Bio: Brad Ashford is a 5th generation Nebraskan and served in the US Representative seat for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district from 2015 - 2017. He was formerly a member of the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 6th district from 1987- 1995 and the 20th district from 2007 - 2015. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he attended Westside High School, and earned a BA from Colgate University in 1971, and a JD from Creighton University School of Law in 1974. He served on the Business and Labor, Judiciary and Urban Affairs committees in the Nebraska Legislature and has been an advocate for public education, raising special education standards and ensuring fair pay for Nebraska teachers. While serving in the U.S. Congress, he served on the committee on Agriculture and Armed Services . Ashford's rating in congress was among the most bi-partisan members of the 438 House members, as ranked by the Lugar Center. While in Congress, he secured funding for a new, internationally vital Ebola Training and Education Center in Omaha, passed a federal law to bring a new Veterans Affairs medical facility to Omaha, and secured funding for repairs for the runway at Offutt Air Force Base. Ashford is married to lawyer and health care executive Ann Ashford and father to John, Ellie and Tom.
We just got confirmation that our surprise visitor has confirmed attendance this Friday at Rotary. This visitor is someone every Omaha West Rotarian has been waiting to meet for years. You will want to be at Rotary this Friday. And if you want to take a guess for a surprise gift, tell the Editor who the surprise visitor is. This is a very rare occurrence so don't miss the opportunity to meet and greet our surprise visitor.
Last week, President Jill Slupe presided the meeting. Starla Lynch gave the Invocation. Michelle Schrage served as greeter. Lori Benton was Sgt. at Arms. Russ Iwan was Cashier. Gretchen Radler was Chair of the Day and she introduced our speaker Emily Andres from the Omaha Playhouse.
L to R: President Jill Slupe, Emily Andres and Gretchen Radler
Omaha West Rotary Club Secretary Report for August 17, 2018:
This past Friday, we had several guests! Visiting Rotarians included Gregg Bailey from Suburban; David Handley from Lincoln 14; and Phil Schreier and Chuck Sederstrom from Northwest. Lori Benton invited Kaylee Peschong. Mark Ellsworth invited Christopher Powers. Andy Shim invited Kimberly Varnado. Dwayne Browne invited his favorite, youngest daughter, Maryssa. And Rebecca Miller invited Liz Wollman.
We had several red badge members in attendance. We also had our club board members stand to be recognized.
For good news: Deb Sepich received a message during the meeting that her daughter was in labor! Nick Rosenberry’s daughter started kindergarten. Brett Wawers is celebrating a work anniversary with Lamp Rynearson. Ric Miller received a promotion and his son was named to the Aksarben Royalty Court. Dan Ferris welcomed Randy Parks back to our club. Vaughn Wiebusch’s daughter was the guest of honor for a meeting with the ambassador from Norway. Tim Riewer’s grandson took a job with the Lincoln Journal Star. Dick Sturgeon’s son bought a house. Bruce Cramer’s oldest son became the director of pediatric cardiology at Methodist’s Hospitals. And Bob Fell’s granddaughter sang the national anthem at a Cub’s game.
Nick closed with a joke and wished everyone a good weekend.
The Omaha West Rotary is participating in a multi-club project called Hotel/Motel Project, which seeks to eliminate and prevent sex trafficking by educating those in the hospitality industry to realize it is happening and training them on how to respond. Our club Foundation has approved up to $3,000 to support the project. This project is now underway and we need your support. Sign up to help Rotary fight human trafficking by training hotel/motel employees. See the flyer here. Please email jennifer@suburbanrotary.org or call 402-397-7335 to sign up. Read more here.
This year marks the 11th consecutive year that Omaha West Rotary Club to host the annual Golf Scramble. Over the years this event has enjoyed tremendous enthusiasm and support. We invite you to participate or invite others to participate again this year, as we host the Golf Scramble at Indian Creek on Thursday, August 23rd. Registration opens at 11, with a 12-noon shotgun start. All funds benefit the Omaha West Rotary Foundation. We are short of six players and we need you. Please contact Butch now at 402-660-9889.
Scheduled for Sunday, November 4, the Bloody Mary Jazz Fest will begin at 3 pm and conclude at 6 pm. The location for the event is Champions Run Country Club. Set up for the event will begin earlier in the day, with most of the work being completed after the normal Sunday Brunch concludes at 2 pm. Attendees will purchase a ticket to attend for $45 ($65 with a swag bag, in limited supply). Tickets will be available soon. Please click here for more information and for questions please contact Ric Miller, Chair of the Fundraising Committee at 402-681-7947 or email at ricnokdocpam@cox.net.
To find out about speakers at other Rotary Clubs in the area, you can conveniently see the list of Club websites here. Then click on the home icon to the left of the club name. The list of speakers are listed on their Homepage.
MONDAY BELLEVUE 12:00 PM (DJ's Dugout, 10308 S. 23rd St.) NORTH 12:00 PM (Omaha Eppley Airport Conference Room) MILLARD 12:00 PM (German American Society, 3717 South 120th Street) - NO MEETING on Oct 9
TUESDAY MORNING 7:00 AM (Happy Hollow Country Club, 1701 S. 105th St.)
NORTHWEST 12:00 PM ( Effective August 15th Northwest Rotary will meet Tuesday's at noon at Jerico's, 11732 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68154.)
SOUTHWEST NIGHT 5:15 PM (DJ's Dugout at 17666 Welch Plaza, northeast corner of 180th & Q streets)
WEDNESDAY COUNCIL BLUFFS CENTENNIAL 1st Wed 7:00 AM; 3rd Wed floating event; no meeting other weeks (Hy-Vee in Mall of the Bluffs, I-80 Exit 5) DOWNTOWN 12:00 PM (Field Club, 3615 Woolworth Ave.)
THURSDAY COUNCIL BLUFFS NOON 12:00 PM (The Center, 714 S. Main St.)
SUBURBAN 12:00 PM (Anthony's, 7220 F St.)
WESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY 7:00 AM (Elkhorn Common Ground Community Center, 1701 Veteran's Drive)
FRIDAY WEST 12:00 PM (Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive)