Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

The Rotary Club of Breckenridge met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, with the guest speaker being Andy Eads, the Rotary District 5790 Governor. Before Eads addressed the club’s members, local President JB Sparks presented awards to several of those in attendance.

Sparks, who was elected president in 2023, will be passing the gavel to incoming president Cynthia Northrop later this year.

Kevin Simmons, who has been a member of the club for 4o years, received a Dedicated Service award. Sharron Brown, a 32-year member, received an award for her service, and Les and Sherry Strickland received an Outstanding Service Award for all they do for the organization.

Becky Downing, who has been a member for 36 years, received two awards, a service award from Sparks and an appreciation plaque and flowers from Eads. Downing was the first woman member of the Breckenridge Rotary Club and was one of the first women members in the district, Eads said. In addition to serving the local Rotary Club, Downing also is a past district governor.

After the awards were presented, Eads talked to the Rotary members about his history with the organization, as well as about the local club’s upcoming 96th birthday. He encouraged the members to celebrate the birthday by collecting donations for a local charity.

This year’s Rotary International theme is “The Magic of Rotary,” and Eads suggested that the local members set a goal of inviting more people to join the organization.

Rotary Club member Kevin Simmons, center, was presented with a Dedicated Service award by Breckenridge club president JB Sparks, left, and Rotary district governor Andy Eads, right. Simmons has been a member of the local club for 40 years. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Sharron Brown, a 32-year member of the Breckenridge Rotary Club, center, received a Dedicated Service award from Breckenridge club president JB Sparks, left, and Rotary district governor Andy Eads, right. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Rotary Club members Les and Sherry Strickland, center, received an Outstanding Service award from Breckenridge club president JB Sparks, left, and Rotary district governor Andy Eads, right. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Becky Downing, center, was honored for her 36 years of service to the Rotary organization by district governor Andy Eads, left. She also received a Dedicated Service award by local club president JB Sparks, right. Downing was the first woman to join the Breckenridge Rotary Club, and she also served as a district governor. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)