July was an exciting month for the Rotary Club of Kelso as we welcomed new members, heard from engaging speakers, enjoyed summer fellowship, and continued our commitment to service within our community. From learning about gardening and state finances to celebrating friendship and shared experiences, our club once again demonstrated the spirit of Rotary in action.
Kelso Rotary was pleased to welcome Jim Seeks, Transit Manager for RiverCities Transit, as our guest speaker this week.
Jim has served with the City of Longview for the past 10 years and is celebrating an impressive milestone in 2026: his 50th year in the public transportation industry. In addition to his professional work, Jim currently serves as President of the Longview Early Edition Rotary Club, giving him a unique perspective on both community transportation and Rotary service.
Members enjoyed hearing Jim share stories from his long and distinguished career, insights into the role RiverCities Transit plays in our region, and his passion for serving the community. His presentation highlighted the importance of accessible transportation and the impact it has on the lives of local residents. We thank Jim for taking the time to join us and share his experiences.
Adding a little extra excitement to the meeting was a special young guest. Baby Riot delighted members as he proudly demonstrated that he has officially mastered the army crawl. His determination and enthusiasm brought plenty of smiles and laughter as he made his way around the room.
It was another memorable Kelso Rotary meeting, combining information, fellowship, community service, and a touch of baby-powered entertainment.
One of the special tradition s in Rotary is the opportunity for members to share their personal stories through Classification Presentations. After settling into the club, new Rotarians are invited to talk about their backgrounds, careers, interests, and the experiences that led them to Rotary.
At this week's meeting, members enjoyed hearing from two of our newest Rotarians, John Jabusch and Brad Thurman. Their presentations gave us a chance to learn more about the people behind the name badges, including their professional journeys, personal passions, and the reasons they chose to become part of Rotary's worldwide network of service.
In addition to learning more about our newest members, the club celebrated several August wedding anniversaries, recognizing the lasting partnerships that are an important part of our Rotary family.
Adding a little friendly competition to the meeting, Sergeant-at-Arms David Futcher challenged members with a round of trivia. The questions sparked plenty of laughs and spirited guesses, proving once again that Rotary meetings are about more than service. They are also about building friendships and having fun together.
The afternoon was a wonderful reminder that one of Rotary's greatest strengths is the people who make up our club. Through shared stories, celebrations, and fellowship, we continue to strengthen the connections that make the Rotary Club of Kelso such a welcoming and vibrant organization.
Kelso Rotary had a great time connecting with our community tonight at National Night Out at Tam O’Shanter Park!
We enjoyed meeting so many wonderful families while handing out American flags, bracelets, and bubble gum. It was especially fun seeing all the smiles as the kids enjoyed the evening’s activities.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello and learn more about Kelso Rotary and the work we do in our community. Events like National Night Out are a great reminder of what makes our community so special—neighbors coming together, building relationships, and having fun!
We look forward to seeing you at our next community event!
Kelso Rotary is proud to welcome Larry Timmons as our 2026/2027 Club President.
Larry has been a dedicated member of Kelso Rotary since September 2011, bringing with him years of service, leadership, and a genuine commitment to our community. Alongside his wife Kim, Larry owns Renaud Electric, a local business rooted in hard work, reliability, and service — values that align beautifully with the mission of Rotary.
Rotary is truly a family affair for the Timmons family. Larry’s wife is also a valued member of Kelso Rotary, and their daughter, Ally, holds a special place in our club as an honorary member.
As Larry steps into the role of President, we look forward to the energy, experience, and heart he will bring to the year ahead. Please join us in congratulating Larry Timmons and welcoming him as the incoming President of Kelso Rotary!
Kelso Rotary was pleased to welcome Andrew Bellah, Vice President of Home Lending at Red Canoe Credit Union, as our featured speaker.
Andrew shared insights into Red Canoe’s mission of helping members achieve their financial goals, with a special focus on making homeownership more attainable throughout our communities. He spoke about the credit union’s commitment to providing personalized lending solutions and highlighted the many ways Red Canoe supports members through every stage of the home-buying journey.
A highlight of the presentation was an overview of Red Canoe’s innovative construction lending program, which helps members navigate the process of building a home from the ground up. Andrew explained how the program removes many of the complexities often associated with construction financing, making the dream of building a custom home more accessible for local families.
Rotarians appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the important work Red Canoe is doing to strengthen our region through responsible lending and community-focused service.
Thank you, Andrew, for joining us and sharing your expertise. We enjoyed hearing about the positive impact Red Canoe Credit Union continues to make throughout our community.
Kelso Rotary members and guests gathered at Tam O'Shanter Park on July 2 for a special afternoon of fellowship, celebration, and reflection as we marked the close of one Rotary year and the beginning of another.
The event provided an opportunity to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of outgoing President Keenan Harvey, whose leadership helped guide the club through another successful year of service to our community. We also welcomed the 2026–2027 Board of Directors and officially passed the gavel to incoming President Larry Timmons, who will lead the club in the year ahead.
Adding to the festivities was a milestone celebration for one of our cherished Rotarians, who celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by friends and fellow members.
As we reflected on the past year and looked forward to the future, the gathering served as a reminder that Rotary is about more than service projects—it is about the relationships and friendships that make our impact possible. Service Above Self comes to life through people who support one another, work together, and share a commitment to strengthening our communities.
We look forward to another year of service, fellowship, and making a difference—together.
