Lexington After Hours Rotary Club

10/09/2026

The Rotary Club of Lexington After Hours hosted a special guest at its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 8. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton dropped by to visit with club members and their guests to share a few words about what is currently happening here in Lexington. The mayor touted several accomplishments such as a reduction in homicides and other crimes, Lexington’s award-winning parks system, and the grand opening of the new Senior Center at Shillito Park. She also commented on the future of the AG/Tech industry in the area citing some major advancements in that field as well as continued growth in the local economy due to the continued business opportunities here. The mayor also acknowledged the frustration residents faced in the last couple years due to the unusual snow and ice storms by sharing that the city threw out those ineffective plans and created a new and more efficient way to handle such weather events in the future. (Pictured are Rotary Club President Katherine Wright and Mayor Gorton)

The Rotary Club of Lexington After Hours meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at
Bronte Bistro (Lexington Green) from 6 – 7 pm.

10/01/2026

Rotarians Answering the Call, Leading the Charge

One highlight of the Large Club Conference, hosted by the Rotary Club of Lexington this week at the downtown Hilton, was a keynote address delivered by Rotary International President Elect Larry A. Lunsford (Missouri). Attending that luncheon were a number of Past District Governors as well as current District 6740 leadership. Pictured (l-r) are PDG Tom Ashford (Lexington), DGN Kim Johnson (Lexington), PDG Dean Hammond (Lexington), PDG Jeanne Clark (Lexington After Hours), PDG John Burkhart (Corbin), PDG Xandy Stewart (Maysville), RIPE Larry Lunsford, PDG John Hutchings (Maysville), PDG Joe Caldwell (Corbin), PDG Keith Key (Lexington), DGE Frank Dawahare (Pikeville), and DG Terry Pugh (Somerset-Pulaski Co.).

09/27/2026

At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Lexington After Hours, members heard guest speaker Kristen Martin, Executive Director of The Nest, share information about that important non-profit here in Lexington. The Nest provides families with the support they need during some of life’s most challenging moments and helps them build a more stable future. They work with families who are navigating a wide range of challenges, whether it’s financial strain, lack of child care, or the need for safety and support. The Nest strives to prevent abuse and neglect of children and adults through education, counseling, advocacy and resources. There is never a cost to these families in need. (Pictured are club president Katherine Wright and Martin.)

The Rotary Club of Lexington After Hours meets
the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.
Bronte Bistro at Lexington Green
5:30 pm Social Time 6:00 – 7:00 Regular Meeting

09/23/2026

09/23/2026

"It is impossible to control all that happens to us, but we can control how we choose to deal with it. - Maya Angelou

This recurring theme was visible again at the fifth annual Empowering Girls Forum, another successful community service event presented by our Rotary club on behalf of 155 fifth grade girls from Arlington, Cardinal Valley, Deep Springs, Harrison and Mary Todd elementary schools in the Lexington area.

The event, held on Sept. 22 on the campus of BCTC on Leestown Road in Lexington, was emceed by Jaydan Norris, Ex. Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness KY. The topics this year included bullying, especially on social media, and how to deal with stress. The amazing presenters were Lisa Hack, Police Officer for Rosa Parks Elementary and Briana Persley, Director of Youth Service for the Lexington/Fayette Urban County Government.

The sessions were facilitated by 50 female seniors from Lexington Catholic High School and Bryan Station High School.

09/23/2026

District 6740 To Host Zone Institute
BlUEGRASS BOLD
Growing Members. Growing Rotary.

For the first time in many years, Lexington will be the site of the popular Zone Institute in 2027! RI Director Elect Mike Kelly (Ohio) will host Rotarians from Zones 29 and 30 at this 4 day event which will take place at the Marriott Griffin Gate on August 17 - 21, 2027.

Rotarians from 30 districts will converge on Lexington for this event which will welcome 500 - 600 members from Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama. The event is open to all Rotarians!

The organizing committee for the Institute includes three Rotarians from District 6740 – Past District Governors John Hutchings (Maysville), Keith Key (Lexington) and Jeanne Clark (Lexington).

08/28/2026

Members of the RC of Lexington After Hours were treated with a visit from Past District Governor Xandy Stewart (2024-25). Xandy, a member of the RC of Maysville, presented Immediate Past Club President John Simson with his Paul Harris Fellow Plus 1 pin. In addition, on behalf of RI Immediate Past President Arezzo, Xandy acknowledged the work of the club in 2025-26 under Simson's direction with a Certificate for Club Excellence. The Lex. After Hours RC was one of only 3 clubs in District 6740 receiving this recognition. The other two clubs included Pikeville and Kenton Co.

PDG Xandy challenged the club to "Create Lasting Impact", RI President Babalola's theme for the year. Xandy stressed the importance of peace building and a continued focus on membership growth. He closed with a reference to a quote from Paul Harris, the first president of Rotary, "Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves." (Pic - Club President Katherine Wright presented PDG Xandy with a thank you gift.)

08/20/2026

President Katherine Wright and members of the Rotary Club of Lexington After Hours greet guest speaker Leila Salisbury, representative of the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families.

The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families supports children, youth, and families as they grieve and grow. Kentucky’s children need dramatically increased availability and access to child and family-specific grief support services. The numbers are telling:
• 1 in 9 Kentucky children experience the death of a parent, caregiver, or sibling by age 18 (national average is 1 in 12)
• Kentucky ranks #8 in the nation for childhood bereavement rates
• 25% of Kentucky's bereaved children have lost a parent or caregiver to overdose/addiction death

Grief is a natural response to loss. KCGCF provides safe and caring spaces where children and families can connect and discover their own path towards healing. To check where KCGCF groups are currently being offered, contact [email protected].