Our Blog

By Francois Ngijoi, 2026–2027 President, Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent

Rotary has a way of surprising you. It surprises you when a stranger across the table becomes a lifelong friend. It surprises you when a small act of service ripples outward in ways you never imagined. And it may surprise you when you realize that the person Rotary has changed most is you.

I am deeply honored and humbled to begin this new Rotary Year as your President. I accept this role with gratitude, responsibility, and great enthusiasm — and I do not take your trust lightly.

I want to begin by acknowledging the outstanding leadership of our immediate Past President, Linda Ostovitz. Because of her dedication and that of our entire outgoing team, our club is strong, growing, and making a meaningful difference in our community. We stand on an excellent foundation. 

I am also grateful for the guidance of our District Governor, Dawn Wittfelt, whose vision for District 7620 is clear: to serve our clubs, invest in our communities, and help every one of us succeed. And I am inspired by the message of Rotary International President Olayinka Babalola, who challenges each of us this year to “Create Lasting Impact” — not simply by doing more, but by doing what we already do even better.

That challenge, “Beat Our Best “— will guide us throughout this year.

 Our Focus for 2026–2027

• Strengthening Membership and Engagement
• Expanding Our Community and Global Impact
• Enhancing Innovation and Member Experience
• Growth, Fundraising, and Visibility

A Call to Action

I invite each of you — every member of this incredible club — to get involved. Join a committee. Bring a guest. Share your ideas. Take action. Rotary is not just about meetings; it is about service, connection, and lasting impact.

Look back on what we have accomplished together. Find our best year. And then let’s do better than our best.

This will not be the work of one leader. It will be the work of all of us.

Together, let us dream bigger, serve deeper, and lead stronger. Together, we will not only continue the great work of this club — we will elevate it to new heights.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. I am honored and excited to serve alongside each of you.

Let’s make this a truly impactful Rotary year.

Two members of the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent have been honored as they exemplify Rotary’s ideal of vocational service promoting high ethical standards at work and using job skills to help others.

Charlie McCabe, president and CEO of McCabe Insurance Associates, Inc., was named 2026 Business Person of the Year by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. Meghan Belcher, a business banker and Senior Vice President for M&T Bank, was named a 2025 Chairman’s Club Award winner. Charlie is a past club president and longtime Rotarian, while Meghan joined Columbia-Patuxent in 2025 after serving as president for the Elkridge club.

The Chamber award recognizes members in good standing who have developed successful business strategies, served the community, and demonstrated a continuing commitment to the organization’s overall mission. Charlie became a Chamber member 40 years ago and has served on the board as well as attending and sponsoring many events. He, along with fellow Rotarian Linda Ostovitz, emphasized the importance of small businesses as the majority of Chamber membership. 

Charlie founded his insurance agency in1985. “Rotary’s principles have been very important to me, because I'm in an industry that’s service oriented,” he said. “Part of the reason I went into the insurance business is to provide service. I have two degrees, one in business and one in sociology, and I was very interested in serving people and studying people and things of that nature.”

Charlie went on to say: “I found that insurance gave me the ability to deal with people, and help people, and also provide a good, strong, profitable business. The thing that gives me the greatest joy is we regularly receive reviews from people, five-star Google reviews. If there's ever something that's less than the top, we contact them and say, ‘What can we do better? How can we provide better service?’”

Meghan is a 2024 graduate of Leadership Howard County who joined M&T Bank after a stint at BB&T. During her 12 years at M&T, she describes using Rotary ideals this way: “I take an approach that you meet the client where they want to be met, to try to make it as easy as possible to work with me. I think service above self really comes into play because I get a lot of reward from feeling like customers can count on me.” 

Meghan also believes the Four-Way Test question – “Is it fair to all concerned?” – applies when she proactively reviews accounts to ensure clients get the best combination of products and service, not overpaying or missing better options. “It's constantly working through the economic changes to see if there’s something we can do to help them, something that benefits and streamlines their banking,” Meghan explained. She also employs Rotary connection skills to match clients with other firms that may help generate business and revenue for them.

Her M&T regional manager applauded Meghan’s award by saying: “She continues to deliver exceptional performance year after year, but what truly sets her apart is the way she does it—with professionalism, humility, and a deep commitment to the communities she serves. Meghan is the person everyone turns to—always willing to share her expertise, jump into a deal review, or offer support. Her strong relationships, collaborative mindset, and dedication to doing what’s right have built an outstanding reputation across the market.”

At its annual dinner on June 5, the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent honored the Rotarian of the Year, inducted new officers and directors, and welcomed 2026-2027 President Francois Ngijoi.

