The Wheel for November 30, 2017

by Nov 30, 2017The Wheel0 comments

The Wheel


Dan Stover Music Competition

Each year musically talented high school students participate in a Rotary District 5300 program entitled The Dan Stover Memorial Music Scholarship, and winners qualify for educational awards that enable them to further their studies at an accredited college, university, or music conservatory upon high school graduation.

The words of education and music transected in the life of Dan Stover, a secondary education professional whose musical talents were shared with his family, his community, and certainly with Rotary, at both the local and District levels.

Dan Stover was an educator who always placed the student first, and his obvious respect for his students transformed the lives of countless young people. He shared his love of learning with the young, providing them with a positive role model for structuring their studies and lives.

Dan Stover was an accomplished musician, both as a vocalist and Quartet competitions as he was at the keyboard of his famous “Rotary” organ, serenading Club members and District Conferences with his unique musical wizardry.

Dan passed away shortly following the 1987 District Conference at which his friend and fellow Alhambra Rotarian, Dr. Tim Keen Siu, became District Governor. Dan was noticeably ill at the conference, but he played his heart out for Dr. Tim and others, knowing that the show must go on.

The Rotary Club of Alhambra, in the year following Dan’s death, established a Music Scholarship Program and Competition in Dan’s name. The program was proposed, organized, and championed by new Rotarian Christine Montan who, talent and effectiveness of Dan Stover as a Rotarian and as a person.

Under Rotarian Montan’s leadership, The Dan Stover Memorial Music Scholarship became a District program in the following year, and the rest is history. A whole generation of talented, young musicians have had the opportunity, in the name of Dan Stover, to compete against their peers, and earn funds to further their musical education.

Message From The President

Don Ashworth – Rotary Club of Las Vegas President 1975-76

DON ASHWORTH Former Clark County Probate Commissioner Don W. Ashworth slipped peacefully away and returned to his Heavenly Father November 20, 2017, in Highland, Utah. At his side, as always, was Mary, his sweetheart, of 57 years. Surrounding them were their six surviving children and their families. The couple was sealed for time and all eternity September 8, 1960, in the St. George Temple. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, five girls, and two boys. Despite a life of public service and achievement, Don always felt his family was his greatest accomplishment.

Don was born September 18, 1937, in the town of Pioche, but grew up in Las Vegas. He attended Las Vegas High School, where he excelled in sports and served as student body president. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah where he served once again as student body president.

Prior to serving as Probate Commissioner, he was a practicing attorney in the area of taxation and estate planning for more than 25 years. He also served as a Nevada State Senator from 1978-1982. The lifelong scouter also served for more than 30 years on the Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts of America Boulder Dam Area Council. For his distinguished service, Don received the Silver Beaver Award. In addition, he was a past president of the Las Vegas Rotary Club and organizer and president of the Southern Nevada Estate Planning Council.

As important as his public service was, Don found his greatest joy in serving his family and his church. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in multiple leadership positions: three bishoprics, a high councilman, a temple worker in the Las Vegas Temple, but his favorite calling was as a missionary in Chicago with Mary at his side.

Don had quick wit and humor. He gained a reputation as a chef with his “famous” French toast. He was dubbed Chief Kodak and took hundreds of thousands of pictures of family and scenery. He traveled widely in South America, Europe, and especially loved the majestic scenes of the United States, but his favorite retreat was Gunlock, Utah. He enjoyed boating and waterskiing at Lake Mead because it gave him the opportunity to spend time with his children and whomever they invited to join them.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Kristen Curtis (Wayne), Heidi Heras (Erik), Tamara Fackrell (Jacob) and Candace Simpson (Robbie); and sons, Jay Ashworth (Deanne) and Daniel Ashworth (Denise). He also is survived by 35 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Lynn Ashworth; and brother, Dean Ashworth.

Member Highlights

Scribe – August 25, 2016

  • Kiwanis President John Case called the meeting to order.
  • Jim Small, a Kiwanis member, gave the invocation. Howard Naylor from the Kiwanis Club led the club in singing “America The Beautiful”, followed by fellow member Past Governor Len Yelinek leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Bob Fisher. Kiwanis President John Case recognized a number of members making a significant contribution to community service. President Michael welcomed everyone to the Kiwanis/Rotary 63rd Annual Salvation Army Canned Food Drive and Thanksgiving Luncheon meeting and asked for a moment of silence on the passing of 1975-76 PP Don Ashworth.
  • There were (0) International Rotarians, (2) visiting Rotarians including new Interact Club President at Clark High School and (12) Guests of Rotarians introduced.
  • PP Jim Tucker announced electronic voting for the 2018-2019 Board of Directors is online and already there has been 20% voting returned.
  • PP Jim Hunt announced the 22nd year of the Santa Clothes project is moving along with over 360 kids this year in addition to 5 UNLV students who are being given $200 each to shop. PP Jim presented President Michael with a check in the sum of $600 by Sandra Holmes, the mother of member Kirk Holmes for the Santa Clothes project.
  • Bob Fisher reminded the club of the 4th Quarter Wetzel program on November 30th at 3:30 p.m. not 3:00 p.m. and that the next meeting on Nov. 30th, is the last day to bring toys to support the Salvation Army Toys for Kids; Erik Astramecki reminded the Club that the Highway Clean-Up will take place on Saturday, December 16th at 8 am.
  • President Michael announced Las Vegas Rotary Club shirts are available, with forms emailed to members and also available from Shawn.
  • Major Randy Kinnamon of the Salvation Army thanked both the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs for their support of the Salvation Army and its food drive. The results of the Canned Food Drive were announced by Phillip Hollon of the Salvation Army, with the Kiwanis bringing in 64,548 cans and the Las Vegas Rotary Club, once again, ‘nailed it’ by bringing in 86,617 cans!! Truly an amazing and successful effort!
  • Kiwanis President John Case introduced our speaker program, Desiree Reed-Francois, the Director of Athletics for UNLV. Not only is Dir. Reed-Francois energetic and enthusiastic, but she brings a substantial and impressive background of leadership experience to UNLV and its athletics program. She described her vision for the athletics program from focusing on the core values to recruit those students who personify those values but the forward vision with Fan and Student Initiatives for the 17 programs comprising the Department. Tickets to the evening’s game were ‘gifted’ by Dir. Reed-Francois to a couple of club members.
  • Kiwanis President John Case then adjourned the meeting.


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