Dowdy and Bo Jones,

At the first meeting of July, Kwilecki will pass the gavel to a new president, Kim Walden, who moves up from a year of service as secretary. Continuing another year in their present offices are Gerard Kwilecki, vice president and Dick Youmans, treasurer. Threasa Hall will serve as new secretary.