July 9 marked an exciting milestone for Kelso Rotary as Larry Timmons presided over his first official meeting as Club President. President Larry began the meeting by welcoming guest speakers Lois Smith of United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties and Brooke Fischer from the Washington State Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Lois and Brooke shared updates on the growth and impact of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, as well as ongoing efforts to secure funding and expand access to books for children across Washington State. Their presentation highlighted the critical role early childhood literacy plays in a child’s development and the lasting difference that free, age-appropriate books can make for families and young readers.
The morning also included a memorable moment of Rotary generosity. Drawing winner Randy Hall selected the coveted red chip and, in true Rotary fashion, immediately donated his winnings to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Fund. His contribution will help provide books and encourage a lifelong love of reading for children in our communities.
The meeting was a wonderful start to President Larry’s year of leadership and a powerful reminder of Rotary’s commitment to investing in the future. Thank you to Lois and Brooke for their informative presentation, and thank you to Randy for his generosity and commitment to supporting literacy. Together, these moments exemplify the spirit of Service Above Self and the positive impact Rotary continues to make throughout our region.
Kelso Rotary welcomed Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig as our guest speaker this week for an engaging and informative presentation on the Longview Fire Department and the proposed levy lift.
Chief Hannig provided an overview of the department's operations, highlighting the wide range of services firefighters and emergency medical personnel provide each day to keep our community safe. He also discussed the growing demands placed on emergency services and the challenges departments face as they work to meet the needs of a growing community.
Members appreciated learning more about the proposed levy lift and how it could help support the resources, staffing, equipment, and emergency response capabilities that residents rely on. The presentation offered valuable insight into the importance of planning for the future while maintaining the high level of service our community has come to expect.
Following the presentation, Rotarians had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a thoughtful discussion about public safety and the evolving needs of emergency services.
We extend our sincere thanks to Chief Hannig for taking the time to visit our club and share his expertise. Programs like these help keep our members informed about important issues affecting our community and strengthen our understanding of the organizations that serve the Longview and Kelso area every day.
Kelso Rotary had a fantastic time at the Castle Rock Fair, meeting so many friendly faces, sharing information about our community service projects, and welcoming new members to our Flag Subscription Program.
There is something special about a small-town fair. It brings neighbors together, creates lasting family memories, and showcases the community spirit that makes our region such a wonderful place to live. Throughout the fair, Rotarians enjoyed visiting with attendees and talking about the many ways our club gives back through scholarships, literacy initiatives, local parks, youth programs, and other community projects.
We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth to learn more about Rotary and support our efforts. The enthusiasm and encouragement we received remind us how much can be accomplished when communities come together in service.
Thank you, Castle Rock, for another wonderful fair. We are proud to be part of communities that value service, patriotism, and hometown traditions.
Interested in showing your patriotic spirit while supporting local projects? Kelso Rotary's Flag Subscription Program provides beautiful American flag displays at your home on designated patriotic holidays throughout the year. Every subscription helps fund programs and projects that make a positive impact across our community. We would love to have you join us!
The Rotary Club of Kelso was pleased to welcome its newest member, John Jabusch, during this week's meeting. John was introduced by fellow Rotarian David Futcher, and members extended a warm Rotary welcome as he officially joined the club. We are excited to have John become part of our Rotary family and look forward to his contributions to service above self.
Members also enjoyed an informative and inspiring presentation from Karyn and Mark of the Cowlitz Master Gardeners Program, who shared the vision behind Cowlitz Grows, a community initiative focused on much more than gardening. The program is dedicated to strengthening families, improving food security, encouraging self-sufficiency, protecting natural resources, and fostering community connections through outdoor education and service.
With more than 100 certified Master Gardener volunteers contributing over 11,000 hours of service each year, the organization continues to make a meaningful impact throughout Cowlitz County. Their commitment to education, sustainability, and community engagement is helping cultivate a healthier and more connected future for local residents.
Kelso Rotary appreciates Karyn and Mark for sharing their passion and the important work being done through the Cowlitz Master Gardeners and Cowlitz Grows programs.
Rotarians enjoyed a beautiful summer evening of fellowship at the Westin Amphitheater, gathering together to enjoy live music from Imposter Syndrome.
With sunshine, great company, and fantastic entertainment, it was the perfect opportunity to relax, connect, and enjoy one another's company outside of our regular meeting setting. Events like these remind us that Rotary is not only about service, but also about building lasting friendships and strengthening the connections that make our club so special.
A wonderful time was had by all, and it was a great way to celebrate the season while enjoying the vibrant community atmosphere and summer weather. We look forward to more opportunities to gather, serve, and share fellowship together in the months ahead. ☀️🎶🎵
Kelso Rotary enjoyed another outstanding Thursday meeting this week as we welcomed Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti as our guest speaker.
Treasurer Pellicciotti provided an informative overview of Washington's financial outlook, sharing insights into state finances, long-term fiscal planning, and the importance of transparency and responsible stewardship of public resources. Members were treated to a lively and engaging discussion, with thoughtful questions covering issues that impact communities throughout our state.
We extend our sincere thanks to Treasurer Pellicciotti for taking the time to visit our club and share his expertise and perspective with our members.
Interested in learning more about Rotary? We invite you to join us as a guest at an upcoming meeting. It's a great opportunity to connect with local leaders, learn about service projects in our community, and discover how Rotary is making a positive impact both locally and around the world.
Kelso Rotary is always looking for engaging speakers and program ideas. If you have a story to share, represent a local organization, or would like to present to our club, we'd love to hear from you.
