Lake Butler Community Page News Tidbits

By Ted Barber

Our January, 26, 2021 Lake Butler luncheon meeting included Tammy Wilkerson (Nancy Griffis’ guest), Rebekah Elixson (Mitch Bishop’s guest), Christopher Alvarez, JROTC Adjutant, Brian Knagge, JROTC Commander, Wayne Elixson, JROTC Command Sergeant Major, Tammy Still, Aide to State Representative Bobby Payne, and Robert Driggers, a fellow Rotarian from Alabama (soon to be returning to Union County).

Mitch Bishop introduced Brian Knagge, Chris Alvarez and Wayne Elixson of the Union County Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) as his program’s special guests. All three cadets provided an excellent view of the Union County High and now Union County Middle School (8th Graders are now participating) JROTC Program. The JROTC program is guided by two excellent instructors (LTC Kevin Stevenson and CW3 John Holmstrom). The young men and women of the UC JROTC Program perform a variety of activities for public and private events to include honor guards for football games, Memorial and Veteran’s Day Ceremonies, car parking details, and many more. The cadets are extremely competitive and disciplined. They are competing well in state of Florida JROTC events where physical, mental, marksmanship, public speaking and drill and ceremony skills are challenged. The exposure these JROTC students are receiving is preparing them for the future where the military as well as civilian skills are needed.

Tyler Kelley asked the “Did You Know?” question, “On this date in 1950 a new Republic was formed of this British Commonwealth”? The correct answer was India and no one had that answer.

Rotarian Bob Driggers shared some history about the Lake Butler Rotary Club with several old documents he found in his parent’s home. Our Club was chartered May 15, 1965 and the Rotary District 694 Governor was Sydney D. Andrews who lived in Tallahassee, Florida. Our first Club President was Norman Stephenson, Curtis Lee was the VP, Jim Tomkins was Secretary, Paul Riherd was Treasurer and Robert Driggers was the Sergeant at Arms. We had 32 regular members and 3 honorary members- one of the honorary members was our then district 694 Governor Syd Andrews.
Nancy Griffis brought a sample of the white crosses with mounted American Flags to honor military Veterans living or deceased from anywhere that are being made at the UCHS; to be stored at TBD, and displayed on SR 121 for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day (each for 3 weeks). Signup sheets are available at the UC Supervisor of Election’s Office. A donation of $40 with the completed signup form can be given to any Rotarian or directly to Brian Reagan our Treasurer for activation and deposit in a separate bank account.

Upcoming Programs: Feb 2- Kelly Rhoades, Feb 9- Ted Barber, Feb 16- Lake Butler Woman’s Club, Feb 23- Alexandra Pritchett, Mar 2- Shane Collins, Mar 9- Garrett Milton, Mar 16- Art Peterson, Mar 23- Sara Owen and Mar 30- Tyler Kelley.