Current President Linda Ostovitz, who steps down July 1, thanked club leaders who made her year a success, crediting them for setting the tone and course of events that helped “keep us on the cutting edge of service above self. I don't believe that, in this life, anybody accomplishes anything on their own. We all accomplish and succeed because of who surrounds us. That’s how we remain as good as we are, and how we all make each other better,” she added.

As an example, Linda cited Rotarian of the Year Audra White, who “floated to the top” in just over her first year in the club. During that time, Audra has brought in another new member, recruited restaurants and event sponsors, and agreed to become our new secretary. 

“She’s an individual who made a very conscious decision to commit herself to the community,” Linda said. “She's president of the Business Women's Network of Howard County, she's involved with Respite Retreats, and the Chamber of Commerce Community Action Council. She’s thrown her heart and soul into all of them. Thank you for being an exceptional member who's made outstanding contributions to the well-being of our club, and we look forward to more to come.”

Ken Solow, a club past president and former Rotary District 7620 Governor, administered the oath office for our 2026-2027 leaders. He reminded them that “we are blessed that our club has had terrific leadership since we were founded in February of 1986.” The newly-inducted group includes:

President - FRANCOIS NGIJOI                                                President Elect - HARRY THOMPSON

Vice President - PAUL HANGES                                              Secretary - AUDRA WHITELOCK

Treasurer - TOM ALLEN                                                           Membership - KAREN MOSEL

International - LARRY NEWMAN                                              New Generations - KELLIE LEGO

Community Service - GEOFF CARTON                                   Public Relations - DAVE BITTNER

Foundation -  CHARLIE MCCABE                                            Club Service - KATIE SMITH

Immediate Past President - LINDA OSTOVITZ

Francois, who takes office July1, praised Linda and her leadership team, stating that because of their work, the club is strong, “rolling,” and making a meaningful impact in the community. He is committed to (1) build on the club’s foundation; (2) strengthen member engagement; (3) expand our impact locally and globally; (4) ensure every member feels inspired to serve and lead; and (4) reinforce Rotary’s vision of seeing a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in local communities, and in ourselves. 

Francois described key strategies for his presidential year. These include:

• welcome new voices into the Rotary family
• a more engaged member experience, not just passive attendance
• initiatives like mentorship or a support system to help new members integrate and thrive
• encourage every member to actively serve on a committee
• launch new international projects with particular focus on Central Africa
• initiate at least one global grant project
• strengthen partnerships with other clubs and community organizations
• introduce new ways for members to connect and collaborate
• establish a technology roundtable for innovation in how the club operates and serves
• create more inclusive opportunities for participation and open engagement
• use digital platforms/social media to reach wider audiences and share our stories and successes

Francois emphasized that the coming year will not be the work of one leader, but of all of us—the entire board and membership. He invited all members to get involved, share ideas and, most importantly, take action to make it a truly impactful Rotary year.

As Rotarians, one of the things we talk about often is the idea of service above self. If you’re new to Rotary or not in Rotary at all, that may seem like kind of an abstract idea. For Columbia-Patuxent Rotarians, it isn’t abstract — it’s broken down into simple building blocks that together do great things in our community.

Rotary values are practical and action-oriented, not just slogans. Our upcoming Tour de Vines event illustrates this. On the evening of April 30, hundreds of people will gather to eat great food, drink fine wine, and enjoy entertainment and fellowship. What guests will really see is a manifestation of service above self, not just a social or culinary affair.

Many of our members have been working on Tour de Vines details, ranging from coordinating set-up to finalizing restaurants’ participation, from handling sponsorships to selling tickets, from working on rentals to setting up the ability to take credit cards. These individual tasks build to a substantial impact. The idea of service above self is exemplified by concrete tasks undertaken by many people, reinforcing teamwork, gratitude, and shared purpose.

When Tour de Vines comes together, it raises tens of thousands of dollars to benefit dozens of nonprofit organizations. And it is just one of our club’s fundraising tools. In the past year alone, we gave over $80,000 to nonprofit organizations, and over $2 million in the history of our club. But financial support is only part of the story. We also provide service to nonprofits, where club members do physical, hands-on volunteering, not just writing checks.

At Tour de Vines, people will eat, drink, and hear about what our club does. What they really will feel, however, is the passion that we share in being able to do these things for other people. Service creates that passion. Shared passion creates a bond. That bond is what defines Columbia-Patuxent Rotary and, indeed, Rotarians the world over.

                                                                                                                                               (Based on remarks by Fred Landy, a member of Columbia-Patuxent Rotary)

April 19^th is the 158^th anniversary of the birth of Rotary founder Paul Harris, the Chicago lawyer who gathered several acquaintances in 1905 for a meeting “in fellowship and friendship" and started a movement that would grow into a worldwide force for good. Today, Rotarians still come together to create lasting impact through service, innovation, and leadership. Our power lies not in words alone, but in the collective action of people who are ready to make a difference.

