On Thursday evening, sixteen Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians and guests travelled to Danversport to participate in the Robert C. Wood Memorial Heroes Dinner. Local heroes honored for making Ipswich and Rowley just a bit better were Kerrie Bates and John Muldoon. The event was hosted by Past District Governor (PDG) Alexander Falk, seen at the right in the presentation photos.
Kerrie Bates (right) is the legendary Director of ReCreation and Culture for the Town of Ipswich. Kerrie is a well-known innovator whose engaging events bring the community together and draw countless visitors from around the area. She and her team have made Ipswich a destination. During her long tenure, Kerrie has introduced and overseen notable cultural, musical and historical activities such as 'Ipswich Illumination', 'Voices from the Beach', 'Downtown Tuesdays', 'Ipswich is First ... Period', and '16 Elm Street, Within These Walls'. Nat Pulsifer nominated Kerrie, who was joined by her husband Daniel.
John Muldoon is the founder, publisher, and editor of the Ipswich Local News, a highly readable local paper that serves both communities and helps our club maintain the high profile it enjoys today. In October, the Ipswich Local News was named a ‘Distinguished Newspaper of the Year' by the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Unfortunately, John was unable to attend the Heroes Dinner since the paper was celebrating its fifth anniversary that evening. Accepting for John was his nominator Bob Wicks.
The event also served as a fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation and numerous Rotary International dignitaries participated, including Foundation Trustee and Fund Development Chair Marty Helman (left), Annual Giving Officer Rebecca Silber, and Zone 32 Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor Mary Shackleton. Speakers included Marty, District Governor Tom Hankard (below), District Governor Elect Pooja Singla, District Governor Nominee Terry Rezendes Curran, and RLI Chair Christina Harris.Also attending to celebrate the local heroes were two tables of Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians and guests, including honoree Kerrie Bates and Dan, Public Relations Chair Bob Wicks – accepting for honoree John Muldoon, President Tom Murphy, Secretary Mary Foote-Hill, Vice President Foundation Joan Arsenault, Youth Exchange student Joao Alfonso, Laurie Cameron, Christina Harris, Keith Harris, Andrea LaCroix, Martha Mauser, Lisa Melkonian, Holly Pulsifer, Nat Pulsifer, and Jim Tedford. Each honoree received a Paul Harris citation, lanyard badge and pin.
