Rotary Club of Dunedin - Literacy Initiatives Update and New Members Induction, Helen Henwood and Matt Esker

New Member Induction Ceremony

Helen Henwood

Helen Henwood Joins Rotary as New Member

Helen introduced herself as a first-generation college student from Indiana who established a scholarship for science students. She discussed her career in information technology and her volunteer work with various organizations, including her church, the Humane Society, and St. Martin Village. Helen expressed her interest in joining Rotary to give back to the community and was welcomed as a new member. Helen was presented with her Rotary pin and membership certificate.

Matt Esker Joins Rotary as New Member

Matt Esker shared his personal journey from growing up in Palm Harbor in the 1980s to becoming a lawn care professional and eventually transitioning to natural pest control. He described his experience working in the lawn spraying industry and his realization that traditional turf grass maintenance is environmentally harmful and financially inefficient. After completing his education at UF with certificates in turf grass science, beekeeping, and pest control technology, Matt decided to start his own company focused on natural pest control methods.

Natural Pest Control and Bee Management

Matt discussed pest control methods, emphasizing the use of environmentally friendly products, such as petro-octoborate salt and boric acid, for long-term pest prevention. He stresses the importance of educating customers about natural pest control and the vital role various insects play in the ecosystem. Matt also shared his experience with bee removals, particularly for the city of St. Petersburg, and addressed the issue of Africanized bees in the Tampa Bay area. He expressed concern about the misinformation surrounding honeybees and the need to balance their preservation with the control of aggressive Africanized bees. Matt is working to educate the public and potentially change laws to manage bee populations better.

Kids' Bike Safety and Fun

Matt expressed his passion for creating opportunities for children in the community, particularly through biking initiatives. He proposed organizing a helmet awareness event to raise funds for helmets, as well as developing a bike park in Hammond Park to provide a safe and engaging activity for children. Matt also mentioned the success of similar projects nationwide and the potential for revenue generation. Matt was welcomed as a new member and was presented with his Rotary pin and membership certificate.

Pat Bauer

Program – Rotary Club of Dunedin  - Literacy Initiatives Update

The meeting focused on literacy initiatives, with Pat Bauer, Chair of the Literacy Committee, presenting a committee report on various activities. Pat discussed an upcoming event on September 16 at the Homeless Empowerment Program, where they will install a Little Free Library for children, funded by the Dunedin Rotary Club Foundation with a $5,000 grant. Pat highlighted ongoing projects, including book donations to public libraries, maintaining existing Little Free Libraries, and supporting the Guatemala Literacy Project, while also encouraging members to attend principal meetings for improved school engagement.

The conversation ended with a discussion about the importance of education and Rotary's objectives, including a personal story about a literacy project in Belize.

John Freeborn

Rotary Club Member John Freeborn: Journey and Impact

John Freeborn, an attorney specializing in wills, trusts, estates, and real estate, shared his journey with the club, noting his tenure as the first president to serve two terms, from 2001 to 2002, and briefly in 2000. He highlighted the emotional meeting on September 11, 2001, and his involvement with the Dunedin Rotary Club Foundation, which the Pinellas Community Foundation manages.

Rotary Club Member Tom Dugart: Journey and Impact

Tom Dugart, a former Air Force brat who has lived in 19 places, discussed his experiences in various communities, emphasizing the importance of intentional engagement in building friendships and connections. Tom reflected on his roles within the club and the contributions he made to the community.

Witches of Dunedin Donations

Linda Christle revealed during announcements that the group Witches of Dunedin has voted to donate their October proceeds to the Wendy Barnmore Gives Back Scholarship, potentially pushing the scholarship fund over its $20,000 self-sustaining goal.