Speaking of words, the 158-year-old story of Rotary has a recent recounting that blends old and new. While Paul Harris never rapped during his lifetime, a viral AI-generated video released in late 2025 and early 2026 features a digital version of him "dropping hip-hop beats" to promote the organization. The video, created by Marshall Butler and the team from Rotary Zones 33/34, reimagines Harris with the energy of Hamilton: An American Musical to appeal to a younger generation.

The lyrics celebrate Rotary's history, starting with its founding, and focus on core values like "Service Above Self," friendship, and global impact. The verses highlight Rotary's work in clean water, literacy, peace-building, and fighting disease. It’s a creative message that  aims to spark a "Rotary Revolution" by showing that the organization's century-old mission remains relevant and innovative today.

The video has been widely shared across Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo, and is available on You Tube. It also promotes the Williamsburg, VA Rotary Zone Summit this year.

Give The Rotary Rap a look and listen here

To observe its 40^th anniversary in February, the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent recalled its major accomplishments throughout four decades of fellowship, community investment and "Service Above Self." These include:

• A $12,000 contribution to support Rotary's 1987 initiative to vaccinate the world and rid the world of polio.
• A $250,000 Rotary International Global Grant award to establish HIV testing clinics in Ethiopia. Seventeen clinics were opened that were so successful the government took over the project.  
• Our late club member Cliff Feldwick traveled to Ethiopia to administer polio vaccines to children.
• Rotarians Lon Chesnutt, Ken Solow, Bill Harrison and Dushyant Patel traveled to Colombia, South America to support a boys orphanage.
• A "Walk for Water" project raised funds for well drilling in Africa and India.
• The first Thanksgiving Community Dinner held for senior citizens.
• Members worked for "Christmas in April" to rebuild and repair homes of seniors in need. This continues as Rebuilding Together.
• Reinvention of the Boat Float on Lake Kittamaqundi, featuring creative cardboard boat races.
• Held its first major fundraiser – "The first beach party of the year" – with tons of sand, wooden bridges, a sailboat, and raised money for DARE. Fundraisers continued with themes of "Margaritaville," "Night on the Riverboat" and currently "Tour de Vines.”
• Established the first Interact Club in our district at Hammond High School. It remains active today.
• Contributed more than $2,000,000 to community nonprofits and to international projects.
• Monthly service projects at Grassroots, Community Action Council, Winter Growth, Freetown Farm, Respite Retreats and other local nonprofits.
• Club contributions to the Rotary International Foundation exceed $500,00, supporting programs for quality education, better health, improving the environment and alleviating poverty.
• Installed a Peace Pole at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center’s Heroes Garden.
• Sponsored a room at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center’s new Behavioral Health Unit.
• Sponsored the Rotary Rocket Pitch competition at Howard Community College for budding entrepreneurs.
• Dedication of Howard Community College’s Health Sciences Building’s atrium to the county’s Rotary Clubs, recognizing contributions to HCC Educational Foundation.

TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR 4Oth ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, SEE THE FEBRUARY 27, 2026 CLUB NEWSLETTER HERE  

Columbia-Patuxent Rotary Club is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of its founding on Thursday, Feb. 26, with a gala at The Collective Encore from 6-8:30 p.m. Longtime member Charlie McCabe and charter member Dushyant Patel are gathering historical pictures and memorabilia to retrace the club’s history. They’ve been compiling a list of names for invitations and reaching out to past presidents, as well as the original district governor and charter president—both of whom will attend. The event will recount the club’s four decades of service and community commitment, including details of its founding, milestones, and accomplishments. If you are a former member and have not received an invitation to attend, please contact Beth Harbinson at bsh.sobar@gmail.com.

Rotary has undergone a number of changes over the years. Charlie and Dushyant recalled how membership in the past was for men by invitation only—considered a privilege and primarily seen as a networking opportunity. Rotary’s history took an important turn when women were allowed to join. The move was prompted by a court ruling stating Rotary could not discriminate, making the inclusion of women both inevitable and beneficial. While some clubs initially resisted, the change did not spark much controversy here. 

Whereas early membership targeted business owners and senior executives and focused on business-oriented goals, there’s been a gradual shift towards community service and relaxed criteria. The advent of online clubs has also changed the landscape. Charlie and Dushyant said Patuxent-Rotary has done a commendable job of balancing both networking and social aspects, which distinguishes it from other clubs.

“Our club has had a good mixture of both the business side and the social side,” Charlie said. “We’ve held on to that tradition. I think that's a very important part of our success. We love to get together, be together, and have fun.”  

