Rotary Club of Marion holds annual banquet and installs new officers
Rotarian David Wooten received an award for his 30 years of perfect attendance.
Rotarian Lloyd Cuthbertson received an award for his 40 years of perfect attendance.
President Dave Watson (left) presented the club's service above self to Bill Warren.
President Dave Watson gave an overview of the club's activities and accomplishments and expressed his appreciation for the club's officers, directors, members and partners.
On June 25, the Rotary Club of Marion held its 2025-2026 year-end banquet and installed the new officers for 2026-2027.
District Governor Alex “Alpo” Portelli, who is a member of the Marion club, led everyone in reciting the Four Way Test. He also swore in the new slate of officers and directors for 2026-2027.
District Governor Alex “Alpo” Portelli swore in the new slate of officers and directors for 2026-2027.
The annual banquet of the Marion Rotary Club at the Marion Community Building.
President Dave Watson announced the Rotarian of the Year Award would be a tribute to the late Steve Hunter. Watson presented the plaque to Hunter’s widow Tanya and daughter Caitlin.
Thursday evening, the Rotary Club of Marion held its year-end banquet and installed the new officers for 2026-2027.
Past President Steve Bush welcomed all those who attended the annual banquet at the Marion Community Building. That included Rotarians and their guests who had a dinner of beef and chicken.
Rotarian Arthur Parks led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and Rotarian Bill Warren gave the invocation.
District Governor Alex "Alpo" Portelli, who is a member of the Marion club, led everyone in reciting the Four Way Test. Portelli also formally installed Dave Watson as the club president even though Watson is already serving in this position due to the death of previous President Steve Hunter. Portelli swore in the new slate of officers and directors for 2026-2027.
Watson gave an overview of the club's activities and accomplishments, and expressed his appreciation for the officers, directors, members, and partners the club has worked with to provide scholarships, award small grants to local nonprofits, participate in community activities and host a Christmas party for underprivileged children.
Watson also expressed his appreciation to the 2025-2026 officers.
Rotarian David Wooten received an award for his 30 years of perfect attendance and Rotarian Lloyd Cuthbertson received an award for his 40 years of perfect attendance.
Watson presented the club's Service Above Self plaque to Bill Warren, who as sergeant at arms is responsible for setting up the inside of the building for the meetings and putting everything away after the meetings are over. He also keeps track of the club's membership badges.
Watson also announced the Rotarian of the Year Award would be a tribute to the late Hunter. He presented the plaque to Hunter's widow Tanya and daughter Caitlin.
The event featured photographs of Hunter and his service to the community and the Rotary Club of Marion.
After he retired from Baxter Healthcare, Hunter devoted himself to community service. He volunteered shuttling patients at The McDowell Hospital, delivered meals to seniors through the McDowell Senior Center for 10 years, supported food insecurity efforts through the Foothills Food Hub, served on the McDowell Trails Association Board, and drove for FaithHealth. He was an attendee of the First Baptist Church of Marion and played weekly golf with the Blue Ridge Seniors.
His commitment to community extended into Rotary.
As the new president, Watson also hung the banner for the 2026-2027 year with the Rotary International motto "Create Lasting Impact."
The club's new slate of officers and directors for 2026-2027 are as follows: Dave Watson (president), Stacey Buff (president-elect), Katie Stinson (secretary), Melissa Biddix and Walt Bagwell (co-treasurers), Mike Conley (public image director), Tyler Mace (bulletin editor), Dustin Poteat and Bill Warren (co-sergeants at arms), Linda Reader (club administrator), Cecilia Reel (community service), J.W. Kelley (international director), Betsy Watson (foundation director), Andrea Allison (membership), Debbie Watson (vocational/youth services), Nancy Spencer (board member at large) and Eric Harton (board member at large).
For more information, visit the Rotary Club of Marion's Facebook page www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofmarionnc or website www.rotaryofmarionnc.org.
