Spokane Rotary North

08/26/2026

What a sad day today.

The world has lost an extraordinary entertainer, philanthropist and genuinely remarkable human being with the passing of Dolly Parton.

Most people will remember Dolly for the music, the rhinestones, the humour and that unmistakable voice. But for millions of children and families around the world, her greatest legacy may well be something much quieter, a book arriving in the mail. 📚❤️

Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995, inspired in part by her father, who never had the opportunity to learn to read and write. The idea was beautifully simple: give children free, age-appropriate books from birth until the age of five and help create a lifelong love of reading.

And that is where Dolly's story became intertwined with Rotary International

Since 2009, Rotary clubs have worked alongside Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to help bring books into the homes and hands of children in communities around the world.

It was a partnership that made perfect sense.

Literacy. Education. Opportunity. Community.

The very things Rotary members have championed for generations.

For me, Dolly's passing also brings back a very special Rotary memory.

I first saw Dolly in person at the Rotary International Convention in Montréal, Canada, in 2010.

I remember sitting there thinking just how impressive she was. Yes, she was a superstar, one of the most recognisable entertainers on the planet, but what struck me was the person behind all of that.

She was warm, authentic and incredibly passionate about giving children opportunities through literacy. She was also incredibly funny! I remember when Past RI President John Germ presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow and was awkwardly struggling to decide if he should put the lapel pin on her dress. She said "Oh just pin it on honey, it might be the 1st thing people notice for a change" 🤣

But Dolly understood something that I think sits right at the heart of Rotary:

You can use whatever platform you have to make somebody else's life a little better.

She certainly did that!

Her songs will continue to be played. Her movies will continue to make us smile. Her unmistakable image will remain part of popular culture.

But somewhere, a child will open a book because of an idea Dolly Parton had more than 30 years ago.

And perhaps that child will discover a love of reading, dream a little bigger and see possibilities they hadn't seen before.

Now THAT is a legacy that is working much longer than 9 to 5!

Thank you for the music, the laughter, the books and, most importantly, for showing the world that kindness and generosity never go out of style.

Rest peacefully, Dolly. 🌸📚🎶

We will always love you. ❤️

07/21/2026

At Monday's meeting, we had the privilege of welcoming District 5080 Governor Steve Roberge!

Members had the opportunity to hear about the district's goals, priorities, and vision for the upcoming Rotary year, while also asking questions and learning more about what's ahead.

District 5080 is home to 60 Rotary clubs, and we're proud to be one of them. We were also pleased to welcome Assistant District Governor Gene Schmidt to the meeting.

Thank you, Steve and Gene, for taking the time to visit with our club. We appreciate your leadership and look forward to another great Rotary year!

07/20/2026

On July 10, Spokane Rotary North gathered for our annual End of the Rotary Year Celebration. A heartfelt thank you to Art and Robin Rudd for once again graciously opening their home to our club for an evening of fellowship, celebration, and reflection.

It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything we accomplished together over the past Rotary year while looking ahead to another year of creating lasting impacts in our community and around the world. We also had the chance to thank our outgoing presidents and board members while officially swearing in our new Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.

One of the evening's most exciting moments was welcoming our newest member, Tim Meyer, to Spokane Rotary North! We're thrilled to have you join our Rotary family and look forward to serving alongside you.

The evening also included the presentation of three Paul Harris Fellow recognitions. A Paul Harris Fellow is a fellowship created in honor of Rotary’s founder Paul Harris, that recognizes individuals who have contributed, or in whose name contributions have been made, at least $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. These gifts support Rotary's work around the world through projects that promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, strengthen communities, and grow local economies.

Longtime member Art Rudd honored his wife, Robin Rudd, with a Paul Harris Fellowship, and longtime member Dave Hayward likewise recognized his wife, Robin Hayward, with the same distinction. Alexia Johnston was also made a Paul Harris Fellow by the club.

Congratulations to everyone who was recognized, and here's to another incredible year of Service Above Self!

07/02/2026

Members of Spokane Rotary North recently spent an afternoon volunteering with Vets on the Farm, lending a hand with projects that support both local agriculture and our veteran community.