Phil Chenier, who played nine seasons for the Washington Bullets and spent 33 years in the broadcast booth, discussed that aspect of his life, and more, while speaking at a recent Columbia-Patuxent Rotary meeting. 

He described how his career path led him to Columbia in 1974, a pivotal move that allowed his family to thrive. Phil worked for a time at Howard Community College, and was reunited with three of his coworkers who are now Rotarians – Patti Turner, Sandy Harriman and Linda Lloyd.

Phil had an unusual welcome to the NBA, initially signing with the Chicago Bulls but drafted by the Bullets under new hardship rules allowing him to leave college early. He was blessed to join a team stocked with supportive veteran players like Wes Unseld, Earl Monroe, Gus Johnson, and others.

He said his first Bullets coach, Gene Shue, taught him how to make the transition from college basketball to the professional game. Shue was succeeded by KC Jones, who gave Phil “the freedom to blossom, to grow, to be more confident.”

Phil said Pete Maravich and Earl Monroe were the most challenging opponents he faced. “Those two were creative players,” he explained. “They thought way out of the box, and they would make moves on you, not to try to embarrass you, but that was their creative thinking. If you weren't prepared, you know you could get embarrassed.”

He believes today’s NBA athletes are physically superior (bigger, stronger, faster), but many enter the league with less development due to their younger age. On topical athletic issues, Phil disdains the rise of legalized sports betting because it raises some red flags.

“Some players have gotten themselves in hot water,” he said. “I like to think that guys still have the attitude of playing to win, being competitive and enjoying that experience. The idea of somebody trying to hold back, even a little bit, just doesn't sit right with me.”

On the influence of NIL (“name, image, likeness”) money in college sports, he argued against the current system of direct payment to student athletes. Phil proposed alternatives like (1) athletes getting an extended three additional years to get their degree after their college eligibility is up; or (2) a compensation scale tied to pro salaries for those leaving school early. 

The way NIL acts now, he argued, muddies up everything. “Once again, the big schools are going to win out. I don't like it,” Phil said. “I understand players thinking that they need to be compensated, but I just think that adds a lot of unnecessary problems, and you're already getting that.”

Columbia-Patuxent Rotarians and the Hammond High School Interact Club gave an early Christmas present to the Howard County Food Bank – 1,773 pounds of non-perishable groceries. It was the largest donation ever for their annual canned food drive.

In addition to soliciting Rotarian contributions, Interact members placed collection boxes in the rooms of 45 teachers. Hammond students could bring non-perishable food items to their first period class. The top three classes donating the most won a Chick Fil A breakfast sponsored by the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent. 

Interactors showed their holiday spirit with two other projects. They fashioned paper snowflakes for children in emergency care at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC.  Once these children are strong enough to go home, they can take their beautifully crafted snowflake with them. Students also placed holiday-themed decorations on the windows and glass doors at Winter Growth Assisted Living and Memory Care’s facility in Columbia, MD. 

Columbia-Patuxent members brought grocery donations at two club meetings and spent a Friday morning helping stock the Food Bank’s shelves. The club volunteers for this duty once a quarter throughout the year as part of its community service activities. It’s the largest and most active of the seven Rotary clubs in Howard County.   

Columbia-Patuxent Rotary also sponsored and provided vounteer "elves" like Susanne Caviness and Meghan Belcher (shown below) for Respite Retreats' Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Holiday Celebration that brings children and families together to decorate, connect, and step away from the weight of a cancer diagnosis, even if just for a little while. It's a good reminder of the power of community. 

Hammond High Interact is one of 35 active clubs in the Washington, DC and Central Maryland area. Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is proud to sponsor the club under the direction of advisor/Rotary Liaison Kellie Lego. Interact is one of Rotary’s key youth development programs – helping bring young people ages 12-18 work together to learn leadership skills and discover the power of Service Above Self. 

It’s a given that Rotary membership can be life-changing, but even non-members can find their lives improved by experiencing programs and activities offered worldwide.  One such example is the Rotary Youth Exchange program that gives 15-to-18-year-olds a chance to explore diverse cultures. Hosted by Rotary families, they can live up to a year overseas, learning a new language, new customs/traditions, and making new friends.

Progeny Health CEO Susan Torroella recently told Columbia-Patuxent Rotarians about her Youth Exchange year in glowing terms. She grew up in Lancaster, PA, where a newspaper article concerning an exchange student from India sparked her interest. Susan applied for the program, passed the formal interview process, and was assigned to spend a year in Brazil on exchange.

Sent to a small town where little English was spoken, Susan initially struggled with language, but immersion allowed her to rapidly acquire Portuguese: by three months she was nearly fluent, and by six months, locals mistook her for a native.  

She lived with two Brazilian host families, relating cultural differences including doing laundry manually with a washboard, reliance on letters for family communication (with long delays), and enjoying the Brazilian custom where a person with a birthday treats everyone else to a meal.

Susan described the warmth and community of Brazilian society, the closeness of the family unit, and the strong bonds with other international exchange students. She also attended evening Rotary meetings where she was welcomed despite the all-male membership prevalent at that time.

Susan believes Rotary Youth Exchange has shaped every facet of her life. It influenced her decision to pursue an International MBA, provided the foundation for her global marketing career, and made her more adaptive, culturally aware, and open-minded. It’s been pivotal to her personal and professional success, enriching her worldview and giving her the ability to appreciate and adapt to cultural subtleties. She closed her speech to our club with these words: “I'm so grateful to Rotary. I'm grateful for that entire experience. I would do it again and again.”

Anyone looking for an example of Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self can proudly point to Columbia-Patuxent Rotary past president Jim Ehle, 2025 recipient of The Reverend John W. Holland Humanitarian Award presented by the Community Action Council of Howard County.

This annual honor salutes exemplary leadership, meaningful community impact, sustained engagement, and inspiration for others. Jim’s been a dedicated CAC supporter for over a decade. Since 2014, he’s volunteered nearly 3,000 hours of his time at Howard County’s Food Bank, Community Garden and CAC offices. An hour of volunteer time in Maryland is worth $34.79, based on the most recent national and state-level data.

The awards citation said Jim’s efforts helped to connect underserved Howard County residents with needed programs and services. Along with spouse Joanne, Jim’s philanthropic giving has helped ensure that local families living in hardship can grow and thrive. The couple actively supported and sponsored foreign exchange students. They currently sponsor two US Naval Academy students in the region.

Joanne joined Jim on the awards podium, along with The Reverend Dr. Robert Turner, CAC board chair, and Tracy Broccolino, the organization’s president. CAC’s mission is to diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need.

In his acceptance speech, Jim called the Holland Award “an honor I never imagined.” He went on to say: “Service, for me, has never been about recognition. It's been about showing up, listening, learning, and doing what I can, with what I have, to make someone's day a little easier, a little brighter.

“I've learned that the most powerful change doesn't always come from grand gestures. It comes from consistency, from kindness, from quiet work done behind the scenes in food collections, reading a story for children, meals delivered, forms filled out, and hands held.”  

Jim noted the Holland Award “is more than a plaque or a title. It's a reflection of what happens in a community when compassion meets action, and when a community and an organization's quiet persistence becomes a lifeline for many.

“This award isn't mine alone. It belongs to every volunteer who said yes when it wasn't convenient; to every neighbor who offered help before being asked; to every person who believes that dignity is not a luxury – it’s a right. To my fellow volunteers, colleagues, and community members: thank you for walking beside me, for cheering me on, and for reminding me that kindness is contagious.”

He closed with a gentle challenge for all of us to undertake a Service Above Self commitment: “Volunteer. Donate. Advocate. Ask yourself, ‘What can I bring to the table?’  Whether it's time, talent, or treasure – every offering matters. Because when we show up together, we don't just ease burdens. We restore dignity. We build hope.”

Jim is the second Columbia-Patuxent leader to be named a Hollard Award winner. Past president Shaun Eddy received the honor in 2023. Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is the largest and most active of Howard County’s seven clubs.

Photos by Dave Bittner 

It’s easy to think of Rotary clubs as service organizations in their local community, but Rotary’s global reach takes this concept and extends it to projects on a worldwide basis, benefiting people in places far removed from a club’s home turf. That’s the case for Columbia-Patuxent Rotary and one of its latest examples of international service to others.  

In September 2022 the club initially donated $3,500 towards construction of a dedicated teachers staff room and work space at the St. Ursula Kalungu Primary School in Uganda under the auspices of the Assisi Centre for Peace and Justice. The new building, which took only a couple of months to complete, helped teachers feel that their school was complete.

For a second school-related project, Columbia-Patuxent partnered with 16 other US and Australian Rotary Clubs for the construction of 10 shower cubicles to be used by the 750 teenaged girls at the Kimaanya Secondary School in Uganda. This initiative was called Abigail's Project, named for the student who pushed for the much-needed hygiene facilities and developed the idea of requesting funding from Rotary.

On behalf of the Assisi Centre, Emily Nabakooza explained the need for showers as follows: “For a long time, mornings at BS Kimaanya Secondary School began in chaos, with students scrambling for a chance at the few available washing facilities. With so few bathrooms for so many learners, long lines tested patience and drained energy before the day even started. Those girls fortunate enough eventually secured their turn, but many faced a harsher reality like bathing in the open, where privacy was lost and hygiene compromised.”