The farm is currently growing tomatoes, peppers, melons, basil, and onions, with plans to add permanent structures that will expand production and increase farm stand sales. Every improvement helps create more opportunities for veterans pursuing careers in agriculture.

Vets on the Farm provides veterans with resources, education, partnerships, and employment opportunities as they transition into civilian life through agriculture, farming, ranching, and other conservation-based industries. The program also connects veterans with industry professionals, fellow veterans, and technical and financial resources while offering educational opportunities in partnership with WSU Extension and Spokane Community College.

Spokane Rotary North is proud to support organizations like Vets on the Farm that strengthen our community while creating meaningful opportunities for those who have served our country.

06/15/2026

We're proud to celebrate Spokane Rotary North member Kass Kebede and the life-changing work of Libraries for Ethiopia 📚🌍

What began as one person's vision has helped create the first public library in his hometown of Sendafa-Beke, opening doors to literacy, learning, and opportunity for thousands of children and families.

Thank you, Kass, for showing what Service Above Self looks like in action.

Growing up in the 1980s, Kassahun “Kass” Kebede did not know the luxury of computers, school buses or even a favorite book. Raised in Sendafa-Beke, located nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in the rural highlands of Ethiopia, Kebede and his family worked a farm tending cows and harvesting wheat....

06/15/2026

We’re proud to support opportunities that reward hard work and inspire learning! 🌟 Congratulations to Mrs. Kee’s class on their attendance achievement and memorable field trip experience. Thank you to all the community partners who helped make it possible!

06/15/2026

🌱♻️ What happens after you roll your green bin to the curb?

Members of Spokane Rotary North recently got a behind the scenes look at the answer during a fascinating tour of Barr Tech Composting, a 40 acre facility near Sprague that transforms organic waste into nutrient rich compost used throughout our region.

Food scraps, yard waste, sawdust, wood waste, and other organic materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill are given a second life, helping improve soil health, support agriculture, beautify landscapes, and even assist in environmental restoration projects.

One of the highlights was watching the massive Scarab compost turner move through steaming windrows of compost, bringing the process to life right before our eyes. We also learned how Barr Tech recycles rainwater on site and maintains exceptionally low contamination levels, producing high quality compost that is in demand across the Inland Northwest.

Perhaps most inspiring is that Barr Tech proves environmental stewardship and economic success can go hand in hand, creating local jobs while helping build healthier soils and a more sustainable future.

Rotarians from three clubs joined the tour and left with a renewed appreciation for the innovation happening right here in our community.

Thank you to the Barr Tech team for an eye opening and inspiring visit! 🌎💚

04/10/2026

On Monday, our club had the privilege of learning more about member Sheila Fritts through her classification talk!

Sheila is the Marketing Director and a member of the executive team at Fairwood Retirement Village and Assisted Living, where she leads marketing and revenue efforts. In her role, she works closely with individuals and their families as they navigate the move into independent living.

Sheila cares deeply about the people she serves and brings both professionalism and compassion to her work. She is passionate about helping others move from uncertainty to confidence, overwhelm to clarity, and isolation to connection.

In addition to her work at Fairwood, Sheila owns Porchlight Consulting, where she provides marketing, branding, and photography services. She also enjoys educating the community through seminars and workshops on topics such as downsizing, aging, and protecting seniors from fraud.

Sheila studied psychology at Washington State University, with a focus on aging adults—something that continues to shape her work today.

Outside of her career, Sheila is a photographer, artist, and writer. She has published the Spokane Senior Times community journal and is involved with the Spokane Senior podcast. She is also a proud wife, mom of five, and grandmother of five.

We’re grateful to have Sheila as part of the Rotary Club of Spokane North and appreciate all she brings to our club.

03/17/2026

We’re feeling extra lucky this St. Patrick’s Day ☘️

Many thanks to Spokane Rotary North for making a leprechaun’s dream come true with a yummy green meal!

Sign up to Make-A-Meal https://rmhcinlandnw.org/make-a-meal-2026/ 💚