Emily went on to say: “What should have been a simple daily routine became an exhausting struggle, leaving students weary before their first lesson. This Rotary-funded facility is more than just bathrooms. It is a space that reduces waiting times, improves hygiene, provides privacy and dignity, and restores confidence that empowers girls to start their day ready to learn."

International service is part and parcel of Rotary’s belief that fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, improving the health of mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies builds optimal conditions for peaceful societies. Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is the largest and most active of the seven Rotary clubs in Howard County.  

While most students were preparing to start the new school year by getting backpacks and school supplies ready, Hammond High’s Interact Club board gathered over pizza and fries to plan for monthly meetings and service projects in 2025-2026. Interact is one of Rotary’s key youth development programs – helping bring young people ages 12-18 together to learn leadership skills and discover the power of Service Above Self.  

Hammond High Interact is one of 35 active clubs in the Washington, DC and Central Maryland area. Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is proud to sponsor the club under the direction of advisor/Rotary Liaison Kellie Lego, assisted by fellow Rotarian Michael Werling. They guide Interactors in projects and activities that can make a difference in their school and community.

For this school year, Interact plans include two long-standing service projects: an annual Food Drive to collect non-perishables for donation to Howard County’s Food Bank, and making snowflakes for children in emergency care at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC.  Once these children are strong enough to go home, they can take their beautifully-crafted snowflake with them.

The project list goes on to include making dog toys for local animal shelters; creating thank-you messages for veterans; making blankets for kids with Project Linus; fashioning Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens; preparing meal prep kits for the Food Bank; and cleaning up the community around the school on Earth Day. “They were even able to squeeze in some weekend community service activities throughout the school year,” Kellie Lego said. “It is going to be an amazing year!”

In addition to hands-on service and having fun, past Hammond High Interact achievements even have had international impact. For example, a 2011 student-led “Walk 4 Water” raised money for fresh water well drilling in Ethiopia. It garnered enough capital to pursue drilling of four new drinking wells in the East African country.

Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is the largest and most active of the seven Rotary Clubs in Howard County.

(Excerpts from remarks by Rotary International 2025-26 President Francesco Arezzo, who took office July 1)

In an increasingly divided world, Rotary remains a beacon for unity. We begin this year with a clear message: Unite for Good. It is an extraordinary phrase for its simplicity, brevity and impact. Unite can be understood in two different manners. You have to unite in space and in time.

Uniting in space means involving all members in service. It means involving other organizations that function as partners. In short, it means to “expand our reach.” It means increasing our membership. Providing a strong club experience that meets the needs of members is imperative. That means making sure your club is welcoming, flexible and open to new ideas. It also means being responsive to the needs of your community. When we build connections locally, we increase our impact globally.

Uniting in time means we must work and plan with those who preceded us and with those who follow us. If we really want to change the world and people’s lives, together is a word that must always stand out prominently. Alone we go nowhere, any difficulty will seem insurmountable. Let’s learn instead to value the team, to use our infinite different skills, to look at problems from different points of view. Alone we lose, together we win, always.

Unity means working in harmony, building bridges, involving as many people as possible to achieve more effective results. Together, we can unite. We can unite to change lives, including our own. We can unite to change communities, right around the corner and half a world away. We can unite to change our world for the better, not just for us, but for generations to come. Together, we Unite for Good,

When we Unite for Good, we bring about change where our presence, our commitments, and our friendships matter. We build communities that care. And as we support and sustain one another, we grow in the process. We can do it. And we will do it. We are People of Action.

Columbia-Patuxent Rotary Club has recognized 14-year member Kellie Lego as its 2024-2025 Rotarian of the Year for her dedication, passion and service above and beyond the call of duty. The honor, announced by immediate past president Karen Mosel, is based on Kellie’s work not only with young people, but also in updating club bylaws.

Kellie serves as the club’s New Generations chair and advisor to Hammond High School’s Interact Club. Interact is one of Rotary’s key youth development programs that brings young people ages 12-18 together to learn leadership skills. Kellie helps students plan and implement local community service projects. She also volunteers to speak at Career Days and prepares students for the real world by assisting with their mock interview process.

“Kellie has been a guiding light for our youth, introducing them not just to Rotary but to the spirit of Service Above Self,” Karen said. “Through her tireless efforts, Kellie has inspired the next generation of leaders and volunteers, helping them understand the value of giving back, of building community and leading with the heart.”  

In the spirit of Columbia-Patuxent’s club service, Kellie put countless hours of work into updating and modernizing the club’s bylaws. “This work was critical to keeping us strong, organized and prepared for the future,” Karen said. “It’s often thankless, meticulous work, but Kellie took it on with incredible diligence, grace and commitment. Her energy, leadership and unwavering dedication to Rotary's mission have made a lasting mark on our club and our community.”

Kellie is the Managing Attorney of MVP Law Group and began her tenure in the legal field as a law clerk in 2005. She became a Rotarian in 2011. Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is the largest and most active of the seven Rotary clubs in Howard County.

Rotary and its members have a long history of promoting peace and working to address underlying causes of conflict in communities around the world. Peacebuilding is one of the cornerstones of our mission as a humanitarian service organization. That became more visible in Howard County in June when the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent installed a Peace Pole at the Heroes Grove at Howard County Johns Hopkins Medical Center.

A Peace Pole is a monument displaying the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in languages spoken in the locale where it’s placed. This message was authored by the late Masahisa Goi of Japan after the World War Two bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It’s now an international message with over 250,000 Peace Poles dedicated in every country in the world.

“What does peace mean to us? Peace is more than just the absence of conflict. It is a state of harmony — within ourselves, within our communities and with the world around us,” said Columbia-Patuxent president Karen Mosel, wielding a shovel at the ceremony. “Peace means respect, understanding and compassion. It means working together to overcome differences, to build bridges rather than walls, and to create a future where everyone can thrive safely and with dignity.

“This Peace Pole stands not only as a physical marker but also as a beacon of hope for Howard County,” she continued. “It represents our commitment to these ideals — a daily reminder that peace begins with each of us. When we pass by this pole, may we be inspired to foster kindness, to engage in respectful dialogue, and to act with empathy in our everyday lives. Let it remind all of us to work tirelessly toward a more peaceful, just, and inclusive society — right here at home in Howard County and beyond.”

Rotary estimates more than 70 million people  - half of them children - are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution and human rights violations.  Peace Poles are intended to foster unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The local dedication ceremony was attended by County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Economic Development Authority CEO Jennifer Jones, Kirsten Baier of Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Foundation, and many Rotary members. Columbia-Patuxent Rotary is the largest and most active of the seven Rotary clubs in Howard County.  

The Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent celebrated a year of accomplishment while honoring outgoing and incoming board members and officers at the Annual Dinner in early June. The event included a festive cake decorated with Rotary International’s logo.

Outgoing President Karen Mosel said 2024-2025 has been a “busy but fantastic year” tackling projects big and small. She noted a club bylaws update (the first in 11 years), a successful drive to add $50,000 to our Charitable Trust endowment, and a $30,000 annual Tour de Vines fundraising record for grants to local nonprofits.  These, she said, “show our commitment to building a solid foundation and making a major investment for the future of this club.” 

Karen said placement of a Rotary Peace Pole at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center’s Heroes Grove garden is “the most meaningful milestone in my mind because it will serve as a visible symbol of Rotary's commitment to peace, community, and an enduring legacy that will stand long after our service is through.”  

Incoming 2025-2026 President Linda Ostovitz said Karen’s leadership showed class and grace in “facing challenges as an opportunity to make our club better, and she did. She has fought for us and represented us really wonderfully for the last year.” 

Linda recounted her own Rotary membership experience, saying she joined the club to fill time after her late husband’s death, but found such a sense of acceptance, belonging, service and friendship that “the people in this room became people who filled my heart … who are as close to me as family, and who have sustained me and will continue to sustain me for the rest of my life.”

Linda’s goals for her term include making the club and its good works more visible in the community and having more fellowship activities for members. “Let's tell the world about what we do. We do so much. I believe in my heart that will cause other people to want to get engaged with us,” she said. “I would also love to drive our engagement with each other, because we rely on each other and the relationships that we have made, cultivated and cherished throughout the years.”

Ken Solow, a club past president and past governor of Rotary District 7620, administered the oath of office to 2025-2026 officers and directors, enjoining them to do their best to honor the bylaws of the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent and of Rotary International.

When Rotarians are part of a local service project, they do more than just put in a day of volunteer work. They perform an act of social responsibility and community empowerment that reflects their motto of “Service Above Self.”  A perfect example is Columbia-Patuxent Rotary Club’s yearly support of Rebuilding Together Howard County Day.

 This meaningful project involves teams of volunteers from across our area coming together to repair and revitalize the homes of neighbors in need as part of National Rebuilding Day. Current club president Karen Mosel has been involved since 1998, when the program was known as Christmas in April. She’s a six-year board member and fundraising committee co-chair as well.  

“This work matters. We are committed to improving the quality of life for elderly homeowners, individuals with disabilities, veterans and families with children—people who have worked hard but can no longer afford the critical repairs their homes need,” Karen says. “In today’s challenging economic climate, the need is even greater. Rebuilding Together fills a vital gap by serving an often-overlooked population in Howard County. It brings dignity, safety and stability to those who need it most.”

 Columbia-Patuxent’s house rehab project included such tasks as building and installing two fence gates, caulking and painting window trim, kitchen trim painting, replacing three posts in a split-rail fence, adding hangers to a pergola, putting corrugated extensions on four downspouts, strapping and connecting another downspout, cleaning and mulching a flower bed, and moving an orange azalea to the cleaned bed.

 These small jobs comprise more than hands-on service. They show caring hearts sharing values of compassion and unity, of taking care of our own and honoring the dignity of neighbors. They have a tangible impact, not only physical results but also intangibles like meeting new people, bridging divides and proving that we can take care of each other. In essence, that’s what Rotary is all about.  

The Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent helped create a Nourishing Garden by connecting three previous grant recipients and supplying some of the physical labor needed to help make the visionary project a reality. It began with James Place Inc, one of the club’s grantees that provides funding and advocacy to help people recovering from the disease of addition. For many years Barbara Allen, James Place executive director and wife of Rotarian Tom Allen, has worked with Turek House, an addiction treatment and recovery program that includes a men’s residential treatment facility. 

Barbara advocated for years that Howard County needed a similar program for women. She was thrilled when Turek purchased property and opened a women’s program, Highland House, in 2024, assisted  by a Columbia-Patuxent Rotary grant. Zelda, one of Highland House’s 14 residents, expressed interest in creating a garden on the property. Gardening has been shown to have many therapeutic benefits as well as providing fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers. Barbara thought this was a great idea and approached Turek management to say that if they agreed with the project, she would manage it.

With Turek’s approval, Barbara approached Geoff Carton, Rotary’s community service chair, about the club providing some volunteer labor. He agreed and also connected Barbara with the Community Ecology Institute (CEI).  Rotarians have completed a number of projects and provided grants to CEI over the years. The Institute also has a Nourishing Gardens program to transform lawns into beneficial growing spaces to nourish people, the community, and nature. CEI created a design for Highland House’s garden and sourced supplies and plants. A Howard County Health Dept. grant paid about half the project’s overall project cost.  

On garden installation day, Rotary helpers along with Turek staff, men from Howard House and the women of Highland House, worked to make Zelda’s vision come true. A 30 x 30-foot lawn area was transformed into a fenced garden with six raised beds for vegetables and herbs, surrounded by perennial flowers and berry bushes. When the weather’s warmer, more plants will be added and Highland House residents will learn how to care for and harvest the produce.

Rotarian Geoff Carton lauded the new garden as a great example of how connections between Rotary and various organizations can help spur community improvements. “It is so seldom that we get an opportunity to meet with and see the humanity of the people we are trying to help,” he said. “The Turek men and Highland House women were very real and open. I look forward to hearing about their success. I really appreciate that they were there doing the work themselves.”

TEXT by Tom Allen                                                                                                                                                                                                      PHOTOS by Geoff Carton

It’s the practice of Rotary clubs to have a guest speaker at their regular meetings. Our aim is to have a program of informational, educational, motivational or entertainment value that will be of general interest to all club members.

We look for speakers who are mindful of the fact that Rotary is a non-political and non-religious-affiliated organization, and who will refrain from controversial topics or volatile issues that could cause anger or division. Speakers representing religious or charitable organizations are welcome to speak about their work, however, so long as they don’t advocate a particular political or religious position.

It is acceptable to have current political office holders speak when the format is a report on issues that face the community or a report to constituents on congressional or legislative affairs. We plan to refrain from hearing from political candidates during an election campaign. 

We welcome company or business speakers to talk about issues that affect their industry and the community and how they cope with them. We’re interested in fresh topics on a company’s approach to sound business practices.  

We welcome speakers from non-profit organizations that impact our community, state, nation or the world. We especially like to hear from those we have financially supported through our annual Grants Day program or who have club members serving as their volunteers or board members.

We also try to invite speakers who might be considered as potential members of the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent so that we can learn more about them while they experience the warm welcome that we’re known for. Here’s just a few of the organizations whose speakers we’ve heard in recent months:

• Maryland State Dental Association
• Howard County Economic Development Authority
• Neighbor Ride
• Make A Wish                
• Wings of Hope Global Cooperative
• Gilchrist Hospice
• Just Living Advocacy
• Better Business Bureau
• Just Living Advocacy
• Columbia Amateur Radio Association
• The Business Monthly
• Special Olympics
• Columbia Housing Center
• Silhouette Stages